1-800-USA-RAIL
AMTRAK.COM
®
If you’re reading this Junior
Conductor’s Guidebook on an Amtrak®
train right now, then your adventure
has already begun! The world is your
classroom, and Amtrak takes you there.
Trains are like two-way mirrors. We will
look INTO trains from the outside to
understand more about them, and we
will look OUT their windows to learn
more about our beautiful country.
This Junior Conductor’s Guidebook is meant to be fun, but at the
same time you will learn lots of very important things: • Where Amtrak
goes... • How to be safer around railroads... • The different Amtrak trains
and cars – What they’re like and what they do.
Explore this guidebook. Be sure to check out the Training Station and Car-Toons.
The MAP shows you some of the many places Amtrak takes you. Some of these places you
can find on other pages. See if you can fill in those page numbers on the map? Learn about
Amtrak’s newest electric locomotive, the Amtrak Cities Sprinter (ACS-64).
TRAINSTERS may be lurking on ANY page! These are people who are totally in love with
trains. See how many you can find throughout this book!
There are puzzles, games, questions and more. You’ll find much to explore in this handbook,
and learn more about being a Junior Conductor. When you’re all done,
you will get to put what you’ve learned together at the end
and earn your very own Junior Conductor’s Badge!
Most importantly, you will discover Amtrak, a smarter way to travel!
PAGE 1
Uniforms & Equipment
HAT: A conductor’s hat
is round at the top and
has the Amtrak logo on
its front.
Amtrak conductors are in charge of the train, the crew and the passengers.
They wear a special uniform and use tools to help them do their job.
Draw your own Junior Conductor uniform and equipment.
RADIO: The conductor
needs to be able to
communicate with the
crew at all times.
Mobile TICKET SCANNER:
Conductors once used
punches, these days
they use smart phones as an
electronic ticket scanner.
FLASHLIGHT: A flashlight
comes in handy at nighttime
when it’s dark.
PAGE 3
BADGE: Every
conductor wears a silver
hat badge with the title
“Conductor” on it.
KEYS: Conductors
carry lots of keys to
the various railcars,
lockers and switches.
Fill in the bubbles. What are they thinking, saying and doing?
Yikes!
I’m stuck in
spaghetti!
Do you recognize anyone? There are some famous people here!
Amtrak connects communities all across the USA!
Connect all three houses to grandma’s
house on the right.
Family Reunion
Amtrak connects us all.
e 7
Pag
1
Can you find
all these words
about trains?
AMTRAK
ARRIVAL
BADGE
CAB
CABOOSE
CAP
CAR
COACH
CONDUCTOR
CROSSING
DEPARTURE
DINING
ENGINEER
LIFESAVER
LUGGAGE
OFFICER
PASSENGER
POLICE
RED
ROUTES
SAFETY
SCHEDULE
SIGHTSEER
SLEEPING
STATION
TICKET
TIMETABLE
TRACKS
TRAIN
TRAINSTER
Jr. Conductor Crossword
2
3
Across
MDEPARTUREPBTTA
RCAROK J OCS A AOTR
UEFTA L TR I ASCRER
RHTRSC I GECSEHK I
YETSULHCADERNCV
LMCDNTEBENNOO I A
AINISIOEIGGUITL
OOFEFOAGPNETTNE
CVEESFNRP I REACN
ERCESEOATSNSTOS
WGPTRACKSSBGSAE
DININGVSUOIAFCF
SCHEDUL ECRMEDHT
EGAGGUL KRCT J FGA
ELBATEMI TYQALFE
3. I keep the train running safely
and on schedule
4. Flashing x-shaped sign to warn
people about railroad crossings
5. I sell tickets for the train
7. What a conductor yells to get
passengers on the train
8. A person who rides on trains
8
11. I have four legs and help
Amtrak Police
4
5
6
P.
9
7
9
10
Down
1. I like toys and ice cream
2. The v-shaped wedge on the front
of the train that clears the tracks
5. A person who loves trains
6. We keep Amtrak passengers safe
9. I help passengers carry
their luggage
10. I drive the train
See page 32 for answers.
11
Training Station
See how many of these things you can find in this train station:
Amtrak: Police, Police Dog, Ticket Agent, Red Cap, Jr. Red Cap (helps with
luggage), Conductor, Jr. Conductor, Jr. Engineer; Famous People (See last page),
TM
Trainster (People who LOVE trains and train stuff), Silly People; Pete the P42 ;
and of course, Extraterrestrials, who come in peace
Our Newest
LOCOMOTIVE
What does a train sound like?
