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Thank you for stopping by my Railroad Page. I have been interested in railroads for as long as I can remember. My parents both worked for the railroad and so trains have been in my blood since I was born. To best present my hobby to you, I would now like to have you accompany me on a trip across my model railroad. Lets take a "Cab Ride".
Cab Ride
The Richland Hills Subdivision of the Santa Fe Railroad
It is a day we have looked forward to for some time. Today is the day we get to ride with the locomotive crew on a trip across the Richland Hills Subdivision of the Santa Fe. It is a clear bright morning as we arrive in Richland Hills, Texas. Trains are arriving and departing here for such places as Fort Worth, Dallas, Lubbock, Post, and points west.
As we arrive at the main depot, we notice the 2 GP-50's used for switching the yard idling near the yardmaster's office. The smell of diesel locomotives is a tell-tale sign that we are near the heart of this busy railroad. The depot is on the south end of the yard. The yard is comprised of 10 classification tracks. 5 of which are dead-end tracks and 5 are thru tracks. At the west end of the yard is the engine service facility, the M.O.W. tracks, and the waycar maintenance/storage track. Our attention is drawn to the old turntable with 7 tracks and the old roundhouse. It is nice that this railroad still uses the turntable and the roundhouse as most railroads have long done away with such things.
While walking to the interlocking tower which houses the offices of the yardmaster and trainmaster, an Amtrak Superliner is pulling into the Richland Hills passenger station as a single GP-38 is pulling into the throat of the yard with covered hoppers from Ritter Grain, just on the outskirts of town. The engine is working to pull the 38 loaded covered hoppers into the yard. All the activity tells us that this railroad means business!
When we enter the tower to pick up our passes, the trainmaster is there to greet us. He is a cordial fellow and we are taken by his jovial nature. He says to us,"Boy I sure wish I were going with you guys."
I asked if he had never been over the route. He snaps back, "Of course I have. I was an engineer on the route during the major expansion. I know every curve by heart. I guess that is why I want to go, I miss the adventure of it all." We all chuckle. He wishes us a a good time and a safe trip. As we leave, we are more excited than ever!
We carefully make our way to our train. I can't believe it, can we be this lucky? Our train is a loaded grain train with 4 loco's. The lead engine is an SD-45 in the silver and red warbonnet paint scheme. The next 2 locos are SD-40-2's. The 4'th engine is a GE-U33C. Our host crew meets us on the platform of the lead loco. Our engineer is Jeff, the most experienced engineer on the line. After a round of greetings, we all settle in for departure.
Soon the signal changes to green, and the lead track is aligned to the main. Jeff advances the throttle to run 3 and the giant prime movers in the locos come to life. If you have never experienced the sense of power of a 16 cylinder, 4000 horsepower engine, words cannot describe the feeling. The floor beneath our feet begins to shudder, the deep roar thickens, and the scream of exhaust seems to be like that of a jet engine. Slowly, our train begins to roll westbound onto the main.
Leaving the yard and passing the outskirts of town, the ominous superstructure of Ritter Grain looms on the horizon. Jeff tells us that the grain elevator is the largest structure found on the line. At the west end of the elevator, the siding and 3 industrial spur tracks serve 2 warehouses which handle large parcels and equipment. The small freight depot here handles the mail and small parcels for the nearby small town of Yessiruguestit (Yes sir you guessed it), Texas. The elevator itself is served by 5 tracks off the industrial lead. One track on the south end of the elevator, 2 tracks run through the elevator and under the shed used for loading the covered hoppers, and 2 tracks on the north side of the elevator used for unloading the covered hoppers. We have no deliveries or retrievals, so our train continues west.
Continuing past the elevator the grade begins a slow climb through the rough country on the edge of the high plains. Jeff says," Here is where the fun begins" and he adjusts the throttle to run 7. Wow. the engines are screaming now, and we can barely hear each other above the roar. Curious, I ask why all the throttle. Jeff replies, "Just watch ahead". About that time, as we cross the deep river gorge, the track begins a slow curve to the left. As we round the bend, the reason for the throttle becomes apparent.
It is the Tehachacomanche Loop. The loop was designed after the famous Tehachapi loop in California.
The grade begins a steep 4% incline to the summit. There are quite a few railfans dotting the line with cameras and video cameras in hand as we slowly climb the hill. The locos are screaming, that GE unit is billowing thick smoke, and Jeff gives the onlookers a few blasts on the whistle for good measure. I think, Wow, we are really putting on a show. As we near the summit, our caboose with our conductor, Bud, is going to pass right under the engines. Bud waves from the cupola of the caboose as we pass over.
As we level out, we are now entering the high plains. The train slowly begins to pick up speed. Soon we are traveling 65 mph. Jeff notices how we are noticing the speed and states, "It's OK. We are now running on the new expansion completed in 1992. It's all welded rail and the freight speed limit is 70 with passenger service set at 75." The sweet smell of the wheat and cotton fields are intoxicating as we streak along the prarie. Jeff begins to slow the train as we enter a large, sweeping curve to the east. The train orders indicate we must "go into the hole" at the siding at Dermott to allow a loaded coal to pass. As we enter the siding, the brakes squeal and our train comes to a stop.
