Brakeshoe Bob ⋅ 72 ⋅
I am a retired Railroad Locomotive Engineer. I hired out with the BN in September of 72 as a machinist and went with the Santa Fe in engine service in 1973 as a Locomotive Fireman. I was promoted to Locomotive Engineer in July 1974. I retired in September 2012 after 40 years. During the period I ran the Joint-Line (Denver to Pueblo,CO) and the Interdivisional between Denver and La Junta, CO. I had almost 8 years in management with the Santa Fe and BNSF.
Entries 465
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Jim Warner BNSF Track Supervisor Big Lift, CO in Tales of the Jointed Track
Jim worked the Big Lift Section out of Big Lift, when I was on the local. When Jon Riggs became the Track Supervisor on the Brush Sub, Jim became the Section Foreman for the gang. He was that f...
When the Moose and I walk the Middle Fork Trail, it goes up to Summit View Elementary. If you take the dirt maintenance road, which fronts, the north athletic fields of the school. You take the...
This is a re-post… You may have read it or not. When I took the GMC in, I went home up via the Tomah Rd exit, and took the north frontage road back. The old KOA Campground..Now Yogi Bears Jell...
Obrien's Cafe, Sedalia, CO in Tales of the Jointed Track
I had to take the Denali in to the Dealer, with a bad engine sensor. I arrived at 700 am and checked in. They gave me a 2018 Chevy Colorado pick up. Like a Canyon, not a Denali, Gas powered, w...
I was approached by a railroader Bill Nabors, who worked with me, as a laborer, at C&S 7th Street Roundhouse. I also crew changed with him, when he went into engine service with the BN. Bil...
I was asked by a reader to contact by e-mail, which I did. He wanted to know about the industries and switching we did. Well racked the old Brain..and this is the email I sent back. I may have...
Two months with MR Moose. A transition is being made. Moose was wild and jumper and escape artist. A week ago, Me and the Moose took my wife to the train station. He was harnessed up but the ...
Time has marched on.. Some of this crew have passed, the branchline is now a walking path in some places. There are homes and buildings , business parks now in there area. The “industry” we switc...
The Old Santa Fe Park Branch revisited in Tales of the Jointed Track
I was going to start this entry, only to find that Photobucket, was asking for an exorbitant fee to third party host. Well, they reduced their fees, and not too bad now. So I can update the wa...
In my early career, we’d catch a train out of Prospect. The Junction was Prospect, and then called Rennix. I don’t know, we knew it as Prospect, in my early railroad career. The C&S to Ch...
AHHH The Aroma of the Rotten Onions in Tales of the Jointed Track
This came to mind. I was cooking and bought some yellow onions. I cut into one, CRAP!!! was rotten and slimy inside. Nothing to save here. Luckily a spare and dinner was saved. Now onto th...
No this isn’t a Dog entry, plus I may or may have not posted previously in either OD or here on PB.. A repeat please bear with the old rail. There were a lot of feral cats around the diesel sh...
The training session was yesterday April 30th at 11:30. A young woman called and said she was on the way. I said “be ready, he’s a little wild man”..” I was a Vet-Tech, so I am okay”. GREAT!...
Moose sightings (the dog) in Misc. Thoughts opinions, the whole trash can.
Another week has passed, with Moose. Like a quote from The Tale of two Cities. “It was the best of times, and the worst of times”. Ten days have come and gone, since the last entry. Moose is...
Life with Moose, the Rescue Lab in Misc. Thoughts opinions, the whole trash can.
My wife works with a woman who volunteers, and is a foster for Labradors, who have been abandoned. She knew we had Labs in the past. Bear was a chocolate English Lab, which was given to us wh...
This might have been a Open Diary, dunno. They took our “Springs Switcher” from us on a Friday, because it was due Federal Inspection. Prior to setting it up for a southbound pick-up, we did o...
At this juncture, the Sedalia turn came, off the pool, both Train and Engine crews. We are still Double track, South Denver to Bragdon, no CTC between Palmer Lake and Crews, All is still 251 ABS ...
It is pretty uneventful, after leaving Baker City. The Oregon countryside, farms and ranches, and towns, that are known and unknown. Two hours, or so, have passed and we find ourselves crossing...
May 22nd, 2017 Time to check out of the ol Hotel 43, our “home base” for the last four days. Coffee, pack up, make sure the bill is paid, and ask the Valet for the car. We discussed about getti...
We arrived after the marathon to get from Denver to Bermuda. Yes, you have to change planes, but there are only “certain flights” to the island. An 1159 pm departure to Washington Dulles, then ...
"Big Mike" the Locomotive Display Boise Depot in Tales of the Jointed Track
The city of Boise had this donated to them. They have taken very good care of it. Unfortunately, it is now fenced in. I can understand the reasoning, due to insurance concerns and vandalism. H...
It was good to get away from the “maddening crowd”. There is a little chaos, the mother of the bride is a lil stressed. The GUC’s are clucking. Lynn, she’s starting to make the egg dish for Su...
Sunday morning has dawned. The determination was made be there at Vikki’s by 800 am. A text early, meet around 730-745 in the lobby, lets take one car. Okay this is Plasma Physics, I can see i...
Friday Afternoon May 19th: The afternoon was spent in a lazy fashion. It also, was spent getting “stuff” for brunch on Sunday. Winco was one of the stops. Jill’s partner offered to prepare brunc...
As I stated in an earlier entry, we arrived and checked in at Hotel 43. Thursday afternoon, the wife is just touching base with the “other” GUC’s (Gonzaga University Clucking Society). Yes I n...
