At the end of a 36-year career, conductor Michael Shaw tells his “Rail Life” story.
Jim Cameron | Columnist
Jim Cameron is founder of the Commuter Action Group and advocates for Connecticut rail riders. The views he expresses in his "Talking Transportation" column are his alone and not those of the Connecticut Mirror. Contact Jim at TalkTransport@ctmirror.org.
Blinded by the (head) light
You’re driving on a narrow road in the dark, when the headlights of oncoming traffic suddenly blind you…. #%&!!
The dangers of the fall
Autumn leaves look pretty as they change colors, but when they are spent and fall to the ground, they present real problems for travelers.
Bring your wheels on board, but know the rules
You can bring your own bike, e-bike or scooter on the bus or train, but you should learn the rules first.
Shapiro’s Folly — a bridge over Long Island Sound
Connecticut has been buzzing over a local housing developer’s fantastical pipe-dream of a bridge to Long Island.
Does this qualify as leading by example, governor?
What would happen to you if you borrowed your company’s car and, thanks to built-in tracking technology, were caught driving 113 miles per hour?
NextGen Acela, the future is now
I finally had a chance to ride the new NextGen Acela and I have to admit, I was wrong: this really is Amtrak’s train of the future.
Travel now, talk and text later
Once, when stuck in crawling traffic on I-95, I actually saw a guy reading a book. I’ve seen others shave or put on makeup. Give me a break!
A new worry for motorists — e-scooters and skateboards
The proliferation of e-bikes and e-scooters is giving motorists another thing to look out for; and for their owners, new safety rules to observe.
Back to the grind… in the air, at sea, and on the road
While you’ve been enjoying the summer (me, too!) we need to get updated on what’s been happening on our roads, rails and waters.
Walking the Appalachian Trail
How one hiker found healing and restoration on one of the country’s most iconic trails.
Where railroads and civil rights met
In U.S. transportation history, there is a crucial intersection between railroads and civil rights: formation of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car porters.
Amtrak’s new Acela starts soon. Worth the wait?
Is the NextGen Acela ready for prime time? We shall see. But beware of the PR hype proclaiming NextGen Acela as the savior of American passenger rail.
The Woodstock Festival on the Tappan Zee Bridge
I was a teenage toll collector on the Tappan Zee Bridge when the revelers from the Woodstock Rock Festival rolled up.
Metro-North’s higher fares, new rules equal bad optics
CT commuters will be paying more, but getting no improvements in Metro-North service.



