Charlie Westfall Joint-Line late 70's early 80's Part 1 in Tales of the Jointed Track

Charlie, was a railroader before he went teaching in Colorado Springs, CO. He hired out in the early sixties as a brakeman in La Junta, CO. He worked the 1st Subdivision, the Boise City, as well as the AV, CV and Manter districts. Lot of it was local work, and the 16 hour rule, before going dead on the hours of service.

He always said, we switched our asses off. You better be on yer game, or a chewing would ensue from the Conductor and/or head end. “They would work right up to 15 hrs and 59 minutes, so they could be back out in 8 hours”. Yeah have been on those crews as well. Better when you were young.

Back then there were assigned Cabooses for the Conductors. They usually stayed in them, well stocked and meals cooked there. The head Brakeman, was allowed, if accepted to eat and stay over on the rest period. The Dumb ol Engineer and fireman, well the town flop house and the beanery was your realm. And as part of the Engine crew, you just did not walk into a Caboose, unless invited. YOU needed to stay on the engine, and if we like you, and if ya pitched in for the meal, well maybe you could come in. Yeah, was like that I was on the tail end of this.

Charlie, left the railroad, due to sporadic work, and being cut-off the roster, during business lulls. Anybody, train engine or yard, that worked an early extra board, it was feast or famine or cut-off. Charlie went teaching, a degree he earned, while railroading. Charlie taught Band, and was the Band leader for the Varsity Football, Basketball teams etc. He settled in Colorado Springs.

Charlie hired back out in the late 70’s. I was promoted and running then. He left the Colorado Springs School District after 15 years, due to being burnt out and the way the District was conducting itself. Let’s do a Part 2 so this doesn’t get too long winded.