Got bumped to Thursday-Friday off last night at 2201. While days off dont really count to the XX Railroad, it beats the crap out of Sunday-Monday. Anyway, got a call from the Ladysmith, WI trainmaster, who calls me when hes in a bind. Its sort of like being a Navy Seal with a reverser. You may recall that recently, I helped clean up a huge backlog of interchange freight cars at New Brighton, near Minneapolis, MN. This time the Bat Signal shone in the sky, although this time its to go rescue the Frac Sand industry at Ladysmith, WI. I was once one of only four Wisconsin Central engineers qualified to work on the Barron Subdivision, the former Soo Line Railroad Minneapolis, MN--Soo Ste. Marie MI/ON main line. Once nearly abandoned, it has now been rebuilt with heavy welded rail and ties one can actually see. Several Frac Sand processing plants and loaders have been located along its line. The job I am summoned for is L52081, which takes all the Frac Sand off the sub at Ladysmith and drag it all the way down to World Headquarters at Stevens Point, WI. Often it picks up additional Frac Sand at Marshfield. Normally, it is an assured twelve hour-plus job. A great portion of its work day involves holding for opposing train at sidings, or being held out of the yard at Stevens Point. I will be working here all week long, or at least until Thursday (my rest day this week). Im staying at the Americinn in Ladysmith, a very nice motel. Its spacious, has free breakfast, an exercise room, a pool and hot tub and a really nice outdoor patio. I lucked out and landed a huge room with a really nice, firm King bed, refrigerator, microwave oven and in-room hot tub/Jacuzzi. Not too shabby! There are all kinds of places nearby to eat and shop at and there is a Wal-Mart right next door (for entertainment). I also found out that, starting Thursday, there is a Soo Line Technical & Historical Society convention in town here. Since I am a Soo Line alumni (seven years), Ill be checking that out. By the way, on duty on L52081-15 at 1230.
Posted on: Mon, 15 Sep 2014 16:18:33 +0000
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