Let's Have Some Member Info

[denmarks]

As I read many of the postings I see that many members are either current or past railroad employees. It would be nice to know more about the very active members.

The home page gives a bio of the founder Anthony Rizos but it says that he is 16, graduated high school, and founded the web site in 97. Something doesn't add up unless he is a genius who started the site at age 9 and graduated HS at age 16. :huh:

As for myself I was a computer operator, programmer, and analyist for 20 years. I now manage an almond orchard and processor. I enjoy traveling when I can but I am sick of the wasted time involved when flying. I have taken a few cross country train trips in the past.

 

[Vito the Informer]

On advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to offer any information about myself or my current whereabouts.

 

[Anthony]

The home page gives a bio of the founder Anthony Rizos but it says that he is 16, graduated high school, and founded the web site in 97. Something doesn't add up unless he is a genius who started the site at age 9 and graduated HS at age 16.

I turn 17 this April. I started the site in 6/97, just over a year after my first Amtrak trip. I was 9 when I took that trip, and 10 when the pages went online.

I graduated HS in 5/03, a month after turning 16. I was put ahead a couple of years in elementary school (started in a "gifted" third grade class, instead of kindergarten). Life was far different back then, when school officials, family, and others made major decisions in my life for me. I am glad that I am now close to the age of majority, as I can finally make my own choices and live my life the way I wish.

Now that I'm done with my (heavily condensed) life story, I'll say that I'm an commercial application developer and general computer hobbyist. I'm applying to universities this fall; I waited this long to finally bridge the age gap that has plagued me throughout my education.

Let's hear from someone else :lol:

 

[amtrakmichigan]

I live in the city of Plymouth, Mi, a small city with a population of about 9,000 25 miles west of Detroit. After studying auto mechanics all through high school I became a state of Michigan certified auto mechanic and worked for about 3 years in this field. For the past 12 years I have been a mechanic at a 50 lane bowling center working on Brunswick automatic pinsetters, automatic scoring systems, and other automated bowling equipment. I am married with 1 child.

I never worked for the railroad, but my Dad retired in 1989 with 38 years with CSX as a clerk. He originally hired in with the Chesapeake & Ohio RR which turned into Chessie System then finally CSX as a ticket agent here in Plymouth. A few years latter he became Station Master, he held this position until May, 1971 when Amtrak took over. Amtrak didn't offer passenger service on this CSX line, so Dad became the the Chief Agent for freight. He worked in the old depot here in Plymouth all the way until about 1986 when CSX sold the depot and then moved into a office building which he hated so much.

I have many wonderfull memories of being with my Dad at work as a child. I would often go to work with him when school was out. My biggest memories of being around the the railroad with Dad was getting many locomotive rides for one, that was a big thrill. I even recall the engineer letting me take the controls and operate the locomotive while switching cars in the Plymouth yard. Of corse he was standing right next to me telling me exactly what to do and watching every move I made. I was probably about 10 years old when that happened. Another memory was operating the CTC control board for the Plymouth diamond and surrounding area, lineing up the trains through Plymouth. CSX finally took the CTC operator out of Plymouth and merged the operation with the dispatching center in Jacksonville in about 1995. Dad stoping a local yard job in front of the depot one day to ask the engineer if he could give me a caboose ride was another fond memory. Traffic backed up at the 2 grade crossings next to the depot waiting for a stoped train for me to climb aboard the caboose must have made some people scratch there heads and say a few bad words to say the least. Oh and one more thing, riding the Chessie steam special was another big highlight. I will leave at at that, I could write all night about childhood memories with my Dad.

I have many many memories being around the railroad. It's been part of my life since I was born almost. I am 31 years old now and I still love every minute of watching and riding the trains. I just wish I was around to see the passenger trains prior to Amtrak startup. I ride Amtrak every chance I get, and still go up to the depot where Dad worked for so many years with my Daughter to watch the trains when we can.

 

[AMTK@AUS]

I figured I'd post something, why not?

My name is Brandon Wright and I'm a senior in high school in Austin, Texas. I am the Technical Director and a lead Lighting Designer at my school, and get paid hourly by working after school and on the weekends. I love what I do, and being able to be involved in everything that takes place in our theatre, whether or not it has to do with out Fine Arts Department.

My first Amtrak trip was four years ago, and each year since then, I've taken one cross-country trip per year. I've also traveled around Texas and to my hometown of Denver, Colorado at times other than those for the big trips.

