Trains.com

Altoona

7353 views
35 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2019
  • From: Henrico, VA
  • 9,571 posts
Posted by Flintlock76 on Sunday, October 6, 2019 12:09 PM

Jones1945

 

 
Flintlock76

Wow, what is that thing?  It accelerated like a scalded cat, and then some!

Rough road indeed!  Reminds me of a story...

A railroad track maintanance foreman was riding in the cab when the engineer turned to him and said, "You know, it takes a lot of nerve to sit up here and run one of these things!"

"Really?"  said the foreman.  "It takes a lot  more nerve for me to sit up here and ride with you!"

"How so?"

 know what you're ridin' on!"

 

 

Love your story, Wayne. Smile Such a humorous way to teach that arrogant engineer a lesson, reminds him of the spirit of cooperation in railroading. The maintenance foreman ensures the train track is safe for every single train to run on it, the engineer ensures the train arrives at the destination safe and on time; everyone is equally important. Their salaries would be different though, but a person who is humble and helpful would bring him good things that money can't buy. 

Speaking of workplace relationship, a trainwreck happened in Springer, New Mexico, Sep 1956 comes to my mind. A Santa Fe Chief run head-on into a mail train. If I remember correctly, I read somewhere that the engineer on the Chief had a beef with the engineer on the mail train. Although it had nothing to do with the accident, it is noted by the related authorities during the investigation. 

 

You know Mr. Jones, that story about the engineers reminds me of one from military history.

Seems there were two Russian generals in the czarist era who hated each other from their service academy days, even going so far as to have a fist fight on a train station platform during the Russo-Japanese War.  Not proper behavior for generals, although I'm sure the troops got a kick out of it.

THEN they were teamed up at the start of World War One and told to attack into East Prussia.  They still couldn't get along and co-operate, and Von Hindenburg smashed them both! 

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 21,326 posts
Posted by Overmod on Sunday, October 6, 2019 1:32 PM

Flintlock76
You know Mr. Jones, that story about the engineers reminds me of one from military history.

What about Theobald and Buckner Jr. in the Aleutians?

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 24,934 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Sunday, October 6, 2019 9:57 PM

Jones1945
Speaking of workplace relationship, a trainwreck happened in Springer, New Mexico, Sep 1956 comes to my mind. A Santa Fe Chief run head-on into a mail train. If I remember correctly, I read somewhere that the engineer on the Chief had a beef with the engineer on the mail train. Although it had nothing to do with the accident, it is noted by the related authorities during the investigation. 

https://dotlibrary.specialcollection.net/Document?db=DOT-RAILROAD&query=(select+3647)

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    September 2013
  • 6,199 posts
Posted by Miningman on Sunday, October 6, 2019 11:50 PM
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continued

 

 
 
 
 
 
Concluded
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

  • Member since
    January 2019
  • From: Henrico, VA
  • 9,571 posts
Posted by Flintlock76 on Monday, October 7, 2019 9:49 AM

Overmod

 

 
Flintlock76
You know Mr. Jones, that story about the engineers reminds me of one from military history.

 

What about Theobald and Buckner Jr. in the Aleutians?

 

Hmm, never heard of that one.

However, LtCommander Bulkeley in his book "They Were Expendable" mentions two US Army brigadier generals in the Phillipines during the Japanese invasion who'd hated each other since West Point and still  couldn't put their differences aside, even in the face of the Japanese onslaught.  He didn't give their names, wisely so.  Makes you wonder.  

OK, I just looked up Theobald and Buckner.  Looks like a classic personality clash between someone who wants to go out, kick-butt, and win (General Buckner) and another one who's more concerned with not losing than he is about winning (Admiral Theobald.)   Oh brother.  I won't bore everyone with the whole story.

  • Member since
    April 2018
  • 1,618 posts
Posted by Jones1945 on Monday, October 7, 2019 9:54 PM

BaltACD
Jones1945
Speaking of workplace relationship, a trainwreck happened in Springer, New Mexico, Sep 1956 comes to my mind. A Santa Fe Chief run head-on into a mail train. If I remember correctly, I read somewhere that the engineer on the Chief had a beef with the engineer on the mail train. Although it had nothing to do with the accident, it is noted by the related authorities during the investigation. 

https://dotlibrary.specialcollection.net/Document?db=DOT-RAILROAD&query=(select+3647) 

Thanks for the link, Balt. According to the record provided by the link above, the engine of the mail train was ATSF 30C/30B:

RailPictures.Net

The engine of the Chief was ATSF 41

RailPictures.Net

SUBSCRIBER & MEMBER LOGIN

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

FREE NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

Get the Classic Trains twice-monthly newsletter