What do you see or perceive in a Picture in Tales of the Jointed Track

Okay.. you’re thinking, a brakeman, giving signals to back up into the consist. This is what I see. I may give two scenarios, but what do I know.

Your eyes see two locomotives, yes a Milwaukee SD-40-2 and a consist of Lil Joe’s, ready for the electrification to Alberton, MT. The brakeman? Is he a part of the incoming crew, or waiting for the crew change to occur.
Is he waiting for the diesel crew to hop off, and then couple the “Joe’s” in? Or is he going to couple up the freight to the “Joe’s” and tie up ? He’s stationed proper, he can direct the diesel’s into the coupling, or signal the engineer on the “Joe’s” to couple up.

The SD-40-2 has the headlight on. So they are getting ready to hand off to the “Juice Boys”. (Juice Boys .. a slang term for crews that operate under Catenary wires”.)

The old Train order depot / freight house is in the background. The platform is still the rough brick or stone. Since this is Avery, Idaho, it is basically, a crew change point. Population at this time roughly maybe around maybe 700-900 people. As of 2014, Avery’s population is 205 people.

The light gray on the trucks and the Pilot/Plows of the 40’s and the Joe is sand dust residue. The next track over, is probably a yard / siding for the small Avery yard. Across from the fuel tank on the SD-40, you can see “Black” pools and discoloration in the middle of the yard track. That is oil leaks, due to power always being there. It drips from the air box drains, and sumps. Also the gear cases for the pinon/spur gears on the traction motor wheelsets, leak as well. The puddles are what we call “Crater”. It is a heavy thick black gear lube for the gearing.

Looking near the roof lines of the trains. You can just make out the Catenary wire and tension wires, to keep the line taught. Also the support poles and associated power lines. Some are signal and Company communication wires.

A lot going on. All is memories provided by photographs now.