To clarify, it's the PA system that was apparently abused, not the intercom (IC), which I too have heard toward the end of the occasional trip. In fact, situations like that definitely warrant use of the IC, which is the private mode of OBS crew communications between cars.

One of my favorite little quirks of Superliner long-distance trains is when crew briefly ping each other over the PA: "Steward to the IC, please." I take it as a sign of engaged, discreet service professionals. ^