(no subject)

[randomness]

The train to Buffalo isn't just the train to Buffalo, it's the train to everywhere in between New York City and Buffalo. Announcing a train departure properly can't help but have more personality than an airport speaker's monotone statement that 1st class passengers are now welcome to step onto flight somethingoranother going to whothehellreallycares. But there was one guy at Grand Central when I was growing up who could really do it right. I can still remember:

"Now boarding at Gate Number twenty-three, Platform A, Train Number 63, The Lake Shore Limited 2:30 departure for Buffalo. Making station stops at Crrrrrrr-Oton HarmonPoughkeepsieRhinecliff HudsonAllll-Bany Rensselaer. Schnectady. AmsterdamUticaRomeSyracuseRochesterBufffffff-Alo Depew! Continuting on to Erie. Cleveland. Chicago. Connect at Chicago for Allllllllll points west and south. Now departing Gate Number Twenty-Three Alllllll-A-bo-oard!"

It had rhythm and poetry. It was a performance in the spoken word. And I miss that magic.

(From http://scienceblogs.com/authority/2007/08/poetry_and_motion.php)

Comments

[hotpoint.livejournal.com]

I've been wishing to hear an MBTA subway conductor call a departure that way. "Now boahding on Platfoam 1, Run numbah 342, The Rrrrrred Line 5:34 depaachah for BRRRRRRAINTREEEEEEE. Station stops at Davis, Poadah, Hahvihd, Central, Kendallemmeyetee, Chaaalzemmgeeaitch, Paaak Street, Downtown Croassing, Sahth Station, Broahdway, Andrew, Jayeffkayyoumass, Noath Quinzy, Wahlllluhston, Quinzy Cennah, Quinzy Adams, aaaand Brrraintreeeee! Change at Pahk foah Green Line service, at Downtown Croassing foah Arranj Line service, at Sahth Station foah Silvah Line, Amtrak and sahth side commutah rail! Brrraintree train now depahting Platfoahm 1! Alllll aboooooahd! [electronic ding ding, slide-kachunk * 24, acceleration whine]"