Corridor mentor Denver Termial BNSF 5402 DP unit, H-DENPVO in Tales of the Jointed Track

It's been a busy day. I started at Littleton and worked my way in to the Terminal. I have inspected and carded out about 25 locomotives at the moment. There will be more.

There is a lull, a good time to update the log, check LISS, and the Crews called. It is hot, and been 95 plus, and I am drinking water like a Camel. I have the radio, and a cell phone, so I am keeping in contact. RING!!!!! RING!!!!.. The Terminal Manager, two floors up. "Hey where ya at?" "Downstairs, updating reports and sending out wires". "Can you go to 38th ST and look at the DP on the Provo?, It doesn't want to "link up". I look to see who the crew is. It is Jim Wilmesher and Bill Berkenkotter. These are two regular Moffat trackage rights people. Jim transferred seniority, off the old Santa Fe, from the Fresno area, about 12 years ago while I was in management. "Jim, this the Shoe, like to attach, and see if I can link up that DP for you." "Great, Bob, BNSF 4810, set and centered for the mentor". "Set and Centered, I am on the way back."

I drive through the old German, Czech, and Polish neighborhood of Globeville. I takes about 7 minutes to 38th Street, and a good 5 minute walk into the yard. The RCO switchmen are banging cars off the lead. It's close to 245 pm, the second trick jobs, will be coming on duty soon. I walk the carman's road to the train on 42 track. I spot the dimmed headlight, and board the DP. I toggle the switch for the diagnostics, and look through the computer. Nothing. I drop the BCCB Computer breaker, and check the DP Radio lead connections, in the nose of the unit. "Hey, Jim, check your radio connections, I'm rebooting back here. The computer shows OK, but could be cycling. I'll call ya in 5 minutes". "Okay, we'll check". I put the DP data radio breaker and the BCCB up. I check to see if the train line, between the last car and locomotive are positioned correctly. I make a quick walk around, its full of fuel, 4600 gallons worth. Water level is correct, or should be, it's just out of the roundhouse.

Back in the cab, the computer is reset, and I try to link up again. I cut the train line, so I don't place the whole train into emergency, during the set up. I just close the one on the unit. I cut the air in like it is operating as a single or lead unit. I press the soft key for begin Distributive Power, the lead link 4810, is re keyed in. LEAD or REMOTE?, Remote is highlighted. The Reverser direction SAME or OPPOSITE? I key in SAME, since it is facing the same as the lead unit. I set a full service on the automatic brake valve, and make sure the independent brake is fully applied. I go to the other screen, key air brake, key CUT-OUT, TRAIL. The Automatic is placed into HO/Continuous service position. The Generator Field switch is checked that it is down. Going back to the DP screen, I key the Begin Distributive Power command. The screen changes, air shows CUT-IN, as the magnet valves energize and a whoosh of air is heard. the brake pipe is zero. I go outside and slowly cut the train line back in.

"Jim, we're set up back here, try to link-up". "Okay, 5402?" "Yeah" "Okay here goes". The lead DP goes through the cycle, "LINK FAIL" . We tried several other options. It is a DP problem. I call the roundhouse, and say "Check the "L" on this and on this 4810, and see if there are DP Data Radio issues reported. There is a "reported" issue of the 5402 not linking up at times. The crew and the terminal are antsy to get going. The UP has a track window, till 1600 pm at Rocky, 20 miles to the west, at the base of the foothills. They need to be in position to go, or they are stuck at Leyden siding, for Amtrak till 1800 pm. The decision is to cut the train, to the tonnage rating of the 3 C-44's on the lead, hang an ETD , make the air test and leave town. I tag the unit for NO DP OPERATION, till checked out. It's good as a lead or trail for power and dynamic braking. I call the NOC and leave a message, so they can place a comment in the "L" Inquiry to troubleshoot and correct next shopping. H-DENPVO leaves town 40 minutes later.