Description
Take orders and serve meals and beverages to passengers in a train dining car, manage seating and reservations, coordinate with the galley, process payments or meal entitlements, and maintain safety and cleanliness while the train is in motion.
- • Verify passengers' age for alcohol per rail regulations.
- • Collect payments with onboard POS; apply vouchers or sleeper-meal entitlements.
- • Write or enter orders into the onboard system and transmit to the galley.
- • Take food and beverage orders during scheduled meal periods.
- • Check back with passengers and resolve issues promptly.
- • Serve meals and beverages at dining car tables; deliver to seats or rooms when required.
- • Prepare checks, note car/seat or room numbers, and process gratuities.
- • Present menus and explain limited inventory and route-specific specials.
- • Inform passengers of seating times and manage reservations.
- • Reset and sanitize tables between seatings; secure items against train movement.
- • Prepare coffee, tea, and simple mixed drinks; serve beer and wine per policy.
- • Explain how items are prepared or heated and provide allergen information.
- • Set tables with rail-safe place settings; secure serviceware to prevent tipping.
- • Assist with light prep, heating, plating, and portioning in the galley.
- • Stock and restock the dining car and beverage cart from commissary supplies; track inventory.
- • Garnish plates and maintain presentation despite motion.
- • Refill and secure condiments, napkins, and beverage stations.
- • Escort passengers to assigned or communal seating.
- • Recommend beers and wines and other beverage pairings.
- • Bring wine selections with proper glassware and pour safely on a moving train.
- • Bus tables and return wares to the galley; sort waste per onboard recycling rules.
- • Handle meal sign-ups, reservations, and to-go orders; coordinate with conductors and galley staff.
- • Clean and tidy dining and service areas; sweep, mop with non-slip methods, and take out trash.
- • Provide route, scenery, and station-stop information and answer travel questions.
- • Follow onboard safety and security procedures; secure equipment and assist during emergencies.
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Hospitality, Events & Tourism
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Source
Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Sources & Standards:
This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
