Russell Heath Engineer... A couple memories in the early to late 70's in Tales of the Jointed Track

Russell was a one of a kind. He was a decent engineer, but his downfall was that most of the people he worked with, he was hateful, resentful, disagreeable, and a general unpleasant person . I believe Russell hated everybody including himself. Russell came from a long line of Santa Fe Railroad men out of La Junta, Colorado.

La Junta was a big hub at one time on the Colorado Division, it is still to some degree, but not like it was 30 to 40 years ago. The Santa Fe went four.. directions out of there..due west.. south west.. east and south. There also were numerous branch lines that fed off the different subdivisions. They mostly east and south of La Junta.

The First Subdivision went to Dodge City, Ks. They made the crew change there.
The 2nd Subdivision came in from the south west from Raton, NM.
The Pueblo Subdivision from the west to Pueblo,CO. The Boise City ( pronounced Boyce ..rhymes with Royce) Subdivision went south to Amarillo, TX, and it followed the First Subdivision to Las Animas, Colorado the turned south.

Russell had many of his family who worked out of La Junta. I think he told me that he worked out of there, but couldn’t keep a regular assignment or hold the extra board, so he had a chance for steady work, by transferring up to Denver.

Russell had a brother who worked as a Conductor or brakeman out of Pueblo to La Junta. He also had his Father and several uncles that worked out of La Junta to Dodge City, and in Passenger service as well. That did not set too well with Russell and he resented the fact. Many of us were told as matter of fact… “Goddamn it I”LL HAVE TO RETIRE IN FREIGHT!!!!!!!!”.

Russell also hated the trainmen..Conductors, Brakeman or Switchmen, it didn’t matter. He was bigoted to a degree, very prejudiced and opinionated. Now your saying to yourself, “Oh he couldn’t be that bad!” Yeah he could and I’ll tell a few tales. Russell did like two things, His “Motor” ( motorcycle ) and guns. He liked going to the firing range.

Rice Yard… C&S Train 152…

Russell was one of those that I liked to avoid. Because it too was going to be a miserable round trip. I needed the miles and the money. No work no pay. We got called for the 152 one afternoon. I reported at the roundhouse. Russell showed up soon thereafter. I told him I signed us out on the register, except what you have to do. The call slip is there I wrote the units down, I’ll meet you out on the power. I didn’t get a reply, but the condescending sneer.

We had four six axles, and I don’t remember the power, looked them over and waited for him to show up. The brakeman was there, when I got back up to the head end. “You see who we have?” “Yep, I already got the glad to have you..wish you weren’t with me look.. I’m taking $10.00 dollars out of his pocket”. We laughed.

Russell shows up, and we get the glare. He lights up a cigar and says “If you’re ready I’ll call the yardmaster”. That was meant more for the brakeman than it was for me. We got our instructions and as usual we had a double over, taking two tracks out of the yard.

One was the inbound beer run, and the other was a yard fill. The double over was made. The carmen came for the air test and inspection, and found two bad order cars that had to be set out, before we made the air test. They were in two different places in the train and the rear brakeman came out to help. During the set out of the first car, it caused more problems, due to whatever repairs it needed, there were more associated that showed up as we pulled away from the train. The Conductor came out as well to help finish up the setting out of the bad orders and put the train back together. The air was cut in and we could hear the brake valve charging, with the air surging into the train line.

The Conductor called the head end and said…”Tell the fireman (me) to go to the yard office and get the train orders for the head end. They are on my grip, by the table”. “On my way. Russell, since I am in there, you want a cup of coffee ?” “NO” ” Okay be back as soon as that cut clears”

I went into the office ,found out copies of the train orders, poured a cup and headed back. I was gone all of about 5 to 7 minutes. I boarded the unit, and walked into the cab and started to give Russell the train orders.

I got the “look” and here is what I was told. “One of these days there’s gonna be an accident” Okay here it comes. “They’re gonna say what happened? I’m gonna tell ‘em,” Did ya have a Fire boy?” ” YUP” “Where was he?” “I’m gonna say out getting coffee!!” “The point is yer supposed be in the engine with me and not go out and get coffee”. Well I was a little angry and I let him know. “Here you are, you old bastard, here’s your stinkin train orders. That I was told by the Conductor to get ‘em, so when the Head man gets up here, we can leave town. Didn’t you hear that conversation or are you pissed that he asked me to do that. Plus the fact that the damn coffee machine, is right across from the trainman’s desk!! You want to be out here for the next 12 hours or get over the road?”. I got the F U condescending sneer… We got the okay from the carmen on the air test just as the Head Brakeman climbed up. The Conductor said “Russell, get the okay to leave town and we’re 10 cars from the head end. I have most of the list. The Rear man will double check for hand brakes. Pull when you get permission and the signal”. “Yeah alright”.. Yeah Buddy, this is going to be a real pleasure cruise.

