Running for the train

Everyday I commute from Washington Union Station to Halethorpe, MD on the MARC commuter rail. I will typically catch the 5:20pm express on the Penn line but this particular day I was running late so I was resigned to take the 5:34pm local.

When I got to the station platforms the 5:20 train was still there so I started heading for it and I heard the conductor said, "All aboard!" I'm not really the running type so I was just going to go catch the later train but as I was about to change my mind the conductor saw me and said "Come on!" and waved his arm beckoning me to make the train.

So I put on a little bit of speed and ran to the end of the first car where the conductor was now standing in the doorway. Right as I was getting there the train began to pull away from the platform. The conductor said, "careful now" and stepped aside to allow me to jump onto the moving train.

I was a little bit out of breath from the sprint but I was pretty excited about what had just occurred. I had just jumped onto a moving train as it pulled away from the station. When in my life will I ever get the chance to jump on a moving train again?

The good trains

It's been two weeks since I left New York and so far I don't miss it. It always takes a while to get used to a new area and how things are done but one thing is very much the same, the trains.

Riding the train to Washington, DC is not the same as riding the train into Manhattan. For example, the conductors are never quite sure whether or not they've checked your ticket. The trains are newer and double-decker since there aren't any tunnels to go through and that means more comfortable seats with more room. So people aren't so crammed on the trains as in New York.

There is a "Quiet car" on each train where people aren't allowed to use their cell phones or talk loudly, the down side is that they don't make announcements either, so be sure you're on the correct train before you sit in the quiet car.

The station where I get on the train near my apartment doesn't have a platform so the conductors only open the doors in two places and get out with stools to allow the riders to climb up inside. There really isn't a line so people just sort of push together without touching each other. Amongst this the riders are still more courteous than New Yorkers.

When the train gets to Union Station the riders begin to line up back from the door the same as in New York only in New York all those people lining up will get off the train before you if you don't shove into the line before it starts moving. In Washington the riders in the line wait like in an airplane for those in the seats ahead of them to get out. It's nice but slows down the process if you're in a hurry. The best advice is to get in line and move as close to the door as you can and past as many rows of seats as you can.

But getting off the train quickly won't help you out unless you are in the front car. Everyone walks really slow down the platform, I can't even take a full step. Then they all squish through a couple of doors into the station and then down a single escalator to get to the Metro trains. The best thing to do is probably just sit on the train for a minute and let it all clear up.

However you do it, no matter what, it still feels more laid back then the commute to Manhattan. It makes things feel less stressful when you can leisurely commute, it adds a little bit to your day and takes a little less from your soul.