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New book about WMATA

Posted by Sand Box John on Sun Feb 26 16:54:41 2006

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New book by Zachary M. Schrag titled “The Great Society Subway: A History of the Washington Metro” from The Johns Hopkins University Press. I picked up my copy at

As usual it can be had from any of the following online sources The Johns Hopkins University Press Amazon.com Barnes and Noble and Powell's I picked up my copy at Barnes and Noble in Salisbury Maryland.

To learn more about the auther, visit Zachary M. Schrag’s web site at www.schrag.info

If you haven’t already ordered or purchased it, do so. This is the most definitive work that I have read. If you are expecting book with pictures this isn’t it. If you are look for a complete history of WMATA this is it. I have found it to be very enlightening and sometimes amusing.

A few priceless passages.

“Jackson Graham had little experience with such concerns. He was no stranger to public hearings, which were standard in Corps of Engineers projects, but most corps projects involved relatively unpopulated bodies of water, and only a few conservationists spoke for the fish. He ignored his assistant’s warnings that pushing a subway through downtown was more complicated then flooding a Nebraska cornfield.”

“WMATA planner William Herman complained that the system’s main transfer station was badly named. He argued that “12th and G” was both confusing (several entrances would be on other streets) an too undistinguished for so important a station. Ever the reasonable, Graham agreed to let Herman choose a better name. “I’ll let you know” responded the relieved Herman. “No” Graham explained “I’ll give you twenty seconds.” Stunned, Herman blurted out the first words that came to his head “Metro Center” “Fine, that’s it, go on to the next one” replied the general.”

“The Authority also gave the system a name. The NCTA had long resisted using “subway” and “elevated”, for both connoted the noisy dirty systems of New York and Chicago. Staffers played with alternatives, including “the Rapid” and ‘the Underground” as well as monstrous names that only politicians could love, like the District-Maryland-Virginia-Transit-System. One jokingly recommended “Federal Area Rapid Transit” easily abbreviated as FART. It took Weese’s Italian graphics consultant, Massimo Vignelli, to come up with a more elegant term “Metro”.”

John in the sand box of Maryland's eastern shore.



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Re: New book about WMATA

Posted by italianstallion on Sun Feb 26 17:28:07 2006, in response to New book about WMATA, posted by Sand Box John on Sun Feb 26 16:54:41 2006.

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I hereby decree that, on Subchat, WMATA shall henceforth be known as "FART."

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(221485)

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Re: New book about WMATA

Posted by Sand Box John on Sun Feb 26 17:32:37 2006, in response to Re: New book about WMATA, posted by italianstallion on Sun Feb 26 17:28:07 2006.

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I hereby decree that, on Subchat, WMATA shall henceforth be known as "FART."

When I first read that passage I laughed so hard it brought tear to my eye.

John in the sand box of Maryland's eastern shore.

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Re: New book about WMATA

Posted by TransitChuckG on Sun Feb 26 17:36:52 2006, in response to New book about WMATA, posted by Sand Box John on Sun Feb 26 16:54:41 2006.

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I just ordered my copy of the book. Thanks, john.

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(221678)

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Re: New book about WMATA

Posted by Booge on Mon Feb 27 00:36:10 2006, in response to New book about WMATA, posted by Sand Box John on Sun Feb 26 16:54:41 2006.

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I have a book by Ron Dieter on the history of the Metro. Would have loved to see a reprint to cover the last fifteen years as the work was excellent.

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Re: New book about FART

Posted by italianstallion on Mon Feb 27 00:38:45 2006, in response to Re: New book about WMATA, posted by Booge on Mon Feb 27 00:36:10 2006.

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Federal Area Rapid Transit. LOL

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(221685)

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Re: New book about FART

Posted by monorail on Mon Feb 27 00:39:59 2006, in response to Re: New book about FART, posted by italianstallion on Mon Feb 27 00:38:45 2006.

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bet it will stink!

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(221692)

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Re: Old book about WMATA

Posted by aem7ac on Mon Feb 27 00:50:31 2006, in response to Re: New book about WMATA, posted by Booge on Mon Feb 27 00:36:10 2006.

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It's out of print.

tnMetrobook_20060227P0011.jpg

AEM7AC

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(221695)

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Re: Old book about WMATA

Posted by Booge on Mon Feb 27 00:54:28 2006, in response to Re: Old book about WMATA, posted by aem7ac on Mon Feb 27 00:50:31 2006.

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I know but, its a work worthy of an update.

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(221696)

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Re: Old book about WMATA

Posted by WMATAGMOAGH on Mon Feb 27 00:58:17 2006, in response to Re: Old book about WMATA, posted by Booge on Mon Feb 27 00:54:28 2006.

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Yes, it is.

One can also get it used through Amazon. That is how I got mine.

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(221698)

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Re: Old book about WMATA

Posted by Booge on Mon Feb 27 01:11:21 2006, in response to Re: Old book about WMATA, posted by WMATAGMOAGH on Mon Feb 27 00:58:17 2006.

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I don't hear anything about Ron Dieter these days.

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(221722)

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Re: New book about FART

Posted by Steve B-8AVEXP on Mon Feb 27 05:47:39 2006, in response to Re: New book about FART, posted by italianstallion on Mon Feb 27 00:38:45 2006.

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Sure to be a gasser.:)

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Re: New book about WMATA

Posted by Sand Box John on Mon Feb 27 23:48:42 2006, in response to Re: New book about WMATA, posted by Booge on Mon Feb 27 00:36:10 2006.

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I have a book by Ron Dieter on the history of the Metro. Would have loved to see a reprint to cover the last fifteen years as the work was excellent.

Zachary M. Schrag book covers basically the same things as Ron Dieter book but in much greater detail. I have only read half of it. Give me some time to finishing reading it to allow me to do a review on what he has written about the time after Ron Dieter book was published.

John in the sand box of Maryland's eastern shore.

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(222132)

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Transit Committee Meeting Feb 27, 2006-

Posted by FDNY on Tue Feb 28 10:39:52 2006, in response to Re: New book about WMATA, posted by Sand Box John on Sun Feb 26 17:32:37 2006.

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NYC Transit Committee Agenda Feb 27,2006

only 1 Operational Item this month

Notification Service Revision
X17J/X31 Path Revision via the Staten Island Expressway Exclusive Bus Lane


X17J and X31 to operate between Staten Island and Midtown Manhattan via the SIE Exclusive Bis Lane,,the Verrazno Narrows Bride ,the Gowanus Exprssway ,,the BRooklyn Battery Tunnel and West Steet to 57 street and 3 Avenue



X17J Manhattan Routing
via the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel,west street,10 avenue,west 34 street,Madison avenue ,east 57 street
AM Peak Only

Return via East 57 street 5 avenue. west 42 street West Street to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel
PM Peak Only


X31 Manhattan Routing
via the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel ,West Street .10 Avenue West 34 street,Madison Avenue ,east 57 street
AM Peak Only

return via east 57 street,,Lexington Avnue ,west 42 street,,west street
PM Peak Only


proposed Implentation is March 2006

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Re: New book about WMATA

Posted by TransitChuckG on Thu Mar 2 17:16:11 2006, in response to Re: New book about WMATA, posted by Sand Box John on Mon Feb 27 23:48:42 2006.

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I just got my book. It's over 300 pages long. Looks like a good read.

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