Sure, your conductor greets you with a smile and takes your ticket. But there is a lot more to the job
than that. The conductor is actually responsible for everything that happens on your train, from ensuring your safety and comfort to observing the tracks for route signals. Sometimes, conductors even sing for the passengers! From the regular travelers who become like family to celebrity sightings and those amazing views, these five Amtrak conductors share what life on the rails is really like.
YEARS AT AMTRAK: 8
YEARS AS A CONDUCTOR: 5
Your favorite route?
I like going to New York City. I love the city.
Best day as a conductor?
I have so many fun days on the train; it’s hard to choose.
Any celebrity sightings on the train?
I saw Jessica Lange; I really wanted to talk with her but I was too shy.
Most memorable passenger interaction?
I met Miss New York, Taryn Delanie Smith, on a train. I asked her about the talent portion of her pageant and she told me that she sang. And I said, ‘Oh, I sing too.’ So we ended up singing together—right there at her seat! The song we chose to do was ‘Lay Me Down’ by Sam Smith. It was wonderful; she recorded it and put it on her Instagram.
Funniest Incident?
I’m a trained singer, so sometimes I sing for people on the train. One guy said he didn’t believe that I sang opera. He asked me if I knew “Nessun Dorma” from Turnadot. I said yes. He said, “No, you don’t.” So I sang it for him and he was amazed. He was in shock; he asked what I was doing working for the railroad. Several people filmed me and everyone in the café car just went crazy clapping and cheering.
Best part of your job?
I like the interaction with the people and that every day is different. Sure, you are always scanning tickets, but every single day I run into something different. And 99% of the time it’s positive.
What do you wish people knew about your job?
Our job entails a lot more than people think. It’s not just scanning tickets and opening the door. There’s a lot of knowledge that goes on behind our work. There are so many different safety procedures and things that you have to be aware of at all times. It can be a lot mentally. You just have to be alert all the time when you’re on a train. You never know what is going to happen.
Why take Amtrak?
It’s so comfortable and you can have a great experience just getting to your destination.
YEARS AT AMTRAK: 7
YEARS AS A CONDUCTOR: 4
Your favorite route?
Niagara Falls. It’s a long ride, but everybody is more relaxed because they are mostly on vacation, rather than commuting.
Any celebrity sightings on the train?
I don’t watch a lot of TV so they don’t stand out to me. I’ve had [cookbook author and TV personality] Sara Moulton on the train. I used to be a baker so I knew her. She was in coach and I asked: Is that really you? She laughed. Her voice is so distinctive.
Best day as a conductor?
I love the job; I can’t pick one day.
Most memorable passenger interaction?
There was one Canadian lady I met while she was traveling with a group of friends. I talked with them a lot. She asked for my address and ended up sending me a financial book. We are now friends on Facebook; it’s fun to make a lasting connection.
Funniest Incident?
Kids are often hilarious; they say silly stuff. They all say: ‘I want to be a conductor when I grow up.’ Then they all want to take a picture with your hat.
Best part of your job?
Going everywhere and interacting with all these different people. I’d hate being stuck in an office 9-5 every day.
What do you wish people knew about your job?
They think that the conductor is the ones who drives the train. But we are there in case something goes wrong and to help them and to take care of them.
Why take Amtrak?
You don’t have the traffic and you don’t have to stop to go to the bathroom. The train is often the same amount of travel time. Most days are good days. Most days are ride and glide.
YEARS AT AMTRAK: 7
YEARS AS A CONDUCTOR: 5
Your favorite route?
Albany to New York City.
Any celebrity sightings on the train?
I had the actress Kathy Najimy; we chatted like we had known each other for whole lives. I also helped Gilbert Gottfried with his bags, but I didn’t realize it was him until he got off the train.
Best day as a conductor?
Memorable things happen on a daily basis. But it feels great when you can help someone out. If there is a service disruption and somebody misses their connection. When you can make a call and switch out their tickets, they’re so grateful. It feels good.
Best part of your job?
I’ve done a lot of different jobs in my adult life and this is by far my favorite. I don’t feel like I work for a living. A lot of people dread Monday morning. Monday, Wednesday, morning, night. I enjoy it. I love that every day can be completely different; there is always something new and challenging. I even think it is rewarding to work on the holidays. And then there is that scenery … catching a beautiful sunny day on the Hudson.
