Runaway Cars, released from Colorado Springs, Vandalism Part Two in Tales of the Jointed Track

Who knows how these things occur. There was ore involved, maybe a bad order set out at Colorado Springs. Brought over to the Santa Fe, repaired and awaiting transfer back. There were two cars, on this one.

Again, there is a train operator on duty, and a report of two cars, on their own heading south on the northbound.

Enter Santa Fe train 594:

Gary Maulin is the head brakeman, on this one. Ed Hamilton is the engineer. Again, right place right time, the call goes out. They stop short of Mesa Road.

Gary bails off, followed by Ed. Ed weighs around 300 lbs. Gary said that was the fastest he’d seen Ed move in years.

The runaway’s impacted, 594, 10 minutes later. The U-23-B’s nose was caved in. More damage on the cars involved. After the dust cleared, and inspections and investigation at the scene, They shoved the runaway cars, and the U-23-B, were set out at Crews.

Again, handbrakes released. The Santa Fe installed derails on the south end of the Yard. The northbound days are numbered. CTC will soon be installed between Crews and Palmer Lake, via the former Rio Grande Southbound.

The yard at Colorado Springs for the Santa Fe, will son be a stubbed yard. The tracks used will, be designated, to service customers. The rest will be torn up.

I worked the yard, in Colorado Springs, after CTC was placed in. I worked a local out of Big Lift, that we switched the same old yard.

As of this writing, I think the “Gazette”, has moved its paper unloading elsewhere and the BNSF has sold off the property.

Time marches on. It waits for no one.