The DP consist from Hell. Colorado Springs to Pueblo Part 3 in Tales of the Jointed Track

We get the crippled load into hump 3. I tell the Chief, you need to get two "good units" and relay this DP. Or make sure you have a good DP link unit, and mate it to that 9400 series motor and go from there. The other two need to go back for repair. He's pissed and not happy, but hey I can't predict or prevent failure.

I call the Rennick's yardmaster and see if there is a Renzenburger contract crew van, in the area to take me back to Mesa road. I am told the Division trainmaster is in the area, and he will grab me at the yard office. I say I am up and around at 29th Street at the upper end of Pueblo yard send him there. 10 minutes pass and get picked up.

I relate the problems and he says they are going to re do the whole rear DP consist, and the KCKDEN will take the cripples back to Denver. They will place these units on the DENEDG (DENVER-EDGEMONT, SD) and that will relay at Alliance, NE.

We are on the way and the Radio crackles. It is the DS asking another coal train what is their location. The reply is we just went into emergency around Wigwam spur MP 100.6. "Let me know what you find, DS-16 out" I tell Dathan Brummer , the Division trainmaster, doesn't sound good. We are past the Pinon exit off I 25, but can catch the Young Hollow exit and grab the frontage road. Going by the coal load he's broken in two about 65 to 70 behind the head end power. The conductor is walking back. We get there, and check the problem out. It is a knuckle failure and while they are removing the rest of the knuckle, I drive back for a "F" replacement. "Erich, its the Shoe get me an "F" knuckle ready". "Okay". I arrive and there isn't one. Really, out of 2 units on the head end there isn't one. We remove the "F" knuckle off the head end. I say make a tag out and call mechanical so, a note can be placed in the "L" inquiry, so it can get restocked.

I drive back with the replacement. It is put it in, and the train is put back together. I ask about hand brakes and the Conductor says he will apply from here and let the engineer know.

We take off and Dathan drops me off at the truck. I am thanked and he says I need to go back to Denver. I say I'll monitor and head back myself. It is 430 pm, I still haven't hit the office. I hear the coal load set up the air and the Conductor is knocking off the hand brakes. I tell the Chief, they are back together, and removing the hand brakes, they know to let the DS know when they are ready to depart. "Okay I hope nothing else goes wrong". "Yeah me too".

I need gas, and a Gatorade, and maybe a small smidgen of roller food. Loves Truck Stop is my next quarry. I get filled up, gobble a hot dog, feel my arteries stiffening, and wash the whole thing down with a Gatorade. I call my mechanical counterpart at Big Lift. He has held down the fort. "Did three load DP inspections and the emergency motors at Palmer Lake and Castle Rock". I tell him I am on the way, but if he's gone I'll catch him for round two tomorrow.

I get back and write reports for a solid hour, and look over the inbound line-up. I trade off with my replacement and say see ya in 12 hours. Another day on the Joint-Line.

Last updated August 23, 2014