I've been accepted to Midwestern State Univesity, in Wichita Falls, Texas, where I will study Manufacturing Enginnering Technology. After college, I plan on hiring out with a railroad in Train Service. This has been a lifelong goal of mine, and reaching it is why I get up in the mornings.

Okay, so lets hear about everyone else! B)

 

[NativeSon5859]

Well, I'm back, hope everyone's been doing ok.

I'm 24, born and raised in New Orleans, attended college in Providence, RI (Johnson and Wales Univ.). I'm currently working for Frontier Airlines in New Orleans as a Customer Service/Operations Agent. It's an interesting job and I use the flight benefits frequently....hopefully, more Amtrak trips on the horizon soon.

I started really getting into Amtrak at a young age. My grandparents would take me on the Crescent to Mississippi (usually Meridian or Hattiesburg) several times per year for a good ten years or so. Just quick day trips usually...but my were they fun. Since then...I've been hooked.

 

[battalion51]

Well I'm 16, and a Junior in High School. I've been riding Amtrak since I was 14, so about 2 and half years now. Obviously I've gone from just another passenger to part of the (Amtrak) family in a relatively short period of time. Outside of Amtrak I work pretty much full time as a Sound Tech/Video Tech at my high school, which really has become the bane of my exsistence. h34r: Outside of that I'm a proud season ticket holder of the Florida Marlins (this is my 7th year, I was there from the glory days of 97, to the dark days, and back to glory) and the Miami Dolphins (just finished my 5th season with them). Well that's my life. :lol:

 

[CREW-DORM#2524]

here goes...

I came from a family of railroaders, so for me it was just natural to want to work for them. My father started on the Seaboard Coast Line in 1977 as a Conductor and went to engine service in 1979. He went to Amtrak in 1986. As for me, I started with Amtrak in late 2002, when I was hired as an Asst. Conductor out of Washington D.C. I (as of now) am still on the extra board out of Washington.

Ryan B)

 

[battalion51]

Bouncing back and forth between the pride & joy of the railroad and the scum of the railroad Ryan? :lol:

 

[Save Our Trains Michigan]

I grew up in Okemos Michigan i have always liked watching and rideing Amtrak in grade school once a year we would go on a feild trip to Battle Creek MI to the Kellogs plant we took Amtrak back to East Lansing.I got to know some of the Amtrak employees when we did these trips then when i was able to drive and had free time i would hang out at the East Lansing Station and watch trains.Well that turned out to be good thing i got to know the Ticket Agent at the Station and we became freinds and come to find out he was liked by all the other employees that worked in Michigan and introduced me to a lot of the conductors and engineers.Over the years i became more of a helper around that station and to the crews if the train ran out of food they would just call and i would go to sams club and by food for the train or if the crew wanted something etc.And by doing all this i got to know a lot of the passengers that ride the train and last year when the State of Michigan was not going to give Amtrak the money needed to run the trains these people asked me to step up and form a group to try to save the trains.I also have tried over and over to hire on with Amtrak in Michigan i went to 4 tets takens and 3 interviews nothing but the train crews told me not to give up and told me to hire on with a freight RR which i did i know work for BNSF out of Lafayette La as a conductor.

 

[tp49]

Well, I'm back, hope everyone's been doing ok.
I'm 24, born and raised in New Orleans, attended college in Providence, RI (Johnson and Wales Univ.). I'm currently working for Frontier Airlines in New Orleans as a Customer Service/Operations Agent. It's an interesting job and I use the flight benefits frequently....hopefully, more Amtrak trips on the horizon soon.

I started really getting into Amtrak at a young age. My grandparents would take me on the Crescent to Mississippi (usually Meridian or Hattiesburg) several times per year for a good ten years or so. Just quick day trips usually...but my were they fun. Since then...I've been hooked.

I thought you seemed farmiliar from somewhere...you post on Airliners.net a lot. Small world, as I lurk on that site a lot (haven't sprung for the subscription yet). Small world. B)

 

[tp49]

This is the condensed version...originally from New York, went to college in Alabama, worked for a time in various governmental offices including for a governor. Left government to move to California for law school and looking to graduate there next year. Then who knows where...Also a season ticket holder for the New York Yankees (10th season) and the New York Islanders (9th season). B)

 

[battalion51]

Wait if you live in California that must be a long drive home from the games. :lol:

 

[tp49]

I use the tickets whenever I'm home and yes it's a very, very long drive :lol:

 

[gswager]

I'm 32 years old. I was born and raised in Chino, about 45 minutes drive (non-rush hour) east of Los Angeles. Went to Cal Poly (California Polytechnic State University) in San Luis Obispo, CA for two years as a Dairy Science major.

