RE: [CBQ] A somewhat "Close Call" !!!

[GLEN <glenehaug@msn.com>]

Karl:
 
In 1966, I had a similar close call, but I was on the motor car.
 
In the summer of 1966, I was on a System Bridge Gang that was rebuilding a pile 
trestle bridge east of the penitentiary on the Nebraska City line (Br 59.02 I 
think).  The outfits were west of the Lincoln depot, and we rode to the job 
site on an 8 man motor car.  One afternoon upon leaving the bridge site, we 
entered the Table Rock Main at Lancaster after the bridge foreman had been 
assured on the phone that 'there is a train behind you on the Table Rock line, 
but you should be able to clear him at Hall Tower before he goes into the 
freight yard'.
 
The approach signals to the UP crossing at the old Sherman Tower location were 
approach lit, and as we were moving toward Hall, the searchlight went from 
'dark' to 'yellow', and I asked the foreman what that meant.  He said it meant 
that there was a train in the circuit, and as we looked to a rear, we 
discovered he was right.  A westbound train was coming up the Table Rock line 
behind us with some Graybacks on the head end.  The foreman ordered every one 
off the motor car, but the mechanic operating the MC said that he could make it 
to a set-off near the UP crossing, which we did (admittedly the train's speed 
was fairly slow, maybe 30 mph).  I never observed 3 or 4 men clear an A-8 motor 
car that fast ever again.
 
Glen Haug
 
To: CBQ@yahoogroups.com
From: qrailroadman@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 29 Apr 2014 14:09:08 -0700
Subject: [CBQ] REAL "Close Call" !!!














 

 



  


    
      
      
      On a trip to Marquette Cement, east of La Salle, we HIT a motorcar 
(speeder) with the switch engine.  The motorcar was NOT supposed to be where he 
was, WHEN he was !!!!!  That was a REAL close call !!  No injuries to personnel 
!!  The motorcar, however, did NOT survive..


qman