Big Lift Local .. Computer and Router problems in Tales of the Jointed Track

Big Lift was and still is an outpost. It is basically 19 miles south of Denver metro proper. The computer we used, was a terminal, that was tied into the mainframe. It allowed us to print lists, do other car data work, do WOMSG (Work Order messages) to the crews picking up and most important our time slips. Some of our newer trainmaster were agog that we knew how to do that. Well two of us on this crew are former ATSF / BNSF Company Officers.

Our crew terminal took a major dump one day. It was acting up. We did the usual did ya do this and that BS that only I.T. can think up. I was hooked up with “Don”, on a problem call. Well let ya tell me Don was not from around here, and was farmed out, overseas. That was one thing about the BNSF, I really disagreed with.

Well me and Don got to be real good friends..LOL. “This is Don, BNSF I.T. where are you calling from”. “Big Lift, CO” “May I have your employee ID?” “Yeah its this #######” “Thank You is this RM TERRY”? No it’s Mahatma Gandhi, ahh plasma physics.. “yes it is”. “I do not recognize BIG LIFT,CO” “Okay here is the station number” That went over well, whats a Station number?. You have a timetable, or a division station number data base. Stammering, “Don how about a supervisor that can get this going”. “I need an address” It was provided, this is like a bad dream. We go through the troubleshoot, do this and do that crap. Like i told him, did that, the router box is bad order. Term Bad Order means it is defective. Make two fists, and bang them together one on top of another that’s a Bad Order hand signal.

I tell Don I need a supervisor that knows the station numbers etc. I am on hold for a bit. I am on my own time, but this needs to be rectified. Another person comes on, and I know they are United States based, but they are clueless as well.

“Where is Big Lift ?” “19 miles south of Denver on the Pike Peak Subdivision”. I see it now, and the address is?” “Yes” “Do you have UPS access?” “Yes UPS comes here for Savage, and for the BNSF Haz-Mat guy”. “Can some one sign for this?’ “Can, but I can’t guarantee that I will be there, UPS works with all of us here”.
Stammering and I finally say, “IF I NEED A COMPANY OFFICER SAY SO. It is a stinking router problem, send it. I’ll send the router back to you. and I”ll go to a UPS Store to get it back to you and send emails. This needs to get done period”.

“You are not a major terminal?” Really a major terminal..this is an outside yard. “I tell him, hey this is the old west out here. We have a few TEEPEE’S AND A TRADING POST. I will make sure that your equipment is returned and I will send emails to you and the Division Trainmaster as verification.”

Corporate semantics at it’s finest. Yeah get a new router, the bad order is sent in. Emails sent, and no reply… LOL Yep… Go Figure.. Political Correctness and BS made me nuts… Is my chainsaw too loud!!! ???

Last updated September 15, 2014