Storytime with Charlie

Charlie Mar 31, 2007

  1. gjslsffan

    gjslsffan Staff Member

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    That is a very interesting and informative story. Thanks for taking the time to put it together and posting it.
    Does any of the trackage survive?
     
  2. r_i_straw

    r_i_straw Mostly N Scale Staff Member

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    Not much, the old SLRR yard is still used by the UP in Sugar Land. Bits and pieces of the old Cane Belt are still used by the BNSF, mostly down around the coal fired power plant in Thompson, Texas.
     
  3. Mike C

    Mike C TrainBoard Member

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    I just happened upon this thread Charlie ! Keep the stories coming , I used to be able to read Railroads Men mag online , but now it seems I can't ......Mike
     
  4. Charlie

    Charlie TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks Mike, I'll try.

    Charlie
     
  5. Charlie

    Charlie TrainBoard Member

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    i haven't been able to access Trainboard for quite some time. I hope I didn't disappoint anyone.
    does anyone have any questions on prototype railroading?
     
    Mr. Train likes this.
  6. Charlie

    Charlie TrainBoard Member

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    I wish to all of you and yours all the blessings of this holiday season, a Blessed and Merry Christmas and a most Healthy,Happy and Prosperous New Year.
     
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  7. r_i_straw

    r_i_straw Mostly N Scale Staff Member

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    Thanks Charlie.

    I have a question. Every trade or occupation tends to develop their own vernacular, jargon or slang to communicate with each other about their job. We railfans develop our own which can be quite different from what the folks actually working on the rails use. Perhaps you could share some examples that you came across during your years working for the railroads that might be of interest to us foamers? ;)
     
    Joe Lovett likes this.
  8. Charlie

    Charlie TrainBoard Member

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    "Taking some spot time" means to grab a quick nap while waiting for the next move.
    "Screw the pooch" means taking your time making a move or running slow.
    "rust up the rails" Relieving one's self while on the ground instead of in the locomotive john.
    "run at banner speed" moving your train especially slow and cautiously under Rule 6.28 because you have reason to believe you are,or will be, operations tested by placing a banner or other object on the tracks out of your immediate sight range. e.g. The dispatcher gives you verbal authority past a red signal and you have no reason to believe their is a conflicting train or track gang or any other reason why the board is red.
    "I got a knuckle at ________" means you broke a coupling knuckle or drawbar enroute. The company frowns on that!
     
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  9. Charlie

    Charlie TrainBoard Member

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    Well Gang,

    Once again it's time for my Lenten hiatus. I will rejoin you on or about Easter. If you need to reach me you can e-mail me. the address is in my profile. It may show the address partially hidden, but it will send your message to me.
    Be good and stay well. I will be back with you soon enough.
     
    Kurt Moose likes this.
  10. Mr. Train

    Mr. Train TrainBoard Member

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    See you on the other side.

    Sent from my SM-G930R4 using Tapatalk
     
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  11. Charlie

    Charlie TrainBoard Member

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    Hello all,

    I am back. Any questions?


    Charlie
     
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  12. Charlie

    Charlie TrainBoard Member

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    I will attempt to share stories related to me by others. This first one is from a retired Burlington laborer.He worked in the "Zephyr Pit"-That is the facility at 14th and Canal Sts. in Chicago. Seems his department got a new foreman, and he was "full of himself" and let everyone know that he was the boss. He told my friend that anytime he needed him for a project, that he was to respond immediately. My friend said "OK". So anyway my friend was driving the forklift with a pallet of brake shoes, moving them to where they were needed. He was using a service road and crossing the leads into Chicago Union Station. He got a call from the foreman telling him to drop what he was doing and come to the shop immediately. He took the "boss' at his word, dropped the load and drove to the shop. The next thing you hear is an engineer calling his dispatcher telling him the track was blocked. My friend, being the obedient employee he was, dropped the pallet of brake shoes on the lead blocking the departing Empire Builder.
     
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  13. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

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  14. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    So did that new boss wise up? Or did he stoop to chewing on your compatriot?
     
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  15. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    Hi Charlie,

    When a crew is switching an industry and working say two or three cars, do rules direct that the cars be worked with air brakes or can a few cars be switched without air using the locomotive's independent brake? Thank you.
     
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  16. Charlie

    Charlie TrainBoard Member

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    This is a yes and no question. If a job is switching an industry, chances are it traveled on main track to reach that industry so it would already have air in the line. You do not enter main track without working brakes. When you spot your cars, you will apply hand brakes appropriate to the number of cars spotted. If you are switching in a yard chances are the cars already have the air "bled off". If not, there must be a reason for it. You don't want to switch long cuts of cars around curves without air, using just the independent will 'string line" the cut. I have seen that happen more than I care to. Normal switching is done using the independent
     
  17. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks Charlie. I guess that makes good sense, given the weight of the cars and their mass overcoming the locomotive's ability to safely control them without air. Again, thank you. It's something I've long wondered about.
     
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  18. Charlie

    Charlie TrainBoard Member

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    Today, on the nation's birthday, I wish you all a safe and healthy holiday. Please DO NOT celebrate the "Fourth" with a 1/5th! If you have fireworks please be aware of how dangerous they are and please keep children far away from them!

    God Bless the USA!

    Charlie
     
  19. Charlie

    Charlie TrainBoard Member

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    you are welcome.
    an aside story...The last time I had a "check ride" It was with myself, two of my engineer classmates, one conductor, the regular engineer, and the Road Foreman(Forewoman). I was to take the train from the departure track in Cicero IL and head west with this crowded cab and run how and until when she told me. As we approached Eola IL Yard, She told me to stop by the yard office using ONLY the dynamic brake. The train was an intermodal about 9000 ft +/- in length. I painted that train to a stop with the cab steps right on the paved foot path from the yard office. I used the independent just the last foot or so to hold it in place. Had to pat myself on the back. She told me to grab my grip and tie up.My pals got to run a little farther west before they were relieved.

    Chariie
     
  20. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hi Charlie, during your years on the rail, did you ever have any spots that had a regular group of railfans? If so, did you ever get to meet them or do anything entertaining when passing them on occasion?
     

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