What do you wish people knew about your job?
We don’t operate the trains. Ha! I know a lot of people think we only wear the funny-looking hat, take tickets and say ‘thank you.’ But it is so much more than that. They don’t realize the level of responsibility the conductor has. The conductor is in charge of the entire train. If anything happens, it falls on me. There is a lot of behind-the-scenes training. We get tested yearly and are expected to pass. Every single day we put this training to use.
Why Amtrak?
It’s beyond convenient. All you have to do is get on—and let us do the driving. You can walk around, get a bite to eat in the cafe. And the bus only has one bathroom, we’ve got 10 restrooms to choose from!
YEARS AT AMTRAK: 8
YEARS AS A CONDUCTOR: 5
Your favorite route?
Albany to New York City; I love the ride up and down the Hudson River, especially during the fall. The foliage is just beautiful. The winter season is fun, too. Everyone is festive and bubbly going down to the city.
Any celebrity sightings on the train?
A few years ago I had Claire Danes on my train. My husband and I were watching Homeland at the time. She was sitting in coach on the way to New York City. I gave her a huge smile and she smiled right back.
Best day as a conductor?
Every day is a different adventure and has the potential to be your best day.
Most memorable passenger interaction?
On a train from Albany to Niagara Falls a six-year-old girl kept talking to me when I walked by. So we talked about school, her favorite color, her family. I gave her some seat checks to color on and she wrote me a sweet note on one of them: Thank you, I love you … She gave me a huge hug before she left. A few weeks later I was working a train from New York City back to Albany and I heard a little voice scream, ‘Ashley!’ It was the same little girl and she was running down the platform towards me.
Funniest Incident?
A woman came up to me and told me that she couldn’t find her phone. We started searching—under the seat backs, on the floor, retracing her steps to the bathroom. The entire time we were looking for her phone, she was using her flashlight on her phone to light the way. Once we realized this, we laughed for like five minutes.
Best part of your job?
You have coworkers that become family; talking to people on the train is also really special. But more than anything it’s the satisfaction that you get from helping people. Whether it’s a ticket issue, helping with a bag, distracting a crying child to give the parent a break, being there for a coworker. Being told you made someone’s day is what it’s all about.
What do you wish people knew about your job?
To fully understand a day in the life of a conductor, it’s important to look at it more as a lifestyle—not just a job.
Why take Amtrak?
Because you can sit back, relax and unwind. And you can catch up on your emails and your to-do list. The WiFi is usually pretty good!
YEARS AT AMTRAK: 25
YEARS AS A CONDUCTOR: 22
Your favorite route?
I’ve been a conductor for 22 years—I’ve done them all! I don’t have a favorite. But scenery-wise, I’d have to say the train to Montreal. Coming down Lake Champlain, especially in the fall. There are some beautiful views up there.
Any celebrity sightings on the train?
I used to see NBA player Sam Perkins on the train all the time. John Ammos, the actor from “Good Times”. But my best celebrity interaction was with Drew Barrymore. She was an absolute sweetheart. She got on the train late in the evening. I had to tell other passengers to keep moving along and to not ask for autographs right then.
Best day as a conductor?
The day I met my wife on the train. She was my assistant conductor.
Most memorable passenger interaction?
A passenger fell off the platform onto the railroad tracks and was badly hurt. I ran over and I started giving her medical attention; I used to be an EMT. My boss told me to stay with her; they put someone else on my train. I stayed with her, took her family to the hospital, brought them back to the train. Once a year that lady used to send me a card thanking me.
Best part of your job?
Every day is different and I enjoy helping people.
What do you wish people knew about your job?
That we are paid for what we know, not necessarily for what we do. People sometimes see the conductor sitting in the café car between stops. They think that is all we do and sometimes get up to take tickets. But you have to know how to help fix the train or take care of a sick passenger. You have to be very vigilant and you have to be ready for any kind of emergency situation at any time.
Why take Amtrak?
Amtrak is convenient. But you also get to detach and disconnect from your life for a few hours. You get to look out the window— see eagles and things of that nature. So not
only does it get you where you’re going, but it actually gives you a scenic view of upstate New York.
