The Exquisite Boxed Meals of Japan’s Train-Station Kiosks
To commemorate the sighting of cloud-cloaked Mt. Fuji, many Tokaido Shinkansen passengers unwrap ekiben, a portmanteau combining eki (the Japanese word for “station”) and ben (short for bento, or boxed meal). [atlasobscura.com]
Here’s What The DC Metro Could Have Looked Like
Long before Metro opened its doors in 1976, Washington had an extensive network of streetcars. But in 1944, during World War II, increasing traffic in the District prompted the city’s engineers to draw up a plan to move the downtown segments of the system underground. [dcist.com]
The world’s busiest transit lines, according to Google
With its latest feature, the Google Maps app can now tip off users on transit crowd conditions in more than 200 global cities. The technology has also enabled Google to compile a list of the world’s 10 busiest transit lines. [cnn.com]
This Victorian Book Gives Hilarious Advice To Train Passengers
The Railway Traveller’s Handy Book is a thorough, if jauntily written, companion to train etiquette, aimed at wet behind the ears travellers in 1862. A selection of extracts reveal that some things appear not to have changed much in over 150 years. [londonist.com]
Departure melodies: Celebrating the jingles’ contribution to the rail experience in Japan
Like the ubiquitous neon signs and abundant convenience stores scattered throughout Tokyo, departure melodies at train stations are probably something many residents don’t give much thought to as they travel around the city each day. It’s probably about time they get their dues. [japantimes.co.jp]
Sierra Leone railway – the stolen national treasure
Sierra Leone’s railway was a national asset that was stolen from its people. Before Sierra Leone’s national railway was finally shut down in 1975, it passed through 49 train stations – all connected by an overall total of 600-kilometers distance of rail-tracks, divided along three lines. [thesierraleonetelegraph.com]
