La Junta CO Q-HODV a mistaken identity in Tales of the Jointed Track

It is a warm December day in La junta about 530 pm. It is near 65-70 degrees. When we tie up art Big Lift, it will be in the low to mid 30’s. Southeastern Colorado vs Central front range Colorado, I don’t know.

We are called, and we show up early, so not to delay the “Q”. We board the motors, and a blue flag is hanging on the engineers side, meaning the carmen were working the train. They are doing the 500 mile inspection, plus we have a late arrival KC to Denver fill. Our power is a 7400 series B-40 and a 3800 series GP-60, all Santa Fe power 7800 HP on 8 powered axles…3700 tons.. 2.1 HPT..not bad and we’ll make time. We will struggle around Monument, but we’ll get over the top.

I’m walking the power and get on the second unit. The radio crackles, “Do ya see whose running this to Denver”? “No” “It’s Ralph” “Really, I thought he was off on disability” “Guess not”. I laugh…Ralph and I have the same last name..Terry. This should be good.

side note: I crew changed with Ralph’s dad, Amos Terry a BN hogger in Denver…I’ll relate on that too.

“Ralph, this is the carmen set ‘em up when yer ready”. “Okay, but this aint Ralph, I’m in the second unit, I’ll call ya when I get to the head end”. “Okay Ralph”. Okay either they recognize the last name, or the don’t get the radio voice.

“Carmen, working HODV ( Houston-Denver ) on 97 track, I’m ready for the set” “Okay Ralph set ‘em up”. “This ain’t Ralph, but here’s yer set” “Stop messing with us Ralph, just set the air” “Well come up here an see…I’m not Ralph”. The air starts to set on the rear. “Okay I’ll ride the set, and see if this really is Ralph”. “Air set Ralph, riding the test”. Okay”.

The carmen get to the head end on my side… He looks surprised, and on the radio he states…“Hey guess what?? he was right he’s not Ralph”. I laugh. “I change out with Ralph’s dad Amos on the BN…I get the same thing too”. “okay, thanks, good set release ‘em”. “release”… “ATSF 7426 West good air test, carmen clear go when ready.” “Good air test, Carmen are in the clear. Yardmaster La Junta, HODV ready to depart”. “Take off Q train, 97 track out the lead”. The pot signal is flashing red and lined up the siding, with a clear (green) signal. The switch is a spring switch, so as long as the train proceeds through without stopping, we go right through. The counter is on, and when it beeps clear we’re on the main and onto Big Lift.. Highball !!