Brakeshoe Bob ⋅ 71
I am a retired Railroad Locomotive Engineer. I hired out with the BN in September of 72 as a machinist and went with the Santa Fe in engine service in 1973 as a Locomotive Fireman. I was promoted to Locomotive Engineer in July 1974. I retired in September 2012 after 40 years. During the period I ran the Joint-Line (Denver to Pueblo,CO) and the Interdivisional between Denver and La Junta, CO. I had almost 8 years in management with the Santa Fe and BNSF.
Entries 462
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The wife says I am going running at the gym. Okay, then says wow it is light and I’ll run outside. I told her I am gonna suck this cup of coffee down, and take Moose out early. Highlands Ran...
Big Lift, circa 1980's "The Shepard's" in Tales of the Jointed Track
I am working the Big Lift Local, by choice. Long hours, but I am off the freight pool. My crew, TL Tim Bryant, Conductor, Steve Barto, brakeman, Billy Ray Bryant , brakeman. On duty at 800 AM...
Spring Station Agent Lodge Again 1975 in Tales of the Jointed Track
Remember I had been released, from the Colorado Springs switcher. Also under the scrutiny, and watchful eye of Station Agent Lodge. Who knew we were to meet again. Summer 1975 Train 414: The 4...
Colorado Springs Switcher 1975. in Tales of the Jointed Track
There was once upon a time, at Colorado Springs. There was a separate Depot and yard for the Rio Grande on the southbound, and the Santa Fe on the northbound. This was Rule 251 territory, which w...
I took my son home yesterday, since he doesn’t drive. He lives in the old Harvey Park, Ruby Hill area in South Denver. So that means traversing the old Joint-Line on Highway 85 or South Santa Fe ...
Milk Carton Wire "Have you Seen Me" in Tales of the Jointed Track
OKay.. Chill I am not making fun or going against the milk carton “Have you seen me Campaign”. Locomotive Utilization BNSF South Central Desk, Ft Worth: The Power Desk, the generic unpoli...
Helpers and DP's how the railroad has evolved in Tales of the Jointed Track
WOW .. Forty years have come and gone. Where does the time go? Didn’t I just hire out. I am now retired.. Really. RCE’s Remote Control Equipment: I hired out in engine service, with the S...
The Denver Union Depot early 70's-Mid 80's in Tales of the Jointed Track
The Depot we ran through, to and from 31st yard, is not what it is today. The depot at that time was called, the Denver Union Terminal Railway Company. It owned no locomotives or rolling stock...
Roy Onstont Pueblo Yard Engineer 1974 in Tales of the Jointed Track
I never fired for Roy, because I was out of Denver. I knew of some yard and engine crews, but I had to make trips, for qualification and promotion to engineer. August 1974: Guess what!!! ? I ...
Smoke 'em and other tails in Tales of the Jointed Track
Diesels that idle soup and carbon up. When ya can blow ‘em out… Take advantage … Pueblo, Co Summer 1980 Was called as the running crew on a light engine. Was 10 BN/C&S unit two ...
SD-9's a workhorse for the Railroads in Tales of the Jointed Track
The phone rings…”Terry Extra South, 845 am.” Call accepted. What is it gonna be ? I don’t know the power on this call. Hey, maybe four big Six-axle power, slough tonnage. Yeah it is slough...
Switch Transfer off the Mainline Pueblo in Tales of the Jointed Track
I was forced to Pueblo Colorado working the yard. The C&S 77 came up the main-line. No pick up at Pueblo, but had shorts . “Shorts” are cars, coming off destination ( ie; Denver ). 77 ran...
Christmas on the rails 1973-2012 part-1 in Tales of the Jointed Track
How can I begin? How was traffic vs you working, vs crew base ? A few things I remember: Christmas 1975: I caught a Comanche Coal Train an AA-062 on the BN side, an J-CCE-3-24 on the Santa Fe en...
Moose, first Christmas Eve gathering in Misc. Thoughts opinions, the whole trash can.
We have over the years, back in Colorado, had a Christmas eve gathering and a Dinner. Enter Moose: Okay for the past readers and followers, Moose, was a Juvenile Doglinquent!! And with trainin...
Floppy Dog Daycare and Boarding in Misc. Thoughts opinions, the whole trash can.
Okay another Moose entry… It was the best of time and the worst of times (LOL) … Wow, but this is a Godsend. I am tied up with this knee for the last month or so. Worn out old Joints, but I H...
PAM the Night BNSF 31st ST Yardmaster in Tales of the Jointed Track
Pam worked the “Third Trick” or the 2300 to 0700 shift as a yardmaster. She basically did as instructed. She retired about 6 months before I did. She led a hard life, was divorced, and worked the...
I was working the Southwest Power desk on a warm week day. I was on the day rotation and with the usual people I worked with. The North Central man, worked the coal fields in the Powder River Bas...
Train Stalls M-DENPUE in Tales of the Jointed Track
I have probably written this in the old OD. So again bear with me. I have looked at “what” rail buffs call stalls. Some videos are regular train meets, so they are really slow.. If ya can start ‘...
Troubleshooters diary ...what I remember in Tales of the Jointed Track
I was still on the local, was great job. I was asked to become a mentor, due to my electrical and mechanical skills, plus I was a promoted engineer. I didn’t take it? Why?, Saturday and Sunday of...
How Railroad crews were called and are now. in Tales of the Jointed Track
How did we report for work? We were either assigned or called on a first in first out basis. On the Joint-Line, we were what was called a progressive board. As engineers we were not assigned...
The P-CHLA or the Q-NYLA whats more important? in Tales of the Jointed Track
Schaumberg, IL SOC Santa Fe Railway 1995 or close: I am working Crew planning, for the Santa Fe. The night rotation, and the HOT STUFF, is coming into Barstow, CA. I looked at the crew situation ...
El Rancho,Colorado in Misc. Thoughts opinions, the whole trash can.
This past Monday, we walked Moose for the first time, other than the trails around our home. He has been trained and is a pleasure. After our walk, it was nearing lunchtime. Maria said, we sho...
Lair Of the Bear Monday 10/22/2018: Maria and I decided to take the Moose up to a Mountain walking trail. About 900 am, we took off. It was about a forty minute drive up CO Highway 75. Throug...
RCE 101 BN vs ATSF versions in Tales of the Jointed Track
I was asked to explain the RCE equipment. I will gladly do so. RCE is an acronym, for Remote Controlled Equipment. To make it easy to understand, it is a consist of locomotives, controlled by ...
Fountain Crossover 1978 in Tales of the Jointed Track
Well, I am running as a regular engineer, with an established turn. I am about four or four and a half years of experience. I am comfortable, but cautious, because I still have a lot to learn. ...
