The "Subway Directions" Stories Thread...

[SubwayGuy]

Figured I'd start this as something fun for all the railfans and TA Employees out there. Whether fanning, "just riding", or working (TA employees), I'm sure you've all got asked for directions and done your best to get them where they were going (whether they took your advice or not is another story), so I figured this would be a fun thread to share some of the better "directions" stories.

 

I'll go first. I got a bunch but one of my favorites was a lady I ran into in the tunnel between the and at Court St/Boro Hall. She wanted to get to Bergen St. I ask her "Bergen St. on the ...or Bergen St. on the ?"

 

"Bergen St. on the ."

 

Of course in Brooklyn, that's pretty inconvenient to try and do from Court/Boro, probably better off walking or bussing it. But she's already in the fare control So I give her the best directions possible: "Get the that's heading to Bay Ridge, and take it to the stop at 9th St./4th Ave. Then go upstairs, get a Manhattan bound and take it to Bergen." Since there was a map nearby on a billboard, I even showed her so she wouldn't give me that "I've never taken that train before...are you SURE it's going to work??" look.

 

"OK, so where do I get the train?" Well with me on my way to Junior's, I told her "You can get it in this station, just follow the signs. I'm getting the too, so you can just follow me."

 

So she follows me to the escalators for the , then sees someone else. Asks them for directions. "How do I get to Bergen St?" And as I get on the escalator going downstairs I hear "Back that way, train..."

 

Last thought as Im going down the escalator "wrong Bergen St..."

 

Sometimes all you can do is Try...

[metsfan]

Few months back at chambers st/wtc ... I was coming off the to meet my lady at wtc path station (now an above-ground connection) and i noticed these french speaking folks getting off in front of me then seeming to try to figure out which way to walk. Normally i don't bother if i'm in a hurry as i was, but i stopped and asked them where they needed to go. From what they told me they kept going up one or two stops and getting on the downtown train & coming back not being able to read english or agree where to go. So, they told me they were trying to get to grand central terminal, and then the brooklyn bridge. I tell themfor the brooklyn bridge go up one stop & get on a brooklyn bound or train, and get off at high street. 2 hours later after spending some time in battery park and taking photos that ended up not turning out properly from dust i see them again at the same spot i left them, this time they had gone to the bridge and now were wanting to go to GCT to eat at the steakhouse there. I tell them that i am going there for lunch anyways and to just follow me there, and they agree. So we take the next from wtc........ and they get off at west 4th st thanking me for showing them where GCT was and they were going to go check it out now........ Yea. So i try to tell them they have to get the next or to times square to get to GCT by subway the fastest. Think its over? No. So, i run into them AGAIN at times square while i was waiting for a to GCT about 30 minutes later (i got off at penn station to get something from a store) and they said they were confused and got off at the wrong stop before and people helped them to get to the platform. Ok, so i think they are going to actually make it this time, however..... some idiot passes by and tells them the is the train they need to catch, and they start off in search of it, sadly i wasn't able to intercept the bad info and they got off the shuttle before it left (they were at the end of the car i was in the middle). So, if you use the subway in the next few days you might see a group of confused french people that are still looking for GCT months after correct info was confused then substituted with wrong info. :cool:

 

- Andy

[R1Toasty]

Man, I love these stories, but as much as I try to ride the subway, I never get anything more than "Express train?"

[metsfan]

Man, I love these stories, but as much as I try to ride the subway, I never get anything more than "Express train?"

 

I get that every single time i am on the platform on a station with any moderate sized crowd of people, and also "is this the _ train?" when the rollsigns is right in front of them .

 

My favorite one aside from the french tourists has to be the time a russian tourist followed me around seemingly overwhelmed by the whole city/subway/first time in america situation for at least 4 hours. She was very nice, and kinda good looking, but i don't like to talk non-stop about stuff when i'm trying to relax and/or get some photos. This was back in january of 2002 and the shock of 9/11 was still seen plainly on people's faces and how they moved, and i guess she wasn't expecting that and i was one of the few people that didn't look like that.

