In Service

People sometimes ask me, "who gets to ride the first train?"

Who? You.



I just missed catching this train after work, but then ran into it downtown. Oh, hey.



Does anyone on the platform even notice? Why are they not cheering?

It's a jolting thing, seeing the new LRVs in service on Hiawatha. The 200s! The type twos! It had been awhile since we first met, although my new cube has a primo view of the turnaround tracks near the Cedar Riverside station. Yep, this is my new friend that visits every morning.


Now if we can just get that catenary finished to Saint Paul...

The other side of the tracks

As of Monday, I now work in the Minneapple. Which means, of course, that I have to cross University to catch a bus...which takes surprisingly long, doesnt it? And like every one else, I've developed a terrible habit of crossing against the light and waiting in the guideway. The traffic signal is too damn long! Humans first.

After five days, I can tell you, it's weird. Seeing LRVs on 5th Street every morning is like swimming through a transity dream sequence - a giant, yellow, this-is-your-life mirage floats past as I try remind myself that, here, it is a terrible habit to cross against the light and wait in the guideway.


I love my new job, but I miss Saint Small. It has beautiful historic streets, downtown parks, a river view, and lots of charm.

And Minneapolis has...the Interchange. It's hard for me to get excited about it after the Depot opening, but it's strangely fitting for this neighborhood. It will be great transit station - as long as it never rains.





They say that a train station is a place where you should be able to fall in love, and I'm not feeling the love here. But we'll see. Woo me, Interchange. Prove me wrong.

Location:Target Field

How to throw a party

I stayed up too late on Friday night. We went out with friends and I found myself explaining, over the last round of drinks, the history of the depot, and why I was getting up early on Saturday.

It happens to me before an early flight, or when I am nervous about a big meeting. My alarm goes off, and I spring out of bed, unable to settle back into the blankets. (My dog loves this, because her whole existence is based on getting fed as early as possible.)

With a couple layers and my snow boots, I ran to the bus stop at full speed. I settled into the 16, feeling guilty that everyone else was on their way to work and looking miserable, and that I was going to the depot. I jumped off at 5th Street and waited for the 21. I ran into a friend, who was walking towards the depot and wondering why I was just standing there. I told him that the 21 would bring us into the depot - onto the mezzanine! He smiled and we waited together.




My very first arrival at the depot was a quiet one. Somebody had to open a door for us. It gave me a chance to walk through the concourse and waiting room before the crowds.






A big plastic curtain separated the head house, where the media event was being staged. I slipped through the curtain to find a packed room. At 9:15?! Die hard train people.



Spotted: world's cutest future ridership. Why didn't I wear overalls?


One hour and fifteen minutes later (!), the electeds pulled down the curtain to the cheers of a restless crowd. Music blared as streams of people, smiles on their faces, cameras and phones and kids held high, poured into the depot and flooded the waiting room.





Turns out, the depot isn't very big when it's crammed with happy, train-loving people. Kids chatted about Thomas while parents wrote out postcards to mail. Old friends hugged and talked about their childhood. Elderly couples sat on new benches holding hands. Artists beamed. Train conductors posed for photos with the carnival princesses. This is how you throw a party, my friends - with heart. You let people be the main attraction, and let the depot slip right back into its supporting role.

And, of course, I got absolutely nothing done - I didn't even collect my commemorative poster! Everywhere I looked, there were people from different parts of my life in Saint Paul. It was a 4-hour onslaught of hugging people out of context, and it was magnificent.

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Location:Union Depot

No biggie

Let's see, not much going this week.

The construction update has the regular stuff: Tom is selling Christmas trees at the Y, overhead wires are being installed (weather permitting), and some clean up work is happening. Slow news day.

It's not like this past weekend marked the end of heavy construction on University Avenue, and the beginning of the rest of our lives. It's no major milestone in our city's history.

This is what I would call understated:

Bus Details
Bus routes on University Avenue will resume to normal configuration. Visit www.metrotransit.org or call the Transit Information Center at 612-373-3333 for the most current information.

Quietly, and without much notice, University Avenue has been buttoned up for good. Sure - there are more lane closures and more guideway work to come, but I'm taking a full minute and a half to savor this landmark moment.



And, hmm, what else is happening this week? Perhaps we could have a little party. For the opening of a $243 million historic depot 40+ years in the making. Whaaat? I can hardly contain myself.

Not one, but TWO random people at the bus stop last weekend were talking to me about this. I haven't heard that much bus buzz about a single event...ever. I was down there on Saturday to meet up with some friends - I can say I knew you when, Depot.





And because I can't manage to show any kind of restraint, I've copied the full list of events and activities happening between 10 am and 4 pm. I will be there early (media event and speeches start at 9:30!)

• Commemorative Poster - Complete a Transit Pass to receive a free commemorative Union Depot poster designed by Twin Cities artist Adam Turman.


• Union Depot History Display – Artifacts and photos that tell the history of Union Depot. 


• Metro Transit Booth – Information on service and bus routes. Download a free bus pass at uniondepot.org. 


• Jefferson Lines – Bringing intercity bus service to Union Depot in January 2013.Tour one of their featured buses and check out their new ticket office in the Kellogg Entry.


• Amtrak – Coming to Union Depot in 2013, Amtrak will be onsite to share the glory of the Empire Builder train that will operate out of Union Depot. 


• Minnesota Transportation Museum/Jackson Street Roundhouse – Learn about Twin Cities train history and view a historic map that depicts the location of the original Union Depot. 


• Operation Lifesaver - Learn how to make safe decisions around tracks and trains.


• Treasure Island Resort & Casino – Meet their mascot Toucan and spin the wheel for a chance to win prizes. 


