And end of an era... headed for the scapper... not many of these old girls left anymore... I still like running them for a lot of reasons. The 111 has a 5 note whistle, I should have grabbed it

Power swap

2011/05/31 1700 2011/06/01 0530 = 12'30" on duty
LA14 LA14
Job: LA14 04 From LAURMT To HELEMT Train: MLAUPAS129

Swapped power at two locations trying to get units that worked. We had a couple of old Santa Fe Warbonnets that were not up to the task of pulling this 11,500 ton train.. We died at Townsend.

Soorry

I let my co-workers down...

sorry... it turns out we were asked to step up for the good of the country while I was dealing with the doctors... dang... sorry guys... I didn't know... really

And this happened while I was gone.... can't leave 'em alone for a minute

Salem

Most by now have figured out that it is unlikely that I'll ever pedal across the US of A. The blog "Michaels Bicycle" has turned into Michaels Motorcycle and is mirrored on this blog "A View from the Locomotive"

Little Salem Marie Turley was born yesterday. As I get older, like many folks, that get older, I've beginning to worry (not a lot) but a bit, about what the world is coming to. There is a glimmer of worry what this little glow worm is getting herself into.

Then a pause. To travel on a motorcycle is just the best. We have all heard the cliche'... freedom, open road, one with one's self (what does that one even mean?)

For me, I restore my faith in people during my travels. I can relate story after story of the people I come across on the 2 lane backroads of America. Yes, America is still out there.

There were three America stories on this trip but my favorite to date is the time we rolled into O'Keene, Oklahoma after dark. Danny was counting on his version of Primrose Patty (my GPS) to secure motel accommodations for the night. Turned out the motel was closed and literally boarded up. The City Park sign read, "NO Camping". We went over to the only establishment that look open. A Convenience store. Bars never look open to me. The front door was not locked but it turned out the store was closed. Beth, a stunningly pretty girl was cleaning up and getting ready to close. There were a few patrons sitting a a table. We wanted just a sandwich so Beth drug out all here wares and made the three of us sandwiches. We asked about Camping about town and one of the fellows at the table said to wait that Keith Richard.... son would be there soon. Keith as it turned out was not actually a cop but worked for the city water department. He indicated that he might forget to lock the bathrooms over at the city park and that if someone slept on the lawn over by the airport it would be out of sight. Next morning back to the store we went. Everybody was there including the mayor. Nice breakfast with few stares. As we left and I paid the bill, I told Beth, "You must be the prettiest thing in town". To which she replied, "You ought to see my sister".

What does all this have to do with little Salem Marie Turley? Well, it's a pretty good place she has joined. Welcome Salem.

RR content? - just a reminder

I have been on vacation this first part of 2011. I have not missed working in the bad weather. Railroading in this stuff is miserable. As this is my last full year of Railroading I will try to update the blog more. I cannot take on the fly photos from the train anymore unless I am deadheading on the train and not a crew member. (I happens now and then) but there are many opportunities for photos within the guidelines of Emergency Order #26

The Smugmug link to photos is here

I also reset the SPOT for 2011. It doesn't transmit well from inside the locomotive and inside my grip. I use it primarily for the motorcycle trips but I have had requests to turn it on in the locomotive. We railroaders have groupies that tend to be techie guys.

I have an idea for mounting the goPro in unique locations on the locomotive. Look for those later.
GO to my BearSTOC.blogspot.com site for examples of the GoPro camera... say Happy Christmas present.

Happy New Year - new location link

Happy New Year everybody.

I am on vacation and just hanging out by the fire. It's been nice not having to Railroad in the bitter cold. Sometimes vacations are more work than working but this one was the exception.

I have created a new SPOTWALLA page for Where's MD (that's me)

I have PMS really bad... (that's parked motorcycle syndrome)

Do we really want to go there?

I miss the old super. I was forced to work one of my vacation days last monday. Do we really want to go there? As short handed as the RR can get they have never made anyone that I knew of work their vacation unwillingly. I was told I had to work. Maybe my new boss knew I needed to pay for the new snowblower!

On the Soap Box, off the fuel?

how about joining my family and driving a fuel efficent car? I started driving them in 1984.

OK, never mind that I ride a motorcycle (that gets 50 mph) to no where in particular for recreation and that I burn about 8000 gal. of fuel everytime I go to work.

Still, well... OK, nevermind.

Wait, I'm not done. Someone explain to me why they need a Hummer? Or a huge diesel pickup that doesn't have one single scratch in the bed.

My pickup gets 27mpg, the new car gets 38+mpg, the motorcycle gets 48+mpg

but.... The train gets 362 feet per gal, or so I was told way back when.
Per ton of freight up to 14 times more efficent than a semi-truck

As an Engineer, I can pay my own wages by caring enough to eliminate power braking. Burn dem brakes shoes I say, Burn.

RR content - kinda 10/10/10 10:10

The RR will not allow me to work because I had a sycopatic episode... again

The story is over on my other blog at:
http://michaelsbicycle.blogspot.com/

It's a lot like listening to an old guy complain about his health... OK, it exactly like

RR content - huh?

I'm in Helena standing for

Train Call Time Assign Stand Rested Available Last OS Time
CNAMRBE0DC 13:00-04 E LA14 Rested 11:15-04 huh?
Helper ? Arrive Depart 13:15-04 E
01 JACK 04 MIKE

I think its a Roundup coal empty but the C is usually a load, so... huh?

I'll go ride my bike, and wait for the call

RR content more Indian Summer

I froze yesterday. We had more Indian Summer and we also had the best A/C I've ever felt on a locomotive. The BNSFxx90 froze me out. Just like a railroader to complain about something!

Stats
Grain Train
9.5 mph up Winston
1300 - 2345 = 10"45", it was a get on and go train. We got stopped 4 times including Elton. I hate to stop there with a underpowered train.

M/C ride - Indian summer

I was just a little late and the video is a bit dark. It wasn't as dark as it looks... I'll redo it. I could not resist... we had some Indian Summer, I thought I should do Dead Indian Pass instead of repairing my roof!
Videos moved to BearSTOC.blogspot.com

New toy - GoPro

This is the first video with the new GoPro video camera

Old Hardin Road starts at just south of Billings and runs over to Hardin, MT
This will be the first road to BearSTOC.

This is the first 15 minutes give or take.
Also available here

Part 2


Gotta try it on the mountain bike next!

WeSTOC / ToadSTOC 2010

A travelogue of my motorcycle trip to Idaho, BC, AB and back to Montana will go here.

A link to the pictures is HERE



Garmin player telemetry
Part 1 - Billings to Moscow, ID
Part 2 - part 2 of Day 1 and all of Day 2 -
WeSTOC The Mother road and Rattlesnake shake backroad recon
Day 3 - WeSTOC - Rattlesnake shake run revisited, a great day with Goldie
Day 4 - WeSTOC - Rattlesnake shake with Steve and Tim
Day 5 - Headquarters / Orofino Mex / Rattlenake shake with Goldie
Day 6 - Toadrock to Calgary
Day 7 - Calgary, AB to Shelby, MT, it's winter in Canada
Day 8 - Shelby to Billings - better weather in the good 'ol USA
Much of the telemetry data was lost... just too much rain I guess.