The "Faces of Strangers: #3" Story

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.