...But they'd prefer a few railfans. :0)

Seriosuly, I got an unusual help request from my mother yesterday. She's one of the Station Agent's at the Stockton Amtrak Station. They're looking for a few volunteers to assist with passengers on the platform. Helping elderly passengers, passengers with physical difficulties, and young children on and off the trains. Answering questions, keeping a lookout for potential safety hazards and providing a presence to represent Amtrak and promote passenger train travel in general. There isn't any kind of real physical work necessary. I believe there is a group of retired gentlemen who do this in Martinez, or at least there was when I was an Amtrak Trainman about 8 years ago. You are free to bring your scanner, camera, etc. and do your thing train spotting, railfanning, or whatever, however, when the San Joaquins and connecting busses come in, you will be expected to be available to assist the passengers, as well as answer questions and give assistance as the passengers start arriving on the platforms just prior to train time. They need folks to be there around 8-8:30am until the evening, although they are not looking for folks to work a 12 hour shift, just a few hours a few times a week or so, whatever you can do. Their personnel needs are going to depend on how many people committ so many hours, so they have at least one person at most times. As stated above, this is a VOLUNTEER gig, think of it like the Senior's that volunteer for various local law enforcement agencies. There is no monetary compensation associated with this program, only some free Amtrak travel to be negotiated with the Station Agents. I thought this would be a great resource to find a few interested parties as this is pretty much what most of you folks like to do anyhow, this way you can help them out, get some free Amtrak travel and still enjoy the hobby.

Interested parties contact Clark, Stockton Agent Mon-Fri 8-4 in person at the depot or for more details, talk to Phyllis, again in person at the Stockton Depot, her schedule is Sat-Wed 7am - 3pm or e-mail or call me at the contacts listed below and I'll answer what I can and pass it on.

Tom Carter
Railroad Training Services
209-465-4635 Office
209-993-9899 Cell
tomwcarter@railroadtrainingservices.com