f you are thinking that you already got posted from me this weekend for a Saturday show, you did. But now it’s Sunday and a big bunch of us train-freaks are over at Doc Andy’s, running on the WAZU.

For once, I didn’t jump for the DS panel. One, I wanted to run some trains for once and two, some of my friends were going to need my burly brawn assistance to get an old lady up some stairs. Since I was on a short leash that day, I chose to run trains and see how it would play out. Turns out the old lady took a while to get in town so I didn’t get called to near session end. And that’s great because I didn’t want to listen to all the complains filed against me (I run so well, they make shit up. Scheming bastards).

With Zach on the panel, it was time to run. First off, Doc figured he’d better outline my switching job (explaining it like I was a child). You know, I’ve run the Eau Gallie cement plant and the Buenaventura Turn on the FEC. I’ve also run the Timesaver and the Inglenook switching puzzles. I’ve been working local jobs since before Doc was in veterinarian school, taking careful notes about the difference between cats and dogs. So yes, I could handle a one trailing point, one rolling drop and a facing point push-through all on my own. But some people…

For lame reasons of power routing through a switch, a local kept the turnout open and did not advise Dispatcher Zach. And along came Amtrak. Casualty counts at the top of the hour (Photo: The late Chris S)

And after a windy explanation of how my minimum wage job would be done, he suddenly yanked me out of the seat and threw me onto a westbound Manifest. Okay.

So running on Docs in confusing, frustrating, noisy and a great deal of fun. Everyone was having a good time (post-election barbs aside). I ended up running about three trains through, the manifest, some other through freight and a reefer block (not the good old fashion ice bunkers but the new ones, basically refrigerators with trucks). I did get to run my local with Doc henpecking me that I was doing it wrong until he saw it was right and (I hope) went off to bother someone else.

Robo-train. You can see the camera mounted on the roof so it can be run remote. Very strange but it seems to work (Photo: John DV)

One of the most unique things on Doc’s WAZU is the remote train. Usually there are two operators, but this time it was only Greg. So he sits in the other room and watches the monitors, occasionally needing pushes and turnouts thrown for him (kinda like a model railroading version of a Ouija board). But he did okay, what with yelling to connect up his train, throw his switches, and empty his bedpan.

Really, though, the crew was up for it, even though they were weary from the train show the day before. Everyone runs their trains, helps each other reach blocked turnout controls, gives stall-pushes, and works the yards in an orderly fashion. The local guys go out with a minimum of fuss (this is directed at you, Doc) and the manifests run pretty well on time. Really, the only thing that hampered us was a lack of operators – my reefer train was running three hours late, only because that’s as soon as I could take it.

The crew works in reverent silence (or maybe buzzing chit-chat). Left to Right – Doc, Leonard the newbie, Dungeon Master, Piano Man, and Pulitzer. John is behind the camera.

The support personnel were very good today. The yards ran quick, knocking trains out the door in five minutes flat. The yardlettes were also good for throwing hard to reach turnouts without complaint. And the DS kept things moving well. It seemed like the crews were OSing a lot better today (but that’s really something you can only tell from the desk). I do know that early on, Zach was sending four trains to meet at Ayre, which was going to be a big deadlock. The crews quietly took their orders and snickered between themselves, waiting to see what would happen. Either he noticed it or Doc went back and spoiled it because new orders were written to peal off the outer layers of commerce. Oh well. It would have made for a great blog entry. And I’m busting Zach’s ass on this since only he and I can dispatch most layouts.

New guy Leonard runs Amtrak around the Attalia pulp pile, probably wondering what the hell type of club he’s joined. (Photo: Leonard J)

I’m thinking Doc should be happy with how things work. His crews have all helped provide feedback to make the sessions better (and he’s accepted most of our suggestions). Everyone has learned to operate in tight quarters. Most jobs get done with a minimum of questions. And there is good pizza and way too many oreos to start the session with a sugar high (thanks for the grub, Doc!).

Various trains loading, unloading or passing through Cheney. It’s a busy place, and a favorite with dispatchers to hold inbound movements into Portland (Photo: John DV)

Anyway, I wish I could have hung around for the debrief but the call came in, the old lady was in transit, and I had to go. But I did have a great time – just some solid railroading with the boys. And after a full day at a show, it’s so much more fun to run trains with a purpose.

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A manifest leans into the long Attalia curve, passing the lumberjack move and keeping the cab doors firmly locked to keep out the pulp worms. (Photo: John DV)

Amtraks pass at Troutdale. I’m not sure if that’s where they were supposed to pass, but they were on different tracks which is all that matters (Photo: John DV)

Your author smiles in Halloween fashion as his reefer block comes around the lower level (Photo: John DV)