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Iconic is a weird word to use in reference to transportation systems. SF’s cable cars and NY’s subways are probably the only one’s truly recognizable to everyone. Disney’s monorails is a good thought. We are a big country and public transportation isn’t really something we pay attention to unless we have to. In a movie if we see a subway in this country, we will likely assume it’s NY until we see a different establishing shot.
meetoo. as many times as i been to n.y.c. i dont even remember what their subway looks like. but a lot of moovees and teevee shows happen to be set in n.y.c. (even if its not filmed there) and there is always a ubiquitous subway shot: https://www.city-data.com/forum/city...harecters.html
The Harry Weese DC Metro vaulted arch is the most unique subway station design in North America. Legacy elevated heavy rail stations...Chicago El, Philly, NYC, etc. don't diverge significantly in design. Many of the old legacy subway stations around the country--Boston, Chicago, NYC, Philly, etc.--also have the basic box designs with steel beams. Sure, they diverge on some details, but the DC Metro arch, floor lights, and red tiles are completely non-standard and there really is nothing like it replicated even at a small scale across a system.
It might not be the most iconic (i.e. recognizable), but it certainly is the most unique.
Ok, well, to me the uniqueness makes it iconic.
People earlier were arguing DC wasn't iconic because it could easily be confused with systems like LA, ATL, or Miami built at the same time. I was just pointing out that is absurd.
Also, Chicago and NYC have some similarities, doesn't mean they're not iconic.
Last edited by Folks3000; 03-19-2021 at 06:26 PM..
Not remotely? There are many features that you see in DC that are similar to all new systems that are relatively rare in legacy system stations. Just the fact that the underground stations are usually deep underground aligns DC more with LA than with older systems like Boston and NYC that were largely built using cut and cover. The center platforms with elevators, stairs and escalators in DC are setup the same as they are in LA and unlike the ones in NYC that often don't have escalators. The use of the much larger station box is a common feature.
I think that you're looking at specific details and I agree that upon close inspection they are very different, but from a distance - and I think that's what most riders see - they are superficially similar.
If someone can't see DC's giant vaulted ceilings from a distance they need their eyes checked. There's no other stations that look anything like that in the US.
Just LA? Why would anyone from anywhere recognize a DC metro station if they had never been in one or even seen one? And if they have seen DC metro stations on TV and in movies, chances are the camera didn't spend lots of time pointed at the ceiling. In my opinion they look alike superficially and most people only look at them superficially. I don't think that most Americans consider the vaulted ceilings to be iconic, but that's just me.
Idk, why would anyone who hadn't visited Boston know what the T looks like? Maybe they saw it on TV or a movie? Same diff..
If you just saw the Chicago El, reasonable people could confuse it with the NYC subway system, depending on the background.
I just fail to see your point.
DC Metro stations are very unique, DC is a well-visited city, DC's metro plays a very big role in the day to day lives of the people who live there. Certainly worthy of a top 5 designation. Personally I think NYC and Chicago systems are more iconic, but would DC be a top 5? Absolutely!
Idk, why would anyone who hadn't visited Boston know what the T looks like? Maybe they saw it on TV or a movie? Same diff..
If you just saw the Chicago El, reasonable people could confuse it with the NYC subway system, depending on the background.
I just fail to see your point.
DC is very unique, DC is a well-visited city, DC's metro plays a very big role in the day to day lives of the people who live there. Certainly worthy of a top 5 designation. Personally I think NYC and Chicago systems are more iconic, but would DC be a top 5? Absolutely!
I think it depends on where the Chicago El is seen. No other city has the El snaking through the CBD like Chicago does. If people saw Chicago's underground stations, they probably couldn't distinguish it between most other places.
People earlier were arguing DC wasn't iconic because it could easily be confused with systems like LA, ATL, or Miami built at the same time. I was just pointing out that is absurd.
Also, Chicago and NYC have some similarities, doesn't mean they're not iconic.
Oh, I didn't mean to come across as contesting you. I think "iconic" is a combination of uniqueness and recognition. Even if DC isn't the most famous, it absolutely is the most unique.
Idk, why would anyone who hadn't visited Boston know what the T looks like? Maybe they saw it on TV or a movie? Same diff..I just fail to see your point.
Yeah, that was my point. Below is what you wrote that I responded to. My point was that why would anyone know what a system looked like that they had never seen or been on? It's not an issue specific to "someone in LA". And I think that many that see the DC metro on tv and in movies are actually looking at LA or Toronto many times. They stand in a lot for DC.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Folks3000
Maybe someone in LA wouldn't recognize what a DC Metro station looks like if they had never visited DC or seen it on TV/movies...
In the 90s, maybe LA city buses since Speed was such a fantastically ridiculous movie. If not, then maybe the Boston T? It'd be nice if people knew the Pittsburgh funiculars. It's fun to say funicular and the Duquesne Incline has quite a view.
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