On Jan 28, 8:10*am, "
wrote:

Nice picture, actually, it reminds me of the older rolling stock that
was still operating in the early 90s on Montreal AMT's Deux-Montagnes Line.

Pictured was a 1931 MU train built for the Reading Company to serve
its Philadephia suburban routes (11kv, 25 Hz). Some trains lasted in
service until 1990--60 years! (Though they had an extensive
rebuilding). Any kid who rode them became a train fan. Being
delivered now are the fifth generation of Silverliners.


I remember hearing that the M1/1a had a feature that once allowed
passengers to open the doors at stations . . .

Does anybody have any information about this or are there any pictures
of it?

The magazine of the Electric Railroaders' Association, "Headlights",
had an excellent big feature article describing the Metropolitan cars
when they entered service. I remember the article included mention of
the passenger control buttons, and it said they may be deactivated on
account of objection from the conductor's union. The idea may have
been to use them only at terminal stations so the door needn't be kept
open during long layovers allowing weather to get into the car.

(I don't remember the date of the issue. I think the ERA will
photocopy and mail out old issues upon request and a fee, this issue
would be worth getting for those interested in those cars.)


This feature is widely used in Europe, I should add. As well, the the
new rolling stock on the London Underground's Metropolitan line has it.

The NJT River Line has it, so that boarding or alighting passengers
may open the doors at station stops or at terminals. I think it's an
illuminated green button, but otherwise it's unmarked. The motorman
has to activate it; sometimes the motorman retains control of the
doors himself.

BTW, the NJT River Line is a more modern platform design--it's higher
than the US "low platform", but not as high as "high platform", so
freights can clear the station. Within the train the car ends above
the trucks are elevated and passengers must walk up steps to get to
those seats. In this way handicapped, bicyclists, and baby strollers
are easily accomodated.