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A bit of a protest is springing up in New Haven's Union Station. The "Solari" mechanical train board will be replaced by a LED screen. It's the "Clicky-Clack" the sign makes is what people will miss. "it alerts us the Acela from Boston will abit late."
Grand Central changed from these signs can't remember when 90's perhaps. They didn't save one for prosterity as they have an old manual board. It is located on the north west side, can't remember is its on the upper level in the "kissing room" or on the lower level below.
Here is a recent article about the New Haven Union Station. It's a great building. Many of the plans are rather grand and unfortunatly the area is cutoff from the downtown area. I read in a archetecture book about the Station. Origionally the front plaza and entrances where to be designed by Olmstad of Central Park fame who also designed New Havens Edgewood Park. Only the station was built and furthermore unfortunatly following the ill conceived urban renewall further cut off the station from downtown and Yale University. Today it is cut off by a highway connector, a housing project and a police headquarters.
HillsideStation Member # 6386
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Away back in the early '60's...that's over a half century ago...TWA installed on of the first Solari Boards in the US at their Flight Center at JFK. And yes; everytime there was a new entry just about every one would stop to look at what new information was being posted. Yesterday's advance is today's antique. Best regards, Rodger
rresor Member # 128
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If New Haven's Solari board is replaced, you'll still be able to get your "Solari fix" at 30th Street in Phiadelphia, where the board is still happily clacking away and I know of no plans to replace it.
One of the joys of a Solari board is that, if you watch closely, you'll see destinations and train names that no longer apply. "Montreal" and "Cape Cod" still come up as the Solari board is changing its settings.
notelvis Member # 3071
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Baltimore Penn still had the Solari board chattering away when I was there in April.
It's been longer BUT do they not still use the Solari Board in the New Carrollton, MD station as well?
Ocala Mike Member # 4657
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Before Solari Boards even, there were electronically-operated cloth "scrolls" at New York's GCT back in the 50's. If you think there were some exotic named trains that you're going to miss seeing now that the Solaris are gone, you should have seen some of the ones (I think many predating WWII) that I used to see on those old scroll boards when they were in use.
Henry Kisor Member # 4776
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Speaking of train boards, I understand departing train info is hard to find at L.A. Union Station. I'll be there in a few weeks. Any suggestion what a geezer who don't hear so good no more ought to do to find out what track No. 4 is departing from?
a meyer Member # 4954
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LAUPT has a large electronic board in the area between the main waiting room and the tunnel leading to the tracks (near the ticket windows). I don't recall seeing any boards in the main waiting room.
My experience has been that an employee at the entrance of the tunnel usually hollers out the train and track number before it is posted on the board.
I have also noticed the Red Caps usually start loading people on the carts and heading to the tunnel before other announcements are made.
Henry Kisor Member # 4776
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Thank you.
Possibly the best thing to do is find an Amtrak official, point to my ear and shake my head, show my ticket, point at the tunnel, and shrug.
That used to work with the airlines and insure early boarding, but they got wise to the scam.
Here is an update of the grass root "save the solari" advocy group. the led by the local bicycle groups. I think their mantra is not one dime for transportation until they get a sheltered bike rack, and more space in the trains for bikes. Anyway here is a suggestion. If i can program my cell phone to sound like the phone in Sam Spade's office then I'm sure they could make the LED board go clickty clack when changes are made. To Ocala Mike its true, when i watch the board roll through the sighn still has Pittsburgh, Montreal and Miami, What ever happens I hope they perserve the sign either at the East Haven trolley museum or perhaps the Danbury rail museum.
MetSox Member # 6035
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The new dot matrix board at Boston's South Station makes a sound that vaguely sounds like a Solari board. It does it when a train opens for boarding, not very authentic.
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