Coast Starlight passed through the campus which made me wanting to ride on Amtrak. Did several rides and in desperately need right now. Haven't ride for two years.

Right now, I'm living in eastern NM, near TX border, raising baby dairy calves. Also, I'm a volunteer firefighter in a rural area.

 

[sutton8596]

I'm in my thirties from the exciting city of Omaha Nebraska! Actually, I've been teaching English to Arab girls in the United Arab Emirates these last seven years, just getting home in the summer. For the past two summers, I've taken several Amtrak trips, loving it! I've got travelogues posted over at On Track On Line. I'll be taking the 3R this coming summer NYC-Chi and then the Zephyr to Omaha. I've also been doing a lot of writing, political and cultural articles. I enjoy writing and traveling more than anything, obviously, and being an English teacher allows you to do both.

It was good reading about all of you!

Cheers,

Scott

 

[Bill Haithcoat]

Life is relatively uncomplicated for me. I live in a small apartment about 4 or 5 blocks from the ATL Amtrak station. Born in Chattanooga, TN., 59 years ago, moved to Atlanta about 27 years ago. Only held two jobs, one in each city, sort of a secretarial position, sort of within media. I am of average means.

Still have my health, aside from being overweight. Like Dick Clark, I look somewhat younger than I am(a mixed blessing, actually).I do have a"dizziness" kind of problem which makes it a little tricky to walk through a moving train, of all the people for that to happen to! I got that about 3 years ago.

Both parents deceased(had the care of my mother the last ten years of her life) Have one sister,nine years my senior, still very close to her. She has lived in many places but now lives in Austin, TX. Going to visit her has been the impetus for many of my trips through the years. She lived in San Francisco for 30 years. Yeah!!!!!!!!!! (think: CZ, Santa Fe, UP, EB,Super Chief,SP, etc)

My first train ride, often documented on these pages, was at the age of 3, from Chattanooga to Daytona Beach, FL. After my trip across Canada this September my mileage will be about 140,000. None of it on business, all pleasure.

Other hobbies are wild animals(you will sometimes find brief references to visits to the zoo on my posts ) and the musical theatre (I have seen Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera each about 15 times) .A few other hobbies. But mostly trains.

I plan to retire at 66.

It is good to be able to remember the old trains, helps a lot to understanding traffic patterns and such today. There are a few very obscure equipment questions I have about the very distant past which I will probably never have answered. To the younger persons on this forum I encourage you to learn all you can while you can.

 

[panamaclipper]

Both of my families are railroad people. Mom's family worked for the Katy (engineers, machinists, boilermakers) and Dad's family worked for the ATSF (road crew foreman, station agent, etc.) I've been riding trains since I was a little kid in the late 1950s on my grand parents' passes. I remember having hot choco in the ATSF dining car when I was maybe seven. Grandma would come down from Kansas to Texas on the train and pick me up to go home with her during the summer. Spent several summers as a kid in Kansas on granddad's ATSF foreman's car. I remember sleeping at night in noisy freight yards and going with my grandparents to the ice house in the yard to get big blocks of ice for the icebox in the car kitchen. It was an old heavyweight pullman that had been converted into a kitchen, parlor-office, and two bedrooms. Spent many hours in North Texas with my mom's family riding in the cab of Katy doodlebugs or at the station platform with granddad. I stated riding Amtrak in the mid-70s while in college with trips to CA and NY. Have been at it ever since. Most of the trips have been on the CZ, but also LSL, Texas Eagle and (in the old days) Texas Chief. My next trip in March will be on the Empire Builder, my first on that train. And I have a trip planned for early next year on the Sunset from Orlando back to Texas which is home. Along with old trains, I'm interested in old cars and spend time fiddling with my '55 Packard (a Panama Clipper). I'm most impressed from the responses here that we have a wide age group of folks. Train's can't survive as only memory rides for old folks.

 

[AMTRAK-P42]

I am 15 years old, 2 months from 16, and live in Atlanta, GA. I am near the downtown area in what we call "buckhead". I moved here from San Francisco when I was 9 with my parents. It was not an easy move, I missed the water, and of course the plethora of trains, more then anything.