Play these notes on
any keyboard using
a horn sound,
and see for
yourself.
Amtrak specifies a very special sound for their
horns, called the K5LA. Their sound tells people
loudly and clearly: “A train is coming, watch out!”
This overhead cable, which provides electricity to the locomotive,
is called a Catenary
The arm that reaches up to the cable is called a
Pantograph
Locomotive Horn
Try these notes yourself.
Does it sound like a train?
Got horses?
What makes the Amtrak Cities Sprinter’s wheels turn?
Each set of wheels on the locomotive has a powerful traction motor. There are four
traction motors on the ACS-64 locomotive producing over 8,000 horsepower!
Traction Motors
2,000 horsepower X 4 =
8,000 horsepower!
13
Let your creativity flow!
Draw your very own train...
VANCOUVER
SEATTLE
Glacier National Park
MONTREAL
PORTLAND
Amtrak serves over 500
destinations all over the
United States. Throughout this
book, we use designs that
represent different cities that
you can find right here on this
map. In the circles on this map,
write in the page number of the
the city, park or landmark that
goes with the drawings on this
map. For instance, the moose is an
animal found in Glacier National Park.
Find the page that has a moose on it
and write that page number in the
circle next to the moose.
Happy searching!
Acadia
National Park
TORONTO
ST. PAUL /
MINNEAPOLIS
BOSTON
MILWAUKEE
SALT LAKE
CITY
CLEVELAND
CHICAGO
OMAHA
PHILADELPHIA
PITTSBURGH
DENVER
INDIANAPOLIS
SAN FRANCISCO
NEW YORK
CITY
KANSAS CITY
Grand Canyon
National Park
CINCINNATI
WASHINGTON, D.C.
NORFOLK
ST. LOUIS
LOS ANGELES
OKLAHOMA
CITY
ALBUQUERQUE
LITTLE
ROCK
MEMPHIS
ATLANTA
TUCSON
SAVANNAH
DALLAS
JACKSONVILLE
HOUSTON
SAN ANTONIO
NEW ORLEANS
TAMPA
ORLANDO
P. 17
MIAMI
Jr. Conductor’s Journey Log
A journal is a collection of written thoughts about a particular experience, such as a
trip on Amtrak. On these pages, write a journal about the things, places and people you’ve
seen and met at the station and on the train. Here are some questions to help you remember:
What was it like at the station? ________________________________________________
What kinds of things have you seen out the window? ____________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Have you met any other kids on the train? Did you talk to them? _________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
What did you eat for breakfast, lunch or dinner?
Was it exciting to step onto the train? Was it how you imagined it would be? ____________________
__________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Who are you traveling with? __________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
P.18
_____________________________________________________________
Did you read or play games? What kind?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
What train are you on? _____________________________________________
Where else would you like to go by train? ______________________
Jr. Conductor
Secret Handshakes
3. miss
2. don’t
Junior Conductors greet each other with
JC Secret Handshakes. Each one has a different meaning.
Can you write your own secret messages below?
8. help
4. a(n)
9. friend
7. train
10. conductor
1. are
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
5. teamwork
6. you
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
P.
21
Train Talk:
Conductors use words and expressions that are specific to
train travel. Here are some of those words and their meanings,
so you can become fluent in train talk.
Car Knocker Railroad car repair person or car inspector; one that taps
or knocks the wheels of a railroad car to check their soundness; one that checks the
running gear of a train.
Coupler (also known as knuckle-coupler)
Locks the cars of the train together and
locks them to the locomotive.
Frog A device used where two running rails intersect,
providing a way that permits wheels and wheel flanges on either
rail to cross the other.
Blue Flag Can also be a blue light and
Sandbox Receptacle on locomotive for containing the
Yard A rail yard is a complex system of tracks
Pilot A device mounted before the front wheels of the locomotive
indicates that a railroad car is being worked on.
where trains are sorted, stored, loaded and
reloaded. Bigger yards have a tower where
many trains can be seen and moved safely.
sand that is released under the locomotive’s wheels to assist with traction.
to clear stray objects from the tracks.
Trainster Anyone who loves trains and travels on Amtrak regularly.
They often wear very unique train things, train clothes, train costumes.
