John Harmes .. C&S yard engineer in Tales of the Jointed Track

John worked the day shift. I believe the 630 am or 700 am goat, and I don’t remember if it was the west end or east end, or an outside yard job.

We had the goats all lined up and ready for departure. Hey like a line, you took the first one out, an left and so on. John shows,and he’s a great guy.. About mid fifties, very heavy set, and lisped a little, especially if excited. If there was an older goat and not one of the newer 150 series, he’d balk. “Say Kid ?? I can’t use this lower 150 series unit. I need one of those that are 156 or higher”.

The older 150 series switchers.

The newer ones that he was talking about. It has, looking in the rear window, the SA-26 independent and 26C Automatic brake valve. I also had the narrower and modern Control stand.

Okay picking units, I was told about that. “Mr Harmes, I was told line ‘em up and you guys are supposed to take ‘em”. “Well Kid… I am not as slim as I used to be, and I can’t get my FAT ASS between the control stand and the handbrake wheel. Here lemme show ya !!” Well he did. It was like getting a size 13 foot in a size 9 shoe.

Cab interior shot of a SW-7 The No.6 Automatic brake valve and the LA6-P independent brake valve(The brassy colored one) The small looking valve is the for the sanders front and rear. The seats were rigid and did not adjust. Just ahead of the brake valve you can make out part of the Throttle control stand for the locomotive.

I made sure the newer 150 series goats were ready for him, but sometimes I was not able to make it work and he squeezed himself, with effort into the cab seat. I can still see him, a denim work jacket, with and extra pocket sewn along the inside lining at the bottom. It was filled with peanuts. Overalls, with at least 8 cigars in the bib pocket. I worked later with his son John Harmes Jr, on the runs into Pueblo, when I was in engine service. We changed with the C&S Trinidad crews there.