There's a very decent museum covering the history and building of the New York subways and bus system, situated in Brooklyn. On Saturday afternoon, I did my 'subway route bashing' in the direction of Brooklyn so that I could visit the Museum. Imaginatively, the museum is located in a disused subway station, so the entrance is steps down from a street corner, just like most subway station entrances (and as immortalised in countless films!). The circulating area one floor down, still with original wall tiles, houses all sorts of transport-related exhibits and the island passenger platform two floors down holds about 20 large exhibits on the two flanking tracks. These large exhibits are mainly examples of various subway cars as used over the years. Unlike a lot of museums, you can walk through and sit in all the cars. Being the weekend, there were lots of parents with children. Noisy from time to time, but anything that gets young people interested in railways is a good thing!
Saturday, 3 February 2007
Saturday in New York
Got up about 05:45, buffet breakfast, purchase a Day Ticket for the Subway and go downtown one stop to Grand Central. This is another place you've known about for years and it was good to get there at last. It's been re-furbished over the last few years and looks splendid. Every internal surface is polished granite, the whole place is airy and spacious. You might find the 'Beaux Arts' style of architecture a bit over the top, but I love it. Wait 'till you see my pictures!
Eventually caught the subway to Bowling Green and walked past the Ferry Terminal to Pier 6, which is the heliport you must have seen in films. Very strict security but eventually 5 of us were loaded into a helicopter for a quick tour. Interesting but a bit sedate - not even in my top 5 helicopter flights but I'm always pleased to fly!
After the flight, walked back to look at the delightful old Staten Island Ferry Terminal. Although terribly cold, it had turned into a crystal-clear sunny day, so I couldn't resist a trip on the Staten Island ferry when it's not dark and not raining. This time, I disembarked and went a little way down the Island on its own railway, all on the surface. The Island is connected to Brooklyn by the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. This is the second one, the first being famous for having shaken itself to pieces on film. The rail trip gave good views of this impressive construction, but I couldn't fit in a trip over it. Getting a bit tired, so return to hotel for shower.
Late Saturday afternoon, I was off again to use up all the daylight. I went to Brooklyn on the Subway and visited the NYC Transit Museum then I checked out the suburban terminus of the Long Island Rail Road (there's a surprise). After dark, I went to have a look at the Port Authority Bus Terminal, which is modern. It's HUGE. New York is a strange mixture of old and new juxtaposed. I ended up walking at the North End of Central park, towards Harlem and when I had trouble finding my subway station, it's the only time I felt worried. Although I'm startled when strangers address me, it's always been a friendly comment or, on about seven occasions asking directions about the subway (I managed to help each time). Only my second day in New York but already I feel at home here.
