Same Ole Story (with a twist)

We've all wondered it. A lot of us have even sent emails inquiring about it. Some of us have searched the web. A few some are oblivious, but if you're one of the many wondering why the train loses power for a split second somewhere between Kearny and Secaucus the answer doesn't matter much. What matters is that we've all been on a train that loses power and can't restart it. This seems to also occur a lot in the tunnel between NY and NJ, but that's a different post.

Last week seemed like any other instance where the train loses power and it can't regain it. As before, we sit with no word from the crew for several minutes, then they explain every detail over the PA every 2 minutes with the same status. Why does the crew use the PA to communicate with each other? Don't they have their own communication system? Sorry getting off on a tangent. I would assume they'd just use their own walkie talkies??? Oh well... Anyway back to the train sitting on the tracks with no power. Oh, did I mention that thetrain is filled to capacity because the 545p train out of NY for whatever reason was canceled so all of those passengers were now on the 618p train.

So with all their infinite wisdom and stellar expertise, the crew could not get the train started. So what's the plan? NJ Transit brings the 640p train along side ours, so that all of us 545 and 618 riders cannow pile into the 640 train (of course we didn't all fit) and then we'll continue on our way where each stop requiring 5 or more minutes so that slews of people can shuffle and dance to allow riders for each stop to get off. It was just dandy.

I'm lucky to have been one of the riders to make it onto the 640 train. I'm not even sure how long of a commute the other riders had, who had to wait for an even later train to come and pick them up.

It was also a unique experience in that all of us transferring trains did not do so by platform or some other sophistaced means, we had to descend the train cars we were in, walk among the rocky gravel between the trains and climb into the rescue train. And of course at this juncture of the evening, let's just say it was not sunny out! A real safe and once again smooth ride!