They very often find their way into books about trains. They sometimes
disguise themselves as frogs. They are harmless, good-natured
and understand the value of “green” transportation.
Track Laying Machine
It takes special training to operate this
machine, which Amtrak workers use to lift, transport
and install heavy railroad tracks and ties.
23P.
Sly Fox Learns Railroad Safety
Help Birdie teach Sly Fox to stay safe
around railroads! Draw a line connecting the
letters that match each dangerous activity.
A
B
C
D
E
Special thanks to Operation Lifesaver® for
permission to use our friends Sly Fox and Birdie
to help Amtrak teach railroad safety to children.
www.oli.org
•Don’t play in or climb on railroad cars.
•Never put things on the tracks.
•Don’t get your car stuck on the tracks.
(If your car does get stuck, get out
and run away from the tracks!)
•Never bicycle on the tracks!
•Never walk on railroad tracks!
P. 25
Plan Your Own Trip...
Fill in the “NEXT STOP” box,
top right,then draw in your own
pictures in the train windows
to create your next destination.
P. 27
EcoTrivia
Quiz
Help our extraterrestial
friends out a little...
See how many of these
more challenging
Amtrak Junior Conductor
questions YOU can answer.
1. The nonprofit group Climate Counts gave Amtrak
scores for their commitment to fight against global
warming. What is the name of this elite scorecard
rating?
A: Eco Warrior
B: Friend of the Earth
C: Industry Innovator
D: Climate Champion
2. Acela Express® and other Amtrak electric
locomotives take energy from the wheels of the
train and return it to the overhead power system.
What is this called?
A: Energy-max restore
B: Ultra power assist
C: Regenerative braking
D: Brake to line power transfer
3. On what day do we celebrate Earth Day and
get involved to help create a healthier planet?
A: May 1
B: April 22
C: September 22
D: June 21
4. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, train
travel uses the least amount of energy.
True or False
5. This is the universal symbol for what activity?
A: Wind power
B: Recycling
C: Carpooling
P. 28
6. What types of materials generated from train
repair and maintenance work are recycled?
A: Steel parts, scrap metal, cable and wire
B: Used oil, batteries and mattress foam
C: Concrete and wood railroad ties
D: All of the above
7. The Auto Train® now uses less fuel, thanks to
new vehicle carriers that are a lot lighter and more
aerodynamic than the ones they replaced. How many
gallons of diesel fuel does this save every year?
A: 33,000 gallons
B: 640,000 gallons
C: 96,000 gallons
D: 275,000 gallons
8: Which alternative energy sources are used to
provide extra power to the switches at the Amtrak
Chicago train yards?
A: Wind and solar
B: Solar and geothermal
C: Hydroelectric and geothermal
D: Biofuel and wind
9. How many tons of bottles, cans and paper are
recycled every month on the Auto Train?
A: 12 B: 5 C: 7 D: 3
10. Climate Counts is a nonprofit organization that
annually scores companies on their commitment to
voluntarily addressing climate change. What factors
do they consider in scoring companies?
A: Size of carbon “footprint”
B: Ability to reduce the impact of global warming
C: Ability to deliver savings through reduced energy
D: All of the above
See page 32 for answers.
You’re almost at the end of the
Junior Conductor’s Guidebook. Let’s recall
some things we’ve learned! You can find every
answer to this quiz within the pages of this handbook. Good luck!
1. What does the Conductor use to talk to a crew member in a different part of the train?
I, _____________________________________ (first and last name), hereby join the
Amtrak Junior _________________________________ . I promise to be nice to other
_________________________
2. What is the phrase that the Conductor yells to let people know the train is leaving?
_________________________
3. What is the title of the Amtrak person who drives the train?
_________________________
______________________________ and keep my ___________________________
out of the aisles.
I’ll learn about different ________________________ around the country, how to
travel safely and the different kinds of ________________________ on the train.
4. Name three things that the Conductor carries. ________________________
_________________________
And now it’s time to take
the Junior Conductor’s Pledge. Fill in the blanks
by choosing the right words from the word bank at the bottom. Then go to the
inside back cover to see the complete Junior Conductor’s Pledge.
_____________________________
5. Where does the Amtrak Cities Sprinter get its power? ________________________
6. How many places can you recognize from the pictures or map in this book?
(Hint: Cities? National Parks?)
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
Most of all, I will practice being safe whenever
I’m around ______________________________ !
