Nessie

I live on the Orange Line - the F train to be specific. Sometimes I call it the Funky Train. Sometimes I call it other things that aren't so nice...I have reason to do so.

It never, never, never, EVER runs regularly on the weekends and on weekdays I usually end up standing outside waiting for it while some seasonal extreme ruins my hair, makeup and/or shoes. Then, when I finally get on the train I'm reminded of how old it is. The seats are this really groovy yellow/orange color color that forces you to imagine what may or may not have been smeared on them since 1973. Once I sit down I'm reminded of the rules:

1. No smoking
2. No transmitting brainwaves to other passengers
3. No playing of the boombox

see for yourself...


Just when I was going to light up a cigarette and play my newest Run DMC tape...shucks!

But a few months ago I saw something really surprising on the F Line. The new R142 model train (I only know this because I Googled it). It looked like they were testing service because the train was entirely empty, but my heart still skipped a beat - the F line might actually be getting an upgrade??

Let me tell you what is so great about model R142. First of all, it has an automated PA system which announces the current and next stop in a very polite lady robot voice - kinda like Rosie from The Jetsons. The alternative, found on older models, is a disgruntled MTA worker who's been trapped underground for the past 6 hours and may or may not feel feel the need to tell you where you are, where you're going or if the station attendant has forced it to make express stops. Second, it's air conditioned always! Third, it's well lit, so you can actually see the book or news paper you or your neighbor is reading. Fourth, it's a smoother, quieter ride. You don't hear the breaks squeal or grind, you take corners without feeling like you're on a rickety, old, wooden roller coaster. Fifth, the model is featured on EVERY OTHER LINE EXCEPT FOR THE ORANGE LINE. One can't help but feel like they were handed the short end of the stick. Longstory short, riding the new model train makes getting from A to B less of an annoyance.

So when I saw it again last week on the Brooklyn-bound F line (as I was headed to Manhattan), full of laughing, smiling people, I rubbed my eyes and blinked. Could I really be seeing NY Subway system's very own version of the Loch Ness Monster? Was this Nessie??? It gave me a little hope, but I considered it a fluke. And even if it was running on the F line, there was probably only one train to be shared amongst the millions of riders and the odds of me being one of them was slim to none.

Then I had my second sighting! Of course it was heading in the opposite direction - but still! Proof of better commutes to come! Then a few days later, I saw it again. This time pulling away from the station just as I was walking up. Could my wildest dreams be coming true?

So tonight, while reading and sulking because I missed my stop to go to K-Mart (classy), I heard the familiar click-clacking of the train and was pleasantly surprised when I looked up the tunnel to see a red light beaming at me. It was Nessie!!! I stood on the platform in shock as she opened her doors, welcoming me in. I stepped in, found a seat and began reading, gazing up only momentarily to view the automated progress tracker - Ditmas Ave in 8 more stops! It was like floating on a cloud...to Brooklyn.

What a lovely Sunday surprise! And aside from the old creepy man staring at me, the ride was pure bliss.