We're on a Train!
This silly subway story tracks with bizarre New York magic.
Howdy! It’s Joey, back with more Fun Fact Friyay. All aboard for a fun train fact, but first…
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In 1993, 16-year-old Keron Thomas posed as a train conductor and successfully dropped people off for three hours.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve had an interest in trains. Thomas the Tank Engine toys (and the show itself) were regular activities in the household.
I also recall the Peter Gabriel music video for “Steam” having an excellent part where he becomes a locomotive. Here’s a gif:
In fact, I enjoy trains so much that I wrote a song about being on a train WHILE on a train in Portugal. Amazing.
One of the cities that truly embraces train travel is New York City. It’s where I happen to be as I write this edition of Fun Fact Friyay. I took a pair of subway trains earlier today, and while I wasn’t able to spot my driver, I am fairly positive they’re a grown adult.
That’s not the case for one particular train on May 8, 1993. A 16-year-old named Keron Thomas posed as a conductor and drove a subway car around New York City.
Thomas wasn’t acting out like a rebellious teenager whose parents forbade him to go to a party, even though the entire school was going to be there, and that’s so not fair!
No, he was just a kid who was fascinated by trains. He spent months preparing for his adventure by reading books and manuals on the city’s subway system. He also procured an official blue motorman’s shirt and would loiter around platforms, one day befriending an eight-year veteran subway worker named Regoberto Sabio.
As the two became close, Thomas took note of Sabio’s employee number. One day, he called a Transit Authority crew, posing as Sabio, and said he was looking for any extra shifts. A short time later, he was on his way to the 207th St. station in Inwood.
Thomas had a safety vest, a brake handle, and a reverser key. Combined with his motorman shirt, he was good to go! He got put in charge of the A train and made it to the end of the line at Lefferts Blvd. in Queens, successfully dropping passengers off at each stop.
However, Thomas’s adventure took a turn (wordplay!) when he…uh…took a turn too fast on the way back. The quick acceleration on the curve set off the emergency brake. When an inspector came to investigate, Thomas’s jig was up. He tried to flee but was discovered not too long after.
He ultimately received three years probation for the incident. There’s also a bit of remorse; Thomas said he wouldn’t do it again if given the same opportunity. But he does own a trucking company—he still clearly enjoys large vehicle traveling!
The NY Transit Authority has improved its security quite a bit over the past 30+ years. So, unless you’re actively training to be a train conductor, maybe just stick to being a passenger.