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It's been one "interesting" week so far on the north end. The Usually Pathetic has been really making everyone's lives...well, I guess interesting would be a diplomatic way of saying it. Today for example, they had a window for track gangs. Now this is OK, since I generally approve of physical plant upgrades and maintenance. I think, however, with the amount of trains they have standing on their system, they might want to possibly consider delaying them until, oh, maybe the trains are moved to their destinations. Just me, but that's what I would do.
So the north end becomes heavily congested with trains and to add to the fire they take a main out of service for something like 8 or 10 hours. Makes ya just want to go HMMMMMMM. Must be something in the water in Omaha. I feel for the dispatcher who has to untangle this mess every day. Again, HMMMMMMMM. OK, now I have that out of my system.
So today, train 241, which is on its first relief crew, calls to inform me that it isn't looking good. They're on stop at Beecher and there are 3 ahead of them waiting for Yard Center to bring 'em in. Now, it has taken this crew about 8 hours to go about 50 miles. You do the math. So I figure the Harbor will have an aneurysm when they see how little time he has left and probably will refuse the train. This means the UP and the IHB get into a crying match over what to do with the train. The UP wants it off their main and the Harbor doesn't want it on theirs. Again, HMMMMMMMM.
About this time, I figure it's time to let the chief take over and hammer out a solution. He takes over and with the tenacity of a disgruntled pit bull manages to persuade both sides to do what is best: keep the train moving. We order up a second relief crew and tell them to head for Yard Center or possibly even Blue Island for the choo choo. So now the Harbor is once again comfortable and not only accepts the train, but moves it up close to Bensenville before it dies! So now this relief crew chases the train from Terre Haute to Chicago only to find out it comes to rest not 10 miles from Bensenville, well within the Bensenville sphere of influence and rescue zone. Some days ... and to make the day truly interesting, the brain trust decides to run a 780 empty hopper train from Cal Park to Terre Haute.
Now I like trains. More money for the company, which means more money for me (eventually) not to mention job security and so on. However, what has to be spelled out here is the physical characteristics of this sub. It is NOT suited for through trains. It has 2 passing sidings (3 if Latta isn't filled with hoppers), and they're all short sidings at that (5300 foot range). So when another through train comes down the pike, it's something akin to a Chinese fire drill. We all run around trying to find a home for this abnormality and eventually after awkward moves and manipulations the land barge eventually makes it. But it is a real problem for us with all of the mine runs making their daily treks and all of that happiness. Oh well, just another day in paradise.....
Coal, coal, coal. That's what it's all about. Moving those dinosaur turds all over the countryside. OK, as long as it pays the bills I can live with that. So when I get in today and look at the daily operation plan I see a full slate: Hawthorn is doing double loading (that's 200 cars today!), Kindill is loading, Maysville is waiting for empties so they can load, the INRD is coming with something like 150 empties, Farmersburg is loading, and I forgot my lunch. Some days...
So anyways I settle in and notice that 241 is coming north from Louisville (out at 0420). 240 is here at Terre Haute and I can slide him down to Latta and let them deal with him. Good. Then I can take 240 to Crane for 241 and the world will once again be righted. So I take 240 to Mud Road for the change, send it down to Latta, and wait for 241 to call in. And wait. And wait. Finally, about the time I'm getting concerned and the chief is about to call the CSX and get a figure on him, my CDRC II chimes to the soothing tune of Bedford. Ah ha. This must be 241.
"CP Indiana Dispatcher Bedford radio, over."
"Dispatcher, this is Foreman Cunningham. I would like to get a track warrant from the North Siding Switch Crane to MP 252, line 2, over."
"OK, North Siding Switch Crane to MP 252. Now, I have a 241 train, the SOO 6016 North getting up towards Bedford. He will be there by 0930 or 1000 and I need to take him to Crane for 240. When he shows up can you get in the clear for him, over."
"Roger, dispatcher. At MP 252 I can set off, over."
Roger? Why does everyone call me Roger?
"OK, make it track warrant number 7014 March 25 1998 to Foremen M Cunningham at Crane. Check line 2 proceed from North Siding Switch Crane to MP 252 Latta Sub on main track. Track warrant 7014 has one line checked, line number 2, dispatcher MRD, over."
So he repeats it OK and I give him the OK time and all is well. So I am still waiting for this 241.
Now the day before, I got in and the 3rd trick dispatcher told me that 241 and 240 will meet on the CSX, and I could send 240 south to Bedford. OK. So he meanders south, and upon arriving at Bedford is informed he cannot get blocks because 241 is already coming north! So in essence I have 2 trains and nowhere to meet them!!! This is what gives a dispatcher instant headaches. Now what? So I look over the situation. The chief is less than happy, and the crew at Bedford is really excited about the myriad of possibilities this could lead to. So the chief suggests pulling 240 into Bedford and letting 241 run by and then backing out and continuing south. 240 has a small train so thankfully we are saved! Turns out the 3rd trick CSX dispatcher had a new guy and he sort of dropped the ball. Well, as long as it ends well that's all I'm concerned with.
