Train #0 - The See Earth Passing!

Hi

2008-07-08T02:55:16Z

Hi, I need your help about being a chef on Amtrak. How can I do that? At this moment I am studying to be a chef. I wanted to an engineer but that is so much work when I have the chance I would go to engineer school for four years. Most of my family is engineers and brakesman. Any information would help. Thanks

Hi

2007-07-02T15:41:28Z

HI my name is John and I love trains I know mostly everything about the steam locomotives and CSX and the Old Chessie System. I took my first train ride in 2006 From Richmond, Va to Charolette, NC I love it and I am trying to be a engineer for Amtrak do you know how to get a application? It would really help. Thanks

So uuuh...

2006-04-29T11:25:22Z

What's shakin'?

Haha!

*pokes the community, and waits for a response*

I work on the upper lounge on train 7 now, it's a pretty sweet run if you don't mind semi-crappy tips and people using you as an information booth. :D

crew_in_blue @ 2006-01-26T12:35:00

2006-01-26T18:01:44Z

Greetings to all and let me introduce myself,

My name is Chris, I am a 4th generation railroader. I do not work for Amtrak how ever I will be involved with Amtrak shortly. I own a private car which came out of service from the company back in 2003. The car is one of the Pacific Series Dorm Lounge, specifically the the "Pacific View". Currently I am working to get the car certified to operate as a private car on Amtrak. Also it looks like shortly I will be picking up another Pacific Series sleeper, that is a intact 10/6. Unlike some other car owners, I plan on working my cars during all trips.

I have been involved in many different aspects of the railroad industry. I have been a locomotive mechanic/hostler, engineer, conductor, and mechanical rider for NS steam program with my father, and several other private cars. Currently I work for Railserve Inc. a small shortline operation in Cincinnati at the former P&G Ivorydale plant. I have worked for RJ Corman Railroad Group, also worked as a Conductor for Norfolk Southern unfortunately. My back ground goes on, but I will not bore you with it at this time.

I have applied to work with Amtrak, but since I was unjustly fired for a 2nd time by NS, I don't see that happening any time soon. Especially since the case is still being battled out between the Union and the company. It is a long story.

I am also the owner and moderator of Amtrak Equipment group on yahoo.
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/amtrak_equipment/

If you have any questions for me or what I do let me know, and I hope you don't mind a some what of an outsider part of the group.

Sooo...

2006-01-21T12:59:56Z

*pokes teh community* O_o *laughs* Anyone alive out th'are?

bumped :\

2006-01-13T19:40:14Z

Well, I got bumped. And it kind of sucks, because I am supposed to be on vacation starting on the 15th and lasting until the 26th. Having said that of course I'd like to stay on 27 lounge.

I can do one of two things at this point (until tomorrow at midnight).

A) I can choose to bump someone by tomorrow night, but I believe that would make my vacation go away for now. And not that I am going anywhere, or anything for vacation, but I was looking forward to having days off.

B) I can take my vacation, which again lasts from the 15th to the 26th. After my vacation is over and done with, I can make my bump. Again I was really looking forward to having so many days off :) I'm still getting paid and getting my 'guaranteed' hours for the month, either way.

I think either way I go, if I get bumped I get bumped. I haven't given much thought, however, to which run I'd like to go to if I can't get back onto 27 lounge. Hmm...

Definately try for 27 lounge. Then I guess try for 21 lounge...After that, the corridors would be where I go next. I am not touching 5, even if I have the seniority to hold it...*laughs*

At any rate I think I shall take my vacation and continue on it like normal. I am getting my car fixed (hopefully) on Monday, and I need a car to drive to get to work anyways [and yes I'll still be getting paid, so I may as well take advantage of it right?]

Well I'm back XD

2006-01-09T17:56:17Z

Nothing much exciting happened on my trip to Portland, except for the fact that I had an 'old style' lounge on the return trip. I sort of had a 'WTF?' moment when I first saw it, because I hadn't worked one in about two years (basically since I started with Amtrak). I have a few entertaining stories though that I will probably post sometime...somewhere. And when I do I'll let you know *laughs*

OH, also...I heard a rumor that 'they' might be getting rid of the debriefing office. For those who don't know, thats the place that does our paperwork at the end of our trips, and tells us whether or not we 'owe' Amtrak any money (if we are under the amount of money our paperwork says we sold, we owe Amtrak the money...). Sucks, don't it? Anyways the rumor is they might send the paperwork out to a 3rd party. It just kinda sucks because I don't know how long something like that would take you know? *shrugs* Can't say more than it's just a rumor though. You never know if it is true or not.