I have been riding trains even before I could say the word. When I was a little over a year old I had a really bad crying fit. My parents did not know what to do. So, my father took me to the Caltrain station, stepped aboard, and the second the train started moving, I stopped crying. What was a 5 hour fit, stopped within a second.

Ever since then trains have been a big hobby of mine.

 

[Viewliner]

I'm 15 and a Sophomore in High School. Not much goes on around here, its not the most exciting place to live (the nearest station is a few miles away, that of course is an NJ Transit station, I'm miles away from the NEC). Outside of the hobby, I have a small interest in photography (mainly related to trains of course), I'm a Jets Season Ticket holder. I'm a little less than 6 months away from a learners permit, and 16. During the summer I work as a counselor in a local day camp. I haven't made too many decisions about my future yet, but I'm getting ready to. My interest about this hobby came from a mix of model railroading and riding NJT before I moved. My interest later moved outside of NJT to Amtrak. I also run a website for those that don't know (link below). I've been riding Amtrak for about 5 years (I think the anniversary just passed within the last few days). Trains are my key interest.

 

[F59 PHI]

Also 15, 2 weeks away from 16 tho(yet another sophomore). I am about 3 miles away from my nearest amtrak station, NYP A big fan of amtrak, I took my first amtrak trip by myself when i was 11, from Portland OR to New York. Last summer, ANd this upcoming summer bot have/are to contain many amtrak ramblings(YAY) My first amtrak trip altogether was hen i was oneish.

 

[AlanB]

musical theatre (I have seen Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera each about 15 times) .

Bill,

Have you seen Phantom here in NYC in the specially altered theatre? Or just the traveling companies?

 

[Allen Dee]

As a child, I always wanted to work for the railroad when I grew up. Living in LA, I saw the once-mighty Pacific Electric Railway dismantled.

When I was a senior in high school, in 1964-65, my civics textbook stated that all Pullman service would end by 1965, all long-distance coach-class passenger service would end by 1970, and most freight lines would be abandoned by 1975. Over the years, I have met several people who read the same civics textbook, all of whom gave up on railroading as a career because of what they read in this book.

After one year in college, I decided to start looking for full-time work in the summer of 1966. I was looking for something that was transportation related. I ruled out the railroads based on what I had read in my civics textbook. Most of the airlines were on strike at the time. The employees at Western Greyhound Lines had just returned from a long, bitter strike, so I hired on with Greyhound as a baggage clerk. I wound up staying there for 15 years, minus the time I spent on military leave-of-absence, while serving with the Air Force during the Vietnam war. I worked a number of positions including ticket agent, driver, dispatcher, operations supervisor, and operations manager. I left the company in 1981, when it started going downhill.

I then went to work for Airport Service, Inc., (The Airport Bus) out of Anaheim, CA, as an operations supervisor. I can honestly say this was the best job I ever had in my life. This came to an abrupt halt in 1987 when the company went under due to mis-management.

I then turned to the airline industry for employment. Although I never worked for an airline, I did work for a few private maintenance contractors. I really enjoyed this work. In the early 1990s, the airline industry took a dump, and I pursued my current occupation of industrial maintenance mechanic.

I have always kicked myself for not pursuing a career in the railroad industry, where I am sure I would have been very happy. None of the predictions in my high school civics textbook came true. So much for the liberals who write textbooks.

Although I have been out of the transportation business for a number of years, I still miss the buses, planes, and (Oh, Yes!) trains.

 

[EmpireBuilderFan]

I'm 27 and live in St. Benedict, OR, which is about 25 miles from Salem and 45 from Portland. I was born in NE North Dakota, call a small town in NE Montana my hometown, and my parents live in NW North Dakota. I'm studying at a Catholic seminary with the goal of becoming a priest.

My first trip on Amtrak was when I was 16 and took a cross country trip with a bunch of Boy Scouts, but the trip that got me hooked was about 7 years later, when I took the train from St. Louis, MO, to Williston, ND.

 

[coachseats]

I'm in my late 20s, live in NW Ohio 2 blocks from the CSX (ex B&O) mainline and work in recieving at a warehouse. I got interested in Amtrak and passenger trains a couple of years ago when my wife and I took a short trip to Pittsburgh for my birthday. Now I enjoy taking a trip every couple of months, taking pictures, and then writing about my trips on my website. Other than trains and travelling I enjoy outdoor activities and spending time with the family.