Leo and Mike,
I've always called this 4H hill since I am from Ottawa and up at the
top are the 4H grounds, but it appears the correct Q term was South
Ottawa Hill - glad to know that. I actually saw Illinois Railnet stall
just south of Rt. 71 with that CF-7 and 6 cars on a really cold December
day. It's the only time I ever saw Hitt siding used. My parents lived
on the south side and it was always neat to hear 5 or 6 SD-7 and 9s
working up that hill. Wasn't as neat with the SD40-2 set 6850 and 6950
with the turbos.
One of the other tough grades on that line was just north of Wedron.
>From what I can tell, the Roustabout or the Wedron turn were used to get
loads from Wedron back to Ottawa so 86 would not have to P/U and try to
start all those loaded sand hoppers up that hill. It also appears the
Fox Valley job would have taken cars back north also. If this train
needed to double the hill, where did it double to? I would love to hear
more stories about operations on this line. The ones presented already
have been a blast to read.
Eric Mumper
Mike Decker wrote:
>
> Hi Leo:
>
> We were still collecting 25 miles for "doubling account excess tonnage" the
> last time I had occasion to do it. Most of the time it amounted to taking
> the part of the train you were still attached to, the half-mile or so up to
> the East end of the siding at Buckskin Mine, though I have doubled as far as
> Donkey Creek, down on the mainline. Obviously, if you got a knuckle or
> drawbar....you must have had "excess tonnage" for the conditions, and if you
> broke it before you got into the clear of the West end of the siding,
> there's no way to get the helper behind you to push :>)
>
> Mike Decker
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <BRHSlist@yahoogroups.com>
> > Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2003 22:03:52 EST
> > From: qutlx1@a...
> > Subject: Doubling the Hill
> >
> > In Feb 1946 #85/86 are running Clyde to Streator and return after
> layover.
> > On #85 they stall on South Ottawa Hill,cut the train in two,stop at Hitt
> and
> > p/u 2 cars and go to Streator and then go back to South Ottawa for the
> rear
> > end end,stop at Hitt again and p/u 17 more cars and tie up at Streator.The
> > crews timeslip for 100 miles is turned down but fiinally paid in April
> 1947.
> > Why is this one worth mentioning? First because the crew doesnt claim a
> 100
> > double for going thru Grand Ridge but rather for starting a new assigment
> by
> > leaving Streator(their terminal) after 12 hrs on duty per rule 36. The
> other
> > reason is because one of the brakeman was none other than BRHS member RR
> > Repetto.
> > Leo
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
|