 

- Andy

[SubwayGuy]

Russian women are great.

 

Here's another tale:

 

Give a woman directions at Lex / 53rd, she's "looking for the train" with that confused look on her face (of course she is AT the platform), so I just say "Where are you trying to go?" she says "59" and I of course break the news that "The doesn't go to 59" so she goes "what do I do to get to 59?" I say "East side or west?" she says East...I tell her go to the other end of the platform and go upstairs for the and take the Uptown one stop. She goes "OK thanks" and walks off as an (E)cho pulls into the station.

 

Well not 10 seconds later, a guy who been watching me comes over "Excuse me I couldn't help hear you giving directions." He motions to the train as I'm getting on. "Does this train go to 42nd?" "...And 8th avenue, where you trying to go?" "42nd St." "East side or West?" "42nd St." Finally, somewhat exasperated, "42nd St. is a big St., do you know what Avenue you're going for?" He just shrugs and looks completely confused. So I just tell him "Get in." Luckily I was due off at 7th Ave anyway, so I didn't have to get an earful if he suddenly found out he was looking for Grand Central

[East New York]

My favorite of all times is when my ex and I were walking up 6av by Wash. Sq. Pk and this couple asked us if we could tell them how to get to the "ACE" train, and we both bursted out laughing, and I said "you mean the , , and trains?" And he said "oh.... yeah, I guess.. I thought it was one train. Sorry were from Idaho!" So then of course I had to ask where they were going, and explain that the 3 lines terminated in different places. So I think that had to be the most memorable one. That was like 2 years ago this month, and we still laugh about that one. I could only imagine the stuff tourists have to go through to catch a train or bus!

[PATCOman]

at least they did not call it the blue line...

[Orion]

My favorite one is where this lady followed me for 3 hours because at the time I didn't know about trains, only buses. She asked "How to get to Coney Island?" And she was on Eastchester Road. I told her follow me just because I was going to bus fan anyways. First we took the Bx31 (7696, one of the 7.501 CNG's that still is healthy) to Pelham Pkwy, then the Bx12 (5436, just has big bus ID numbers so it's easy to spot/remember) to Pelham Bay. After waiting a while the QBx1 came, and she was confused as if this was the bus because it was wrapped in a Queens Hospital advertisement (9888, it still has that beautiful whine!). So we got off at Flushing and took the Q17 LIMITED (4944, RTS BABY!!!). She asked "So there's no trains that go to Coney Island?" and I responded "I don't know much about trains past the Bronx, I'm getting you there by buses so we don't end up getting lost." I also didn't know where to acquire maps. We got off at Jamaica by the Q8 (5941, a stalker bus), I just noticed that this bus ran by the train basically the whole route as I looked out the window! We got off at Euclid Avenue and walked to the B14 (9149 IIRC Cummins M11E), BOY good thing we had Unlimiteds. Transferred to the B12 (9140) all the way to Parkside. Transferred again to the B16 (forgot), then transferred to the B68 (855) at Coney Island Av. At the last stop she asked me one more question. "How the hell am I supposed to get home!?!?" I gave her a piece of paper with all the buses we took, wonder if she asked someone for train directions instead, though I wouldn't have.

[sebbieprops]

My favorite of all times is when my ex and I were walking up 6av by Wash. Sq. Pk and this couple asked us if we could tell them how to get to the "ACE" train, and we both bursted out laughing, and I said "you mean the , , and trains?" And he said "oh.... yeah, I guess.. I thought it was one train. Sorry were from Idaho!" So then of course I had to ask where they were going, and explain that the 3 lines terminated in different places. So I think that had to be the most memorable one. That was like 2 years ago this month, and we still laugh about that one. I could only imagine the stuff tourists have to go through to catch a train or bus!

 

That's a good one!

