I, as of last Saturday, am volunteering time on the Belton, Grandview and Kansas City "tourist" railroad. The locomotive is an ex-Chessie 1957 GP9 that hauls a KCS passenger car and a Mo-Pac caboose. I showed up last Saturday to just do whatever they needed me to, being the "new guy". After meeting everyone, the engineer asked if I wanted to ride in the cab....OF COURSE! He showed me around, the asked if I knew how to start a locomotive. I knew about the knife switch, the isolation switch, fuel pump, layshaft and all the rest from these classes. He said..."Fire it up, then!" It was the coolest thing to hold the start button, and feel the layshaft pull itself out of my hand! I sounded AWESOME! I was giddy as hell, but...I played it cool the entire time. We finised the 45 minute trip, and he said..."Shut 'er down, Bob!". Isolation switch back to start, then hold the stop button till there is NO NOISE, otherwise the engine will fire back up, fuel pump off!. I got to start it one more time, with no help, and pleased myself to death!LOL! There are two more weekends in the season, and I plan on being the designted "fireman" till the end! THANKS againg to Jerry, and everyone that has helped out in these classes!!!!! Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
I think we have our first graduate! Way to go Bob! I think that this is one of the coolest posts Engineer Classes has gotten.
Hey C40-9W, You may have a future in real RRing. Congrats on the volenteer fireman position . Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
I know its "uncool" to like trains on the "real" railroads, BUT....its SOOOO fun!LOL! Tomorrow I have 1 trip, and Sunday I have 3. Not bad experience, I guess. I'll have all winter to"foam" for next springs trips! The website for the railroad is down, but, once it gets back up, I'll give the URL. If you go to google, and "google image" the Belton, Grandview and Kansas City Railroad, you should get a small pic of the Geep! Thanks for replying, ya'll! Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
These classes have been the greatest help EVER! I ACTUALLY knew what to do!!!LOL! Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
Gee Whiz, I think the rail bug has bit C40-9W right bad! Now he wont like the way his HO engines start and stop anymore. Just not like the real thing. Once it gets in your blood, your whole outlook on life changes, doesn't it? Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
Well, next week is the last week of trips, as the Geep has water instead of anti-freeze, and they have to drain it for the winter. They are thinking of painting it in its original C & O colors for its 50th b-day, over this winter at mid-america car in Kansas City! All the guys, besides me and the owners wife, are retired KCS or NS employees. I'm just havin' fun!!! BTW, I forgot to add the part about going to the other side of the hood and checking the fuel sight glasses....one clear and one fuel, then checking to make sure the oil pressure gauge comes up to pressure before closing all the doors after starting the engine. [ October 21, 2005, 11:05 PM: Message edited by: C40-9W ] Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
Why, YES, I AM having fun! Just got back from my 1 trip today. I "got" to loosen all the blow-out cocks, then turn the motor over 3 times, to blow out any water, then tighten all the cocks back up. Then did the above mentioned starting proceedures! Did a reverser check, horn check, light check. Then pushed the brake all the way the left to start filling the air tanks? The boss told me the specific name, but, I was so nervous, I forgot. I filled out the trip log and completed the pre-trip check list! Dang it, one more weekend of this after tomorrow! The boss said I can start the Geep everytime I come out!!! I eventally want to take the controls, of course. That won't be for a long while, I'm sure, as I have to prove myself on"start-ups" first...thats ok, I really enjoy that! Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
Like I said before, thanks to these classes, it "all came together"! I may not contribute alot, but, I study each and every class, over and over....for my own enjoyment! Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
Trainboard brings enjoyment in so many different ways, which is why it is the best all around railroading forum on the internet.
Oh yeah! Right! We've all got a big picture of that! Really, I bet it was neat. Have to admit that I didn't study it that hard. Congratulations! Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
