This week in Awesome But Also Kind of Terrible Ideas: “Boardwalk Empire” is advertising its second season by rolling out vintage subway cars in New York City. The train cars date back to 1917 and are running on a section of the 2/3 (Times Square to 96th Street) during weekends in September. Gothamist says:
Starting on Saturday, September 3rd an authentic vintage 1920’s train will run on the express 2/3 track in Manhattan throughout September (specifically, from 12 to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays). Originally operated by the Interborough Rapid Transit (IRT) system, the train began service back in 1917 and will once again be operational. Customers who have the opportunity to ride the vintage train will be transported back in time to the Prohibition era with authentic details such as rattan seats, ceiling fans and drop sash windows, as well as a custom branded interior featuring Boardwalk Empire-inspired period artwork.
Ah, to be transported back to the 1920s. Rattan seats! Drop sashes! Fewer safety features! No air conditioning! Thanks, but I’ll wait for a car with modern amenities like plastic seats and new hobos.
(More pictures below, by Scott Beale for Laughing Squid)
Eh, needs more Paz de la Huerta.
![[avatar]](http://p.uproxxcdn.com/photo/226/thumb)
![[image]](http://cdn.uproxx.com/wp-content/thumbnails/130/110/2013/06/john-cusack-breaking-bad1-150x150.jpg)
![[image]](http://cdn.uproxx.com/wp-content/thumbnails/130/110/2013/06/drink-150x150.gif)
![[image]](http://cdn.uproxx.com/wp-content/thumbnails/130/110/2013/06/watch-the-teaser-for-hbos-true-detective-150x150.jpg)
![[image]](http://cdn.uproxx.com/wp-content/thumbnails/130/110/2013/06/iron-boardwalk-150x150.gif)
Considering how miserably crowded the 2/3 can be, those vintage hand holds don’t seem like a great idea.
“Thanks, but I’ll wait for a car with modern amenities like plastic seats and new hobos.”
And the fresh scent of urine.
Doesn’t look that different to our underground trains a few years ago. Even now, when the train stops, people stand at the door dumbstruck because there are no handles.
Me: “Push the flashing button on your right ma’am.”
Her: “Oh no, one must not touch things on public transport.”
Me: “Grr!”(Walks down the train to find another exit)
There is no way I’m climbing on that rickty looking mother fucker. Next time I’m in the Big Apple, I’m fuckin’ walking.
I hope the conductors use authentic 1920s slang:
“Next stop, the Negro Heaven of Harlem! When it comes to juice joints, the Cotton Club is the bee’s knees, so beat it with your bearcat and jitterbug that doll until her gams go flat! All right, stop pushing you palookas, or I’ll give you the bum’s rush and make you ride the jitney!”
Killin’ it Otto Man +1.
I would also like to see more Ad’s for lysol for birth control purposes.
Actually, the conductors will probably still be using the current public address system, so it’ll still sound like:
“ZZZvafahj KKKKabavs! KKKKabavs! Watch the doors.”
This reminds me of the “Heroes” themed subway they did a few years back that started out great, but never got you to your destination.
So if we’re gonna ride trains from the 1920′s, does that mean we get to treat the minorities riding them as people back them would have? How “authentic” will these things look after a few days when they’re covered in graffiti?
What? Fine. I know where the corner is.
Whatever.