Typically, the train I take plays an announcement that says
This is the train to [final destination]. The next stop is [location].
But today it’s malfunctioning, so today I’ve been hearing
This is the train
Just found that funny. It sure is a train!
Reminds me of a brief MTW sketch “this is the train speaking. I’m sorry we’re running late, but don’t worry, I know a short cut.”
Its for Americans and anyone else from a country who may never have seen a train outside old-timey movies.
funny you say that, LIRR trains here in NY say nearly the same thing here, like
“This is the train to: Penn Station. The next station is: Jamaica.”
In the UK, railway bridges have informational plaques on them, presumably for rail workers, that state the bridge ID and name.
The way they’re formatted results in the first line simply stating:
THIS IS BRIDGE
…and my brain never parses the details that follow.
“Yup, this is bridge. Good job, bridge.”
Last I knew in my area the engineers can still bypass and do their own announcements. One guy kept doing it even after the conductors were gone. Which is one of those things that when it happened was a sign of dystopia. the friggin system should be able to pay for two people per train. It was faster and more convenient and safer and in the case of an accident its good to have to people who can work together. Like the engineer can be calling to get the track de-energized while the conductor makes sure people stay in the train till it does.