On the horizon, a headlight appears. "There she is", Jeff states. The train looms ever closer. Jeff laughingly exclaims, "I wonder if my buddy Sam is engineer on that coal, we'll soon find out". The coal train is traveling at least 50 mph as it nears the siding. Suddenly, a blast of the whistle permeates the roar of the engines. Jeff excitedely says, "It is, it's Sam on that train, I knew it." Jeff then returns 2 blasts on our whistle. A jovial voice comes over the radio," Howdy Jeff, I just knew it was you engineering that grain train. Have a safe trip and will see you later back at the barn". Jeff replies," Ok Sam good to hear you, have a safe trip."
About that time, the coal train passes our engines. 6 engines running wide-open on a coal train create a sound and a shaking like nothing in this world. As the train passes just 5 feet outside the cab, we feel the rush of wind and hear the incredible sound of the locos. The cars then seem to sway and rumble by forever. Finally the last car with an ETD (End of Train Device) passes by.
Our signal finally changes to green, and the turnout is aligned for the main. Jeff again adjusts the throttle and that feeling of power is unleashed again as we begin to move onto the main line. As we then maneuver the S curves just south of Arlee, the speed limit drops to 40 mph. Arlee is the site of a major interchange with tracks heading west, north and south. We continue northbound.
We are now downgrade along the 4% grade. Off to the west, we notice the large city of Fort Worth. Jeff reminds us that there is a trolley line and a high-speed commuter rail system in and around the Fort Worth region. We pass over a trestle with the high speed line passing underneath. We are lucky enough to see the Amtrak metroliner pass underneath us on its way to the downtown area. Jeff tells us, "Well, those metroliners are fast, but I would rather be here, out on the main." He confesses that he enjoys the sense of power these heavy locos create and the adventure of the main line.
Continuing downgrade, the dynamic brakes are working hard to slow our train. As we continue to slow, we enter a long curve back to the west. We are now returning to the Richland Hills yard. As we enter the complex trackage at the east end of the yard, the engines sway over the frogs of the turnouts.
Jeff carefully eases our train into one of the 2 inbound freight tracks where the GP-50's will later break up our train to different classification tracks for other destinations.
Finally, and sadly, our adventure ends as the squealing of the breaks slowly bring our heavy train to a stop. Jeff performs the post-trip checks and we all leave the engine and head for the trainmaster's office.
The trainmaster meets us outside the building and inquires as to our trip. I say, "It was the most incredible thing in the world, I loved it." He says, "I knew you all would. Hope you get a chance to come again. Maybe we can schedule you for a loaded coal or an Amtrak train." We are all excited about the prospects of that.
As we head back to our car to leave. The GP-50's are already at work breaking up our train, another Amtrak train is arriving at the station, and another local freight with cars from Ritter Grain is arriving at the yard. It seems that the action never ends here on the Richland Hills subdivision. We all have a secure feeling that this line will remain healthy and busy for many years to come.
EPILOGUE
I hope you have enjoyed this fictional account of a trip around my model railroad. As a model railroader and a railfan, I enjoy operating a RAILROAD, not a toy train. It makes things more fun, and things seem to go on with a purpose, just as a real railroad does. I enjoy operating trains, building scenery, rolling stock, and electrical circuits. Although the railroad is only a model, to me it doesn't really matter. To me it is a living, active railroad, only its in HO scale.
I am interested in your comments. E-Mail me by clicking on the mail icon at the bottom of the page.
My photos: model and prototype-new page, more to come!
MY RAILROAD PHOTO PAGE
A Roscoe-Snyder & Pacific Loco at Roscoe, TX. June 18, 1988. A rare paint scheme indeed!
These are some general Railroad Links
My Favorite Radio/Rail frequencies - Framed version of Rail/Radio frequencies.
LIVE CAMERA from Dallas Texas - Live photo of a Dallas Trainyard.
LIVE CAMERA from Tehachapi Loop - Takes photos of the trains as they pass.
Penny Bridge Site - VERY good links, information. TRAIN CAMS!
BNSF Railroad Photos - Great source for BNSF goodies.
SP in Texas, Corsicana-Ennis - Has lot of Texas Railroad information.
Trains of Texas - The name says it all !
Rail Rom - Software for Rail Enthusiasts
N9UHX Railroad Site - He is interested in Radio and Railroad too !
Cyberspace World Railroad Page -Interesting Links-great site.
NMRA Model Railroad Link Site - Official linking site for Model Railroaders.
Harris Mountaintop Trains -Nice Photos, some of wrecks, locotypes, prototypes, links.
Ride the Rails -Lots of Model Photos, Model Railroads, Links.
Whistle Stop Train Station -Restored Depot with a nice Rail Museum.
Complete Railraod Frequency Listing -A good way to combine radio and railroads,TREMENDOUS Resource!
RAILROAD LINES
MODEL RAILROAD SITES
MODEL RAILROAD LINES
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Copyright © 1996-98 Christopher
Muller
I am the ringmaster of the BNSF Webring, HO Scale Webring, Trains On Internet Webring, and Ham Rails Webring.
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