Big Green Chauvanist
Service Attendant
Two years ago I had Gul on the EB so I know of where others speak. On this year's EB I had a great SCA--Louie King aka King Louie.
I'll second that one -- Louie King or "King Louie" is great. We met 6 years ago when I did Trails & Rails on the Empire Builder between Chicago and the Twin Cities. We have stayed in touch and sometimes I'll come out to the platform at MKE when I know he is rolling through on #7 or #8. He is a closet railfan and does EXCELLENT photography. I have traded some of the railroad route guides with him for his photos. I always saw him as a coach attendant -- didnt know he became a SCA. Gotta love his barret-looking hat!Two years ago I had Gul on the EB so I know of where others speak. On this year's EB I had a great SCA--Louie King aka King Louie.
Yes. Takes excellent pictures, and writes books, too, I think. All around Renaissance type. He said at first he got flack for his beret as not being part of the standard uniform. He said his head got cold. He kept the beret and is now well known for it.I'll second that one -- Louie King or "King Louie" is great. We met 6 years ago when I did Trails & Rails on the Empire Builder between Chicago and the Twin Cities. We have stayed in touch and sometimes I'll come out to the platform at MKE when I know he is rolling through on #7 or #8. He is a closet railfan and does EXCELLENT photography. I have traded some of the railroad route guides with him for his photos. I always saw him as a coach attendant -- didnt know he became a SCA. Gotta love his barret-looking hat!Two years ago I had Gul on the EB so I know of where others speak. On this year's EB I had a great SCA--Louie King aka King Louie.
Two years ago I had Gul on the EB so I know of where others speak. On this year's EB I had a great SCA--Louie King aka King Louie.
Two years ago I had Gul on the EB so I know of where others speak. On this year's EB I had a great SCA--Louie King aka King Louie.
What section are these guys on, Portland or SEA?
Thanks, EB_OBS. Guess I'll won't be getting them since I'm booked on the PDX sleeper.Two years ago I had Gul on the EB so I know of where others speak. On this year's EB I had a great SCA--Louie King aka King Louie.
What section are these guys on, Portland or SEA?
Seattle
That's probably Phil Sloane...Not sure of his name but I find the conductor on the CS with the tv announcer voice pretty entertaining.
I wanted to add CJ south of LA as an amazing conductor. I have known her for years. She is fantastic and always has plenty of energy. She is a hard-working mom who lives in Rancho Bernardo, based out of San Diego. She is the one who always will have individualized nicknames for each station when announcing them over the PA. ex: "Ladies and gentlemen, we are now approaching Irvine - Jewel of Suburbia!"For Amtrak personnel in general, I think Stephen at the Solana Beach station is quite good. He is professional and always helps me out when I do my unaccompanied minor crap. He always smiles and asks me for new developments in school, in LA, etc. because I can tell he genuinely cares. Most importantly, he gets things done quickly. I am sorry to this person for forgetting her name, but the black female that sometimes crews Van Nuys and then handles the baggage is exceptional. Very kind and warm.
Of all the PacSurf crew members, the ones I nominate for best:
South of LA
Ryan
Kirk
Alex Pavloupolus
North of LA
Kirk (different one)
BAD:
South of LA
Katrina - other crew members call her the hurricane, and I have seen 50% of other crew respect her and her job, and another 50% dislike her. She has treated me without courtesy and actually fairly rudely, as well as other minors on the same train. I have had her again since then a few times, but she did not remember me
For you oldtimers...
My favorite was legendary Train Announcer Danny Simmons, for decades, The Voice of Penn Staion, New York.
Another favorite was Amtrak/Illinois Central Conductor Woody Vinson, who entertained passengers on the City of New Orleans with tales of characters like Casey Jones. Another PA Artist was Conductor Billings from the Rio Grande who entertained passengers on the CZ with lots of tall tales as well....
Another colorful character was Lela J. on the SFZ. She was a great dining car steward/LSA that I believe Henry Kisor interviewed in his book on the CZ...not sure if she is still around.....
Sorry that I have not ridden much in recent years to nominate more....
Didn't Letterman have him on the show one night (just as he had Andreas Cantor call a Soccer game on the show)?For you oldtimers...
My favorite was legendary Train Announcer Danny Simmons, for decades, The Voice of Penn Staion, New York.
Another favorite was Amtrak/Illinois Central Conductor Woody Vinson, who entertained passengers on the City of New Orleans with tales of characters like Casey Jones. Another PA Artist was Conductor Billings from the Rio Grande who entertained passengers on the CZ with lots of tall tales as well....
