Passenger Trains > Rear door open on the baggage car - Silver Star

Last weekend I was at the Deerfield, FL Amtrak station when the northbound Silver Star pulled in. As the Star left the station I noticed that the rear entrance door to the baggage car was wide open. On this train the baggage car is at the rear of the train so it seems like it would have been very easy for someone to climb aboard and enter the baggage car. Is there a baggage car attendant on the Star (and other Amtrak trains) or is the baggage car monitored by the train crew by not always manned? At first glance it seems like the open door would present an opportunity for someone to get a free ride or steal items if there was not a baggage attendant present.

Not the most pressing issue of the day but I am curious...

super common with the old  cars

The carriers often had a dedicated train baggageman who was a member of the operating crew, particularly when checked baggage was handled at intermediate stations on the crew's run. It depended on the various union agreements, and these arrangements continued into the Amtrak era while the operating crews were employees of the various roads. When Amtrak "took over" the operating crews in the mid-1980s the baggage car became the responsibility of one of the uniformed crew members. As far as I know, it is still that way today, although there may be exceptions.

As mentioned with the old heritage baggage cars it was/is common to leave them at least partially open (they can be a bear to open and close). On the new cars you almost always see them shut.

No full-time attendant. At stops that handle bags either the Conductor or AC will go work the baggage car along with the station agent (if there is one). So there is a presence in the car at times. Also usually a sign saying "employees only".
They can also lock the door so someone can't get in, from the train, without a key.

Posted from Android

Actually the door that was open was the entrance door to the car not the main baggage door(s).


MNNRfan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> As mentioned with the old heritage baggage cars it
> was/is common to leave them at least partially
> open (they can be a bear to open and close). On
> the new cars you almost always see them shut.
>
> No full-time attendant. At stops that handle bags
> either the Conductor or AC will go work the
> baggage car along with the station agent (if there
> is one). So there is a presence in the car at
> times. Also usually a sign saying "employees
> only".
> They can also lock the door so someone can't get
> in, from the train, without a key.
>
> Posted from Android