[NX Express]

Another one:

 

At Kings Highway (, a Russian woman comes up to a lady standing nearby, who also speaks Russian. She points to the Manhattan-bound side, and asks, "Does this train go to Brighton?" The other lady tells her to go to the other side. The first lady then points to the sign above the Manhattan-bound tracks that says "Manhattan and the Bronx via Brighton Local" and says, "But the sign says Brighton".

 

MORAL: Look for context clues next time.:confused:

[BroadwayBuffer]

Heh, I hate it when people ask you for directions and argue about it when you give them an answer. On one Sunday morning I was on a Bronx-bound around Wall or Fulton and someone asks me where to get the . I told him 14 St, but he then checked the stripmap which happened to be mislabeled (transfers were misaligned and had the 14 St transfers listed at the wrong stop). So he says, "Uhhh, the train don't go to 14 St." and points to the map. I told him it was wrong and to get off at 14 St, but he said he'd rather go with what "they" say. Oh well, I'm willing to help, but if someone thinks they know better than they're on they're own.

[Sea Beach]

Heres one from last weekend

 

I was on the CI bound via the . Chinese lady comes over to me and asks me "Does this go 8th Ave?" I said to her "No,you need to take this to 62 St and go downstairs for the Manhattan bound which will take you to 8th Ave",she said "Ok,sank you". We get to 62 St and I had to go downstairs too cause I needed Ft Hamilton,she comes over to me again and asks "Does this go 71 St?" I said,"Dont you need 8th Ave?" She said,"I dont know". So I said,"I dont know either" and she jumped back on the which was going West End Exp,I wonder if shes still on that train somewhere B)

[PopsicleXGirl]

the best is when people shove letters in my face at station stops, point to an address and assume i should know the directions (and cross streets) to any random address in the telephone book. STAND CLEAR! :mad:

[N-Trizzy2609]

I got asked once if the goes to 168th Street in Washington Heights. We were on a going towards Flushing and I was with my ex going to Jamaica. I told him to get off where we got off at Jackson Heights and take the to 42nd Street. Go upstairs and crossover to the Uptown platform and take the train. < I just sounded like Duke Ellington.

[Zman]

My favorite of all times is when my ex and I were walking up 6av by Wash. Sq. Pk and this couple asked us if we could tell them how to get to the "ACE" train, and we both bursted out laughing, and I said "you mean the , , and trains?" And he said "oh.... yeah, I guess.. I thought it was one train. Sorry were from Idaho!" So then of course I had to ask where they were going, and explain that the 3 lines terminated in different places. So I think that had to be the most memorable one. That was like 2 years ago this month, and we still laugh about that one. I could only imagine the stuff tourists have to go through to catch a train or bus!

 

Too bad they didn't need the 6th Ave Line. It would have been a hoot listening to them pronounce BDF, or even better NQRW.

 

"Dang nabbit, Bobbi Sue! How the hell do you pronounce that?!?"

[El person]

Once, I was on a Brooklyn bound train at 2nd Avenue, when a Chinese lady asked out loud "Does this train goes to Canal Street?" Another Chinese woman, who was also probably clueless about the subway, got up and pointed towards a train across the platform and said "Take that train!" The first lady ran off the and into the(V) train.

[SubwayGuy]

Too bad they didn't need the 6th Ave Line. It would have been a hoot listening to them pronounce BDF, or even better NQRW.

 

"Dang nabbit, Bobbi Sue! How the hell do you pronounce that?!?"

 

Or how about when the (Q6) still ran there. Would have been fun hearing them try and pronounce BDFQ because if they say it wrong it might come out as something it was not intended to be...

[Robert Bosco]

Figured I'd start this as something fun for all the railfans and TA Employees out there. Whether fanning, "just riding", or working (TA employees), I'm sure you've all got asked for directions and done your best to get them where they were going (whether they took your advice or not is another story), so I figured this would be a fun thread to share some of the better "directions" stories.

