Dave Lackey MCO or Eastern Chief Dispatcher / Eddie Leland Moore Texas MCO Chief Dispatcher SOC Santa Fe Railway Schaumberg, Illnois Part 3 in Tales of the Jointed Track

Dave could be a joker, especially on nights. We always got the work done, and helped put out “fires”, with in our respective territories. The night side was a little laid back. It’s not that things couldn’t unravel, and they did, but lets keep focused and make it not a pressure cooker. I am still new to this management thing, but Dave is a great railroader, Eddie-Bob too.

The 730 pm call is over with. I have talked to KC-Argentine yard about an add-on for the 197 (Chicago to Phoenix). We are tight for power, at Chicago right now, but that will ease. I took a chance on the Chicago to Alliance, Texas, intermodal. They are watching this close and want it at 4.0 HPT. It’s at 3.8 HPT and I am not wasting a locomotive for 0.2 HP. I am called on it, and say if it arrives before or on time, I am a hero. If it fails I am the goat. Really lets waste a motor, that we need at KC for 0.2 HP? Plus this has 4 GP-60-M’s on it, gonna walk the dog, and ya can’t predict failure.

Dave vs the Waynoka sub Dispatcher:

Things are calming down. The sun is setting in the Illinois sky, and it’s a little dull. Dave really doesn’t control the Waynoka sub, but for a crew change at Wellington, KS. He’ll talk with the Waynoka Dispatcher for stuff late coming into the Eastern region. All Chiefs and in fact all of us can intercom as needed. I never used it, I sent wires then followed up by going to the pod. To utilize, you pressed star on the phone and the pod number. It would beep and then you could talk directly as needed.

Duane Otis Batchman is the Waynoka sub dispatcher. Or as we referred to him as Due-Whayne Due-Whayne. He’s a good guy but can get flustered. He has a heavy Oklahoma twang, and can get a high pitched voice. He’s close to retirement and will do so before we get to Fort Worth, TX. Dave looks at the C-A-D and see’s its tame on the Waynoka end.

Dave says “Watch this”. He keys in Duane’s Pod number. It beeps then he keys in a bunch of numbers. Beepp - booppp beb bop bop bop beeeep beeep bopppppp boppppp. Now Duane, has no clue in what is occurring. Stands up, takes his head set off and says… “What the hell is wrong with this Goddamned phone!!!!!!”

Jerry Hill Emporia Sub Dispatcher:

Jerry has just broken in and qualified on the Emporia sub. The Emporia sub in and out of Kansas City, at this time of day can be hectic. You are getting the crew changes from the Chicago intermodal’s and the eastward inbounds as well. There is also the terminating freights that need to be yarded.

Jerry is having a hard time, but Dave is monitoring. We hear.... “I can’t believe this!!! Yer killing me. This is unbelievable…You’re killing me!!”. This has gone on for about 10 minutes. Dave calmly tones in his Pod, and says “Can ya hold it down”. Jerry stands up and shouts “Can ya hear me?” Dave says “Yes, and they probably can hear you on the California end”. Dave and the other Ds’s each side help him get through the problems. We get a good laugh, what may be a crisis at that time, may not be. It’s learning the territory..we helped each other.

Debbie Brown Chief DS Central Region and Director.

I have worked with Debbie, several times. She filled in as needed, when she became a Director. She was a Dispatcher and a Chief on the Central end of the railroad. As a Director she watches the whole system. She is stoic, and a good hand.

Dave is off, and there is no one to fill in. She is called in for the rotation. We work well together, and I answer any concerns on the power end she may have. It’s nights, and Dave and I work with the lights pretty low. Debbie says “How can you guys work like this with the lights that low?” “Well we do Debbie”.

Debbie now is working as a director. We have some problems on the East end. Nothing that is insurmountable, but delays, track work, crews, and power is adding into the equation. She comes over to talk to Dave. We are on the night rotation.

Debbie shows up at Dave’s station. I sit just in between the Eastern and South Chiefs. Debbie says, “I hate coming over here when you two are on”. I say “Why Debbie, we always get our work done”. “Oh No, you guys and the group are doing great. I just don’t know what you’re going to pull off while I am here”. “We’re harmless Debbie”. “That’s what I am afraid of”.