A few "BUM" or railroad transient tales Part 1 in Tales of the Jointed Track

Up until, the 2001 tragedy of 911, there was always a migration of people, who took to the rails, during the Spring to head northward where it was cooler. They made the reverse route back south as the northern climate, became harsher and cold. Hopping a freight, whether on the power or in the cars, was against the law, against the Railroad rules. It still occurs somewhat, but it ebbing, in today railroad landscape. The 1970's are not the railroad industry of 2014. These are a few, I remember, some were triggered by bluegrass songs I heard this morning on the KGNU "Old Grass n New Grass" program 03/29/2014.

Winter of 1977 January or February Pueblo Yard ..Pueblo, CO

The period of late December 1976 thru mid March of 1977 was brutal. I'm still a snot nose at 24 years of age, holding a regular running turn, as an engineer. Even for me, the cold is harsh, unrelenting, and it wears on you. There can be operational problems with, track, rolling stock, and locomotives. It is progressive, we suffer from subdivision to subdivision, as the BN comes into Pueblo from the south or from La Junta from the east. Broken rails, air problems, operational delays, and crews all play a part. It escalates, like an avalanche, building higher and faster.

We were called for a second 77, it was another train operating out of Texas on the BN. If in the "old train order and operating rules" this would have been a scheduled Red Ball Freight, operating under a posted scheduled operating time. We are all extras now, that gives them a little leeway, but the BN tell the Santa Fe what needs to expedited and vice versa.

Train 77 could be a drag, or a flyer. This was a drag, it was going to be a set out and a fill at Pueblo. Prior to our call, the C&S from Trinidad, CO came in and made the set out to the designated track. The power was cut away, and left in the track they set over into. We were to pick up on another track, I can't remember, but it was a bunch of left over crap, a mix of loads and empties. We made the air test with the carman, doubled over and made the required "set and release" with the carman, because the rear portion was off air less than four hours.

It was going to be a bit, with the below zero cold weather, to pump the train up. I told the carman, "I'll be checking power, while this is pumping up. I'll call you when I am back". "Okay, gimme a call".

The locomotive consist had 9 units, but what was operating? The head end had the power to move the train. A mix of SD-40 and 45 units and two U-33-C's, five online runners. The rear four were bad order power, either due to mechanical failure and past due inspection. Some were running, some were dead and drained. I, still per rule was required to make an inspection of the consist.

I'm getting back to the rear four units. It is fucking cold, sorry it is, my apologies. I am numb, and I walk into the one of the "dead" units. It's dead, the battery switch is pulled, if it's 5 below outside, it's five below in this pig. My flashlight is straining, to keep a light due to the cold. I put the battery switch up, just to help with illumination, and I'll pull before I leave the cab. The cab lights come on, and there is a sleeping bag, with a person in it. "Hey, Buddy!!!" He slowly comes awake. "Where ya going"? "Please mister, don't kick me off". "Nah, I don't know yer back here". "Thanks" "Where you getting off?'" "Denver" "It is the termination, for this portion, but you need to be off, before we get to roundhouse". "I need to get close to the mission".
Denver Rescue.."Jesus Saves" ? "Yes". "I'll make sure yer off. The next unit behind me has heat, wanna move up there"? "No I am good". "Water, ya have enough, I can get ya some". "No I have a gallon jug in the bag, I am good". "okay. I don't know yer here". "Thank you sir" "Fuck" ( sorry) when is a stupid 24 year old a sir.?

Denver, Colorado 16th Street

We call the Rice Yard Operator for instructions. "Call the West end for instructions, I'll have the Grande line ya up at South Denver". The West end Yardmaster, at Rice Yard says, up to 16th and hold, call 31st and they'll take ya from there". We were told by 31st, to wait there till they are ready. I ring the call bell, which is "train lined" through the jumper to awake the passenger. I'll walk back as needed. I see a figure with a bed roll and a pack, walking up. "Hey. where the mission from here?" "Ten blocks up, head up here to Larimer St. turn left, then 8 blocks up, can't miss it" "Thanks again sir" "Glad to do it, be well, be safe". There is that sir word again.