Amtrak , 199, 198 and the 398 the race track to Barstow, CA in Tales of the Jointed Track

I am still working the Southwestern region of the power desk for Locomotive Utilization. This is also the night rotation, I have contacted the "hot spots", LA, Richmond, San Bernardino, Bakersfield, Phoenix and Winslow. I have touched base with the other stations. I have also just finished off the Barstow Power Demand update.

A power demand, is made at major terminals, like Barstow, Kansas City, Northtown, Galesburg, Vancouver WA , Whitefish. This is an inbound termination flow vs outbound demands for a 12 hour time period. What trains go thru power, what need add ons for dynamic braking axles down the Cajon Pass to Southern California. What is needed extra for the Bakersfield area, over the Tehatchapi's.

I'm looking at Needles, there are the helper units stationed there. The dates are good, no problems noted in the "L" Inquiry ( a locomotive defect program). I have the Barstow yard status up, called TRNBRO (Train Browse). I see Trains 199 ( the inter modal flagship) 198 and the 398 arriving Barstow, CA about 8 to 12 minutes apart. Not a Big deal, but Amtrak 4 is in the picture as well. I get over to a Needles, CA window and TRNBRO that. This basically what I see. I make it a pure westbound window.

199 now the Z-WSPRIC9 Chicago / Willow Springs to Richmond, CA

198 now the Z-WSPLAC9 Chicago / Willow Spring to Los Angeles

398 now the Z-KCKLAC8 Kansas City, KS to Los Angeles

For ease of typing, I'll refer to the old Santa Fe train numbers. "Nine" symbols means they are super "hot" and time sensitive. "Eight symbols are a second section and equally "HOT"!!

TrnBro NEEDCA

A-4 10-0 - 1275 1100 FT ARR NEEDCA 0050

199 40-16-4582 7100 FT O/D 0030 FINAL 0050 CALLED * loads-empties-tons *

198 39-20-4250 7280 FT O/D 0040 FINAL 0055 CALLED

398 20-0-2500 2500 FT O/D 0050 FINAL 0100 CALLED

These trains are literally on each others ass. They are on block signal indication. This is getting interesting.

Amtrak 4 is leading the parade, and is lined into the Passenger Pass at Needles, CA. 199 is on Amtraks' block, and makes the crew change at Needles and leaves. Train 198 comes into Needles changes crews and leaves. 398, also comes in and changes crews and leaves. Amtrak has changed crews, boarded passengers, detrained those that needed to get off here. Amtrak leaves on time and following three inter modals. Everyone is at or near 70 mph, the scenario is unfolding.

Barstow, CA 400 am

199 comes in changes crews and is on the way to Richmond, CA.

198 come in changes crews, makes the ETD test leaves town, headed for LA. 398 does the same as well, and Amtrak is pulling into the Barstow depot. Amtrak does its thing, and 398 is heading for the Cajon summit.

Los Angeles, CA 0900 am

Train 198 arrives ahead of schedule..is yarded and out of the way. Train 398 arrives ahead of schedule, but where is poor ol Amtrak? Amtrak arrived on time, and was never delayed by these two hot shots. That's how it was done on the Santa Fe, and I trust still continues as BNSF. 199-198 -398-189-197 the inter modal flagships. The 199, Z-WSPRIC, the BN people poo-poohed it. That mind set changed very quickly. Maybe we're all on the same page, on somethings.