Shape Signatures

Stamford rail conductors use unique shapes to identify themselves.

The Stamford Advocate Reports:

"I think mine looks like a little airplane," conductor Tom Wnek says. "We're guaranteed that no two conductors have the same one."

That's because a conductor's hole punch is a vital form of identification for the railroad. Conductors use the punches to track tickets they've checked. If a passenger says they've already had their ticket punched, but the shape left behind doesn't belong to anyone working the train, he'll know someone is trying to cheat the railroad, Wyen says.

The railroad's revenue accounting department also keeps a record of the shapes issued to each conductor. That way, the punch mark can provide evidence in case of employee misconduct.

Ticket punching began in the 1860s and is unique to railroads in the United States, Metro-North spokesman Dan Brucker said. Once conductors were able to request punch marks, but now they are issued at random.

Ensuring each punch is unique is a challenge for the die-maker, Brucker said. Once the common shapes, such as diamonds, hearts and spades, were distributed, the manufacturer had to tweak some of the shapes in minuscule yet identifiable ways.

Conductors develop an attachment to their punches, which they use almost 2,000 times a day. Wnek has had his mini-airplane for eight years and doesn't plan to turn it in for a new one.

Thanks to AD for the tips this week!