Once Upon a Time...

...there was a boy. This boy had to get home by train. So, he got a ticket for the 3:07 Amtrak to Buffalo-Depew. He boarded the train at 3:07, and arrived at his destination at approximately six and one-half hours later, exactly on time. And he lived happily ever after.

THIS is NOT what happened on Friday. Almost the polar opposite, in fact. I'll try to keep it short and sweet.

I got on the train at 3:07; the train pulled into Albany at approximately 4:25. At that point, we stayed at the station for a half-hour so one of the engines (we had 2 on front and 1 on back) could be switched out. We departed at approx. 5:00.

We chugged onwards, only noticing as we came close to Rome that a funky smell, almost like crap was diffusing throughout the train. Upon inspection at Rome station, it was determined that one of the wheels on the very front engine had jammed and wasn't working, causing the horrid smell. It was also determined that the engine would have to be detached, and that this could only be done at a point that was two-and-a-half miles BEHIND US. In addition to this, one of the conductors had to get out to watch the wheel to be sure nothing else happened as we were backing up, so we went back 2-1/2 miles WALKING SPEED. It took 1.5 HOURS.

After safely detaching the engine, we chugged back into Rome, where it was announced that it would be faster to board another train going in the same direction. This train was sold out; yet we had no choice. So everyone got off the train and boarded the other train. We were delayed by another 1/2 hour waiting for a train ahead of us to depart the Syracuse station.

I got into Buffalo-Depew at 1:30 a.m. I had a lovely TEN HOUR train ride. I hope your journey was better. It wouldn't take much.

SPRiNKLES

P.S.: Vid I Just Saw And Had To Share: