The "Faces of Strangers: #3" Story
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Red Cap Richard |
It was
an ordinary day. Visited the old neighborhood on my way back from
running a couple of errands. Stopped at the Amtrak Station to see how
the renovations and improvements are coming. Looks almost as bad as it
did when they started. This fellow saw me taking some photos and came
up to me to see what I was doing. His name was Richard and he worked
for Amtrak as a Red Cap. We got to talking and it was evident he knew
his job. A Red Cap is a railroad porter. Richard had all types of
electronic devices fastened to him. Made him more important I think.
Oh, he also carried a small broom and long-handled dustpan which he
used to collect trash. We talked about the renovations and about
railroading in general. He had spent time in the Navy or submarines and
when he left the service got a job working in a rail yard. Nine months
ago he applied for the Red Cap porter job at the Lancaster Amtrak
Station and got the job. It is obvious that he loves his work. We
talked for a short time and I asked him when the next train was due.
Pulled out his schedule from his rear pocket and asked if I was heading
west-bound or east-bound. Told him all I wanted to do was take a few
photos and didn't really care; just wanted the next train. "Head to
platform #2 and in 18 minutes the west-bound train to Harrisburg will
arrive." Thanked him and found my way onto platform #2. Sat on a bench
and within a few minutes here comes Richard. Needed to tell me some
more about the station. Explained that the ties under the rails had
been replaced with concrete except for about two dozen on each track.
That is where the tunnel runs underground, under the tracks. When
Railway Express operated years ago they would transport baggage and
packages under the rails to the two platforms. The wooden ties are
directly on top of the tunnel and they couldn't use the concrete ones,
since the are larger than the wooden ones. His knowledge of the station
was amazing. Then he decided to tell me about the high speed line that
they are preparing for in the near future. Plans are for a line that
will be able to obtain speeds of 165 mph in the straight-aways. The
only thing that is holding them up is the catenary lines. Catenary lines are overhead lines, or overhead wire, and is used to transmit electrical energy to
the train. He told me that the catenary sags slightly and the speed
would cause problems. They have tried to place concrete weights at
different locations to pull it tighter, but haven't been successful yet.
I was impressed with his knowledge of the railroad. He oozes love for
his job and I'm sure is a great worker. He greets passengers as they
arrive on the west-bound train and then escorts me back to the main
stairs that take me out of the station. I thanked him for the
information and conversation and he told me to stop back again soon so
he can tell me more about his job. It was another extraordinary day in
the life of an ordinary guy.
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