The Last Zephyr by CB Blackforest
Author:CB Blackforest
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Brad Swartzwelter
Published: 2023-08-04T19:41:02+00:00
Chapter 22
WYE
âRailroading is simple; trains go from point A to point B. It is the parts in between that can get complicated.â
âCB
Christina had moved to the lead unit, the 313, while Larry attended the conference call. Nick called her on the radio. She was excited that the satellite phones reached the dispatching center. But the message she got was grim. âChristina, this is Nick. We have a problem. The bolster on the Silver Sky looks cracked, and debris from the gate is jammed in tight. We have to set the car out.â
âOkay, we need to do a runaround and wye anyway. We can set it out on the siding from the east,â she replied.
Nick answered, âAgreed. OUT.â
Larry was back on the 313 shortly after the call. He took over that engine while Christina went to the 309. â313 to Nick. OVER.â
Nick replied, âGo. OVER.â
The engineer never willingly broke a railroad rule in his life, and he did not want to start now. âWe need permission to use the wye and authority on the main and siding. OVER.â
Nick was mildly humored by the formality, considering the situation, but he agreed. Nick called Omaha on the phone. The answer came from Jack Steele. Having been a dispatcher earlier in his career, Jack was well versed in proper procedure.
âTrain Number 5, you have authority to work between Milepost 58 and Prospect Junction on all tracks as needed without further permission. Possible trains ahead. OVER.â
Jack then made up a new level of track authority to keep the train moving. âAnd Number 5, you have permission to use whatever means are required to get by all obstacles. OVER.â
Nick replied, âRoger that,â and repeated the instructions as required by rules. Nick asked if the wye was still safe to use before the eruption. He had not seen an engine use it in years.
Jack asked him to stand by for a few minutes.
In Jackâs contacts list, he found the person in charge of track maintenance on the Moffat subdivision, a man he didnât know, named Jake. Heâs probably dead, but Iâll try, Jack thought as he dialed the number.
Seconds later, Jakeâs phone rang. âHello, Jake speaking,â he answered.
Surprised that someone answered, Jack Steele started talking. He wanted to find out what to tell Nick about the wye.
âWhat? Youâre asking me? Iâm on that train right now. Sure, the wye is serviceable. I will tell Nick and the crew myself.â
René and Jake had track teams ready to get off the train and start working on the planned wye and runaround move. The assistant conductor got on the PA. âThis is the time, guys . Track teams, open your doors, and go to work.â She keyed her railroad radio mic and requested three-point protection from the engineers. HEP power went down on the train.
For everyone on board it was a depressing moment, almost like PTSD. To lose power after only an hour was something they all had to get used to.
Brake pipe and main reservoir angle cocks between the 309 and baggage car were closed.
Download
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.
Automotive | Engineering |
Transportation |
Small Unmanned Fixed-wing Aircraft Design by Andrew J. Keane Andras Sobester James P. Scanlan & András Sóbester & James P. Scanlan(32551)
Navigation and Map Reading by K Andrew(4869)
Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing(4474)
And the Band Played On by Randy Shilts(1998)
Wild Ride by Adam Lashinsky(1858)
The Box by Marc Levinson(1843)
Top 10 Prague (EYEWITNESS TOP 10 TRAVEL GUIDES) by DK(1829)
The Race for Hitler's X-Planes: Britain's 1945 Mission to Capture Secret Luftwaffe Technology by John Christopher(1725)
The One Percenter Encyclopedia by Bill Hayes(1705)
Trans-Siberian Railway by Lonely Planet(1611)
Girls Auto Clinic Glove Box Guide by Patrice Banks(1609)
Looking for a Ship by John McPhee(1560)
Batavia's Graveyard by Mike Dash(1537)
TWA 800 by Jack Cashill(1508)
Fighting Hitler's Jets: The Extraordinary Story of the American Airmen Who Beat the Luftwaffe and Defeated Nazi Germany by Robert F. Dorr(1504)
Troubleshooting and Repair of Diesel Engines by Paul Dempsey(1488)
Good with Words by Patrick Barry(1478)
Bligh by Rob Mundle(1475)
Ticket to Ride by Tom Chesshyre(1460)
