Hostlers and
Engineers for
Locomotive
Problems

About a month ago, I sent an email to Jerry Davis' Safety Hotline complaining about the conditions of the switching locomotives in Fort Worth's Centennial Yard.

A few days later, Coppersmith Don Ellison, editor of "Diesel Smoke", called and said that Mark Prince, Senior Manager of the Diesel Facility, wanted to meet to discussed a renewal of communication between the facility and our engineers. An initial meeting was held on the morning of November 3.

Mark said Mr. Davis had requested that they address our complaints. He explained their plan was to rework all the engines used in switching service. He pointed out the two Southern Pacific switch engines (2537-2705) that have been worked over. He said, "It is our plan to bring all the switchers in to the shop and re-do the cabs the way we have done these engines. Of course, it can't be done over night."

"By the way, I am ordering new AC cab ventilation fans for all of them. That's because AC fans don't have brushes to wear out."

Don interjected, "Engineers find problems when the engine is working that we can't possibly see when it setting on the shop track. Our folks can check out an engine and it checks okay while it is in the shop, but we can't fix problems if we don't know about them."

Mark said, "We promise to fix the problems, but we need the cooperation of the individual locomotive engineers."

Mark Prince and Cy Martin with H.E.L.P Board

From this meeting the Hostlers and Engineers for Locomotive Problems evolved.

Don Ellison has designed and constructed 2' x 3' boards that will be placed by the telephones at the Crest and the Bowl. These boards have pockets with a supply of forms on which engineers can list locomotive problems and FAX the information to the Diesel Facility.

H.E.L.P. form for FAXing locomotive problems.

H.E.L.P Billfold Cards with FAX and Phone Numbers

There are also pockets containing billfold cards for each engineer which list the FAX number of the Diesel Facility, the telephone number for the LOCOMOTIVE HOTLINE and a DIRECT LINE telephone number for problems that need immediate attention. Enough cards have been made so that every engineer can have one.

Don said, "Your comments tell us how to duplicate a problem so we'll have a clue about how to fix it.

"Recently, an engineer reported that the sanders on an engine 'ran all the time when the controller was in forward. He also said that when the sander lever was in forward, the engine would not back when you put the controller in reverse.' With this kind of explanation of a problem, we can duplicate it and find the cause of it. This is where engineers can help."

Don Ellison, Editor of Diesel Smoke, lokes over H.E.L.P. Program.

Folks, It all boils down to: They can't fix it, if they don't know it's broke.

Don't hesitate to Bad Order a locomotive if it is unsafe. Just be sure to be sure when you set it out, to FAX or telephone the Diesel Facility of its location (or Ask the Yardmaster to call them) so they can get someone to check out the problem before the next shift comes on duty.

We can work together with the shop people and get these problems fixed, but we need your H.E.L.P.

11-97