You have probably been reading about Ruby on Rails, a very interesting strategy to web development. The following is related only in name to Ruby. I just arrived in NYC for the Inman Conference and though I would share my trip up from Washington, DC. I have been a “railfan” for many years and operate a HO scale layout in my basement. Before you ask, yes, all swiches are controlled from a Linux computer.
I started the journey to New York from my favorite rail station, Washington’s Union Station. The architecture is so impressive, I decided to arrive a bit early just to take it all in. I peered down the Metroliner section and noticed that they still run the “round” style cars I remember from the 80’s. But, I was going on the Acela so I kept walking.
I then stopped by the magazine stand and found four different Linux magazines, cool. I won’t be bored.
When 10:55 am arrived, I had my first chance to see the exterior. Wow, just like the models! The last car was First Class, naturally. I chose a seat at a table so that I could use my laptop. I found the nearest power plug (right next to me!) for the laptop and positioned myself for some writing. The Acela has three seats across, organized as singles and doubles. Each are separated by sliding glass doors. These look very cool. I wish I had brought my camera. I found these pictures on the web though.
The menu was handed out promptly and I ordered the London Broil Wrap. A limited menu, but I’m glad I didn’t take the Breakfast train because it only has cold “continental” style fare. I almost choose the Spinach Salad.
I was just given a paper (New York Times) to read. Yawn, old news eventhough it is today’s paper. I did read the “Dow hits 11,000″ article though. The author noted that this hasn’t happened since the “dot-com” days. I shuttered and put the paper away. Enough of that! I’m glad I picked up my Linux material before boarding.
Well, its 11:00, and the doors are closing, an encouraging sign. There are only six other passengers in my car.
It took a few miles, but we are now “cruising”. It sounds like a whine versus the “clack, clack” of standard rail. The car sways a bit from side to side. If I didn’t get such a restful night of sleep last night, this would be a perfect sleeping trip.
Here comes round one, snacks. Both pretzels and Goldfish. Perfect with a Diet Coke.
The first stop is BWI Airport. No one is boarding my car.
We are approaching downtown Baltimore (Penn Station) at a rather slow speed with several twists and tunnels. Rail is so much better in the daylight. Penn station is small but classic. Two passengers are boarding my car.
Halfway to Philadelphia, lunch arrived. nice presentation. There was even an Otis Spunkmeyer oatmeal raisin cookie. The potato chips are the “designer” kind and the sandwich is big enough that I probably would not eat the cookie. I stashed it in my bag for later.
Our next stop is Wilmington Delaware. The station is in the Riverfront Park development. The rail is overhead here so it is hard to see the station. It looks like a rad brick structure. No one boarded my car so that eight of us are on our way to Philadelphia.
We are now approaching Philly’s 30th Street Station, another building high on my favorites, architecturally speaking. It brings back funny lines from the movie “Trading Places”. The view of the Schuylkill River on the approach is nice, even in winter. We have added three more passengers. Back over the river and on to Newark!
Newark.
I have only been in New York once since 9/11 and that was a late night arrival, early morning presentation. The skyline from the ground is much more impressive than the lights from the air.
I bid farwell to the silver chariot and enter New Yorks Penn Station.
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