Harold Drieth My machinist, mentor, but I am now in engine service with the Santa Fe out of Denver in Tales of the Jointed Track

I loved and respected Harold, I really did. Even though I am not BN now, I still report out of the Denver BN 23rd Street roundhouse. The year is probably mid ‘80’s , and I visit everybody as I can on each shift. Hey, so what, I am in Operations, with another railroad, and the same terminal. Am I a King or somewhat elevated on the chain ? I worked with a majority of these people and still do in some respect.

It was a late spring or an early summer day. It is warm and I am called for a set of helpers, waiting for the arrival of the train we are supposed to shove. I looked for the foreman, and was told just grab the available set off the outside sand track. I found the set, walked them, and lifted the pin to uncouple from the set behind us.

The radio crackles, and it is the conductor I’m assigned with, asking our unit number. The coal load is still fighting its way in from Barr Lake, about 30 miles due northeast. The Conductor arrives, we chat a bit. Glancing out the cab window to my right there is an SD-9, with the access doors open under the cab. There also is a familiar figure, walking from the air shop toward the locomotive.

Amtrak is late and now in the picture, and the Denver-Chicago hot intermodal train is occupying one of the empty coal tracks, waiting for Amtrak’s arrival. The coal load we’re shoving will wait for both of these.

I tell the Conductor, I’m going over to talk to Harold, whistle when you’re ready, or call over the radio. There are several units that have the windows open and the radios are on channel 66, so its like I have one.

Harold is on a ladder unbolting air equipment, probably doing a 3 year air change out. I can see taped pieces of air equipment on the ground, a service portion, and emergency portion. A P-2a application relay, along with two sanding relays. There is a 26-RL automatic brake valve and and an SA-26 independent brake valve. The air passages are taped so as not to allow dust and dirt into the rebuilt equipment.

I acknowledge Harold, and he says “What are you doing Kid?”. I tell him I am waiting for a load to get into town. “Well good, get yer ass on this ladder, and unbolt this Emergency portion, while I get some new gaskets”. “Harold, I don’t want to get time-slipped, by the BN”. “Screw ‘em they can deal with me. Get that unbolted, and if I am not back, take those brake valves, up into the cab”. Typical Harold, I am still his machinist apprentice, in engine service. I also relate, that if I am not here, its because I was called to move the Helpers set elsewhere. “yeah,Kid just get that unbolted and taken off, I’ll be back in 5 minutes”. I take the old emergency portion off, and place it on the cardboard thats on the ground. I lift the new portion in position, but it will need a new gasket on first, and the ports untaped. I grab the Brake valves and place them in the cab behind the control stand.

The radio crackles, it is my Conductor, calling me. I answer and I am told they want us at the old 3rd Avenue crossover, and to line in a 100 car train 151, through and hold the outbound, till the 151 clears. We will wait on the inbound, and line the load through, coming out of the depot. I climb down, and Harold is showing up. “Ya get that off?” “Yes, but I have to go . The valves are in the cab, and new portion is lifted up, but still taped”. “Okay Kid, take off when there is work to do. When will you be back?” “About 8 hours maybe, there is a track gang and we’re still waiting for our train”. “I’ll be home by then, Kid”. I tell him good-bye and get the Harold dismissal. Harold was like that till the day he retired. He has passed, but I still miss Harold.