WORD BANK
peanut butter sandwiches, ETs, sneakers, passengers, underpants,
railroads, baseballs, routes, safety, igloos, feet, equipment, eyes,
Conductors, baseballs
Answers for crossword page 9: Across: 3. conductor; 4. crossbuck; 5. ticket agent; 7. all aboard; 8. passenger; 11. police dog
Down: 1. kid; 2. cowcatcher; 5. transfer; 6. Amtrak police; 9. red cap; 10. engineer.
Pages 10-11: The inspiration for the architecture comes from Chicago Union Station. This fabricated train station
was especially designed to hold a very unique group of travelers, and even some time-travelers. Starting from the
bottom right, you will find John Hancock, the famous first signer of the Declaration of Independence; Nikola Tesla,
the lesser-known and very deserving inventor of alternating current, the kind that makes railroads, man-made
electric lights, x-rays, radios, remote controls, robotics and lasers; Maggie Walker, an amazing lady of African
descent, who was the first female bank president of any race; Albert Einstein, famous for his theory of relativity,
the foundation of modern physics; Susan B. Anthony, who dedicated so many years of her own life to fight for
women’s right to vote and more; George Washington Carver, a former slave and botanist; and, of course, our most
important friends, people like you from all over the world, young and old, who choose to travel on Amtrak.
Pages 18-19: Chicago, IL; 20-21: Boston MA; 22-23: Cannon Beach, OR;
26-27: Glacier National Park, MT; 30 - 31: Acadia National Park, ME
Answers for Eco-Trivia Quiz Page 29: 1. C; 2. C; 3. B; 4. True; 5. B; 6. D; 7 B; 8. A; 9. B; 10. B
Operation Lifesaver is a non-profit organization
providing public education programs in all
50 states to prevent collisions, injuries and
fatalities on and around railroad tracks and
highway-rail grade crossings.
www.oli.org
Extend your journey
with a trip to the
Amtrak Online Store.
Visit store.amtrak.com
for a great selection
of memorable
souvenirs and gifts.
We have more cool stuff to share
with you, like a JC Certificate and
a durable JC Badge you can wear on
your jacket. To receive them, ask
your parents to fill out the postcard
and mail it to us. We’ll send them
info about booking a trip on Amtrak.
Junior
Conductor’s
PLEDGE
Inside Cover-Page 1: inspired by the Statue of Liberty and New York City
Pages 8-9: influenced by the Grand Canyon, which was carved by the Colorado River in Arizona
I promise to be nice to other
passengers and keep my feet out
of the aisles. I’ll learn about
different routes around the country,
how to travel safely and the different
kinds of equipment on the train.
Most of all, I’ll work to be a
good, safe, responsible traveler.
A Deeper Look at What’s in This Book
NO POSTAGE
NECESSARY
IF MAILED
IN THE
UNITED STATES
BUSINESS REPLY MAIL
FIRST-CLASS MAIL PERMIT NO. 293
ITASCA IL
POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY ADDRESSEE
AMTRAK
PO BOX 7717
ITASCA IL 60143-7717
You’ve done a superb job
of performing your duties as
an Amtrak Junior Conductor.
As a thank you, we’d like to provide
you with a cool badge certifying
you as a Junior Conductor.
PLEASE SEND MY CHILD’S
JUNIOR CONDUCTOR’S
CERTIFICATE & BADGE
Parent’s Name ________________________________________________________________________
Address _____________________________________________________________________________
City ________________________________________ State __________ Zip ______________________
Email ________________________________________________________________________________
THANK YOU.
¨ Yes! I’d like to receive email updates from Amtrak with
information about promotions and specials.
Did you know that kids
(ages 2–12)
travel on Amtrak
for half off?
Is that cool or what?
Children ages 2 through 12 receive a 50% discount on most Amtrak rail fares
anywhere in the U.S. when accompanied by at least one person paying a regular
full adult rail fare. Up to two children’s discounts are permitted in conjunction
with each adult traveler. Sleeping car, Business class and First class upgrades
are permitted upon payment of full accommodation charges. The child discount
is not acceptable for travel on certain Amtrak Thruway connecting services.
The discount is available on Acela Express trains on weekends only.
Amtrak, Acela Express and Auto Train are registered service marks and Pete
the P42 is a trademark of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation.
©2015 Amtrak
02-5216 150M 5/15