 

I'll go first. I got a bunch but one of my favorites was a lady I ran into in the tunnel between the and at Court St/Boro Hall. She wanted to get to Bergen St. I ask her "Bergen St. on the ...or Bergen St. on the ?"

 

"Bergen St. on the ."

 

Of course in Brooklyn, that's pretty inconvenient to try and do from Court/Boro, probably better off walking or bussing it. But she's already in the fare control So I give her the best directions possible: "Get the that's heading to Bay Ridge, and take it to the stop at 9th St./4th Ave. Then go upstairs, get a Manhattan bound and take it to Bergen." Since there was a map nearby on a billboard, I even showed her so she wouldn't give me that "I've never taken that train before...are you SURE it's going to work??" look.

 

"OK, so where do I get the train?" Well with me on my way to Junior's, I told her "You can get it in this station, just follow the signs. I'm getting the too, so you can just follow me."

 

So she follows me to the escalators for the , then sees someone else. Asks them for directions. "How do I get to Bergen St?" And as I get on the escalator going downstairs I hear "Back that way, train..."

 

Last thought as Im going down the escalator "wrong Bergen St..."

 

Sometimes all you can do is Try...

 

oh my lord....lol....

[FamousNYLover]

My memory of subway direction.

1. This was when there was no between Chambers St & South Ferry.

I was coming out of Donnell Library to 5th Av-53rd St station.

I saw three Japanese man looking for something, and when I asked, they wanted to go see Lady Liberty, not from island. So I kindly escorted them.

We took train to 42nd St-Port Authority Bus Terminal.

Then took train to Chambers St.

Then we walk to North End Av/Warren St for free Battery Park City Shuttle Bus to Little West St.

After that, they want to go back to hotel, so I escorted them halfway.

 

2. During G.O via Broadway express, via Lower Manhattan.

I was on southbound 49th St platform where I saw German tourists wanted to go to Battery Park area, including Ground Zero I think. I told them I was going same way.

So, we took to Rector St and we try to flag a Bus, bus didn't stop.

 

3. Another day I remember it was on Sunday right after 11am Japanese Highlight Tour, at uptown platform of 47th-50th Sts/Rockfeller Center, there was Japanese lady that was on same highlight tour at Metropolitan Museum of Art, waited for .

I told them there is no on weekend. I told her to take to next stop, 7th Av-53rd St, and transfer to Queens-bound across the platform to Lex Av-53rd St.

 

I remember when I was at 42nd St-Port Authority Bus Terminal, when was terminated at 34th St-Herald Sq, someone recognized me.

I remember I mad one black lady happy. She was very happy that I told her there is no Queens-bound at this station. She was very grateful, even thought she just walk from Times Sq platform.

We took Queens-bound to Queens Plaza and waited for local.

 

Another incident, when I was elderly lady who had lots of luggages try to go up to platform, I kindly help her with suitcase and luggage. She was happy.

 

Another incident, when I was at Metropolitan Museum of Art when backup station, 167th St was closed for renovation, since 161st St-Yankees Stadium will be crazy, I took them to 170th St, and took free Bus to 167th St. I told them to walk down River Av to 161st St.

 

Another day at MET, after I was giving tour, there was two Japanese. One was Yankees fan, and her daughter was not interest in sport I think.

Her mother ask me to take her to Cloisters.

So my commute on the day escorting.

We took to 161st, seperate with mother, and took Bx13 bus to GWB, M4 bus to Cloisters.

After museum, we took M4 bus to 190th St, to Penn Station and meet her mother.

[KTrainExp]

@FamousNYLover, you really go all the way helping people don't you .

 

There were these foreign film-makers on the ride I was on. They carried expensive equipment on the subway and tried to get to Chambers Street on the 7th Avenue Line. Since there were no trains running there and they all terminated at 14th, I told them to go take the or trains which made local stops.

 

They told me those trains go express and thought I was trying to dead end them and started giving me some attitude, so I left them alone. So they stood on the and I left them at 14th to their journey back up to the Bronx.

