Railroad stuff that happened in Tales of the Jointed Track

Every job has its stupid things that happened. I am trying to remember a few.

Jimmy Cross

Jimmy was a good ole southern boy. He started out with the FEC (Florida East Coast) Railroad. He was gentle to a fault at times, but as he neared retirement, anger etc started to surface. We always got along, and I would have Jimmy on the crew, anytime, because he was a good rail.

Jimmy came to us, via the FEC, when the Santa Fe needed people. They preferred seasoned rails, but hired off the street. Jimmy is a seasoned railroader.

Pueblo, CO 1979

I followed Jimmy’s train into Pueblo yard. Bob Morley was the conductor, Jimmy was the rear brakeman.

The Hump tracks are full, and being knocked out. They are yarding their train into Yard 10, double to Yard 5. The switch crews will knock out the yard blocks, and add to trains ready to be called. The Hump crews will take the slough, and get those switched out.

I have a 12,000 ton grain train and will go yard 11, when they clear. Down the highline and the caboose is under 19th St overpass. We stop a car length short, of their train . Jimmy is outside taking down the flags, and shutting off the marker. Per rule… WOW !! had not seen that in a long time. I said did ya drill that into Jimmy? Bob says “No, he knows the procedure”. Ole school railroading, I still cherish that.

Jimmy, the set out at Colorado Springs:

I am working down and back with this crew. We have Crews and Colorado Springs to set out. Jimmy comes to the power at Pueblo and stays with us till the Springs. Crews, we spot and pull the gas works. We have the reachers to bury the set out. At the Springs, our pick up will bury the dangerous and all is well.

We make the cut, and the head man lines his switches. Jimmy has us lined into the set out track. I get a hand signal back up and car count. Jimmy grabs the car and rides to the clearance point on track 903 in the Lower East end of the Springs yard. The wind is blowing, and Jimmy left his hat in his grip, that the Conductor took to the Caboose. Jimmy is giving signals, and its a clear track, we’ll shove ‘em all in. Jimmy’s comb over is also giving signals as well. Paper towels ( southern gloves) and Jimmy’s hair all in the scenario. “ya all head to the main.. I’ll tie em up, go when the rear end tells ya”.

Great memories and when ya have a good crew.