Hello XD

2006-01-06T19:00:40Z

Sooo I work as an LSA on the Empire Builder in the lounge. Now if any of you know about seniority, and take a look at my age (just turning 24)...You'll probably be wondering how this is my regular XD Usually you need high seniority to hold this run...Well technically I have slightly elevated seniority! *laughs* I am nearly half-way up the seniority list out of Chicago for dining car stewards (64 out of 111 or so) and for lounge LSA I am about 91 out of 150 (or so). It's because of a combination of two factors: one, a lot of the LSA's holding that job pretty much all gave it up for a while (because they were burnt out on the paperwork, or the stock, whatever) and another factor that I probably shouldn't say in public. I'll let you figure that one out XD

Anyways I am currently on my layover in Portland...I love this city, although I didn't do anything exciting last night. But I did dye my hair black XD It's black all the time, but I have naturally blonde hair so when it starts to grow out, it is definately noticable. Since I didn't feel like doing anything last night anyways I decided to walk to the Walgreens and buy some hair dye. My co-workers are probably going to be like "wtf?" and then laugh out loud.

I'm so glad I can get online at the hotel here...I'd probably go crazy without it. What can I say, I'm addicted to the internet.

Just a quick intro...

2006-01-04T17:11:45Z

I'm Janet, I do not work for Amtrak, though I've done liason and coordination work between Amtrak in Kansas City and Albuquerque. I'm a very frequent user of the system, in fact just this morning I arrived in Pittsburgh, PA at 4am (on time!!) after leaving Vancouver, BC at 12:30pm on Sunday. I still hear my fair share of the gossip and do intend to take a position as a conductor in a year or two, I'd say it's at the result of frequent badgering by current female conductors but I'm dedicated to goal all around.

New Member

2006-01-04T16:58:19Z

Hello! I am glad to see this new group. A little about myself...

-I am a new Amtrak employee. Just started in November '05. I am a LSA. Being a new employee, I am on the Extra Board, so I don't have the predictability of a regular route. I can work the Diner or Cafe/Lounge to Portland, Oakland, San Antonio, St. Louis, Kansas City, and various destinations in Michigan. The only significant run I have not experienced to date is Portland.
-As for things I love and hate, it's a bit early for me to say. I do know I will hate passengers with no patience or understanding and who are quick to blame train crew for problems that are way beyond our control. It's not our fault a freight train derailed up ahead!
-As for my personal life, I live on the Near West Side of Chicago with my boyfriend of 7 years. We definitely miss eachother when I'm gone...although I haven't been gone much, yet! My previous work experience involves large amounts of customer service and retail. I also have an AAS in Culinary Arts, so I do enjoy cooking and baking in my spare time. Decided to attend culinary school in order to embark on a new career. Prior to foodservice, I was in the auto parts business one way or another for about 10 years. Definitely out of the ordinary for a female! But working onboard trains with Amtrak is out of the ordinary as well. I hope to have a long career with Amtrak. But since I'm so new yet and the future of the company is so iffy...who knows.

so whats it all about?

2006-01-04T00:53:37Z

Heya:

I dont work for Amtrak (i currently work for Atlanta's transit system, MARTA as a revenue agent) but am curious to what its like. Currently im in school studying urban policy and will hopefully end up with a position in transportation planning or management. The catch is though that i have no idea what the economy will be like when i graduate (currently i have little faith in the current administration's fiscal policies) and I'm making a list of 'plan b' career paths which i think i would enjoy. Im a bit of a rail geek (although by no means the most knowledgable) and think job as a conductor or engineer would make for one hell of a 'plan b'. I was recently looking at the Amtrak job board and have seen a few openings for assistant conductors and engineer trainees...so out of curiousity, can anyone give me more info on these positions? What is it like? How is the pay? How often do you have free time to explore cities during layovers? Free travel benefits and for whom? Does the union have its sh*t together? (mine certainly doesnt) etc?

For grins and giggles, my experiences on Amtrak have been pleasant thusfar, taking the crescent from Atlanta to DC and Birmingham, Chicago to Milwaukie airport via the Hiawatha service, and a few trips on Boston's MBTA, when it was run by Amtrak (dont know if that counts).

