DRGW Montrose

[JCater]

What can folks tell me about the DRGW that rolls into Montrose, Colorado, on Friday afternoons, does its cool switching, and rolls back out of town again http://www.trainboard.com/confused.gif. Does it head directly back to GJ with its load of wood chips?? Any other stops along the way?? One day my son and I will get the chance to follow it all the way back up to GJ, but any info now would be great!! Thanks and Happy Railroading!!
John

------------------
The Santa Fe and Southwestern, Chief of the Southwest!!

[rgn1]

Hi John,
I know the local does the candy factory, maybe some tankcars, and ? there in Montrose as well. Last time I was in Delta, it looked like there were a few industries to do there, including a lumber yard. What days they do specific switching is anyones guess. Hope this helps. http://www.trainboard.com/biggrin.gif
They also might do the lumber mill in Olathe.
------------------
Rod v. B.
Rio Grande iNdustries

[This message has been edited by rgn1 (edited 21 December 2000).]

[friscobob]

I've seen loaded woodchip cars in the yard in 'Junction, and my guess is that they're
headed for the G-P plant in Olathe. I've yet to see a Montrose local on the line, but I've
caught a lot of coal trains headed out of 'Junction. And most interestingly, more SD9043MACs have been used for power (used to be heavy with AC4400Ws and AC6044Ws).

------------------
Southeast....Southwest..
Ship IT on the Frisco!
Bob T.
Member # 362
http://hometown.aol.com/slsf1630/myhomepage/profile.html

[JCater]

Thanks gys. Yeah they switch the candy factory, lumber yard and wood chip gons here in town. I bet ypu are right about the mill in Olathe!! Happy Railroading!!
John

------------------
The Santa Fe and Southwestern, Chief of the Southwest!!

[DRGWEngr]

They also service the Budwieser distibution warehouse in Delta from the brewery in Ft.Collins.

Mike

------------------
Defy Gravity. . .Ship Rio Grande

http://railblazer.homestead.com/index.html

[JCater]

Mike,
do they bring the beer into Junction from Ft. Collins to be picked up by the Montrose train?? Happy Railroading!!
John

------------------
The Santa Fe and Southwestern, Chief of the Southwest!!

[DRGWEngr]

Yes, the Ft.Collins local LDI02 out of LaSalle picks up the cars from the Great Western. The LDI07 then takes them to Henderson(south of Brighton) to be picked up by the LDI06 to Rolla. Then either a anpdv or acydv picks them up and takes them to Denver, then put on a mdvro or mdvgj to Grand Jct. About a seven day process to go 400 miles in the same state on the same railroad, and you wonder how truckers can compete.

Mike

Railblazer (http://homestead.com/railblazer/)



------------------
Defy Gravity. . .Ship Rio Grande

http://railblazer.homestead.com/index.html

[JCater]

Wow!! That is complicated!! This has been my complaint for many years...we simply don't use the railroads in this country to their full potential. Maybe things will get better with the new fuel crunch, but I doubt it!! From reading your profile I see you are an engineer. How long have you been doing it?? Are things better or worse since the merger?? Happy railroading!!
John

------------------
The Santa Fe and Southwestern, Chief of the Southwest!!

[DRGWEngr]

JCater,

I hired out with the DRGW/SP and have been an engineer since Oct 95.

You are right about not using the railroads potential. But this comes from not having any expereinced rails running the show. Instead you now have college educated "kids" that graduated from a generic business school that don't have a clue what a railroad is or does. (maybe they should read the book) Just like any other company, the employee that gets promoted is the one with the 4+ years of college vs. the employee with 4+ years of expereince.

Even though the SP was a run down railroad at least they TRIED and employees went the extra mile for them and employees had pride in their SP or DRGW. Working with the combined senority here in Denver with the UP and taking trains to Cheyenne, you don't see that kind of pride in the UP employees. Ask any UP rail when the UP stopped being the UP and he/she will tell you when the UP merged with the MP and MP management took over.

