After coming back from Japan I posted a bunch of pictures of some of Japan’s decorated trains. Although they seem far more common there, we do get some decorated trains here in New York City every once and a while. One of my recent favorites is the adorably cute Bronx Zoo themed train. I caught up with the train several weeks ago in Grand Central, it was running as the shuttle between there and Times Square.
If you happen to take a ride on one of these trains, be sure to look up at the ceiling. It just might make you smile. I nearly missed it myself, guess I wasn’t too observant that night. But look up, a giraffe will be staring back at you. After seeing this train I totally want to go to the zoo!
In other news, I am totally getting my act together with the rest of my pictures from Japan, and the more recent ones from Toronto. I got in trouble taking pictures in Toronto’s Union Station, but also had the opportunity to visit the Toronto Railway Heritage Centre, which was great fun (well, not the part with the cops, or as my brother called them, Canadian Bacon). I liked the trains, my brother liked the beer. The old railway roundhouse now serves as a beer brewery, and of course they have samples for visitors. It helps if I tell you that my brother is only twenty – not quite drinking age in the US, but old enough to drink in Canada.
I took the Shuttle last Thursday. Sadly, it isn’t decorated anymore.
Aww, that is too bad. See what happens when it takes me forever to post stuff? :D
What a great train! I grew up within walking distance of the Zoo so I may be biased.
I wonder if the MTA posts a schedule anywhere. I tried Googling without success.
On the subject of themed trains, I remember when the special trains for the 1964-65 World’s Fair were rolled out.
Here’s a great MTA ad. Unfortunately it’s in black-and-white so you miss the “baby blue” color of the trains. Even as a kid I thought it seemed like an inappropriate color for a train.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkMHe0udrjQ
That ad was great! I bet the baby blue trains got dirty quite fast though.
Here, steal my union station pictures, even the exclusive shot of (you’ll just have to see for yourself.)
http://sproactually.blogspot.com/2009/10/go-to-canada-ride-trains.html
I took pictures all over the station, track side, in the subway and of the street cars. i was actually amazed that no one said boo to me.
Haha, can’t say I was able to take a picture of a urinal :P I think part of the reason was that Toronto is going to be the host of the G20 summit in a few days, and they are trying to lock everything down security-wise. There were cops everywhere. I’ll have to post the pics I did take at some point. Not as many as I would have liked, but I still got a nice shot in the station.
awe kitty!