The Official Crew in Blue FAQ

2006-01-01T21:30:11Z

Disclaimer: The opinions, sites, and essays posted to and linked from this community and any of it's posts do not necessarily represent the views of the moderators of the community or the collective opinion of the community. They have been featured in the FAQ because they have useful information or viewpoints. Do not repost anything from this community without permission from the original author.

Would you like to see something added or changed?
email lord_aria at payment(at)rubberhouse(dot)net

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Q: How can I find what jobs Amtrak is currently hiring for?
A: Please visit Job Opportunities or see also Amtrak Human Resources.

Q: What is the purpose of this community?
A: I have had a few people now email me to ask what it is like working on the trains, because either a) they are going to an interview for an Amtrak OBS job, or b) they are considering applying for an on-board position. They also basically told me that I was the only person they found online who was sharing my stories/experiences from working on the train. Also, I have seen a few people who claim to work on-board the trains in a few Amtrak-related forums online, but I thought it would be nice to create an actual place online where OBS employees can communicate with one another as well, since there appear to be none online at this time.

Q: I don't work for Amtrak, but am interested in what it is like working on-board the trains, can I still join this community?
A: Of course you can! As stated above I welcome people who are interested in what it is like to work on-board the trains, whether they want a job on-board them or not. As I was once told, and now tell to others, it's not a job, its an adventure. It is unlike many other jobs in the world!

Q: I work for Amtrak, can I post stories of my funny/strange/weird/odd/whatever passengers from my train trips?
A: Yes, "war stories" are encouraged! We all need a place to vent sometimes, and here would be an excellent place to do so since there are people who also work on-board and can definately sympathize. However, I do ask that you do not use any names. Also, please make them a "friends only" entry, so that only members of the community can read these stories.

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PLEASE if you have a question that you would like answered here, don't hesitate to ask! We can't fortell what questions people want answered...

So who am I?

2006-01-01T18:20:10Z

-I work onboard a long-haul Amtrak train. I am an LSA at this time.
-I've been to many cities while working on the trains: Chicago, LA, Seattle, Portland, -Quincy, Carbondale, Milwauki, Kansas City, St. Louis, and many other short distance ones I don't remember at this time XD
-I've worked for Amtrak for a little over two years now.
-I am a second generation Amtrak worker - my father works in another department, though.

-Things I love about the job - The travel is fun, I like being able to 'get away from it all' and just have to worry about my work. The people are, for the most part, great as well. But as with any job, you do get a few sour apples once in a while.

-Things I hate about the job - You never seem to know when Amtrak is going to get 0 funding for the year or years to come XD It would be nice to know my job is secure enough to not have to worry about finding another job!

I'm not married and I do not have kids. And contrary to what you may think about me from my usnername, I am female. lord_aria is just an anagram for the word railraod [I didn't want to use my regular LJ account, and I was also really bored...XD]. I live with my boyfriend who is also the 'housekeeper' and takes care of my cats while I am way on my trips.

I'm also the creator of this community, so if you have any suggestions please by all means e-mail me! You can do so from my profile page!

Welcome Aboard!

2006-01-01T18:02:50Z

Welcome to crew_in_blue! This community was created for people who work On-Board any passenger trains...Whether they be a commuter train, an Amtrak train, or a 'first class' train (think Orient Express!). All are welcome!

This community also welcomes people who are interested in working on-board the trains - you can really learn what it is like - they don't tell you nearly enough in the training classes from what I have seen! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Someone here will try to answer your questions to the best of their abilities!

Membership:
...Is open and anyone can join at this time. HOWEVER, You should be a member to view all the posts in this community (don't just 'watch' it). I do ask that if you claim to work on-board a train, to please post an introduction post containing info on:

Train company currently working for
Short or long distance train? (you can say train number if you would like)
What cities have you been to (working on the train)
Things you love about the job?
Things you hate about the job?
How many years on-board?
Post some things about your personal life - are you married, have animals, who takes care of your home while you are away on trips, etc. Basically add a few sentances to get the conversation going, get others interested in talking, etc :)

Posting
If you don't want just anyone to be able to read your posts to this community, simply set the security to 'friends only'. This makes it so that only real members of the community can read the posts. XD

Also keep in mind, this group is in no way affiliated with or sponsored by The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak).