While Eric Murphy is one of the newer NMRX Dispatchers, he is no stranger to Rio Metro or the New Mexico Rail Runner Express.
A train enthusiast his entire life, Murphy began exploring a career in railroading when he was a teenager. A service-learning program at his high school put him in touch with Rio Metro’s Director of Operations, and he was brought on as a summer intern with the Customer Service Department in 2008.
Joining Rio Metro
“I’ve always had a love for trains,” said Murphy. “My great grandpa used to work for the railroad. My first train ride was Amtrak to Anaheim to go to Disneyland in 8th grade. Then, when the Rail Runner started operating, I would ride it back and forth.”
This love of trains and his positive internship experience inspired him to seek a permanent position with Rio Metro after graduating.
“I was officially hired on in 2012,” said Murphy, who re-joined the team, this time as a full-time Customer Service Representative. “It was my first job out of high school.”
Career Path
Murphy continued his work in customer service for more than 10 years. During this time, he would answer questions about the Rail Runner and Rio Metro buses, help passengers plan trips, and often assist with community outreach and events like National Train Day, Santa’s Village, and emergency training exercises.
“I really enjoyed talking to the public and educating people about Rio Metro,” he said.
In 2022, Murphy decided to shift gears and took a position with Rio Metro’s Facility Maintenance Department. “I would fix things at the train stations, make repairs, clean, replace signs, and a lot of other things,” he said. “They called us the Go-To Team, or G-2 for short.”
Current Position
In November 2024, Murphy made another move within the organization and took a position as an NMRX Dispatcher, which was a long-term goal of his.
“When I was in customer service we worked beside the dispatch team for a while. That’s when I decided I wanted to eventually become a dispatcher,” he said.
Becoming a train dispatcher is no easy task. It takes several months of studying, testing, and training, both in the field and on the desk with other dispatchers. “It’s very extensive; it’s a safety sensitive position,” said Murphy.
Each day Murphy and the NMRX Dispatch team work around the clock to ensure on time performance in a safe manner. “We dispatch with four trains - the Rail Runner, Amtrak, BNSF, and Santa Fe Southern. We keep the trains moving while keeping them safe.”
A typical day may also involve working with maintenance crews to schedule times for fixing things on or near the rails, coordinating with police and emergency services when potential incidents occur, warning train crews if something happens on the tracks, and working with the freight trains to determine how to fit them in the schedule based on their length.
“The operation is 24/7, 365 days a year,” said Murphy. “It’s an around the clock job that requires a lot of attention to detail, good memory, and the ability to multitask.”
Rewarding Work
After holding various positions during his years at Rio Metro, Murphy notes that the ultimate objective of each position is essentially the same – to help people reach their destination in a safe and timely manner.
“Making our passengers happy makes me happy,” he said. “I take pride in knowing someone had a good day because I was able to help provide them with their transportation.”
Beyond the Workplace
Still an enthusiast, Murphy continues to collect trains among his other hobbies, which include crafting and photography. He especially enjoys taking pictures of trains. Some of his photographs of the Rail Runner have been shared on Rio Metro’s social media, generating views in the 100,000+ range.
Looking Ahead
Murphy hopes to continue his work with the organization for years to come.
“I want to stay and grow within Rio Metro,” he said. “I would like to eventually see myself as a NMRX Dispatch lead or a supervisor in the future. I enjoy it here. I’m part of the Rio Metro family, and I look forward to growing with the organization.”
By Riann Martinez, Marketing Specialist, Rio Metro Regional Transit District
