The Fox Hole Bar and a Helper set in Tales of the Jointed Track

Okay a disclaimer !! Before reading this, this bar was near the Roundhouse. It was at one time a workingman’s drinking establishment. It fell on hard times, and as the LODO ( Lower Downtown ) area was being redeveloped, it became a Gay and Lesbian bar. I have no problem with that, and that’s a lifestyle that I don’t get. My wife and I have some friends, from her college days are lesbians and I still have no problem. So, as I relate this tale, go from there. There is no SEX, there is no Violence, but there was a lot of smoke.. and it wasn’t Pot..

newer picture of the Fox Hole Bar..and it’s still there hot n heavy. You can see the roundhouse in the back ground above the roof line

Mid to Late September 1985

I am working the engineers extra board by choice. It affords more time at home, and it is mostly helper service based. Shove Coal, Grain, and and oft heavy freight train upgrade. Return back, and yer in your own bed. My road days are over, per my choice, but I do occasionally get a road trip, when the pool is depleted.

This is a weekend and a sunny Colorado afternoon. The Fox Hole is doing good business. During the summer, especially on Saturday and Sunday, there is league Volleyball, and who knows what else going on. The “patio” area is surrounded by an 8 foot high fence, so draw your own conclusions.

Over the years, this is the only way into the 23rd St Roundhouse. I have been pelted with drinks and beer, on the truck, trying just to get to work. I have seen more exposed breasts, pussies and penis’s than I like to NOT remember, especially during the Midnight to 200 am hours. Today, it’s a 100 PM call, we’re shoving up a load, but we may be shoving up another one, depending on the dispatchers wishes. I’m here for the 12 hours, but you take it as it goes.

a shot of the 23rd St Roundhouse..Date late 70’s early 80’s You can see U-30’s and SD-40-2’s. There are relay power and add on power for the Coal loaded and empty trains. There are helper sets, the Santa Fe 40-2’s are in that mix.

The Fox Hole is in full swing today. Trying to get through the maze of…well, it is tough. They really don’t care and I get the finger and a lot of profanity, because they are in the road, and blocking traffic.

I get the assignment of the power I will have this trip, from the Foreman. It’s a bunch of old U-30-C’s. Kenny Romero, my Conductor for the trip shows up shortly after. Kenny is my age, a biker, and a battler. I get along with Kenny pretty well, and he has Trinidad roots, so he’s related to a lot of the C&S and Santa Fe railroaders. He doesn’t put up with too much shit, but we have a good working relationship. “God Damn Shoe!!, did you have a problem getting past all them Blank-blank blank people”!!. That’s the polite version. “Yeah Kenny I did”.

A BN U-30-C

I can tell by the consist, these have been idling a while. The diesel engine is on a slow idle and boosts a bit and a little black wisp of smoke emerges from the stack. They’re carbon-ed up a bit, and the story unfolds.

“Helpers BN 5837 to the yardmaster 31st ST”. “31st”. “Yes sir, helpers 5837, need permission on the Buck main and a route thru the depot”. “Permission on the Buck, and I’ll call the Depot Tower, hold the main and line the load through the crossover at 7th street. Let me know when you’re coupled in and clear”. Instructions were repeated and here we go.

The switch from the west end of the roundhouse was close to the Fox Hole. Like 25 foot close. As we come off the west end on “Line-2” I can see smoke in the lower throttle positions. I get a stop so Kenny can line the Buck, we call the depot on the squawk box and get a lunar signal ( white in color restricting speed rule). Kenny will line back and lock up. “Kenny, when you line back, stay in that last unit, till we get into the depot”. “Why” ” Just do what I say and make sure the windows are closed”. The switch is lined for our movement and I get a come ahead hand signal.

The Fox Hole is in full swing and the Volley Ball game is going strong. The “Queen” is in his or her royal chair refereeing the proceedings. The steady drone of the whistle is in the air. There is going to be more in the air soon.

Kenny gives me a stop signal, and lines the Buck main switch back. I get a highball and he is in the cab of the last unit. That will be our operating unit back. I set a minimum off the automatic brake valve and release the independent. There is a 10 lbs set showing on the gauge. :) Good …and I go right to 6 throttle. The V-16 four cycle diesel’s respond and a flood of Black smoke is coming from the stacks. I add a little independent brake pressure. The shoes are squealing, but I watch whats happening. The wind is in the right direction and my spew is heading for the Fox Hole Bar. These were really carboned up, and Victory is mine.

The depot has a 10 mph though the sheds and the Depot proper. I am at 14 mph, and start to shut down at 20th street as the gates are starting down. I ring the call bell, and Kenny heads up. I can see him laughing. “God Dammit Shoe!!! There is still smoke over the area”. Yeah, for all those fingers and shit we get, just trying to get to work. Another lip of Skoal, and we wait for our load to show. They crossover and we buckle in behind them. “Good set, getting a release shoving in on ya”.

Was I bad..yes. Were they bad..yes But that was a little payback.

I just remembered.. :) Just a few months before I retired, I got a call on the radio. Was a northbound empty. Was Kenny Macias, a conductor I worked with many countless times. I was rolling his empty by on the Northbound mainline, at Big Lift. “Yeah Kenny ya need the DP’s looked over?” “No Shoe, I just wanted you to know Kenny Romero passed two days ago” Wow…really.. “Thanks Kenny, when’s the Funeral?” “Already done, and private..us railroaders were notified out of courtesy”. “Thanks Kenny, I’m sad to hear that…Big Lift out”. Drug use alcohol, ect. Kenny had Hepatitis C..and died from it. I always like Kenny..:)

Last updated June 09, 2015