The National Western Stock Show and the crew change East end Coal 2..Denver, CO in Tales of the Jointed Track

For those who are Ranchers and Horseman, the National Western Stock show is a big deal. It is held at the old Denver Coliseum, and National Western complex. It runs for two weeks, starting about the second week in January. It can be bitter cold, or a warm 45-55 degree, sunny Colorado winter day.

This had to be in the late 70’s early 80’s. The coal tracks, ran parallel to the parking lot at the Coliseum. There were no fences, and when there was not an event, an easy way to access for a crew change and transport back to the yard office. Today, the rebuilding of the over pass, and fencing placed in, but BNSF has changed the look. You can still access, it is now reached from the north.

We were arriving into Denver from a 430 am Coal empty out of Pueblo. Our instructions from the 31st St Yardmaster was to come across the Interlocking at C&S Crossing, and into Coal two. Change crews at the east end.

BNSF Z-DENCHI eastbound out of Rennix Yard. The C&S Crossing (now called 23rd st Interlocking) shown. The 2 tracks horizontal are mains 1 (top) and 2 (bottom). Those we’re our way out of and into Denver. The 31st St yard is about a quarter mile east. The Z train will cross the South Platte river again at the Junction bridge.

The train arrived at the Junction switches, and we received a verbal time on the main line at the crossover switches. “BN Operator 31st to BN 5974”. “5974” “Time on the Main line, from 1030 am till 1115 am. Cross over switches .. Junction bridge to Coal 2”. The instructions were repeated and the switches were lined for the movement. The CTC signal at the west end of the Platte River bridge was RED over LUNAR, a restricting signal. This signal controlled the entrances to the Main line, Coal one and Coal two. The next signal will be at the east end, about one and half miles distant. The main and both coal tracks are empty. We can rumble in at 15 mph. The rear brakeman will bail off and reline the switches. The Conductor will ride us into the clear and tell me to stop.

Nearing the Coliseum, we come over the Washington Street overpass and the Bridge over the Platte on the east end of the yard. We’re about 30 cars before we clear into Coal two. We are getting close for the stop. The parking lot is full, due to stockman traffic and the 200 pm matinee Rodeo performance.

There is a lot of traffic, due to people coming in for the week or just for the day. Lots of auctions and sales. There is also booths for saddles and machinery and all the stuff that goes along with Livestock and Ranching.

“BN 5974, all clear in Coal two”. “All clear Coal two, stopping”. “Operator 31st. “Operator”. “Rear brakeman BN 5974, all switches relined and locked at the Junction bridge”. Lined and locked, Operator 31st St out”.

Waiting for our ride, and the crew change, I spot a big white stock trailer, and a pick up to match it. There is a little girl, leading a huge white Brahma Bull. I assumed her age like 13 to 15 maybe. She stops at the white trailer and opens the ramp.

I told the brakeman, look at that little girl and the bull. She leads it to the ramp, and tries to place it in the trailer. It’s not moving, and stubborn. She takes out a small crop and whacks it on the ass. It turns its head and stares her down. This doesn’t look good. She yells something again, and swats it one more time. The bull calmly trots up the ramp and into the trailer. The ramp goes up the doors are closed and secured. That bull could have kicked her half way across the coal tracks.

She walks away, and we get off and trade crews. Another day.