GE electrical locker doors and the BIG headache in Tales of the Jointed Track

The early GE's were a bane of design. The heavy electrical, busses and contactors were outside in the under cab part of the locomotive. These had clasps, like a button, that operated a spring operated latch. If you had to access ya needed a chisel, or something to break the catch. Over time these failed, and they would flop open. Now with heavy snow or rail.. you got moisture grounds .

http://lnrr.org/photos/locos/Diesel/GE/U30C/slides/LN-1482-01-U30C-DeCoursey-KY-122574-RMLeach.jpg This is the best photo I can find that shows that latch system, under the road number the six electrical locker doors have that button latch.

A Santa Fe General Notice appears... They are consecutively numbered, as issued and I can't remember the number. "Santa Fe engine crews need to be diligent and be aware of electrical locker doors down on BN Locomotives in their charge. Arrange to close and/or report and defects encountered. BN has stated that ATSF crews are negligent in reporting defects. We need to endeavor that these are reported".

Okay what about their crews. That always chapped my ass, its always us, the Fucking Santa Fe's. It has probably roamed on their territory, longer than on us.

Pueblo, CO Hump 1 2230 pm. Coal empty November 21st 1984:

Guess what I am getting married..in three days..This is my last trip, till the big day. I haven't really made a big deal out of it. Eleven years, and the dorky kid found a mate.. She's a saint to put up with the railroad. I'll marry you, but you have to put up with the railroad.. That's a tough task in it self.

We report.. " Hump 1, the crew van will take ya up", the yardmaster speaker bellows. Five U-30-C's, no big deal, how many are running? I'll walk 'em as I always do.

I walk the catwalks.. who is on line.. bad order....I do the engineers side, Rich Salamena has gone back to knock off handbrakes. I get to the fireman's side, yeah two locker doors down, on the lead unit. I walk that side, I'll deal with them, when I come up. I"ll close 'em, and tag if needed. The running gear is good, I'll take care of these locker doors, or will they take care of me?

I hoist up one, slam the latch in. Its locked in...is it.. yeah...I assumed so..and not. I bang the next one up and as I hit the latch, the other lets loose. It cold cocks me, big time. I land on the ballast, thank God, nothing was inbound on Hump 2, I wouldn't be writing this. Ya know I have been hit, by some pretty big beer league hockey players.. That fucker leveled me..

I sorta come to, and climb the ladder up to the cab. I'm bloody..Rich says "God damn what happened you were okay 10 minutes ago". He's aghast, shaken, I relate the tale. Water, and old locomotive paper towels, let me gather my wits. I find some aspirin in the old grip. I hurt, "Rich ya ready "? "yeah., you gonna be alright"? "Yeah" The yardmaster and rear end is called, the signal off the hump lead winks clear ( green). So starts the trek towards Denver. At Bragdon, the aspirin is kicking in. Skoal, yeah the evil chewing tobacco, that helps too. A good run. I tie up, mark off for the wedding, and head to Rocky Mountain Emergency Physicians.

I get to the clinic, and when seen, that's deep, when and what happened? The tale related again. That poor doctor, WTF is an electrical locker door? Or a U-30-C or the railroad in general. I was told after this happened 10 hours past, its too late to stitch it. He can place a butterfly on the wound. Plus my "Afro"..yes I had one in my youth, could hide it. It did.

I got married .. and all is well ...

I called the trainmaster and said.. this is what happened. I'll mail a report to ya, for your records. Plus I am getting married that's why I am marked off. Don't bother me, with this. My only request..pay the doctor bill.

I was told the Superintendent wasn't pleased, that I marked off. So what, and the Trainmaster said He's getting married, leave him alone and pay this bill. Just what happened... Was on my record, till I retired. Hey happens... I survived.

* Side note * Us retired railroaders met halfway with the retired Pueblo, CO men at Monument, CO. Rich Salamena was there. Was good to see him again. He said "Ya haven't changed a bit, but I remember that trip before ya got married. Ya got clocked with that electrical locker door, I thought ya got hit by a bum". Funny that's what triggered me to write this.