GOOD CONDUCT

I want to thank Doug Most for his article on his commuter rail conductor (Connections, May 20), because that’s the way many of us felt on the Newburyport run: Conductors make the trip! Their quirky kindnesses and often insightful comments (especially in difficult situations) make our travel the best it can be. My conductor performed magic to charm the tension out of the air; he made me a paper rose out of a napkin for my birthday. He also lent substantial funds to individuals who rushed to the train without their wallets. These are long, tiring trips, and the people who run our trains make them survivable. Thank you for honoring these (often) marvelous civil servants.