The Longest Day – Continued

e*Train Issue: Mar 2002 | Posted in: Railfanning

by Bob Mintz

The last time we detrained, I left you with a thought as to what this signal was all about.

Since the parking lot of my train station is adjacent to the tracks, the signal is a reminder that the train may still be in the station to those who have just dropped off loved ones and are heading home across the tracks, to take care of their next “job”.

Jamaica Station is the “hub” of the morning and evening commute. Every train, except those that depart or go to Port Washington and some express trains that may bypass it, converges here.

When one gets to Jamaica, unless their train goes exactly to where they are headed, they must transfer for another train.

Diesel trains are prohibited from entering New York City proper, in other words, Penn Station. Only electrified equipment is permitted. The rest of New York City can be polluted, but the diesel fumes entering the tunnels would cause quite a problem. The latest GMC diesel electrics are divided into two categories, the single mode “400 series” and the dual mode “500 series.” Most of eastern Long Island has yet to be electrified. MUs (multiple units) dominate the fleet though, and the latest MU-7s should be delivered by next month.

Three different lines merge at Jamaica Station. Trains either heading to or departing from Penn Station New York, Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn and Hunters Point in Long Island City, Queens, all come together for the “Dashing Dan” dance, as commuters transfer to another train to take them either to work or home.

So what happens when you arrive on Track 1 and your next train is located on Track 3?

Well, if you are in good enough shape, you run down the platform, up the stairs, cross the tracks and head back down and run towards an open door to hopefully find a place to stand or maybe even a place to sit.

Or, like the Army Corps of Engineers, you wait for the proper train to pull into the station to form a “train-bridge” as we show you here.

This all works except when commuters block the doors, and you have to punch your way through.

Just some of the fun and games you have as a commuter on the LIRR. And you thought you were a couch potato? You need to be a sprinter, track coach-(pun intended) analyzing the best route, and a blocker all in one. “MTA, going your way!”

I will leave you with the following thought: What is that mysterious material located on either side of this welded rail track located on concrete ties, and what is its’ function?

Shop Amazon and Help TCA

TCA members who shop at Amazon.com can have each of their normal purchases generate a modest payment to TCA! And it won’t cost you anything!

The Train Collectors Association is now a participant with AmazonSmile, which is a special website operated by Amazon that lets customers enjoy the same wide selection of products, low prices and convenient shopping features as on Amazon.com.

The difference is that when customers shop at AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), the AmazonSmile Foundation donates 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to the charitable organizations selected by customers.

The process is simple. Just search for and select Train Collectors Association when you sign up and shop at smile.amazon.com.

You use your regular Amazon.com username and password, but when you log in to smile.amazon.com, you’ll see that you are supporting TCA with your purchases:

Note that if you just log in to the regular amazon.com, this benefit does not operate.

There are no costs to either you or TCA, but TCA benefits!

This is a great way for TCA to earn extra cash to offset costs, so sign up today to help support TCA.

* Note: TCA is not a party to any of your Amazon transactions, and does not endorse any products or vendors.

Helping TCA with your ebay purchases when you use PayPal

If you’re an ebay user and have a PayPal account you use to make payments, you can designate a donation for TCA when you’re checking out — any amount, small or large.
If you’re a regular seller on ebay, you can pre-designate a percentage of your sales to be donated automatically in your name to TCA as long as the purchaser pays with their PayPal account.

In both cases, you will receive a donation receipt from the PayPal Giving Fund, and enjoy applicable tax advantages.

How to do it:

Click on the image above, or use this link. This will take you to ebay, where you will see the following page (log in to ebay if you are not already):

This offers TCA as an option. Click on the “Add to My Charities” button where indicated with the red arrow. Thereafter, when you make a purchase, at checkout you will be offered the option to make a donation to TCA in any amount of your choosing. Small amounts add up, larger ones are great! It’s always up to you!

The option will appear at the lower part of your checkout page, something like this:

If you’re a regular seller on ebay, you can allocate a portion of your sales proceeds to be donated to TCA. Look at the green arrow marked “Optional” above to see how to do it. Details on how ebay calculates the donation may be read here. This is a wonderful way to share the financial benefits of your hobby with the organization that promotes it!

An added benefit to TCA is that these donations are not subject to normal processing fees, so that makes your donation work harder!

* Note. TCA is not a party to any of your eBay transactions, and does not endorse any products or vendors. PayPal issues the receipts to you for your donation, not TCA.

The Longest Day – Continued

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