The work train ...Elk Chili made in the Caboose.. in Tales of the Jointed Track

I'll write more of this work train, but to preface, it was to dump ballast, after the Undercutter did its bidding. I'll write more about what it was what it did and a vignettes, but someone asked me to relate this tale.

Part of the "Work train rules", was that the railroad would make sure we had a place to eat or provide transportation, so we could eat. They would allow us to use a company vehicle, to get something. Now, it states, on any assigned Work Train, "that the crew will be required to pack a lunch", if ya wanted to eat . We really never abused it, and there was always either the engineer, or promoted fireman (me) and at least one member of the train crew, in case we were needed to roll, to the work site. Or at least position ourselves, till we we needed. How many sandwiches can ya eat, and at $ 7.00 a pop, along with a soda drink, or coffee ?

We always tied up at Spruce, MP 49.1. This was the last Santa Fe siding, the the Rio Grande tracks took over to the top. We were between, KOA Campground, MP 39 and Spruce. This had heavy use. Ties were replaced, the undercutter was taking out the fouled ballast, rail was relayed, on the curves. I bet we dumped 500 cars of rock, but I digress. We were sorta in the Middle of nowhere, and minimal places to eat or chow on the same stuff. I usually brought something, like a can of soup, etc..placed it on the water pump and that kept me for the day. Well, there were complaints, and I said,,if this caboose stove is good, and had fuel... I'll make a batch of Chili. I'll Buy the ingredients, and we'll split the bill, amongst the crew. Sounds good ... The engineer was a young runner too, two above me in seniority. He had a touchy stomach, and asked if I could tone it down a bit.. Sure and those that like it really hot can add on. The Conductor pipes in and says.."Don't buy any meat. I have Three pounds of Coarse Ground Elk, in the freezer, it needs to be eaten". Wow!!, what a goldmine there...Elk. This is Saturday, we're off on Sunday, and I get the stuff for the Chili.

Monday morning..I have a pot, and a fry pan, and the stuff we need to make this. We stop off at the Carmen's shanty and take 5 cases of drinking water. For the Chili, and for us, plus we give as needed to the section guys as well.

Our power was serviced over the weekend and set back out at Spruce. They didn't, take the empty ballast cars, because we didn't have a chance to switch them out. So there was loaded ballast, at Greenland, the next siding north. Plus we had 10 more loads, plus our empties, sitting at Spruce. We had to switch these out, and set out at Greenland, pick up the loads and proceed to the work site, when they were ready for us. This was always a 3 hour dead time. So they switched, I prepared, the chili for lunch. We opened up the caboose windows, so it wouldn't be terribly hot, and the sliding window on each end of the doors, on Saturday afternoon. I placed the caboose stove on HIGH, so it wouldn't be stifling. The Santa Fe took good care of their Cabooses.

I put the railroad radio on, so I could hear, what was happening, while we switched out the empty cars. That was I was prepared, for a rough joint, or anything else. I could hold on, and hold on to pans on the stove. The Caboose is warm, now its early June, and we're about 7100 to 7200 ft in elevation, so it wasn't unbearable.

I got the fry pan out and started rendering a lil bacon fat, so I could saute up the Elk meat. Now the stove is hot, that so ,it has no regulating like your cook stove at home. I move things around as needed. I also prepared and chopped the Onions at home, this is not a kitchen, it's a Caboose. I have the Cooking pot on the stove with a little water, to keep it from warping. The bacon's rendered, and I add the onions to get them cooking. When I get this, finished I'll dump the water, and add to the cook pot.
There banging out cars, the rumble of slack.. luckily, I was set out on the main line and tied down, they'll reposition me later. I add the onion to the cook pot, and render a little more bacon. I start cooking off the elk, as soon as the bacon renders. I have the basics made, needs salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin etc..and water for the stock / broth . ( ps I use beef stock exclusively now, wasn't available at this time ) The radio squawks, we're coming against ya.. Ya go for it, I ready. The crude mixture is simmering. All I have to do is adjust the seasoning, add some bouillon and it will be ready to eat in two hours. Again this is a Caboose stove..not your stove..

We get permission to enter the working limits from the foreman in charge of the gang. We shove to Greenland, leave out empties, pick up the newer loaded cars and wait for authority to get in position, and prepare to dump ballast.

Lunch time. The General Track Superintendent was there. "He says do you need a ride to the Chili feed" ? "No, thanks anyway". "Well how getting there?" "We made it in the Caboose, thanks for the offer." Silence..."Okay". How did that information get out ? Paper bowls and plastic utensils, fine dining at it highest form. The Track foreman walks in Pat Rutherford. "Hey do you have a little left for me?" "Yeah Pat, we do!!" "I left my lunchbox in the section truck, they had to go to Sedalia and pick up two lengths of rail, and my lunch is with them". No problem, plus we have, extra fine china as well. "Don't get in a hurry, we have two rails to change out before you guys can dump, then get ready it will be a steady 4 4 and 1/2 hours, we'll unload everything you have. Plus yer getting 50 more tonight to be set out".

Well, we did unload all this ballast, and ran back to Spruce and was ready for the next day.

Oh yeah recipe will follow, sometime tomorrow under the same title, but part 2 recipe

Thanks all