It's extremely hard to run a railroad or any type of business when you have inexpereinced employees(both management and new hires) and employees that are just there to make a paycheck. UP does need to get it's priorities in order or they aren't going to make it. The economy has kept them going so far but as we have heard there might be a recession in the future. UP has already drastically cut back in the Mechanical and MofW depts, and another 2000 jobs are on the line come the end of January. There will more than likely be more layoffs due to UP hiring some many during the meltdown and for the failed 60/30 retirement. All one has to do is read a little history, it's happened before and it'll happened again. It's just the nature of things.

Don't get me all wrong, I'm 4th generation rail and I love railroading. 3 generations CB&Q paternal side, and 2 generations UP maternal side. It does get into your blood and I wouldn't dream of doing anything else. I just hope the UP or whatever it becomes will last another 25 years until I can retire.

Have a safe and Happy New Year

Mike

Railblazer (http://homestead.com/railblazer/)



------------------
Defy Gravity. . .Ship Rio Grande

http://railblazer.homestead.com/index.html

[JCater]

So do many of the DRGW crews in Colorado make long hauls anymore, or are they mainly locals? How long are you away from home are you at a time?? Do engineers make a decent salary?? Just general curiosities. You mentioned hauling coal out of Wyoming. What part of Wyoming?? Where is the coal bound to in Colorado?? Happy Railroading!!
John

------------------
The Santa Fe and Southwestern, Chief of the Southwest!!

[DRGWEngr]

John,
Yes we still work the road. Out of Jct the crews either go south to the mines, east to Bond. I'm not sure if they are working west of Jct or if that's all SLC crews. Out of Denver we have Denver-Bond, Denver-Pburg,Denver-Cheyenne, Denver-Sharon Springs.
The Pueblo boys work Pueblo-Denver. Out on the road you average 36 hours away from home.

The pay real varies as to which jobs/runs you are working. The yard/local jobs pay less than the road jobs, but you are home everyday and get 1-2 days off per week. Plus it depends on how much you layoff. I'd say you'd make between 50-100K per year.

Most of the coal between Denver and Cheyenne is off the DRGW enroute to the south and east. The only common coal load south out of Cheyenne is the Nixon/Drake train which is loading out of PRB. If and when they ever get the KP line done to Kansas City there won't be to many coal trains between Denve and Cheyenne.

Mike

Railblazer (http://homestead.com/railblazer/)






------------------
Defy Gravity. . .Ship Rio Grande

http://railblazer.homestead.com/index.html

[Alan]

Mike, thanks for the insights into real railroading. You bring to life the work that railroaders do, instead of just the glamour that we railfans are likely to see. We can forget that railroads are there to do the job of moving commodities, not just to give railfans spectacular things to photograph!

Keep 'em rollin' http://www.trainboard.com/smile.gif

------------------
Alan Curtis. Moderator. Member #12

The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale!

www.alancurtismodels.com (http://www.alancurtismodels.com)
Andersley Western Railroad (http://www.trainweb.org/andersleywestern/)
Alan's American Gallery (http://www.trainweb.com/alansamericangallery/)

[JCater]

Holy Cow!! Where do I sign up for that gig?? I'm usually out of town 8 days and back 6, for a lot less money a year!! Plus...you get to work real trains. Wow (drool, slobber, eyes glazed over...). Happy Railroading!!
John

------------------
The Santa Fe and Southwestern, Chief of the Southwest!!

[DRGWEngr]

John,
But the benefits of knowing when and where you're going to work. That's why I've enjoyed working the local out of LaSalle. I do miss running in the mountains,but it's nice having a life also. http://www.trainboard.com/smile.gif

As I was wtiting this I got bumped off my daylight job. http://www.trainboard.com/mad.gif So now I'll be working nights. http://www.trainboard.com/eek.gif

Mike



------------------
Defy Gravity. . .Ship Rio Grande

http://railblazer.homestead.com/index.html

[JCater]

Nights must be tough...what kind of shift is that, how many hours?? Happy Railroading!!
John

------------------
The Santa Fe and Southwestern, Chief of the Southwest!!

