The end of Rice Yard, and Track 17 in Tales of the Jointed Track

The west end and the train order operator on the C&S is the only bastion left out of Rice Yard. The East end is closed, and there are few operable tracks left. The City and County of Denver, is pressuring the Rio Grande and the C&S, to close down their yard operations.

Some run through grain, coal ( if not crew changing at 31st ), and odd slough tonnage train is operated out of here. This yard has seen better days, and maintenance is at the just to get by, till we close.

The Yard Bulletin Joint Denver BN Terminal. C&S TE&Y, ATSF C&E South CREWS:
CREWS WILL NOT OPERATE SIX-AXLE LOCOMOTIVES, AS A THRU TRACK, FROM THE EAST END RICE YARD TO THE WEST END RICE YARD, ON TRACKS 16, 17, and 18. CONTACT RICE YARDMASTER OR TRAINMASTER IF IN CONFLICT
JLK

Extra South 930 am:

I was called for a drag extra, and reported to the 23rd Street Roundhouse for the power. I waited for the head brakeman, who was a new hire. The Conductor called, and said they will van over to the West end, after they get the weigh bills.

We called the BN 31st Yardmaster to come out of the east end of the “house”, and a route to Rice yard. I expected to come out on the Junction bridge, time on the main line, and through the Depot. We received permission, and it was South Lead, to 19th Street. Contact 19th Street Yardmaster and head to Rice yard.
We called 19th Street after we clunked over C&S Crossing. The crossing was still, at that time within Yard Limits and protected by STOP Signs on each track. It was a stop and whistle off if clear.

Nineteenth Street is called and says proceed down the yard lead to Rice Yard, and contact them at 16th Street. On the approach to 16th, Street the yardmaster is called. “Extra South power, down track 17, to the west end, double 16 to 18, call the carman”. “We’re all six axle power, can,t go that way due to the bulletin that was issued”. “Trainmaster to the Extra South, you will proceed down 17 not to exceed 5 mph” !!!! Instructions were repeated, I wonder who dreamt this up? “Who is the Trainmaster giving authority to disregard the bulletin?” “This is BN Trainmaster Chuck Wendt”.

I help the new brakeman, get lined into 17. Our power was an BN SD-45, a BN SD-40-2, a Santa Fe SD-45, a Santa Fe U-28-CG, and a C&S SD-9. Starting into 17, it looks like tracks 16 and 18 are full and we’ll need at least the 4 big ones. Throttle one, and some independent to trim staying at 5 mph. Rounding the curve mid track, it slows and I give throttle 2, but still a hard pull. I ask the brakeman, “We on the ground over there? I can’t see anything on my side”?. “No”. Okay, something is odd and I bet were on the ground. I look on his side and the third unit is leaning. “Bud, we’re on the ground”. I call the yardmaster and tell them I am inspecting the consist, the third unit is on the ground. They are pissed, and I say lemme look at it and I’ll call ya back, might want to send Mr. Wendt down here.

Upon inspection, yep that SD-45 has turned the rail and all 6 wheels are in the dirt. The 28-CG, has the lead truck on the ground, the rear truck is about to joint the club. The SD-9, is still on the rail, but thinking about it. I call the Yardmaster and relay what I found. Wait for Trainmaster Wendt and we’ll go from there.

Well, we are greeted in Chuck Wendt fashion. “You Santa Fe’s caused this and we’re pulling all tapes”. “Well, if you would have run us through the depot, we would still be on the rail and doubling over”. “Cut the lead two units off, talk to the Yardmaster. Back to 31st via the Depot and get two more units”. We cut the units off, talked to the West End and the Operator. The Conductor stops us at the yard office. “What happened down there?” “On the ground on 17”. “Did you tell them we were not supposed to go that way?” “Yep, told to proceed as instructed, by Chuck Wendt”. “Okay I am sure the DS, is going want to know”.

We got two more units and back to Rice Yard via the Depot. It is 4 pm, and we are told make the double and the air test. Head to Kalamath Ave and tie them down, and a Yard Van, will pick us up. We tie up at 31st Street, and I was requested to make a written statement, and give to a BN Trainmaster at 31st, and Fax a copy for the Santa Fe Trainmaster at Pueblo.

Well, nothing happened to us, because we were at the speed given. Also, because we were instructed by BN supervision to violate the Bulletin.

I got called around 600 am the next day, for a coal load. Going by the Rice yard location on the main. The units are still prominently on display and on the ground. Soon they will be rescued and repaired