How did the conductor know?

Question

A conductor on a passenger train is punching tickets.

He comes to a man that has no ticket, and when asked why says, "I am a trainman too. I have a pass, but being late, I left the house in a hurry and I forgot it."

The conductor takes out his watch and asks, "What time do you have?"

The man looks at his watch and says, "It's a quarter to four."

The conductor, checking his own watch notes this is the correct time.

Even so, the conductor puts the man off the train at the next station because the conductor knows the man is not a railroader.

How did he know?

Answer 1

Dimann is correct - before the US timezones were created, railroads all used their own time standard, regardless of their terminals and stations.   For example, 12 noon would occur at the same time in both Chicago and New York, not based on when the sun is overhead.

This requirement was necessary because accurate times were important to schedule trains properly, to avoid unplanned meetings between two trains going in opposite directions on a single track.  Cornfield meetings were usually fraught with tragic results.

Answer 2

because the man is not a trianman either

Answer 3

He should have said 15:45 ?

Answer 4

Beause all railroads use 24 hour time.

Answer 5

Too Easy       First clew a standard watch.

Ok my 2cents worth. My answer would be  "Its 45 man is your watch broke I will be in the club car see ya"

If I was not in the right hour I would have never made the train.

Or I could have said 1545 or 0345

Or even during train order days 345Am and 345Pm would work.

But most crotchety old crummy sweepers would accept just 45.

Answer 6

Why the Conductor knows this...    The trains run  off  a diffrent time then we all do....and if this was a true railroader  his time would have been the same as the Conductors....thats how he knew it.

Answer 7

Cause he shoulda said 3:45

Answer 8

because the shift starts at 4 oclock  and he knew the guy wasnt late

or he didnt use military time

Answer 9

Its the watch...:)

Answer 10

The train is always late!