Today, she's a Metrolink engineer at the helm of a train, earning a six-figure salary, and responsible for the lives of thousands of commuters every day.
"I love my job. It's so much fun," said Tames. "It's nothing that I actually thought I would do in my life."
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Tames started at the bottom with Amtrak. She worked in on-board services, cleaning bathrooms and making beds on sleeper coaches.
One year later, she had worked her up to become a Metrolink conductor.
It's not often you see a woman at the helm of a locomotive. But Metrolink is trying to change that.
The railroad industry, long dominated by men, realizes the best man for the job can be a woman.
"I think a lot of the reason why you don't see more women is because they don't know about it," said Tames.
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Twelve of Metrolink's 70 engineers are now women and the commuter rail system is looking to hire more.
Tames, a single mother with a toddler, says any mom can do it. And Metrolink passengers are taking notice.
"There's a lot of enthusiasm," said Tames. "They're like, 'You're our driver today', and they're like 'Wow that's great, a woman, that's exciting.' I say, 'Yup, times are changing'."