Railroaders' Nostalgia > Working the snow

Here’s an image much-needed for my own personal comfort. It’s been up into mid-high 90s numerous times in the past 4-5 weeks, with high humidity typical of Kansas. It even hit a record 107 about 2 weeks ago. And I’ve come to the startling conclusion that my near-70 year old body doesn’t accept this ridiculous foofaraw like it did when it was in its 20s, 30s, or even 40s! So I’m posting this cold-weather shot by my friend John LaGesse, just so I can look at it and feel better.

But I have another reason to post this image. If memory serves... I recall catching a week on a branch line Jordan spreader-cum-snow plow work train back in the winter of 1981(?). We had considerable snow that winter and that branch needed the snowfall to be plowed out in many spots along the right of way, mainly for drainage purposes. With lodging provided by the RR at “XYZ-ville” we would work all day and always get tied up and off duty well before happy hour down at the local watering hole. And we didn’t fail to take advantage of that fact. Of course, we might let the er... umm... momentum of said happy hour carry us rather late into the evening. But there was a certain code we had to honor. We would always be at work in the morning at the directed hour. Even if we were moving a bit slower than usual. It was “See No Fail”, to borrow an old, traditional Santa Fe train order directive...

I can imagine there are quite a few railroaders here on TO that will vouch for some form of this story. Working an “outside” job and tying up at an out-lying point will invariably bring out the “rascal” in a young trainman, who's full of starch. When you’re in your 20s you’re still bullet-proof, right... ;^)

1. D&RGW 3119 + spreader/plow 042 -if that’s a viable number- at Tabernash, CO on February 21, 1978.
Original Kodachrome slide by John LaGesse.

Thanks John, I feel better already!
Lance Garrels
santafe199



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/18/24 22:40 by santafe199.

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Wonderful shot!!! Thank you for sharing it.

I had a lot more starch in my 20’s than 50’s for damn sure!

81 was a cold and snowy winter all around.

Regards

Posted from iPhone

I'd bet 90% of us have done the same thing on a work train when it tied up.

Sam

another one is nearby..today ithink, after stripped of it's wings for movie work i think   https://www.historycolorado.org/location/denver-rio-grande-railroad-snowplow-ax-044

On that rather cold Colorado day in February 1978, I'm assuming the two heater stacks were warmer that their surrounding atmosphere.  It appears at least, they weren't exhibiting any "less burnt fuel oil" in their exhaust, but the heating stoves beneath them might be awaiting for some damp gloves to be layed upon these stoves beneath them.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/26/24 19:52 by rrman6.