Another colorful character was Lela J. on the SFZ. She was a great dining car steward/LSA that I believe Henry Kisor interviewed in his book on the CZ...not sure if she is still around.....
Sorry that I have not ridden much in recent years to nominate more....
Danny Simmons was great wasn't he?! I could stand in NYP for hours just to listen to his announcements...
Another stand-out that I have had is a younger sleeping car attendant on the City of New Orleans. I have had him twice... and I really wish I remembered his name... but it's slipping my mind now. If he notices you are a railfan or are really enjoying the scenery -- he will come by your room from time to time and chat it up with you -- and point out interesting things. On a cross-country trip I did last March, he came by and pointed out where a tornado recently struck down in Mississippi... where you could see an alligator in a cage near the Hammond, LA train station... and also where you could see this gigantic eagle's nest somewhere between Hammond and New Orleans. What REALLY made him stand out was the fact that he played the Arlo Guthrie version of "The City of New Orleans" car-wide on the PA system when we were arriving into New Orleans (and then again on the northbound when I had him in October 2011 coming into Chicago). I really appreciated the fact he was probably around my age (early 30's), but appreciated railroad history, the history of the train he was working on, and he cared about the route we were traveling and was knowledgable about it. He got a very good trip. I wish I remembered his name though... he was definitely NOL crew base and spoke with a little Louisiana accent.
Ryan?Another stand-out that I have had is a younger sleeping car attendant on the City of New Orleans. I have had him twice... and I really wish I remembered his name... but it's slipping my mind now. If he notices you are a railfan or are really enjoying the scenery -- he will come by your room from time to time and chat it up with you -- and point out interesting things. On a cross-country trip I did last March, he came by and pointed out where a tornado recently struck down in Mississippi... where you could see an alligator in a cage near the Hammond, LA train station... and also where you could see this gigantic eagle's nest somewhere between Hammond and New Orleans. What REALLY made him stand out was the fact that he played the Arlo Guthrie version of "The City of New Orleans" car-wide on the PA system when we were arriving into New Orleans (and then again on the northbound when I had him in October 2011 coming into Chicago). I really appreciated the fact he was probably around my age (early 30's), but appreciated railroad history, the history of the train he was working on, and he cared about the route we were traveling and was knowledgable about it. He got a very good trip. I wish I remembered his name though... he was definitely NOL crew base and spoke with a little Louisiana accent.
I had him too in February. I'll have to check if I can remeber his name. My parents had him too.
Ryan?Another stand-out that I have had is a younger sleeping car attendant on the City of New Orleans. I have had him twice... and I really wish I remembered his name... but it's slipping my mind now. If he notices you are a railfan or are really enjoying the scenery -- he will come by your room from time to time and chat it up with you -- and point out interesting things. On a cross-country trip I did last March, he came by and pointed out where a tornado recently struck down in Mississippi... where you could see an alligator in a cage near the Hammond, LA train station... and also where you could see this gigantic eagle's nest somewhere between Hammond and New Orleans. What REALLY made him stand out was the fact that he played the Arlo Guthrie version of "The City of New Orleans" car-wide on the PA system when we were arriving into New Orleans (and then again on the northbound when I had him in October 2011 coming into Chicago). I really appreciated the fact he was probably around my age (early 30's), but appreciated railroad history, the history of the train he was working on, and he cared about the route we were traveling and was knowledgable about it. He got a very good trip. I wish I remembered his name though... he was definitely NOL crew base and spoke with a little Louisiana accent.
I had him too in February. I'll have to check if I can remeber his name. My parents had him too.
I unfortunately don't know his name, but there is one conductor working the Acela's Boston to NY who at least in First Class picks up each person's ticket, reads the name off the ticket, and then addresses the passenger by name saying things like "You're all set Mr. Burden" or "Everything is order Mr. Burden" or "Might I please see your photo ID Mr. Burden for our security check" and of course if you failed to sign and the FC attendant's didn't catch it, he'll say "I'm going to need you to sign this Mr. Burden".I know there are many Conductor out on the train, but does anyone has a good Conductor to name off?
Better not be Anthony the Admin or Johnny from Solana Beach!the two best ive had were Claude on the Crescent and Anthony on the sunset limited
the worst was johnny on the silver star
Then why does Anthony never post here in topics?Anthony owns this place, Alan helps run it (with the rest of the moderation staff).
He has. Perhaps he's too busy these days.Then why does Anthony never post here in topics?Anthony owns this place, Alan helps run it (with the rest of the moderation staff).
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