[DRGWEngr]

It's the LDI03 which makes up the locals out of LaSalle. Works Mon-Fri starting 8:00pm. Anywhere from 6-12 hours depending on business. Not a bad job if you keep busy.;wink

Mike


------------------
Defy Gravity. . .Ship Rio Grande

http://railblazer.homestead.com/index.html

[JCater]

What kind of volume do you handle on the night shift?? Is it mainly local freight or coal?? Happy Railroading !!
John

------------------
The Santa Fe and Southwestern, Chief of the Southwest!!

[DRGWEngr]

Well in the 3 nights that I worked so far, we averaged about 150 cars per night. It's all cars for the locals. The only coal we handle is approx. 30 a week that goes to the cement plant at Boetcher(sp) just northwest of Ft.Collins.

Mike


------------------
Defy Gravity. . .Ship Rio Grande

http://railblazer.homestead.com/index.html

[JCater]

Lets see...150 cars per night, shift starts around 8, cars are ready by 9, what do you do the rest of the night? http://www.trainboard.com/tongue.gif (LOL). Sounds like hard work, but very rewarding, especially carrying on a family rail tradition. Listen, if you ever get over Montrose way, let me know and maybe we can get together. Good luck and Happy Railroading!!
John

------------------
The Santa Fe and Southwestern, Chief of the Southwest!!

[DRGWEngr]

John,

Well bumped again http://www.trainboard.com/frown.gif Don't know where I'll go. Probably the Moffat. Haven't been on the road in 18 months http://www.trainboard.com/eek.gif

And if you're ever on the east side look me up.

Mike


------------------
Defy Gravity. . .Ship Rio Grande

http://railblazer.homestead.com/index.html

[JCater]

What is the work like on the Moffat?? Long runs?? Yes perhaps we will meet one day!! Happy Railroading!!
John

------------------
The Santa Fe and Southwestern, Chief of the Southwest!!

[DRGWEngr]

Life on the Moffat.

Well my first trip back in 18 months was, well, Loonngg. Deadheaded up to Pburg along with another crew.(4hour onduty) stayed in Pburg for 24 1/2 hours. Called for the MRODV 09 out of Bond. The crew we deadheaded up with along with a second crew deadheaded back to Denver http://www.trainboard.com/rolleyes.gif There was a small rock slide in Gore Canyon MP108.7 that tore out some slide fence and part of the pole line which is used for the CTC etc. So CTC and power was out from west Gore all the way to center Bond. We proceeded to the east switch of Bond to await the westbound fleet.(9 trains) After 61/2 hours we proceed to flag out of Bond all the way to Radium to meet another wb and wait for the dogging crew to show up. Back in the bus back to Denver.(13 3/4 hours on duty and 42.25 hours awy from home) http://www.trainboard.com/eek.gif Just to move a train 12 miles.
Man I sure miss my local job. But it was a beautiful day to spend in the mountains. Saw at least 300 head of elk and 14 bald eagles just between Bond and Radium. At 1030am there were 14 trains between Denver and Bond and only my train and the coal load ahead of us had to be dog caught despite the rocks in Gore canyon. It's a good thing we had a veteran Rio Grande disp or else it could have resulted in a total melt down.

Well off to bed I'll more than likely be getting out on my rest in the morning.

Mike


------------------
Defy Gravity. . .Ship Rio Grande

http://railblazer.homestead.com/index.html

[JCater]

Sounds incredibly intense!! You are right about missing home, but enjoying the outdoors. That is a huge benifit in my line of work as well. After you rest up a bit, keep me posted on what's happening. Are you still on night shift?? Happy Railroading!!
John

------------------
The Santa Fe and Southwestern, Chief of the Southwest!!

[DRGWEngr]

There are no set hours working on a pool turn. Just first come first serve. So far I've worked 3 day trips and 1 night trips. Getting 18-24 hours off at home. Still running 20-24 trains per day, so it hasn't slowed down on this part of the rr yet. Heard that the West Elk mine is down due to electrical problems.

Mike


------------------
Defy Gravity. . .Ship Rio Grande

http://railblazer.homestead.com/index.html

[JCater]

So is this a busy time of year for the rr or is this unusual?? Hope your hours mellow out soon!! Happy Railroading!!
John

------------------
The Santa Fe and Southwestern, Chief of the Southwest!!

