In addition to being oh, so very helpful and entertaining here, he’s also a super guy who showed my husband, daughter and me around WC’s Fond du Lac yard Sunday evening. Where to begin?
Well, first, major insane thanks to Randy! (And please feel free to correct me or fill in any of my blanks. Twenty-four hours later my head is still spinning from it all!)
When we arrived around 5 p.m., he was fueling up two locomotives for their runs. One was WC, and the other was NS. (Funny seeing that power around here. Randy says they get them now and then, but it still surprises me.) For as massive as those fuel tanks are, they sure fill up fast. Randy told me just how fast, but I don’t remember. And the diesel fuel is pink. Never would have guessed that. Jim (husband), Jenni (18-year-old daughter) and I are guessing that’s from antifreeze and detergents?
We rode along as Randy pulled them out and lined them up, then as he put one of them on the turntable and back onto a different track. (Pause for the cause here: Although I’ve been writing about railroading for five years, I’ve only been in a freight yard once before and that was a CN yard in Montreal. I don’t think that really counts, though. I did get to move the locomotive by remote control, but the whole cab was full of suits and there wasn’t another piece of equipment as far as the frozen-March eye could see. VERY SAFE to let the newbie play with the controls. Being in an active freight yard was a first, as was seeing a turntable, let alone being taken for a ride on one. These were just the first few “firsts” of that day.)
So anyway, I got to see the insides of cabs for several kinds of locomotives. If I hadn’t been so jaw-dropping awed by it all, I might have remembered their numbers – or at least their models. But, alas. I was blown away and can’t give you many details there. I do know the NS locomotive was funky. And someone along the line enjoyed doodling here and there. Someone drew a
I’d ask if anyone else would like the opportunity to enjoy Kathi’s experience, but with the exception of our “real railroader” friends, the response would be pretty much unanimous…
Glad you had a good time. It’s nice to show someone with a genuine interest around the
railroad.
The other fellows are Kevin Dempsey & Mitch Rickaby
Randy
The diesel fuel is pink, not because of any detergent or anti-freeze, but actually for tax reasons. Diesel fuel is colored pink because it is off road diesel fuel and is not subject to highway taxes. Helps catch certain pirate truckers or others who had been known to use off road diesel in their rigs. The dye is harmless and does not affect the fuel in any material way.
Glad you enjoyed your tour of “our”(WC) yard, Kathy.[:D]
Years ago, I was allowed access to the yard anytime Fran Wiener was around. We would prowl the servicing area, snapping pictures of anything that struck our fancy. Then we’d sit in the offices of the roundhouse/diesel house for hours and watch slides that Fran had shot over the years.[:D]
After his death in 1990, the SW-1 assigned to Shops duty was named for him. Several of my friends have operated “that old beast.”[;)]
North Fond du Lac has “Pride Days” and in years past, the WC would open the Shops for tours, and have a re-painted diesel and several freight cars on display. All that ended after the CN takeover…
Kevin Dempsey–drives a black Ford 4x4, right? Yep, know him, too…[}:)][8D]
…The excitement was obvious for Kathi…Of her recall I was kinda surprised of the mention of turntable use. Thought they had been fazed out and not actually used anymore for diesel operations. But then I suppose where facilities [round houses], are really still being used they are necessary to attain entry / exit to various stalls. I’ve been picturing diesel service areas as more normal large buildings not as the historic round house designs…
I hope everyone can have that kind of experience someday.
By the way, Randy called and reminded me that my locomotive is WC No. 7501–and the 3003, too. So if you happen to see these burgundy and gold beauties out there, they’re mine. 'K?
Later! (Gotta get back to working on the October issue or you won’t have it to read in a few weeks!)