Love Train Clicks to ‘Rapper’ Conductor

Conductor John Cameron gives passengers aboard his elevated train a smile and tidbits of history aboard his “Love Train.”

Cameron, 43, who introduces himself as “The Rapper” to first-time passengers, says he started his routine 12 years ago to brighten up otherwise dreary trips on the Chicago Transit Authority train.

“Good morning,” his voice booms over the train’s intercom before it departs the line’s Howard Street station, the starting point of an hourlong trip to Chicago’s South Side. “The time is 8:26, and the temperature is 32 degrees. Welcome aboard the Love Train.

“Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride, ‘cause you’re riding first class down Electric Avenue,” he continues. “Driver says I’m going to make you look good, feel good and smell good ‘cause I’m the doctor who’s going to cure all your aches.”

Startled passengers who haven’t heard Cameron’s spiel look up from their papers or break free of glassy-eyed stares. Veterans smile knowingly.

“This guy is like a walking tourist map,” said Arthur Rooks, 22. “The first time I heard him, I thought he was kind of kooky. But after you listen to him, you pick up little tidbits about the city that you didn’t know, even after living here for a while.”

On any given trip, passengers might learn that the train passes under the Chicago River at one point, or that one station was designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

Even the trendy nightspots get attention.

“Clark and Division,” Cameron says at one stop. “The Gold Coast, the night life, the good life. Church on Sunday, the cabaret on Monday, but it’s nobody’s business what you do.”

Cameron has appeared on local television and radio shows and on Oprah Winfrey’s and Phil Donahue’s talk shows.

“I didn’t start this for all the publicity or honors,” Cameron said. “I figure it’s what the world needs right now. We need a whole lot of love, and I figure whatever little bit I can do will help.”