Issues → January/February 2010 → Interact → 10 Things to Do →

Classic: Train Conductor Travis D. Ford

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The weather report originated one day in 1986 soon after Ford started what he refers to as "conductoring." A passenger was wondering about the day's weather and was startled when Ford spontaneously and dramatically recited the current climatic conditions. Then it was Ford's turn to be startled -- other passengers clapped. A star was born.

He memorizes his daily report after consulting newspapers, the Weather Channel, and a weather radio. He also announces scores and updates for all important ball games, complete with dramatic re-creation of key plays ("Starks drives to the basket past two defenders -- and scores!"), particularly if the games involve Notre Dame or his favorite New York teams -- the Yankees, Knicks, and Giants.

Sports and weather may be Ford's signature acts, but they're just part of his gift to the passengers on Metro-North. "When you get on my car," he says, "you know that if I have anything to do with it, you're going to have a grade-A excellent ride to New York City. My object is to make people relax, to wipe out that little degree of paranoia some people have at the beginning of the day. If I can get you feeling good for a few minutes, I did my job. It doesn't cost anything to be concerned and to show I enjoy being with them. And they give it right back to me; they spark me. It causes passengers to be friendly with each other, too. I've even seen people exchange addresses after I do the weather."

His passengers love to talk about him. "The bonhomie he creates in the car is very unusual," says attorney Warren S. Goodman, who can't help smiling at the idea.

"People get on the train, they look grumpy, and he makes them smile," adds Barbara Nachman from Rye Brook. "You can't not respond to him. He's a real antidote to the impersonality that pervades our society." She pauses, a little embarrassed by her earnestness, and then says even more earnestly, "I wish I could be more like him."

People send fan letters about him to Metro-North, and the company has used him in its commercials. He's been on the Today show and Good Day New York and has been written about in several New York and Connecticut papers. He loves his job and shows it, and people love him for that.

A few minutes out of Grand Central, Ford goes into his second stand-up routine. "I'll say good-bye to you now," he begins, and then recites in rapid-fire singsong, "Auf Wiedersehen, arrivederci, sayonara, ciao, hasta luego, adios, good-bye, so long, and farewell, au revoir and shalom." He pauses for a breath. "If I've missed anyone, I'm sorry," he says, then proceeds to say good-bye in Greek, Turkish, Swahili, Hungarian, Filipino, Russian, Danish, Chinese, and a United Nations of other languages, all in less than 15 seconds. More grins, more happy applause. Ford has them ready for another day in the city.

"Watch your step leaving the train," he says, as we pull into Grand Central. "Don't forget anything. God bless and have a nice day."

A commuter rushing past sees Ford on the platform and says, "Oh no! I missed the weather!" He means he missed Travis Ford, the sunshine of Metro-North.