Terminal Madness.. The Corridor mentor Job in Tales of the Jointed Track

As Mentors, and troubleshooters, outside of Denver, we basically had the reins and control, when things went to “shit” (sorry). We made the assessments, formulated a plan, informed the Chief dispatcher and trick dispatchers. Crews were notified, instructed and transported as needed. Was it a quick fix, no, sometimes it took several hours or more to complete. We were in charge in the field to get things going. They had the final say, but trusted us, with our suggestions, and gave the okay to get the mainline open. We were promoted Locomotive engineers, and by rule and agreement, be utilized to help move power, and train, in conjunction, with the operating crews to get a train in a siding, till, other plans could be worked out.

This is not the Pikes Peak Subdivision, but basically the Denver Terminal. The Pikes Peak ends, for dispatching, at the CTC Englewood crossovers at MP 9.2. The Brush subdivision, takes over, to and through Denver, all the way to Sterling, CO and on the Akron subdivision to McCook, NE. I am basically covering 3 mains CTC Littleton, MP 12.3 to MP 0.0 the 20th Street crossover. Denver Terminal, Lodo Alley, and Hogan’s. Maybe up to Utah Junction on the C&S, and Rennicks Yard. I could go to Irondale if needed. But too far out of pocket ? This is flat, and unless all power is dead, it can come into town.

South Denver May 2011 0830 am.

Okay, I have been planning this from home, before I leave . I have my plans, my thoughts, and how I want this to work. Here I can make it work, without going deep into the Terminal, and the day Brush line dispatcher Steve. Let’s just call him Steve, but I think M.O.W., Crews, the Terminal, myself included will have other names for him. Steve is worthless, Steve plans and answers calls, as it is easy for him. If this was the Transcon on the former Santa Fe, he would be so run off. This is a problem, but I can, bring him into submission. Not only to my favor, but the overall operation as well. There is little or no delay, but with Steve…who knows.

I get a call on the way in. No I am not on duty, but I can make this my on duty call. There is a coal empty on Main two, one unit on the head end, and three on the DP. One of the DP’s is dead in consist, tagged, and needs shopping, when it gets to the next DSF (Diesel Service Facility), that can handle. It is road worthy, but will not produce horsepower. The other two, one on line, the other isolated. To me, as an engineer, or as a former Company officer, who dreamt that 1 X 3 up??? The Chief calls me and “Says are you available”?. “Yes on the way in..but I can start now, I am in the Corridor”. “Look at the train Main two, verify power, DP’s and head end. There is a conflict, on what is there and the condition of the units”. “Okay, I’ll verify, fuel location, and condition”.

I get to the head end, at South Denver. I unlock and re lock the entry gate. Yes, one unit on the head end. I know there is three on the rear, because I passed them on State Highway 85 ( South Santa Fe Drive ) on the way to the head end.

I place a blue light on the control stand, they wont move. I’ll leave a “love note”, explaining what I am doing. I am flexible, and have released the blue light protection, when I am clear. They will shut off, under my instruction, and place where the head end was. I will verify with the trick dispatcher that I am clear. So there is no delay, unless you’re working with Steve.

I look at the lead unit. Yep, 1200 gallons of fuel, there is no water level showing in the sight glass. I key in the code to signal the Brush Dispatcher. Yeah good old Steve, he’s on duty. I also have him on the phone. I am picking my nose, clog dancing in the cab. I have even read War and Peace.

Thirty minutes, still no answer. I have called him, on the radio verbally. HELLO!!!! problem waiting to break it off in you..HELLO!!!! I have bit on this guy several times. I got away with it because, he likes to turn the situation on you. I am ready, but just wait. Over a 5 year period Me 4 …Steve ZERO, and he has nothing to stand on, but stammering.

I call the Chief, “Hey, you have a big problem here, at South Denver”. “NO” “Yes”. and I relate the above problems. There is a man with HERZOG, that the BNSF contracted with, two 12 hour shifts, for a mobile water unit. 1800 gallons, untreated, gas driven pump, 1000 feet of hose. as needed. I have him en route from Big Lift. I tell the Chief..”Hey Steve won’t answer the phone or the radio tone in. Yes there is other things, but he is picking his targets, and screwing the rest”. There is disgust, they know of him there, but can’t touch him. “I’ll make sure he contacts you PERIOD!!’

I get another phone call, from the BNSF Terminal manager. Okay, now they are involved and going to put two and two together to equal 26. “Mentor Bob”.. “Yes, Terminal manager at 31st Street” “Yes Sir, how can I help you” “We need that empty off of Main Two to get out of town, and onto the Front Range subdivision”. “Well you have problems here that need to be corrected”. “We are aware, but the DP’s will shove the train to Cheyenne, and this will clear our situation”

LOL, really are you thinking this out? Do you know what a real problem, and you’re fired ass out the door move you are making?

“Okay, really?, ya going to attempt this?” “Yes”. “Well okay, but I will not have any responsibility in this period. Yer opening up a can o worms, that if this goes wrong will screw ya ten times from Sunday”. “This needs to go, and it is going to”. Thinking to myself, right on, knock yer self out. I end the call.

I call my supervisor, the Superintendent of Operations. “Fuck” voice mail. “Larry, it’s me the Shoe… The Terminal Manager, and the 31st St management, is going to force this out of town, like this. Really, get back to me…RIGHT NOW!!”. I put it on priority, and I hardly used that, unless I had to pull out all stops. Okay, will or it won’t and logic will surpass, GOALS, and delay.

Like a Three on one, in hockey. Me as a lone defense man, I have my target, and I’ll follow till a shot or a save is made.

The phone rings…” What the F is going on out there?”. I relate the tale. “Did you stop HERZOG ?” “No, I was going to hold onto him”. “Hold him there,and you as well, till I release this”. “Okay, I have the blue flag going”.

“Brush DS to the Big Lift mentor working the Corridor”. Was that the voice of divine intervention? “Mentor Big Lift.. I need you to block Main One so we can water this unit on Main Two. If you have other traffic, Main Three”. “Okay let me know as soon as you can that you’re clear”. “Will do”.

The unit was watered 15 minutes, maximum. Where is the crew?, for this HOT move to the Front Range Subdivision? LOL save me from madness, and stupidity. We’re safe… My supervisor says, “Thanks for standing up to that”.

Yep I know terminal madness, all too well.