As I recall, it was basically a jobs program for local 210 (remember Ron Fina?). You’re spot on about East Berlin. It was one of the greatest disasters in Buffalo history. They should have brought back the trolley trains for probably a tenth of the cost. Although the rail is much faster, who is in a hurry anyway. Wouldn’t it be cool to see a new joint from the trolley and hop off to take a look? But all is forgiven as one of my favorites “Greensleaves” is piped through the dungeons of East Berlin. 😉😁
"Who is in a hurry anyway"... great point. And the thing is, if you ARE in a hurry, you can't count on the Metro Rail to get you there fast. You get the long wait, then it slows down once you surface... It really is pretty leisurely overall. However I don't think of it as a disaster. It is useful for me personally -- more than you can say about most Buffalo projects!
Disaster in the effect it had on all the shops, restaurants, and other businesses along Main Street from the Theater district to UB South Campus. It’s a fun ride albeit smells somewhat like Lake Erie.
That is interesting to think about -- the Lake Erie Smell (LOL) and the idea that a subway would hurt the businesses above it. It does make some sense. However I imagine other factors contributed too to Main Street's decline. In Buffalo, we have no shortage of factors!
If I ever write my book about working in City Hall, there will be a chapter about riding the train to/from work. Did you ever sit in the center of a full train when a rider in the front is having a LOUD conversation with a rider in the back? True story: Rider 1 gets on and sees friend, Rider 2, at the opposite end. Conversation goes like this: Rider 1: “Hey Antoine!!! How are you?” Rider 2: “I’m doing ok” Rider 1: “How’s your brother Pookie? Haven’t seen him in a while.” Rider 2: “Pookie’s in Attica, doing 25 to life - he killed the Jones boy.” Rider 1: “WHAAAAAAT????? POOKIE KILLED THE JONES BOY, OH MAN!!!!!” It went downhill from there, but at least everyone on the train found out who killed the Jones boy……
Whenever I fly I try my darndest to go to Atlanta/Hartsfield. They have the most fun trains there! I ride them, go to the museum, window shop at the many stores, hit the Starbucks.
As I recall, it was basically a jobs program for local 210 (remember Ron Fina?). You’re spot on about East Berlin. It was one of the greatest disasters in Buffalo history. They should have brought back the trolley trains for probably a tenth of the cost. Although the rail is much faster, who is in a hurry anyway. Wouldn’t it be cool to see a new joint from the trolley and hop off to take a look? But all is forgiven as one of my favorites “Greensleaves” is piped through the dungeons of East Berlin. 😉😁
"Who is in a hurry anyway"... great point. And the thing is, if you ARE in a hurry, you can't count on the Metro Rail to get you there fast. You get the long wait, then it slows down once you surface... It really is pretty leisurely overall. However I don't think of it as a disaster. It is useful for me personally -- more than you can say about most Buffalo projects!
Disaster in the effect it had on all the shops, restaurants, and other businesses along Main Street from the Theater district to UB South Campus. It’s a fun ride albeit smells somewhat like Lake Erie.
That is interesting to think about -- the Lake Erie Smell (LOL) and the idea that a subway would hurt the businesses above it. It does make some sense. However I imagine other factors contributed too to Main Street's decline. In Buffalo, we have no shortage of factors!
For sure! :)
If I ever write my book about working in City Hall, there will be a chapter about riding the train to/from work. Did you ever sit in the center of a full train when a rider in the front is having a LOUD conversation with a rider in the back? True story: Rider 1 gets on and sees friend, Rider 2, at the opposite end. Conversation goes like this: Rider 1: “Hey Antoine!!! How are you?” Rider 2: “I’m doing ok” Rider 1: “How’s your brother Pookie? Haven’t seen him in a while.” Rider 2: “Pookie’s in Attica, doing 25 to life - he killed the Jones boy.” Rider 1: “WHAAAAAAT????? POOKIE KILLED THE JONES BOY, OH MAN!!!!!” It went downhill from there, but at least everyone on the train found out who killed the Jones boy……
What a story!! I have heard conversations back and forth at great distances, however I never heard this one!! ... p.s. You must write that book!
Whenever I fly I try my darndest to go to Atlanta/Hartsfield. They have the most fun trains there! I ride them, go to the museum, window shop at the many stores, hit the Starbucks.
That is good to hear!! What makes them fun? How can they possibly be more fun than ours?
The clientele, for one.