Locomotive Utilization the Santa FE the BNSF Part1 in Tales of the Jointed Track

I went into management with the Santa Fe Railway, Schaumberg, Illinois in 1994. My wife had accepted a position with her Company, and after discussion, I said, I have options and we'll work through it.

I could transfer my engineer seniority, to the Chicago area, or maybe go train dispatching. I had options. I got into crew planning, at first and then after 1994, I went into Locomotive Utilization, commonly known as the "Power Desk". This was something, along with my Locomotive Engineer position, that has always intrigued me. I was dealing Locomotive assignments for the Eastern Region of the Santa Fe. This territory was Chicago, IL proper to Kansas City. Kansas City to, but not including Amarillo, TX. Where the track, diverted to Newton, Ks and the Topeka, Subdivision.

* side note"" the Topeka back shops were here. This was a major overhaul, for the Santa Fe. *

Newton,Ks to La Junta,CO... La Junta, CO several ways... to Amarillo, via the Boise City and Dumas subs. La Junta to Albuquerque, via the 2nd, 3rd and 4th subdivisions. La Junta to Pueblo and Pueblo to Denver.

I also did the mainline from KC, to Arkansas City down to the Gulf and Newton Ks, to the Gulf at Houston / Galveston, TX . Temple, TX to Silsbee,TX, and then Silsbee, up to Longview, Tx and down to Houston. I has a small route Temple, TX to Sweetwater, TX.

I handled 400 to 850 locomotives per shift...was a rolling Chess game. Co-ordinating with the shops, units to Federal Inspection. Lining up Road power for scheduled trains work trains and locals. The terminals were responsible for fielding the switch power on hand. If there were locomotives coming close, I just followed up to make sure these were covered.

Tales to follow....