As a child, Gambardella cherished the annual trip on the North Pole Express with his family. Now as a conductor of Essex Steam Train and Riverboat, Gambardella is spreading the holiday magic to children and families across Connecticut.

“Those magical experiences were instrumental in sparking my lifelong passion for the railroading industry,” said Gambardella. “Watching the steam locomotives in action, seeing the conductors and engineers at work and admiring the beautifully restored passenger cars inspired me to pursue a career in this field. Today it’s incredibly fulfilling to be part of the very experience that ignited my interest in railroading.”

As a train conductor, Gambardella is responsible for leading the train, its crew and passengers. Ensuring safety and efficiency, Gambardella leads a team of engineers, trainmen and announcers to keep the train running smoothly and on schedule. Additionally, Gambardella serves as the primary point of contact for guest interactions, managing tickets, answering questions and resolving concerns to ensure a memorable experience for everyone aboard.

This dynamic and involved position combines leadership and guest service – skills that Gambardella has honed throughout his academic career at Quinnipiac.

“Quinnipiac has equipped me with invaluable leadership skills that I use every day in my role as a conductor,” he said. “Leading a crew requires clear communication, adaptability and decisive action — all qualities I’ve honed through my studies and experiences at Quinnipiac. These skills have been critical to ensuring the success of our operations and will continue to serve me throughout my career.”

Bridging gaps between his conductor experience and career aspiration in supply chain management, Gambardella highlights how this experience has provided a real-world application to his classroom education.

“My studies in supply chain management have emphasized the importance of operations, particularly in industries focused on transportation and logistics,” said Gambardella. “Working at the Essex Steam Train has allowed me to apply these concepts directly. For instance, I’ve created more efficient plans for assembling passenger cars and even developed new timetables to streamline operations. These hands-on experiences not only enhance my understanding of supply chain management but also align perfectly with my personal and professional aspirations.”

As he gears up for this holiday season, Gambardella reflects on one of his favorite memories working on the North Pole Express, accommodating a family who missed their train departure.

“My crew and I, along with the stationmaster, quickly sprang into action, locating enough seats on a later train to accommodate the entire family together,” said Gambardella. “Their gratitude was overwhelming. They even told us that we ‘saved Christmas.’ Moments like these are incredibly rewarding because they remind us how impactful our efforts can be in creating lifelong memories for our guests.”

As both a student and conductor, Gambardella effectively balances his responsibilities, reaffirming his dedication to his career and studies.

“Many days, I head straight from class to Essex, sometimes jumping on a departing train within an hour of arriving,” he said. “While it requires careful time management and a lot of energy, the rewards of this unique and fulfilling job make every late night and long day worthwhile.”

Despite the challenges of balancing work with his education, Gambardella finds his position deeply fulfilling, creating memories for both himself and others. 

“The rewards of this role are twofold,” said Gambardella. “First, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside a dedicated and talented team with an incredible passion for what we do. Second, interacting with guests is equally rewarding. Sharing my love for railroading, answering questions and seeing the excitement on people’s faces as they experience a piece of history is truly inspiring.”