MARC train has multiple personalities

How's that for a headline? Well, it happened this morning on the MARC train into work. 

I've been bragging about riding on the new MARC double-decker train cars this past week or so and love the new features. So, I was on one again this morning (and yes, those plugs ARE under every seat I've sat in, so far!). As the train pulled into Union Station, in WASHINGTON, D.C., I noticed something out of the corner of my eye that looked like "NJT" on the electronic scrolling screens, on the inside of the train. But then it flipped back to saying something about MARC. Proof below.

Then all the the sudden, the automated recording comes on the loudspeaker, telling all us WASHINGTON commuters "Thank you for riding the New Jersey Transit." Well, that woke everyone up and if you were really groggy, hungover, or just not with it, you might have actually thought you were arriving into Newark, NJ for a New Jersey Devils game (no idea why I chose that team, other than the fact I remember passing their arena on my few Amtrak train trips into New York City, which rides parallel to the NJT for a bit, if I remember correctly). It was hilarious. And probably was a "you had to be there" kind of moment, but still, it made my morning!

Clearly, the Maryland Transit Administration will need to update that, but I'm still a fan of these cars and hope I get to ride on them daily...which if I keep taking the 7:11 one out of Germantown in the morning, it appears I will! 

So, Happy Friday to all and hope you have a weekend as happy as this puppy is! 

Best feature ever!

A few days ago, I blogged about the new MARC train cars and today I discovered the best thing discovered since the dawn of time. Well, that might be a slight exaggeration. But look!

I understand technology and upgrading take time, but my, oh my, why hasn't this been here since cell phones were invented?! There is no doubt, riders will rejoice and this will this do wonders for myself and all of the MARC train passengers who use their phones/computers/devices constantly during their commutes. Thank heavens. 

FYI - These are located underneath the seats in front of you and I'm assuming they are under each seat, but since this was the first day I've seen them, I'll have to sit in a different spot to truly know. Seriously though, best hump day discovery ever! 

Brand spankin' new

The other day, I got on the train and it was a new model of the double-decker cars on the MARC train system. I'm in love. (I think technically they are called "bi-level" cars, but I love London, so double-decker it shall be on this blog!)

The picture doesn't do it justice but it also smells brand spankin' new. Like a car just off the lot. :)

I'm assuming these are the ones that former Governor O'Malley mentions in this press release because I saw those 4 additional side doors as I exited the train the other day! Ooooo, fancy. 

Currently MARC has three models that I've ridden in/on. First, there's the old-school double-decker ones -- carriage cars. The lower level has normal 2x2 seats where you sit either facing the direction you're going or backwards. The upper level has a single row of seats, half of which face either front or back and the other half face towards the center of the car, with the space between the two sides, open to view down to the first level, and vice versa. Photo of exterior below. If I can find an interior, I'll update for sure!

The door is in the middle of the carriage cars, rather than the ends of the car.

The one that I tend to be on more than other ones is a single level with just a long row of seats. I posted a picture of the interior in this blog post. It has come to light, in recent events, that they are not the safest of train cars, when in a collision. 

The third kind are the newest model I've ridden on (until earlier this week). They are very similar to the newest car, with two levels. Almost like a split-level house, you have to choose whether you want to sit upstairs or downstairs almost immediately after entering the train car. The doors are at both ends and there seems to be more accommodations on these double-deckers for a larger quantity of people and even more ADA compliant than the single level cars. 

I'm super pumped to see this newest model in action on the Brunswick line earlier this week and hope to get more chances to test-ride in the coming months! Also, as much as the carriage cars are unique and old-school, I'll be glad when those are phased out of circulation.