Now with this little experience fresh in mind, I really want to make sure I see the whites of 241's number boards before I commit to taking 240 south towards Bedford. Meanwhile, the usual din of the day kicks into full swing: track maintenance people everywhere, pull aparts and broken bonds to contend with, roadswitchers making moves and waiting for clearances, and all of that fun stuff. My console chimes again to the dulcet tones of Bedford, and I figure it's Cunningham wanting more track.
"CP Indiana Dispatcher Bedford radio, over."
"Dispatcher, this is 241. We're coming into Salem. I don't think we can make it. Do you have relief called for us, over?"
"No, not yet. Last time I talked to CSX he said you were doing well and would be here in about 2 hours and that was about 1 hour ago, over."
"Well, I think we might make Bedford, maybe. Can you get a cab called for us, over?"
"OK, I'll get a cab for you. Where do you want it to meet you, over?"
There was a long silence. I could almost see the gears turning ... they really don't want to take this train to Latta and switch it out. Before they can answer back I add my own plan to the mix.
"I was hoping you could make it to Crane so I could meet you and 240 there. Think you might be able to make Crane, over?"
Again a long pause. The gears are working overtime.
"Well, we'll try for Crane but I'm not sure. Start a cab up for Bedford and we'll shoot for Crane, over."
"All right, aim for Crane and I'll start a cab for Bedford, over."
"25th street in Bedford please, over."
"25th Street on the cab, over."
"That is correct, over."
"OK, well do. If you get delayed on the CSX let me know right away please, over."
"We'll do, over."
"Thank you, CP Indiana Dispatcher out."
"SOO 6016 North out."
So I tell Cunningham to head for the hills. He obliges. The planner is listening to all of this and he and the chief decide to call a relief crew right away instead of just taking the crew off this 241. The planner figures about 45 minutes switching at Latta and then 240 will head south. Sounds like a plan. So the wheels of progress grind into motion and the groundwork is laid. But of course, as with any really well thought out plan there has to be a at least one special guest appearance by Mr. Murphy himself.
Yup, ol' man Murph and his law has to get involved. This time it's the taxi company. Ok, we're short of vans at the present time. I'll take your order but there may be a delay. How long? Oh, maybe 1/2 hour or more. Now if I relay this to the train they will go ballistic. So I decide to take the safe course (GCOR Rule 1.1). I tell them nothing. Out of sight, out of mind. Now this crew dies at 1230 and they call me at 1215 wondering where their ride is. I act kinda surprised. What!? It isn't there yet!? Well, they must be right around the corner. Give them a couple of minutes. They should be there any time. Right. So as I finish lying through my teeth, the cab calls out to the train! Be there in about 5 minutes!!! Yee Ha!!!! Now I look like a champ!! Gee, I get so excited I decide to celebrate by taking a bathroom break AND treating myself to a Coke I found in the fridge. Not really sure whose it is or how long it's been in there, but this is cause for celebration.
The south end has been relatively OK lately. The CF dispatcher keeps forgetting to send orders to our trains but otherwise things aren't too bad. Maybe they read this and like the attention? HMMMMMMM.
Dispatching of the INRD was delayed a week account insurance and other legal matters needed final working out. I get to be the guinea pig this Friday night when this is supposed to happen. Please send all condolences and monetary contributions to me, Mike Dettmers. I accept all kinds of currency except Monopoly money. IOU's and coupons are OK, as long as they're for useful things. I'll leave those to the imagination.
Power:
Hawthorn power: SOO 2041 - 4442 - 4435 - HATX 402 - SOO 2032
Maysville power: SOO 4648 - 4601
Farmersburg power: CP 5864 - 6411 - SOO 6620
Van Yard Engine: SOO 4603
Roadswitcher power: SOO 4512 - 4443 - 4405
XL Power: CP 5789 - CP 5604
Kindill power: SOO 2036 - HATX 111 - SOO 4400 (?)
Free Agents: SOO 737 - CP 5848 (?)
New Arrivals:
240 power: CP 5719 and 2 more that escape my mind
241 power: SOO 6016 - 6019
INRD Power:
GE power: Don't know yet
Merom power: Don't know yet
Rob Job: Don't know yet
Palestine Turn: Don't know yet
CSX Power:
T501 Cayuga power: Don't know yet
T540 Merom power: Don't know yet
I guess the CSX is VERY far behind in owing the CP horsepower hours, so much so that we are going to begin a run-through with them involving the Cayuga train T501. They will supply something like 7 units and we will supply 3 for 2 five unit sets. This was supposed to begin yesterday but...well, CSX sent the wrong kind of units, namely slugs and so on and it had to be postponed until tonight. I guess I'll believe it when I see it...
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Editorial content (C) 1998 Mike Dettmers
