Today, we're featuring Thomas Hefner who is a North Carolina train host. Hosts volunteer their time to ride trains and assist passengers as needed. They answer questions about trains and area attractions. Mr. Hefner's fascination with trains began as a child in Catawba County County where the Southern/Norfolk Southern AS (née S)-line ran from Asheville to Salisbury and with the old Carolina And North-Western running trains south from Newton and tracks into Caldwell County from Hickory. A science teacher by profession, Mr. Hefner teaches chemistry, physics, and earth/environmental science at the Middle College at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. He loves the way science and engineer intersect in in rail transportation.
Having grown up in a union family, Mr. Hefner also loves labor unions and reminded us that there is a high rate of unionization across the various jobs at Amtrak. He has been riding Amtrak since college. He and his wife took their honeymoon on Amtrak, as well as for their 25th and 30th anniversary celebrations. The Hefners will take their summer 2024 vacation to Indianapolis, ending in the home of Eugene V. Debs, one of the founding members of the Industrial Workers of the World. The history of trains and the labor movement in the United States are passions second to his love of family and also his love of teaching science. If you are on Amtrak and see Mr. Hefner, he can probably answer any Amtrak or railroad history question you have. He is the perfect person to host on Amtrak. We like to tease Mr. Hefner that he is like Thomas the Tank Engine. Remember that show? In the show, Thomas always tries his hardest to be a really useful engine. To be sure, if you meet Mr. Hefner, you will know he always tries to be useful.
Happy Friday!
Excellent portrait shot.
Posted by: William Kendall | Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 12:03 PM