>There are many accounts of strange and wild trips made on "tac
>trains" while they were with us. It was with no sadness on my part
>when sanity overcame this operation and they quit running 'em.
Karl:
Thank you for your "real world" view of things. The following is a true
incident. The winter of the PRR/PC's I think that the goal was to run
104 or 106 cars with that equipment. Standard power was 3 of the
U25C/U28C breed.
Around 3:00 a.m. an IHB crew was waiting for an Ore train. As was
normal practice the Conductor was in the Depot with their power
all the way down under the Ogden Ave. bridge.
I went up and got the list and waybill as the waycar rolled by and
was back downstairs waiting to hear the cars go over the building.
With no radio I didn't have any idea what was going on. After about
a half hour we still didn't have any setout. Went outside and could
see that the gates at Maple Ave. were not down. Asked Dispatcher
for information and he asked our crew and got a "we can't set out"
response. Drove the IHB Conductor down there to try and resolve
whatever problem there was. Since you could not get that unlock
if you were East of the crossing I sort of thought that was the case
but the switch was lined for the South Wye.
The last car was almost clear of the crossover between #2 & #3.
We talked to the BN Conductor and he really didn't understand
what was wrong but every time the Engineer tried to take slack
the train bunched up and those GE's could just not get it moving
backwards. IHB Conductor was not know for his tact and just
said, in essence, "Just stay where you are and let me get the
train". He summonded his power and pretty soon it showed up.
He confirmed that things were going to stay where they were
and ran out on Main #3 and coupled on to the rear car. Told BN
Conductor to have the head end close the angle cock and pull
the pin. "Didn't need or want any help". Now the slack was in
the IHB Engineer's favor and by the time the middle of the train
went by things were starting to bounce around a bit. Probably
was up to 20 or so by the time the rear end went by. Either the
BN Conductor or Rear Man asked me what kind of engines
those were. Truthfully answered, "Two GP38's".
Took the IHB Conductor down to the switch where the South Wye
joined the West Pass and went back to my office to hibernate.
Just another day on the Railroad.
Russ
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