DC Metro to extend service for those attending sporting events
Beginning Tuesday, April 27, DC Metro will extend its service hours up to 30 minutes beyond normal closing time to serve passengers attending sporting events involving the area’s six professional sports teams, if the games run longer than expected. The “flex” schedule will waive fees normally charged to teams for additional service, and will be specifically geared to fans attending events: the station nearest the stadium or arena will be the only one passengers can enter; all others will be exit-only. “Metro is proud to be a part of this community, and we are excited to welcome back fans and workers who support our home teams,” Metro General Manager/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld said in a press release. “We welcome them to ride Metro on game day with the assurance that Metro will be there for them on the ride home.” More information is available here.
July photo event to feature Maine 2-foot locomotives under steam
The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum and the Wiscasset Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum have announced a joint photo event on July 31 in Alna, Maine, featuring all three operating 2-foot gauge steam locomotives pulling authentic trains on the WW&F Railway. The all-day event will be the last opportunity to see all three engines together for some time. Three special trains will be operated during the day, each with authentic rolling stock. In addition to the three operational locomotives, Monson No. 4 and Bridgton & Saco River No. 8 will be on display. The WW&F main line is not accessible from public viewpoints, so no chasers will interfere with operations. Lunch will not be included during this event, so photographers are advised to bring a bag lunch. Tickets are limited to a maximum of 30 participants. If demand warrants, a second date of Aug. 1 will be added. Tickets and additional information are available here.
Caltrain opens new Hillsdale station in San Mateo
Caltrain has opened its new Hillsdale station in San Mateo, Calif., ending a nearly year-long pause to service the neighborhood in the southern part of the city. The new station is four blocks north of the previous location, between 28th and 31st avenues. The new station is part of a project that eliminated a grade crossing at 25th street and created separated crossings at 28th and 31st streets. As of Monday, weekday and weekend Caltrain schedules were updated to reflect service to the station. “Caltrain is turning into the modern rail system the Bay Area deserves and the new Hillsdale station captures much of what that means,” Caltrain Board Chair Dev Davis said in a press release. “It’s safer, more convenient, more accessible, more beautiful, and more interconnected with the community around it.” The old Hillsdale station closed on May 16, 2020.
So what happens if the Washington Whatevers have a late Sunday night double-overtime game that runs to 1am Monday? Will they hold service to then or do the fans just sleep in their seats until morning?
Don’t laugh–this happened to an NE Patriots Sunday night game years ago. The Pats’ Trains from Foxboro’ made it to South Station around 1am and the fans hit Harvard Station at 1:40am and all bus routes there had Last Connections waiting. I was counting Route 74 Belmont Center bus route that night (we were listening in on radios by then–we got eight Pats fans on. Long story cut short: the last one rode all the way to the last stop getting off at 2:08am! Now the former R*dsk*ns shouldn’t have that problem–but they might!
The link to get more information about the “Steaming Together” photo event at Maine’s WW&F Railway does not work. It should be:
https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/wwfry/items/303338/?full-items=yes&flow=420374
Thanks, Trains, for fixing the link!