• Mississippi National River and Recreation Area National Park Service – Explore a giant floor map of the river. 


• U of M Raptor Center – Check out three live raptors perched out on display including a bald eagle!  Onsite 12 P.M. to 4 P.M.


• Mystic Lake Casino – Play Card Sharks for prizes.  Also, tour one of their shuttle buses.


• St. Paul Saints – Play some baseball on the St. Paul Saints inflatable batting tee and get information on the new regional ballpark opening in Lowertown in 2015. 


• One on One Bicycle Studio – Coming to Union Depot early 2013, see their new space and learn about products and services.


• Saint Paul Winter Carnival – Meet the Royal Family and purchase your official Saint Paul Winter Carnival button.


• Counties Transit Improvement Board (CTIB) – Learn how five metro counties are working together to fund new transit lines, and see the vision for our growing regional transit system.


• Metropolitan Council Central Corridor LRT (Green Line) – Learn about the latest light rail project and take your picture with a large tapestry of a light rail car.


• U of M Press – View a collection of their railroad books and meet some of the authors.


• Harding High School – Enjoy musical performances  by the Harding High School Marching Band, Drum Line, and Ensemble. Performances at 10 A.M., 11 A.M. and  11:30 A.M.


• Colleen & Bradley from MyTalk107.1 – Meet Colleen and Bradley from MyTalk107.1’s morning show.  Onsite 11 A.M. to 1 P.M. 


• Snoopy Unveiling & Meet and Greet – Meet Snoopy and see our newly redesigned “Doghouse Days of Summer,” Snoopy Statue. Event at 11 A.M. 


• Urban Sketchers – Meet local sketchers, including some of Union Depot’s own residents, to learn about sketching the world around you.


• Taste of Lowertown - Experience the unique foods of Lowertown, with a new restaurant providing samples at the top of every hour.


• Studio Sendero – Demonstrations and free classes in flamenco, belly dance, yoga and Zumba.


• Recess Press – Pick up a pre-made tote, or learn from an artist how to screen print your very own. Totes are free while supplies last.


• Bedlam Theatre Performances - Bedlam Theatre will perform a series of small and large-scale historically referential performances throughout the day. 


• Light Rail Shuffle – Learn to dance the Light Rail Shuffle and other fun dances.


• Train-Themed Photo Stand-Ins – Be the driver of a light rail car or the conductor of the William Crooks steam engine, and have your picture taken.


• Postcards from Union Depot – Choose from several postcard designs created by local artists and send a postcard to yourself or a loved one from Union Depot. 


• Movie night! Elf is being shown at 5:30. Woooo.

I plan to transfer from the 16 to the 21 downtown for the ceremonial joy of riding all the way to the depot on Saturday. You didn't get the notice? It's right here - in the bus route changes.



Understated.

While you were sleeping

Somewhere between last week's food coma and the onslaught of holiday music, the downtown Central station really starting shaping up. At first, I thought it was just some sort of Caddyshack-inspired public art. Go Gophers?


Man, those construction guys are always fighting an uphill battle.

But then I walked past tonight, and - holy bananas - that station is done! I only stood there to pout for a minute or two. No offense, 50. It's just that I'm ready for the upgrade.


Right next door, the small leftover space is starting to look like...a plaza? I think Leftover Plaza is a great name, but again, that might be the Thanksgiving buzz talking. Pie. We need to add pie here.


That's right. Saint Paul's got railgating, too. Somebody get this guy a plaza before he gets hit by a train.




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Location:4th & Cedar

What's old is new again

As I walked back from lunch today, I thought about how much this area has changed since we moved here six years ago. The falafel is awesome, but I still miss Jay's Cafe sometimes (that was two restaurants ago).

Still, everywhere I look, it's hard not to get excited that what is old is new again.

I passed two vintage stores, a (new?) mid-century modern furniture place, and an old-timey neighborhood hardware shop. I stopped in to wander through four floors of a second-hand office furniture retailer (like Ikea without the ice cream cones).




Across the street, the restoration of the new/old Chittenden & Eastman building is in full swing, with snow scattered on the new/old granite pavers.

Just east of here, they've been busy putting up catenary wires for a few weeks now.







There's something right about bringing the old overhead wire back to the Avenue - and tracks and trains - so nice to be back to the future, isn't it? And speaking of which, it's time to mark your calendars.




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Location:Ellis Ave,St Paul,United States

Welcome, 201

As I rushed out the door today, I grabbed my LRT lapel pin and stuck it onto my coat.

It's a special occasion that requires train bling. Today, the first Central Corridor light rail vehicle glided into Target Field station. It is vehicle number 201, and it's the first of a lighter, smarter - and dare I say - cuter fleet.








Here is 201 next to a newly painted Hiawatha "Blue Line" train, both sporting the new Metro logo. Would we call that 2012 Metro livery? I guess we might.









After a few short speeches from the big kahunas (did I mention it was freezing out there?) we all got to board the train and check out  the new digs. Good news, the heat works. The seats work, too.



Giddy with excitement.








I realize now that I could have taken better photos of the interior, but when you're excited, it's hard to remember what you're supposed to do. I think I actually gave someone a high five at one point.

A route map! How many times have I sat on Hiawatha and imagined looking up at this image? Many.





A future system map, for show I suppose. There was also one placed on the LRT platform - nice touch, Metro Transit!




Poster on board showing a shrink wrapped train being delivered to the Hiawatha OMF. Wait, you're telling me that this thing passed right over University Avenue in broad daylight and no one told me? My day job is clearly getting in the way of trainspotting.

Location:Target Field station platform