Be The Best: A Story of John the Engineer on SEPTA’s R5 Line
Posted on Friday, January 8, 2010 by Frank Roche
SEPTA’s best engineer isn’t going to drive my train anymore. John, the engineer on the R5 line that comes to my Daylesford stop every morning at 7:03, is the best in the business. This morning he announced that today was going to be his last day on our line. He was trumped by someone with longer service, so he’d be moving to the other end of the line.
I know those of you who take public transportation, and especially those of you who travel on SEPTA in Philly, have lots of stories about people who don’t care. Not John.
Every morning John would be a bundle of energy. He’d call out to people as he pulled into stations. When there was construction on the Amtrak lines, he seemed to know every worker out there holding a “W” sign. He’d have a good word for everyone. And he’d always have a good word for us before all of us spilled off the train into Center City.
John is from Pittsburgh, so there was a lot of funny banter when he’d come into the first car every morning at 30th Street to give a little jab or word of encouragement to the Philly fans. It’s really great.
I like being around people who are the best at what they do, no matter where they do it. I’ll miss John the Engineer on the Thorndale line of the R5. Those who will ride his train starting Monday are lucky.
John Coffey
Jan 8th, 2010
I had many similar tales of riding the R5 either to Radnor for high school (Carroll) or to 30th St when I went to Drexel. Many familiar faces everyday that were just as friendly. Hopefully next guy will be just as good.
Frank Roche
Jan 8th, 2010
He said the next guy would be great…but I’m afraid it’ll be like a remake song, even if it’s as good (or better) you still like the original.
Lindsay
Jan 8th, 2010
I’m wondering (although I probably already know the answer, sadly) whether John the Engineer’s bosses every noticed his “extra-mile” behavior and rewarded him for it.
Frank Roche
Jan 8th, 2010
@Lindsay, I don’t know the answer definitively, but my guess is that he didn’t get a ton of kudos. Their system isn’t set up to give accolades…I don’t know why…maybe they don’t want to handle complaints…but I would have given him a gold star if I could have. Really great guy.