The Boston Globe

Magazine

Connections

What makes a great commuter rail conductor?

Frank Teague gets his passengers to look up from their reading, notice the people around them, and laugh.

Doesn’t he like us? Was it something we said? How could he leave us? That’s how I felt when Frank, the conductor on my 8:02 a.m. inbound commuter rail train from Needham, told me and all the other passengers that he was switching lines. It felt like he was breaking up with us. There was a mixture of shock, sadness, disappointment, even jealousy . . .

Are you a home delivery subscriber?

Get FREE access as part of your print subscription

Start Here

Contact us for help

Your comment is subject to the rules of our Posting Policy

This comment may appear on your public profile. Public Profile FAQ