The back of this picture is labeled: "Ross Morgan, Conductor, Cairo Division #463, 1948." No location is shown, but the train was discontinued South of Harrisburg in 1941, so my best guess is that it was between Mt. Carmel and Harrisburg, because it operated at night North of Mt. Carmel. CAPT Rex Settlemoir
I envy that railroader for the sort of railroading he did! Passenger conductor on one of the country's best railroads! My kinda job(or engineer too!) Charlie
Either job would have been good. However, the conductor probably would have been the best overall. Think of all of the situations he would have met and handled over the years.
Mr. Morgan's photo personifies my memories of New York Central conductors. I remember them always being cheerful, well-groomed, and friendly to me as a child. They helped make riding fun. :tb-cool:
Ah yes, one of the many before who have inspired me and others like me to follow into Passenger. Amtrak may not be the NYC, but it's still the magic, the wonder, and the world.
==================================================================== What terminal do you work out of? Charlie
I don't yet. Though I am getting my COn.Licesnse at Indiana Transportation Museum (on the 4th ed. of the GCOR, so it does count for a bit) But it hasnm't stopped me from trying with AMTK.
Just a bit of advice, working as a passenger trainman, you become an ambassador for the carrier you are with. You are the authority and whatever untoward situation that may happen on a train under your command is YOUR fault, whether it really is or not. There is a training film we saw when qualifying as trainmen for the METRA trains the BNSF runs in Chicago, it is entitled "Transit Ambassador" and IIRC it was filmed on GO Transit(Toronto,Ontario, Canada). It dealt with situations and how to deal with them in a courteous and correct manner. I had any number of run-ins with passengers while I was a commuter trainman and you can read some of them on the thread I host on the "Railfanning Discussions" board under the title "Storytime with Charlie". I have dealt with the public most of my adult working life anyway, yet sometimes I just couldn't help losing my cool. People today of Gen X and Y want instant gratification and an immediate solution to their problems whether real or perceived. Railroading is not that simple or instant. A red signal is a red signal and the crew has no control over it. A train will run late for whatever reason, but no excuse is acceptable. Fares and schedules are subject to change without notice, but nobody notices that fine print on the public timetable. I used to tell my students to disregard the "tales of woe" they heard from the old heads in the yard concerning commuter service. Most of those yard monkeys are incapable of handling work on a commuter train, they are barely able to handle the demands of yard work,but they can fake it and it's seldom noticed until they break something or put something on the ground. The BNSF,thru its component carriers, ALL of them(C.B.&Q-ATSF-GN-NP-SP&S etc) ran some of the best,fastest and most luxurious of passenger trains EVER! While our 37 miles of commuter railroad isnt as long as the trans-con passenger trains, the guage is still the same, they are high speed,streamlined and comfortable and subject to all the same FRA rules and regulations as the long hauls. A passenger trainman doesn't work outside in the lousy weather,except when boarding or detraining customers. The hours of service are regular and it is relatively clean. You dont have working conditions like that as a yard grunt. I wish you well in your pursuit of a railroad career. Smile,be courteous,helpful and friendly. Most folks are easy to deal with and appreciate your efforts. The stinkers prove the rule. Take care and work safely! Charlie
Very much good words of wisdom. I may well print it and tape to the inside of my rules binder. You are absolutely right on all accounts. I've had two yars as coach attendent. ITM is neither high speed, or signaled. But all other rules apply. It's 4ft, 8.5" track, it's 30mph. We stop when we stop why we stop, usually for crossing issues or picking up special people, as again there's no signals. And even as Coachie, I'm still an ambassador. It's been awesome training, and I've enjoyed the people I've met, wortked with, for, and served. And I'm even proud to say that I've inspired at least one if not a few passengers one day to come back and join me as vvolutneers. That makes you feel fluffy inside. We've been lucky though, people ride with us alsmost expect a museum to be laid back. Even on our commuter-like 10 roundtrips a day everyday during State Fair to Fishers and back. And I say Commuter, because we carry VASTLY more people riding to the Fair to avoid traffic than we do people riding a train.
When dealing with people on trains there is always someone who wants to cause trouble and dealing with them in a respective manner usually earns points from all other passengers as well. There are some though that don't want an answer and they usually keep pushing until they are thrown off with the police.
My personal record is 9 people ejected from one train. Another guy had 13. That is the record I was trying to beat! Charlie
Nice photo! You photograph well! From our brief exchange it sounds to me like you have a positive attitude. Dont lose that! Railroading, as you are well aware,can be a dangerous job! You sound like you have the mettle to handle passenger service. Another thing I learned in dealing with the public, is to maintain your cool in an emergency situation. I have had to do that in any number of situations in my past employment. It is not easy to deal with an incoherent,frightened,screaming and irrational passenger when there has been an airplane crash and they believe their loved ones were on it. I've also handled uncontrollably sobbing people who have a death emergency and need to go somewhere. What folks in those conditions need is a level-headed, calm,reassuring person who can think on their feet and be quick with a solution. You ARE the first person of authority they recognize and they will expect you to handle it. Again my best wishes to you and always work safely! CT
