Operating the C&S Northern Division
Jim is the engineer as train No. 41 crests the grade in Broomfield. A summer thunderstorm is blowing in from the mountains as leased CB&Q engine No. 6306 heads into the sunshine on June 8, 1958.
Rice Yardmaster Brian clearly enjoys the power of his position, while Tom signs the register for his train, AT&SF No. 53, departing for South Denver. No. 53 is typically a monster, as it's the only daily Santa Fe train out of Denver, and it frees up a lot of yard track when it goes. Perhaps that's the true reason for Brian's mirth.
It's after 10 PM as Train No. 29, the northbound Shoshone, drifts downgrade into Louisville — only a flag stop for this Pullman-equipped passenger train. Engineer Bill has already checked for flagging passengers — none tonight — as he blows for the crossing.
John is a visiting operator, a boomer, holding down the Station Operator desk. From his smile, he appears to have things well in hand. In my experience, boomers can bring a high skill level to their jobs, and I often learn a thing or two from them.
Chuck is Rice Yardmaster for this session, and is an accomplished Pennsylvania Railroad modeler from Santa Fe. He's got his eye on the progress of his switch engine as it brings a caboose to the far end of the yard. There he'll tack it on to the train behind the engine on the bridge, preparing for a northbound departure.
Sometimes, the unexpected happens. It appears that Engine Foreman John has just had that experience. When stuff happens, just remember
model railroading is fun.
Train No. 32 is waiting in the siding as northbound superior train No. 23 rolls by on the main track at Valmont. Dave is the engineer riding the diesel E unit on No. 23, and he's very pleased to find No. 32 safely out of the way. Southbound No. 32 had fallen behind on its schedule, and tucked in at Valmont when it could not make it in time to the scheduled meet with No. 23 in Broomfield.
C&S veteran Bill brings train No. 31 downgrade into Valmont, while sharing a laugh with also-veteran Denver Union Station Assistant Yardmaster Doug. Doug has the station switch engine idling, so he's already built the consist for train No. 17, a southbound leaving Denver at 1:15 PM. Train cards, arrival/departure announcer and Doug's throttle are on the fascia; and his train lineup is tacked below the Longmont staging yard.
Birds-eye view of Rice Yard as it awaits the next operating session, from left to right: A steam engine stands on the main track, with a switch engine at the other end; The track to Union Station peels off to the left, with the flagmen gathered on their brick patio between the tracks; A northbound freight and a string of hopper cars stand on the arrival/departure tracks; Five classification tracks have a mix of cars, with the fourth track empty; Tracks of the engine facility are on the extreme right.
Rice Yard Assistant Yardmaster's desk: Card boxes to the left, one per track, with industry locations and car routing job aids attached below; Yard Throat selector and switch engine throttle on fascia at right; AYM's switch engine with tender on bridge. The AYM job position comes with a beautiful view of Cherry Creek, and usually of the boss's (Yardmaster's) face beyond.
Rice Yardmaster's desk: Genuine plywood, with train cards, session paperwork, and two drink holders (it's good to be the boss!); YM's Yard Throat selector (coordination with the Assistant YM required), arrival/departure track switch controls, YM's switcher throttle, and Track Scale panel along the fascia; the Rice Yard register hangs below the Track Scale. This job also comes with a view of Cherry Creek.
