The 97th Street Train Show

Date: Saturday August 21, 2010
Distance: 12.7 miles
Time: 1:12:05
Temperature: 81

Total Distance: 196.4 miles
Total Time: 28:37:24

Walking around Manhattan you are often aware of the subway trains traveling beneath your feet. You can feel the ground rumble as the subway speeds past or see the masses of people exiting from the subway stations. But in many Manhattan neighborhoods, for better or worse, you never actually see the subway above ground. That being said, if you’re a fan of watching trains in motion, 97th and Park is the place for you. At 97th Street the MTA Subway and Metro North trains exit the tunnel system and begin traveling above ground on a beautiful suspend stone pathway. There is something strange about Park Avenue essentially turning into a street divided by a stone wall, but if your goal is taking in free train related entertainment, you could not ask for anything more. On the 97th Street overpass you can hear the trains approaching from within the tunnel, building the excitment as they come barreling into sight. I can not help but think of my little nephew, who could watch trains all day long. If he came to NYC we could show him the Statue of Liberty, Time Square, Brooklyn Bridge, a Yankees’ Game but I have a feeling the intersection of 97th and Park would be the highlight of his visit.

On a different note, this run finishes up the Upper East Side. Chipping away…

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