Another Pre Fuel Master moment. We were out dogcatching locals and saving the mainline in between trips one night. Night trainmaster met us at the depot after what we thought was gonna be our last trip, we had a little more then two hours to work. He asked us if would run three motors out and relay (swap power) the power on the coal local, they forgot to do it. He said if i didnt think i could get it all done he would just call another crew, but if he did that they would probably have to late call that local in the morning, and then he would be in trouble. I told him i could do it, get on the phone and clear the path. The leader on the way out there had the worst lateral ive ever ran. 75mph (sometimes more) for 50 miles, few miles up the branch to the power plant, swap it, and bring the other motors back at high speed to town. Anyways the ride over there was so bad you couldnt hardly get a sandwich to your mouth let alone try to drink anything. Conductor (older guy) kept begging me to slow down, but i told him i swore we would make it back with the other power. I was also speeding both ways on the branch. Best part was when we ready to come back on the main and race the power back to town. Told my conductor "Better let me talk, sometimes you dont come across as being highly motivated there bud." Got the usual questions from the dispatcher, he was just sitting down by the way, "What time are you on duty.... think you can make it?" "Here we go then, i promise ill make it." The ride was better but i think i probably ended up breaking a certain rule a few more times on the way back then i did on the way over there. We just barely slid in that yard before our hours were up, didnt make it to the pit but we made it to town, and didnt die on the mainline. Night trainmaster had stayed a few minutes over to meet us at the yard office along with the other MTO's, they were tickled pink that i had did that. All smiles and thanks as they handed us some cool Denver Service Unit Thermos. (They know i like free stuff)Once i got mine in my hands, i told them, dont go pulling those tapes, or ill be fired.
Last edited by UPRR engineer on Thu Feb 28, 2008 6:28 pm, edited 2 times in total.