[El person]

My memory of subway direction.

1. This was when there was no between Chambers St & South Ferry.

I was coming out of Donnell Library to 5th Av-53rd St station.

I saw three Japanese man looking for something, and when I asked, they wanted to go see Lady Liberty, not from island. So I kindly escorted them.

We took train to 42nd St-Port Authority Bus Terminal.

Then took train to Chambers St.

Then we walk to North End Av/Warren St for free Battery Park City Shuttle Bus to Little West St.

After that, they want to go back to hotel, so I escorted them halfway.

 

2. During G.O via Broadway express, via Lower Manhattan.

I was on southbound 49th St platform where I saw German tourists wanted to go to Battery Park area, including Ground Zero I think. I told them I was going same way.

So, we took to Rector St and we try to flag a Bus, bus didn't stop.

 

3. Another day I remember it was on Sunday right after 11am Japanese Highlight Tour, at uptown platform of 47th-50th Sts/Rockfeller Center, there was Japanese lady that was on same highlight tour at Metropolitan Museum of Art, waited for .

I told them there is no on weekend. I told her to take to next stop, 7th Av-53rd St, and transfer to Queens-bound across the platform to Lex Av-53rd St.

 

I remember when I was at 42nd St-Port Authority Bus Terminal, when was terminated at 34th St-Herald Sq, someone recognized me.

I remember I mad one black lady happy. She was very happy that I told her there is no Queens-bound at this station. She was very grateful, even thought she just walk from Times Sq platform.

We took Queens-bound to Queens Plaza and waited for local.

 

Another incident, when I was elderly lady who had lots of luggages try to go up to platform, I kindly help her with suitcase and luggage. She was happy.

 

Another incident, when I was at Metropolitan Museum of Art when backup station, 167th St was closed for renovation, since 161st St-Yankees Stadium will be crazy, I took them to 170th St, and took free Bus to 167th St. I told them to walk down River Av to 161st St.

 

Another day at MET, after I was giving tour, there was two Japanese. One was Yankees fan, and her daughter was not interest in sport I think.

Her mother ask me to take her to Cloisters.

So my commute on the day escorting.

We took to 161st, seperate with mother, and took Bx13 bus to GWB, M4 bus to Cloisters.

After museum, we took M4 bus to 190th St, to Penn Station and meet her mother.

 

I feel sorry for you, the people you help always end up happy, so the results are never funny.

[FamousNYLover]

Not just only New York City Subway.

When I got off RiveLine at Trenton Station, when I hold glass door open until lady with suitcase passed, she said, "Thank you, you're very kind."

[FamousNYLover]

I remember one time during weekend or midday G.O., when Flushing-bound was only, I was at Junction Blvd where blindman was begging for help, but no one there could not understand him except me. He wanted to go to 82nd St-Jackson Heights, so I kindly help him down the stair carefully, and up stair carefully, and got him to Manhattan-bound local. He said, "Thank you."

[MAA89]

Heh, I hate it when people ask you for directions and argue about it when you give them an answer. On one Sunday morning I was on a Bronx-bound around Wall or Fulton and someone asks me where to get the . I told him 14 St, but he then checked the stripmap which happened to be mislabeled (transfers were misaligned and had the 14 St transfers listed at the wrong stop). So he says, "Uhhh, the train don't go to 14 St." and points to the map. I told him it was wrong and to get off at 14 St, but he said he'd rather go with what "they" say. Oh well, I'm willing to help, but if someone thinks they know better than they're on they're own.

 

Hahaha! "The doesn't go to 14th St".

 

I'd have pulled him to the map in the car and asked him why the was labeled the "14th St-Canarsie Local" in the infobox at the bottom.

[NX Express]

Hahaha! "The doesn't go to 14th St".

 

I'd have pulled him to the map in the car and asked him why the was labeled the "14th St-Canarsie Local" in the infobox at the bottom.

 

LOL good idea!