[CBQ] Re: Student Trips

["mdecker@gwtc.net [CBQ]" <CBQ@yahoogroups.com>]

I got done with Brakeman class in Alliance in June, 1977, and Bob Deford, the 
personnel guy and Glenn Saylor, the Supt., said I should go up to Edgemont.  
They figured I'd get back into Engine Service faster in a smaller terminal.  
When I got there, Jim Dickey, the Trainmaster was waiting for me.  He said: 
"Are you that shortline guy from Wisconsin?"  "Yup"  "Ready to go to work?"  
"Ya, but they said we'd have to make 5 student trips first."  "Tell those guys 
in Alliance we haven't got time for that stuff up here.  You got your book, 
keys and lamp?"  "Ya"  You know what you're doin' don't ya?"  "I guess so."  
"Well then go have Alice (Haave, the wife of Dick Haave, a friend off the Rock, 
who was firin' there at the time) mark you up."  I went to work at 4:05A the 
next day.  The only problem I had that first trip was when I got down to throw 
the West switch at Upton to let us out onto the main.  I 'bout broke my back 
trying to throw the switch, until Marty Wolf stepped out on the nose and 
pointed over to the far side of the track.  I'd never seen a pedal lock before, 
and all they showed us in class was how to "hand job" one of the new dual 
control switches at the West end of the Alliance yard.