[DRGWEngr]

Just got home after 56 hours away from home due to the derailment at Tabernash.

Usually January thru March is the slower time of year, but we are running several new coal contracts. On the 16th, 28 trains ran through the Moffat Tunnel http://www.trainboard.com/cool.gif

Mike



------------------
Defy Gravity. . .Ship Rio Grande

http://railblazer.homestead.com/index.html

[JCater]

Sounds like the old days at the Moffat http://www.trainboard.com/wink.gif!! Hope no one was hurt in the derailment! Where is the coal headed?? Happy Railroading!!
John

------------------
The Santa Fe and Southwestern, Chief of the Southwest!!

[DRGWEngr]

The coal train was the Converse Mine, CO, to Indiana Michigan Power at Metropolis, IL.

No one was hurt.

Back to work called for the ZDVRO at 3:00 am

Mike


------------------
Defy Gravity. . .Ship Rio Grande

http://railblazer.homestead.com/index.html

[JCater]

Hope your trip out was a good one! Keep us updated on the line clearing at the Moffat. Happy Railroading!!
John

------------------
The Santa Fe and Southwestern, Chief of the Southwest!!

[DRGWEngr]

Main line and siding at Tabernash are back in service. They still have to clean up the wrecked cars.

Amtrak #5 derailed at mp 121 just east of Yarmony saturday at 3:00 pm. Broken and/or rail rolled over. Just the lead truck of the lead unit on the ground and no injuries.

Mike


------------------
Defy Gravity. . .Ship Rio Grande

http://railblazer.homestead.com/index.html

[JCater]

That is a tough place to have a derailment. How much work is there in track replacement??Happy Railroading!
John

------------------
The Santa Fe and Southwestern, Chief of the Southwest!!

[friscobob]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by DRGWEngr:
Heard that the West Elk mine is down due to electrical problems.

Mike


<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Mike,
That explains why there's a cut of coal hoppers in one of the sidings at Fruita, and
why there's a surplus of AC locomotives.
Heard any more as to when the West Elk will be loading again?



------------------
Southeast....Southwest..
Ship IT on the Frisco!
Bob T.
Member # 362
http://hometown.aol.com/slsf1630/myhomepage/profile.html

[DRGWEngr]

It took approx 10 track panels, switch frog and ballast to get the main line reopened. They are slowly cleaning up the wrecked coal cars. The 10 mph sloworder was lifted yesterday(Friday) afternoon.

The rail joints between Tabernash and Granby and Gore to Bond are getting really bad. Suprising there hasn't been more broken rails and/or derailments. Running 116 car coal trains with upto 145 tons per car and lack of maintainence is taking it's toll on the track.

Where Amtrak #5 derailed last week, That was rail laid last summer.

According to the UP yesterday, so far this month Colorado has loaded 169 coal trains. That is just the Craig and North Fork branches. That's 7 coal loads per day not including the empties and trains from Utah.
We're running between 22-28 trains a day through the Moffat Tunnel. So one little incident can jam things up in a hurry.

The problem at West Elk was just temporary, trains are still running.

On a side note. AC traction is amazing compared to DC. Last Wed I was down to 4.5 units out of 6 in a 2x2x2 configuration with a 16,200 ton coal load. We went up Winter Park hill at a constant 2.5 MPH http://www.trainboard.com/eek.gif Where as if we had the older SD's we would never have left Tabernash until additional power arrived. Of course we wouldn't have had that problem with the SD's.(crankcase over pressure and a computer shut down. Common with GE AC's).

Mike


------------------
Defy Gravity. . .Ship Rio Grande

http://railblazer.homestead.com/index.html

[JCater]

Mike,
Sounds busy, and the traction info is really cool!! Keep em rollin in DRGW style!! Happy Railroading!!
John

------------------
The Santa Fe and Southwestern, Chief of the Southwest!!
http://www.trainboard.com/smiles/060.gif

Proud to be NARA Member #14