Here is the link to the story, about the end of an era
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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It appears the position Ms. Eichelberger held was abolished upon her retirement. She's got her "55 and 30" under RRTA; she can take it - go for it, girl, you've done your time!
Interesting to learn by inference that MARC is all slot machines and Tickets by Mail. That has not yet happened on METRA; well at least on the BNSF. Although METRA offers on-line ticket sales, there are slot machines only along the IC - and those were installed by the Illinois Central before METRA.
amtrak92 Member # 14343
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I find it sad that it is the end of an era. But I guess that is progress. I guess the reason Metra doesn't do it, is I think they are busier, and want to save more money for new locos and cars. As you said the IC did those with the slots.
Geoff Mayo Member # 153
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Sort of heartwarming to know that some drab accountant in an equally drab building miles away (sorry, Mr. Norman) didn't notice her as an anomaly on the books and unceremoniously boot her out years ago.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Likely, MARC was willing to pay for the position so long as she was holding it, but I agree, Mr. Mayo, why that station continued to have a personal touch when clearly their model for ticket sales is slot machines and tickets by mail, I cannot answer.
But I'll bettcha, some political "muckety muck" of "the right" varietal used that station - and so the position occupied by this lady stayed.
palmland Member # 4344
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Thanks for the link. Her 42 years of service would make her a new employee about 1968. That was shortly after the merger of the B&O with C&O and before Chessie let alone any thought of merger with the SCL that formed CSX.
The operating division she is on at one time had over 800 non-operating (clerical) employees, including coal pier operators, elevator operators in the B&O office building downtown along with freight agents, tower operators, and yard clerks. I suspect there are now only a handful left - likely at the Division HQ in Halethorpe. Most have long since disappeared or been moved to JAX. Dan Willard would be shaking his head.
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