Charlie Westfall Joint-Line late 70's early 80's Part 2 in Tales of the Jointed Track

I met Charlie a few times, either working the head end, or with good Conductors who had him on the rear end. Charlie worked with Bob Morley, and if I caught this crew, YES!!! You know they were good rails and we got over the road.

Charlie got what the called a “CAR” (laughing) Okay a CAR, is you had a turn as a Conductor. CAR…WayCar…Hack …Caboose…Crummy..STOP!! enough slang.

Rick Brown and Randy Harris, became his brakeman. They both, were young rails, but capable. Funny thing they all lived in the “Springs”, and traded off the car pooling. Rick and Randy did finally go into engine service. Randy is due to retire, Rick took a disability, due to back problems. These two where characters in their own right. I saw Rick Brown at Dale Williams memorial.

Temperature Security National Bank:

Rick and Randy would trade off every turn, as rear end or head end brakeman. It would be the full round trip that turn. Charlie would say, “Bet you a pop at: (Denver or Pueblo) what the temperature is at Security”.

Okay, at the crossing there was the “BIG” signboard for Security National Bank. Time and Temperature…and we could see that from the mainline.

These two were in cahoots with each other. A code was transmitted over the radio, to guess the temperature. The code was, if it was 74 degrees.. 47-47 and nothing else said. If lower digits. like 15 degrees 51-51 . Charlie never caught on about the code. He told me one time, “I can’t understand how they get that each time. I lose every 4 out of 5 times”. Yeah they were scamming yer ass.

They finally fessed up. I said did they, confess their evil doing to you. “Yes, and If you part of the crew all the time, It was you’re doing as well”. LOL He was great to work with and be around.

I found out, while doing power in Ft Worth, that he had passed. Bob Morley, called the South Central desk, I was working the Southwest Desk and got transferred. The South Central guy said, “Do you know a Bob Morley, he asked for you by name and the word Brakeshoe”. “Yeah transfer him to me”.

I talked to Bob and he said, “I am sorry to bother you. I thought you were still doing the “Central end”. “No problem, I am glad you called me”. :) “Hey I was notified that Charlie Westfall passed away this week”. “Thats too bad, and I am sorry to hear that”. “Yeah I can’t attend, I am in Clovis,MN”. “Thanks for letting me know Bob. You working now or tying up?” “Yeah I am on the Z-WSPPHX, we have about 20 minutes, before we board. I thought I’d try you”. “I am glad ya did have a safe one”. “Thanks good talking to you”. “You too”.

Charlie would always say to me… “Watch that tongue!!! And Spit that shit out of your mouth”. Yes Sir.. :) I loved Charlie.