Years ago I was an Engineer working Amtrak between Milwaukee and Chicago. If memory serves me we had just left Union Station on our return leg to Milwaukee. As we entered the Canal St curve the Conductor called on the radio and told me to stop. He then called the tower I think it was called Lake St for permission to back the train the entire way back into Union Station.

When we were safely back in CUS I got off the engine to go back and talk to the Con. As I got to the second car of our 4 car train I witness the Con escorting a Husband Wife and three little kids back towards the station and approaching AMT PD. After the family was turned over to the PD I approached the Conductor and asked what had transpired. He proceeded to tell me that the family was late for the train and thought they would miss it after a day in Chicago so they figured they would just purchase a cash fare on the train. While we were departing the station the Con started collecting tickets. The Husband got to questioing thecost of the cash fares purchased on the train opposed to the cost from the ticket window. Our Conductor being an old MILW man wasn't going to take any crap from anyone espiecally someone who didn't have a ticket to ride.

We departed CUS about 20" late and we never heard anymore about the incident. I spoke with the Conductorin Milwaukee and hefeltno remource about his actionsin Chicago. Of course I tried to goat him a little and he became a little unnerved with me.

OH WELL...just another day of RRing.