Re: [CBQ] Aurora coal chute 1868

["jpslhedgpeth via Groups.Io" <jpslhedgpeth=aol.com@groups.io>]

Regarding use of "facilities" on Steam Locomotives I recall from some "long lost" "ravings" in the old RAILROAD MAGAZINE that  "Going back in the tender to "CALL ON MOTHER JONES"  was just not done.  

Just from my own experience here's a little "Quickie"  brought to memory by the current topic.  It was a hot summer morning at Ravenna, NE and we were called for a "stock pickup"  which apparently was originating at Ravenna.  We were getting one of the  "Passenger Units" for power.  

I was standing somewhere around the ladder on the fireman's side of the cab. and Suddenly I sensed that someone had "spilled" something out of the cab or perhaps a brief "sprinkle" had drifted by.   I looked up  "and what did I see"..but the old engineer..."Draining the G Valve" right over my head from his stance in the doorway.  

I was "surprised" to "say the least"...

Just another little "Tale of the Rails" floating around in my memory awaiting the "critical moment" to "release it"..no pun intended...or...on second thought...May it was intended.

Pete

-----Original Message-----
From: Carroll, Ed <ed.carroll@heartland.edu>
To: CBQ@groups.io <CBQ@groups.io>
Sent: Sat, Nov 2, 2019 2:41 pm
Subject: Re: [CBQ] Aurora coal chute 1868

According to what I was told by my father and Mr. Starjack a buck was hung from a point on the tender or on the end of the plate that covered the stoker and was used along with toilet paper that was kept in a toolbox under the fireman's seat. "It" was generally thrown out when the they slowed for a trestle or curve in the country. The bucket was then washed out with steam.

Edward V. Carroll
Distinguished Professor of History
Heartland Community College
1500 West Raab Road
Normal IL 61761

309.268.8582

ed.carroll@heartland.edu 
_____________________

Understanding the past requires pretending that you don't know the present.
Paul Fussell

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From: CBQ@groups.io <CBQ@groups.io> on behalf of Louis Zadnichek via Groups.Io <LZadnichek=aol.com@groups.io>
Sent: Saturday, November 2, 2019 10:06 AM
To: CBQ@groups.io <CBQ@groups.io>
Subject: Re: [CBQ] Aurora coal chute 1868

 

November 2, 2019

Pete - Back in steam engine days, what did the engineer. fireman and head end brakeman do when they had to use the bathroom when their train was moving since toilets were unheard of in steam engine cabs?  I can see where they could stand in the gangway when the need arose and take a whiz (so to say), but what about if they got a bad plate of food at the last lunch room and Montezuma's revenge took hold ? What then? They just couldn't stop their train to hike off into the bushes.....  I've always wondered about this never discussed facet of railroading in the good ole days...... Please enlighten us - Louis

Louis Zadnichek II

Fairhope, AL

In a message dated 11/1/2019 11:02:15 PM Central Standard Time, jpslhedgpeth=aol.com@groups.io writes:

Yes indeed Mike..THE NOSE was a location I never frequented while "in motion"...It was always my first duty when going "on duty" as head brakeman.  You always had to go "down in the nose" to see if you had the required eqipment..ie flags, lantern, torpedoes, blocks, chain, spare knuckle etc.  It was..as you or anybody who had occasion to frequent said location not a pleasant place to be. IIRC there was a toilet down there, which I never saw anyone make use of it...including me..however there was always evidence that it had been used and...it was not cleaned "frequently" which was immediately obvious when you opened the door to make your initial descent.

Pete

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Decker <mdecker@gwtc.net>
To: CBQ <CBQ@groups.io>
Sent: Fri, Nov 1, 2019 2:25 pm
Subject: Re: [CBQ] Aurora coal chute 1868

Yup, Pete, I learned that one early, and when the helper crew 'drifted' their motors through the crossover into the side of a train loading at Belle Ayr, the Engineer was 'down in the nose'.  I don't remember what the Brakeman's excuse was.

Thanks, Hol, for the clarification on the location.  The part I remembered particularly was the fireman who'd jumped excuse,

Mike

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