World's Oldest Female Train Operator, Helen Antenucci sets world record

July 8, 2024

Boston, Massachusetts, United States--At 81 years old, line operator Helen Antenucci (USA, b. 2 July 1942), who is 81 years 233 days old and works for The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, is the World's oldest train operator, according to the WORLD RECORDS ACADEMY.

Photo: Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)

"Antenucci also said her favorite Blue Line stop is at the New England Aquarium in Boston, where the majority of passengers boarding or exiting the train are families with children," the MassLive.com says.

“The children are all excited; first about riding the train, and second, going to the aquarium,” she said. “It’s so fun and heartwarming to see their happiness.”

“Helen is a rider favorite,” both for her love of the aquarium and her well-known cheerful announcements, the MBTA said on X, formerly Twitter."

"Line operator Helen Antenucci is the world's oldest train operator at 81 years old. Helen is a rider favorite, known for her cheerful announcements & love for @NEAQ," the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) says.
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"Congrats, Helen. Thank you for your nearly 30 years of service."

"“I don’t know what all the fuss is about,” she said. “I get up every day and do what I love to do. Not many people get to say that at my age.” Antenucci said she turns 82 soon and currently has no plans to retire," the Boston.com says.

“I would like to say thank you to all of my coworkers, family, friends and passengers for their support in making every day a wonderful journey,” she told Guinness World Records.

“I will bring my passengers to and from where they need to go until my organization tells me I can’t, but I don’t see that happening anytime soon.”

"The oldest train operator (female) is Helen Antenucci (USA, b. 2 July 1942), who is 81 years 233 days old, and works as a train operator for The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, as verified on 20 February 2024," the Guinness World Records says.

"Helen has been a full-time Blue Line Heavy Rail Motor Person since 1995, and she has daily commuters that wait for her train to take them into the city.

"Her favorite stop is Aquarium Station in downtown Boston, as she is an unofficial ambassador to The New England Aquarium, which the station is named after."

"Helen Antenucci, 81, has been operating trains in Boston since 1995. She was officially named the Guinness World Record's oldest train operator earlier this year after a colleague nominated her for the record," the NBC Boston says.

"The MBTA operator, who will turn 82 next month, has been operating Blue Line trains since she was 53 years old. She began driving as a way to get out of the house.

She said she's never faced any discrimination considering that when she started she was one of the only female operators at the time. But now she believes women make up about 40% of the MBTA staff. Antenucci has no plans to retire. She thanks her family, friends and passengers for their continued support every day."

"She was named the world's oldest train operator after a co-worker applied to Guinness World Records on her behalf. Antenucci didn't know about the application until the record was made official," the UPI says.

"I don't know what all the fuss is about. I get up every day and do what I love to do. Not many people get to say that at my age," she said. "I would like to say thank you to all of my co-workers, family, friends and passengers for their support in making every day a wonderful journey."

"Antenucci, who is approaching her 82nd birthday, said she has no plans to retire. "I will bring my passengers to and from where they need to go until my organization tells me I can't, but I don't see that happening anytime soon," she said.