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One nite parade was interrupted with a possible test or a freight crew at Eola throwing a fusee. As the fusee landed on the tracks every train had to stop till it burned out so we wound up with dinky s backed up all the way to Fairview Ave. I was working at Cicero in the late '70's when we finally made a 90% on time parade for a month and we thought we were really doing good.
Steve in SC From: "qutlx1@aol.com" <qutlx1@aol.com> To: cbq@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tue, August 21, 2012 11:34:02 PM Subject: Fwd: [CBQ] Fwd: Fire Insurance Efficiency tests Note: Forwarded message is attached.
As usual Pete has done a pretty complete job of covering the
various types of efficiency tests. Keep in mind these were usually done on low
density lines. For example I dont ever recall an efficiency test on the triple
track east end between Aurora and CUS(by the way we never called it the speedway
or anything other than the East End). I also dont ever recall a test in a yard.
Most of the tests I remember were done during the day on branch
lines.
Pete be sure to read all the way to the bottom as there's a
"test" of sorts for you at the end.
One test that I previously described was done at Aurora Tower.
The rules required that a crew observe a signal until it had been passed.
The layout of the tower and one eastbound signal made it possible to test from
the comfort of the tower by changing the signal indication just a split second
before the engine would go under it. When this test was being done the train was
routed in such a way as to be lined into a red absolute signal less than about a
quarter mile away on a curve that was hidden until very near it. Why do I
remember this particular test so well. It was pulled on me and an engineer one
night and I thought we failed as we did get just past the red signal. Never
heard another word about it, not even so much as a friendly better be more
careful. And yes I was sure it was a test because I saw the guy standing at
the window in the tower.
I believe another kind of test was to drop in on a crew while
they were eating somewhere out on the road at a local establishment. One crew on
one particular wayfreight was "said" to be having liquid lunches in a particular
town. One day while the crew was lunching the trainmaster and roadforeman
dropped into the restaurant. Along with their food a couple crew members seemed
to have a drink not allowed under Rule G and also a glass of water or
soda.
When asked if the alcohol was his,each member said no his
drink was the soda or water and didn't know who the booze was for.
Another time at this same establishment the crew came in for
lunch and the bartender took their orders and then sat only a glass of water in
front of each. Momentarily the trainmaster/roadforeman team walked
in.
I believe another form of testing was to ride a
passenger train and see if the fares were collected and tickets punched
correctly. I believe this usually happened when something was
suspected.
Now you knew there was going to be a story....................
One night I was called off the passenger extra list to work a
night dinky as the regular man had laid off. On my way into the depot another
trainman was going home after just arriving but stopped me to say watch out,
your working in so and so spot tonight and they think he's splitting duplexes
and are on the train. The suspect trainman had laid off with short notice and
apparently word had not reached the testers or they decided to observe
anyway.
You know how it's been described that RR mgmt used to dress in
an easily identifiable manner, seems to me RR police also did or I was just
aware that night of certain out of place appearances. The upper deck had at
least two observers in each half of the car I was responsible to collect tickets
in and each bought a cash fare. It was only a few weeks later that the regular
colllector on the job was no longer a RR employee.
I believe another possible form of testing was for local mgmt
to visit the away from home terminal restaurants and bars. This was a bit tricky
for all because back in those days you were OK drinking in your off duty time as
long as you didn't come to work under the influence. You could be in town in
some cases for a day or more.
Things are very, very much different today.
The thing I often wondered about was if the tests were totally
random or were certain crews or crew members selected specifically?
Leo Phillipp
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