Press Release / Media Op
Japan Railway’s N700a model Shinkansen at the Tokyo terminal.
Photo may not be used online unless invoiced.
International Transportation Photojournalist Joseph M. Calisi Presents:
Japan: A Commuter Rail Transportation Paradise
Hosted by the NY Chapter National Railway Historical Society, GCT Williamson Library
Thursday, March 3, 2016, 7 PM RSVPs Required Admission is free.
Attached: Low resolution image of the Shinkansen “Bullet Train” Usage: one time media use only to promote the March 3rd lecture.
New York — Japan is a ‘commuter centric’ nation, providing world-class, rail transportation. Thursday March 3, 2016, International Photojournalist Joseph M. Calisi presents a unique view of the beauty of Japan as experienced by its commuters. Entitled, “Japan: A Commuter Rail Transportation Paradise, the public has an opportunity to see an interactive presentation covering the four corners of Japan from urban centers to rural areas. These snapshots of Japan were captured May 2014, during a three week Electric Railroaders Association excursion. Mr. Calisi, a published transportation photojournalist and historian will display multiple photographic images along with commentary. This event, starting at 7 PM, will be hosted by the New York Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, in the Grand Central Terminal Williamson Library. Attendees are asked to RSVP with RRobertsonmedia (at) gmail.com as seating is limited. Admission is free.
“Impressive features of Japan’s commuter rail travel are the on-time departures / arrivals; system wide pre assigned seating and female only rail cars during rush hours. This is a nation that interjects a level of fun into the commuter experience. For example, the Wakayama Electric Railway promoted Tama, (a common Japanese term for cat), to ‘stationmaster’ complete with a hat and cat food in lieu of salary. Tama service as a ‘greeter’ increased ridership, and her image appears on a wide variety of merchandise including posters and tee-shirts. Other mass transit companies paint static Anime (short for animation) figures on the side of trolleys, considered to be good luck charms to attract customers and increase ridership. This is truly an amazing commuter friendly mass transit system,” says Photojournalist Joseph M. Calisi.
The discussion will include the JR Shinkansen “Bullet Train,” that reaches speeds of 150 – 200 miles per hour; the Hasedera Shinto Temple; the Hakone Tozan Cable Cars, the Komagatake, a trip to Mt. Fuji, the “Romance Car” Odakyu’s limited express train along with trams and the light rail inter-urbans of the Setagaya Line.
Joseph M. Calisi has been a transportation photojournalist since 1993, and his work has appeared in print, electronic, broadcast and online publications. Joseph M. Calisi was also an official transportation historian and spokesperson for the 2004 NYC Subway Centennial global media coverage. His TV credits include: Telly Award finalist (11-minute documentary on the last days of mainline steam trains in the world in China); and NY Emmy Award nominee for a news magazine story on the 75th anniversary of NY’s IND subway. Joseph M. Calisi’s articles, photographs and magazine covers are published in national, international and online rail publications. Additional international transportation images at www.josephmcalisiphotography.com