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About 20 years ago, as a teenage railfan in Battle creek, Michigan, I would spend untold hours downtown with my favorite pastime. The Grand Trunk Western R.R. Many a summers day was spent down at the shops, or the yard. I had made friends with the third-trick yard crew at the east end one summer, and pretty much had the run of the place. The regular engineer on that job was an oldtimer named Ackerman. I would arrive at the east tower about 1:00 am, and the crew would be at the table playing euchre until the yardmaster had their chores figured out. Not Ackerman though, he would be asleep on an old desk every time I was there. Once activity would commence, I was usually offered a cab ride. On one such night, we had an old Alco S-4. I believe it was the 8034. Anyway, we had completed a few moves, and then had to go down "long" to get a cut of cars in the middle of the yard. We had no more than made the joint, and started pulling, when our progress was gradually halted, and we started moving BACKWARDS! It seems that the "west-end" job had coupled up to the same string we had at the same time. My guess is that the west end had a GP-9, because we couldn't out-pull them. After cruising halfway down the yard, I asked Ackerman if he wanted me to go out and pull the pin. He said no, we'll just take the ride. I then reminded him that the yardmasters office was at the west end, and it might be best for both of us if we cut off. He agreed, and after going out on the deck, signaling for slack, I pulled the pin. We made our way back to the east end without our cut of cars, but like Ackerman said, "It all pays the same". Words of wisdom indeed. <br /> Todd C.
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