The San Marco Train, a lively voice on Twitter's slow lane went off the rails Thursday.
Jack DeYoung, the Digital Director at Nuera Marketing in Jacksonville, admitted Thursday on Twitter that he was the voice behind the mock movement to "Make America Late Again" as he announced the train was being retired.
But not before one final jab. WJCT workers arrived at the station this morning to find the "Make America Late Again" sign in front of the building. The train also aimed a final tweet at WJCT (see the tweets at the bottom of this story).
DeYoung took aim at a variety of topics and personalities around Jacksonville under the guise of being the San Marco Train, which as every commuter that travels Hendricks Ave. in San Marco knows, can cause maddening delays.
The San Marco Train took particular notice of WJCT's Melissa Ross. The two exchanged heated but friendly digs at one another over the past month or so.
But it was all in good fun and in the end he helped with the fundraising for WJCT's final pledge drive of the year.
San Marco Train: Tweeting To Make America Late Again?
As to why DeYoung finally decided to reveal himself and blow the train's final whistle, here's his tweet along with a few others from the San Marco Train. And, if you'd like to hear from the "train" himself, tune into First Coast Connect Friday at 9 a.m. on 89.9 WJCT-FM. DeYoung will be among Melissa's guests.
This started as a way to make my coworkers and my wife laugh.
— Jack DeYoung (@HarleyKeiner) December 21, 2017
I got a little too into it (see the multiple gibberish notes written on my phone at 4am) but it was a lot of fun.
Thanks to everyone (particularly @MelissainJax & @claireNjax) for being such good sports about it. https://t.co/fLhPwOI6RP
This was nice to see after we singlehandedly saved @WJCTJax from certain doom with our generous donation.
— San Marco Train (@SanMarcoTrain) December 20, 2017
Thanks for finally coming around on on our Make America Late Again mission, @MelissainJax. It's true what they say...actions DO speak louder than words.#MALA forever. pic.twitter.com/leegpZLOXI
Nice try, Mr. Bicycle Man.
— San Marco Train (@SanMarcoTrain) December 19, 2017
This is penance for that freaky fast Jimmy John's cyclist (who was obviously doping) that jumped the San Marco Train.
Love seeing someone at the exact moment they realize that resistance is futile.#MALA forever. pic.twitter.com/zEn7vCimIM
We know the original is considered a classic but we made some edits that make this film even better!
— San Marco Train (@SanMarcoTrain) December 18, 2017
Call it The Conductor's Cut. pic.twitter.com/awDuZtjX1R
Hi! We're the Ghost of San Marco's Christmas Future!
— San Marco Train (@SanMarcoTrain) December 17, 2017
Pledge undying loyalty to San Marco Train or embrace this NEW REALITY on your daily commute.
Happy holidays. pic.twitter.com/UvER0Qr7cu
You: "Oh no, the train! Hopefully it's a short one..."
— San Marco Train (@SanMarcoTrain) December 16, 2017
Us: This is the true audacity of hope. pic.twitter.com/Wrn285fs50
So @MelissainJax decided to #FirstCoastNEGLECT the part of the deal where she admitted defeat and we still donated a cool five hundred bucks.
— San Marco Train (@SanMarcoTrain) December 14, 2017
We can't say we weren't a little miffed but this headline made everything better. They call it "earned media" in the biz, right Melissa? pic.twitter.com/m6Q8qww387
This is what happens when you entrust the San Marco Train to ship your tote bags. https://t.co/RNuXhViBba
— San Marco Train (@SanMarcoTrain) December 14, 2017
We don't ask for much, @MelissainJax. Just that you admit what everyone already knows...that we've bested you at every turn and you endorse our #MALA mission.
— San Marco Train (@SanMarcoTrain) December 13, 2017
And yet...NOTHING.
That said, we're an honorable train and will make the $500 donation to @WJCTJax. Need the tax break.
In which local NPR host resorts to schoolyard insult hashtags to get the #SanMarcoTrain bump.
— San Marco Train (@SanMarcoTrain) December 12, 2017
Good luck dipping, ducking, and dodging the San Marco Train today. Bring an audiobook in the car because we are bringing out the extra long trains today thanks to Melissa. https://t.co/vPvfC7YN1p
"We shall spite on the Jax Beaches,
— San Marco Train (@SanMarcoTrain) December 2, 2017
We shall spite at The Landing grounds
We shall spite in your weird field and in San Marco streets,
We shall spite with skill.
We will never surrender."
-Winston Churchill sounding oddly prescient about the San Marco Train. https://t.co/rqDhZaORJM
BREAKING: Local NPR host's feud with valiant local train inexplicably sends her wandering aimlessly into a field to futilely confront the loquacious locomotive. https://t.co/LWsyGEgHjY
— San Marco Train (@SanMarcoTrain) December 2, 2017
Local media is calling the theft of our Make America Late Again signs "the crime of the century."
— San Marco Train (@SanMarcoTrain) November 21, 2017
The police have announced a city-wide manhunt and we are doing our part by sealing the perimeter of San Marco just in time for lunch.#MALA, nerds. pic.twitter.com/tjTcKPwtTn
Local NPR Host Acknowledges #SanMarcoTrainBUMP https://t.co/KCGowDmofd
— San Marco Train (@SanMarcoTrain) November 20, 2017
Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org, 904-358-6349 or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.
