Big Lift, CO ... Racoons ... and the FT Worth and Division Engineering Company Officers. Part 2 in Tales of the Jointed Track

Night rotation, Big Lift two weeks later

I was back on my four day penance, on the night rotation.

The track work, was starting up. There was a major wood tie replacement, Starting at Palmer Lake on the northbound track ( Main 2) from MP 52.1 to MP 48.6, this stretch is former Santa Fe track, now BNSF. The old Rio Grande, now Union Pacific, starts at 48.6 and continues to MP 25.5. The BNSF takes over at MP 25.5 and continues into Denver. At Littleton there are three main lines. BNSF has Main 2 and Main 3 into Denver, CO. The UP maintains main 1 from MP 3.4 to MP 12.3, and that continues southward to MP 25.4 and Starts again at MP 49.1 to Palmer Lake. BNSF takes main one between these two points.

The Maintenance of Way people, will store the track and tie relaying equipment, two tampers and a ballast regulator on track 6503 ( track 3) at Big lift. There are about fifteen pieces of equipment in this group. This tie gang is given a track window for 12 hours to set up, and perform the track work, and clear up. They were up at the Palmer Lake house track, did the short work on a Friday. One tamper remained with a ballast regulator at Palmer Lake, under a Form B gang order protection on Saturday. The rest was escorted by the track supervisor, under a work between track order, a Box 4 on the warrant. They'll head for Sedalia tonight, and start there on Monday. Sunday these other pieces of equipment will be escorted down to Sedalia, CO.

Monday morning, some other BNSF vehicles were parked, by the section garage, Texas plates. There was a section crew from the South Denver section to help out with the Big Lift section, along with the tie gang. They would meet them at Sedalia.

These two trucks belonged to some Track engineering, people out of Ft. Worth. These were bigwigs from the NOC, to oversee the project and make sure it is done on time. There is pressure coming from somewhere, the NOC, the Colorado Division, the adjoining Power River Division, or all of the above. They arrived Sunday evening, while we were out of the office. They got in another truck and went to Castle Rock, to book a hotel room for the next 3 weeks. I'd see them, Monday morning around 530 am or so.

Big Lift Monday morning 600 am

I got back, around 445 am, the sun is starting to rise, gonna be a nice Colorado day. I started into, doing my reports, checking the LISS (Locomotive Information Service System) for any trouble makers coming into Denver. Then I would write a wire and follow up with a phone call to the Chief. They would have to make sure the had one available at Denver to add on if required. Because if they force it out here, they are tied up major, and will start losing crews to hours of service.

I hear, a couple of vehicles, pull around back, where I am. I look out the blinds, I thought one was Ray Palacio, the track supervisor, but it wasn't. Someone was walking over to the dumpster, OH OH.

Enter the racoons. The dumpster was a big metal roller that residential trash trucks could dump. This also had, rubberized, hinged tops, so they were light. Our friends, the raccoons, found away to get inside, and rummage through the trash. At night you banged on the side, with a stick, if there was rustling, you waited till after daylight.

I didn't recognize these guys, but they were BNSF people. I passed the rock where "The Oracle" was displayed, and out to the parking lot. This guy was going to lift the dumpster lid. "HEY"!!!!, I yelled, "Not to tell you your business, but there might be one or two Raccoons in there. Bang on the side with the stick, to see if they are in there". Well this guy, and his two other pals, gave me the glare of, how dare ya even talk to us. He ignored me, and this is gonna be real good, if they are in there.

The lid opens, his cronies are walking toward him, discussing the plans for the day. Out comes not only one, but three racoons, like being shot out of a cannon. Two fly by, on either side, and the other takes this guys hardhat off. These three are good sized, and I would guess, maybe thirty pounds at most. They haven't missed a meal. That guy is pale, his friends are running for the open doors of the truck. He gathers himself, and gets his hard hat. A little crow eating, he and company, and they are very embarrassed. The other two slowly get out of the truck, the raccoons have headed elsewhere, and they'll be back tonight. "You alright?, I tried to warn ya". Another glare. Hey isn't my fault. That was such a laugh when I got back to the office.

Five minutes later, these lost goofballs, don't know how to get into the office. I unlocked all the doors on the Savage Industries end so they could get in. I heard knocking on the glass door, they don't know the code. I open the door for them, takes all I can do from busting out laughing. I said the other side is unlocked at 500 am, but if it's not the code is easy 1-1-1-1. Another "look". "Where's Palacio the Track supervisor, and Jim Werner from the Big Lift section?" "I don't know, I am not with the section, I'm with operations, Locomotive engineer, troubleshooter". Okay no answer, these guys are so important or think they are, I'm surprised they don't have a driver and a valet along.

"BNSF 6147 to the mentor at Big Lift?" "Big Lift go ahead Kenard" "Yeah Shoe can ya look at the DP's and sign 'em out for us, we just topped Wolhurt" "Bring em on we'll spot ya and get ya taken care of". "Sorry guys, I have a load to work. Coffee's there. water in the fridge, no more that 5 bottles.. use the primitive scoop, you'll have to make it yourself". There is a BNSF computer if ya need one on the desk over there, it's tied into the printer if needed". I lock up my office, and head out, to meet the Mechanical guy. We take off to the trailer, and wait to spot the load. I tell Chuck, about the incident, he gets a good laugh. I said they are still pissed, but go figure.