The Lincoln Journal Star carried this piece one day last week.
BURLINGTON NORTHERN TRAINS TO DOUBLE SPEED: If Burlington Northern Santa Fe
freight trains seems to be moving fastr along tracks here this week, it's
because they are.
Trains rumbling along a branch line running northeast of Hastings will be
doubling speeds as of Tuesday. Curently, freig;ht trains aren't allowed to
exceed 25 mph on the 26 mile stretch of track between Aurora and Hastings.
But because of maintenance and upgrades, the BNSF engineers believe the track
will be able to handle a maximum speed of 49mpn, railroad spokesman Steve
Forsberg said.
Trains will slow down where they line hasn't been upgraded to handle faster
sppeds, officials said."
As I read this little piece I had a little thought from the past.....as I am
wont to do....
Many years ago there was a mixed local that operated a daily round trip from
Aurora to Hastings (via Giltner and Trumbul), thence on to Kearney. The
demands of service were not heavy and the mixed was regularly pulled by one
of the motor cars used in branch line service....It was a preferred job
because of the all daylight work and being home every night. The crew often
"scared up" a few pheasants between Juniata and Kearney.
This job was known as "James Boys"...that was the official name and the job
was referred to by that moniker and any bulletins or information referring to
the job would designate it that way....
Anybody want to guess why the "James Boys" name...Some of you old operating
guys ought to get it...Leo, Karl, Bob Campbell?????
Let's have a few guesses before I "tell".
Pete
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