Would anyone like to share some more 'golden' railroad moments?

Question

I was firing for Harold Goddard on the hill headed to Roseville on the head end of some dog.

We had a Road Foreman of Engines riding to see his new district. Not only new to the Division, but new to the job. “New sheriff in town” kind of attitude.

I was eating a sandwich as we rolled onto the flat at Gold Run, Harold, the RFE standing right behind, pointed out points of interest. We were engaged in conversation, the topic movies with a railroad theme. All agreed "Emperor of the North" with Lee Marvin & Ernest Borgnine, while taking much theatrical license, was a fair account of railroad of past. Contains the best fight scene ever filmed. "Silver Streak" came up, too. The next, the made for TV movie, "Runaway."

The RFE says, " I didn’t see that one."

I said, “It was pretty lame. Obviously made for someone who knows absolutely nothing about railroading.”

Harold spun right around in his seat and said to the RFE, "You probably would have enjoyed it."

I started to choke.

Answer 1

Way back in 1978, as a Storeman for NZRailways in Dunedin, my usual Friday afternoon job, was to burn all the rubbish that had accumulated throughout the week.   Well, I stuffed the rubbish into the Romesse stove, pulled out the Damper at the back of it, and ignited the rubbish.

Well, the rubbish did not ignite at all.  Rather, because of no airflow, it all smoked....and smoked ........and smoked !!

Pretty soon, a great grayish-black cloud of smoky fog, blanketed the ceiling, and proceeded to drift up the Lift Shaft to the General Section.  A bloke up there got the blame for all the smoke !  He was a bit of a smoker, himself.  Why ought he not to get the blame !!!!????

Shortly later on, the Fire Warden wanted to know the reason for this smoke-out.  I sort of beat a quick retreat !

Answer 2

I'll tell one on myself, speaking of foad Foremen, I thought of something.

Dispatcher called us up and said we were to stop and pick up the Road Foreman at the next station, I said ok, no problem.

I assumed he would be at the passenger platform at the far end of the depot when he steps out from the building about 10 cars short of where I was expecting him.

I had already made one set and release to get slowed down, and went to full service when I saw him come out, I dont need to tell you what happened next.

He was just reaching for the grab irons and lifting his foot to step on when KER-WHAM!! the slack hit us and next thing he knew he was looking at the fuel tank.

When he walked in, through the back door to add insult to injury I said oops, you sorta snuck up on me.

Good thing it wasnt a check ride.

Crimson's story reminded me of my nephew, he was all questions when he discovered his uncle was an engineer, he asked if they are hard to steer, I said well, if you get one of the older ones without power steering they can be tough but the newer ones arent bad.

Ha to Andy, yep exactly, if you really want to s***w 'em, just do exactly what they tell you, dont ask questions, do exactly what you're told, let them do it to themselves. Nohting you can do would top what they do to themselves.

Answer 3

I was on an OARVV heading for Roseville back in the 70's.We had such a big train we layed down trying to pull the approach to the Carquinez Strait rail bridge.Two switchers out of Ozol yard had to push us over the bridge.Going down the other side the dispatcher called and told us to pick up 35 more cars at Bahia siding.My conductor told him we couldn't hardly pull what we had.Tough luck pick them up on the rear of your train we were told.We cut the caboose on the main and went against the cars.We couldn't even move them.The conductor got back on the radio and informed the dispatcher.He(dispatcher)made a critical mistake.He told us to take what we could pull and go.My conductor(a fine man by the name of Frank Zelinka) tells me we got his a** now!We had 15 loads of steel beams on the rear of our original train.Frank told me to go make a cut on them and send the train back to him to a joint while i tied some brakes.Away we go and man we're flying now since we got rid of about 2500 tons!The dispatcher calls and asks for a come out number which Frank gives him.A few minutes later we get a call.Hey guys i can't find that number are you sure it's a good one?Yep i'm sure.Hmmmm i don't see it.Ok well just tell me how many you picked up.None of them.WHAT!!!! Frank then puts in the knife.Ohhhh i'm sorry i misunderstood you!You said take what we could pull and since we couldn't pull what we had i left our rear 15 cars at Bahia with the rest of those others.Fur started flying then!ANOTHER trip in to see the superintendent upon arrival at Roseville.The super took one look at Frank and said nevermind just go tie up.LOL We walked out and Frank looked at me and said see kid that's how you s***w them good.Just stand there and look confused and ashamed...works everytime!

Bob i was a victim!!! lol I just kept having the luck to work with a bunch of the Oakland crazies. I had lots or peaceful trips too.Make a nice Oynx Club turn followed by a yummy meal at Mama Zells cafe and on back home again.Ahhhhhhhh

Believe it or not they did offer me a teaching position at Cerritos training engineers because i got top score of the year when i went to the simulator.No mention of a superintendent spot though lol.

Answer 4

My story is pretty mundane, really.

When I was about  7 my Dad and Mum and Sister and me went on a train from Leicester (London Road) to Birmingham. It was one of those diesels where the driver's cab has a glass screen at the back so passengers can see along the tracks. To the right of the cab is a wheel which looked to me, an innocent young child, like a steering wheel but was in fact the brake wheel.

Anyway, we're trundling along and smarty-pants says to Dad, 'How does the driver steer the train?'

Dad replies, 'He doesn't. The train follows the rails. See that curve coming up ahead? The train will follow it, because its wheels are guided by the rails.'

I was at the age when Dad was the voice of God from on high, so I accepted his word without demur.

A few minutes later, another train could be seen, approaching on the opposite line.

'Dad, are we going to crash?'

'No, son. The train you see is coming toward us on the other line'.

Funny how the world looks to a small child. I've never forgotten that experience.