We got the okay from the yardmaster the Operator lined us up and the pot signal was showing a Lunar indication (Lunar is a bright white light in the signal lens ) The pot signal off the yard lead at Rice Yard had two colors RED and Lunar. The rear end crew rolled the train past, swung aboard the caboose and reported they were on.

I checked the units out, while we were pulling out of the yard. All were loading good. I did again at South Denver. Going through Littleton I walked back again, and we were under a little harder load, so I could see they were doing good. These were a strong set of locomotives.

We started up the grade at Wolhurst. This is a good two and a half to three mile climb. We’re cruising and a heavy drag will top about 19 to 25 mph. A coal load maybe 11 to 13 mph. This train is almost at 35 and still accelerating.

I get the words of complaint and bitterness. “Ya know buddy!!! A good fireman checks these engine at every station!!!”. I politely get up and look at the control stand and the speed recorder. Throttle 6…and 37 mph… “Okay Russ…tell ya what throttle this thing down and get to 25 mph and I’ll head back and check ‘em out.” “Nah I guess they’re doing alright”. Just what I figured, be a miserable pain in the ass and rawhide everyone, and still be ungrateful.

Sedalia..

We blasted through at 32 mph. Orsa is a good pull as well, but I went back just to get away, and place put in a chew. I stayed back till Castle Rock that was only 5 miles away, we’d be there in about 9 minutes. I reported to him the amps at both places. A dismissive grunt. Between Castle Rock and Larkspur the grade begins to level for about 5 miles, and we’re almost making track speed which was 45 mph. I checked them again after we got to the south switch at Larkspur MP 43, as we’re starting up again, and reverse curves. They’re walking the dog on this run.

I went back at Spruce still good, Russell throttles down for the 25 mph speed limit we have due to curves. I stay back for the remaining 2 miles, because we’re going over the top. After the train crested the grade, and was placed into dynamic braking, I started checking them out. They all loaded up well and were showing no signs of hunting ( going from 800-900 amps dynamic and suddenly dropping out then going back heavy again ) or picking up a wheel slip..that usually means the traction motor is about to go.. We got into the Springs and I checked them for the last time.. We arrived into Pueblo about an hour and 20 minutes later. Another happy time with Mr. Heath.

Russell on Food and Drink .

Russ stayed at the Motel that the railroad provided for the Away From Home Terminal crews from time to time. I didn’t work down with him, but followed him into town. I was about 700 or 800 am when we tied up and I got up later that afternoon, early evening. I went down to the lobby to get a quick glance, on how many times out we were. It looked like about 1030 pm or after midnight, from the outbound train line up, someone brought up from the yard. Russell strolled in and looks at the same.

“Say Buddy, you eat yet ? “No I haven’t Russ”. “I’m driving to Patti’s, want to join me?” “Sure, I’ll go with ya”. We told the desk clerk that we were eating at Patti’s, we should be back within an hour…or if we, or one of us got a surprise call…she could have the caller call Patti’s Restaurant. Most of the area Pueblo Restaurants, at that time, either knew the railroad crews or the person.

We arrived at Patti’s and were seated. It was pretty busy, and the waitress asked us, if we were called or close to call. Patti’s was an old institution, an Italian restaurant, served Italian food and steaks.

We looked over the menu, and made our choices, just as the waitress returned with our coffee. “What ya having?” “Russ says I’ll have that the New York cut steak!!, and I want it Well Done” .”Okay”. She took my order and we waited for our food. Soon our meals arrived. I had a steak as well, but I ordered mine medium-rare. She places mine in front of me and Russ’s order for him.

Now I am not getting after or criticizing anybody that like well done meat. BUT!!, if you ordered a Well Done steak at Patti’s…It was WELL DONE. This steak was grey, and the fat had curled and looked like the bottom of an old shoe. All the juice was gone. Like a dry kitchen sponge had more moisture. Now, you’re saying ..What’s the big deal about that?? Russell had false teeth and they didn’t fit so well. Plus he talked thru them by clenching his teeth.

Time to eat, and Russell cut into that thick dry abused piece of beef. He placed it in his mouth and started chewing…and chewing…and chewing. Then proclaimed !!! “That’s a damn good piece at meat !!”. I withheld the urge to laugh, and nodded. I thought to myself,it was a damned good piece of meat, till ya killed it.

Last updated February 11, 2015