This all happened this morning on the UP Falls City sub out of Omaha. I don't know the particulars of the equipment involved but followed along on channel 20 as the saga unfolded.
First off the crew had some fault indications on the locomotives before leaving Omaha. Some help from maintenance got things cleared and working and off they went. Things went well until they crossed the interlocking at the BNSF/UP junction at Oreapolis. As the train started up the hill south of the interlocking the power dropped like a rock... from 19 mph to 5 mph in a matter of seconds, then a dead stop, just sit there and shudder and wouldn't move. Once reported, the dispatcher planned on having a northbound train take the siding at Murray, cut off it's power and go drag the problem child over the hill. As it turned out the northbound crew died on hours so the help would be delayed. Next thing you know dispatcher is telling the disabled crew that the dog catch van broke down in Council Bluffs so the help from the south is a ways out. At the same time dispatch asked if a couple 'do not block' crossings were blocked. They suspected they were but the conductor put on his hiking boots and walked the train to the end, sure enough, both crossings are blocked. Dispatch emphasizes that these crossings can not be blocked. Maybe they can back down the hill and get in the clear then get things settled. Engineer right away says it's not a great plan, on the hill, as soon as he releases the brakes it'll start rolling backwards and things could get nasty, going back across the interlocking and all. Dispatch again stresses that the blocked crossing have to be cleared. Engineer, obviously getting a little steamed, tells dispatch 'he's not going to lose control of his train just to clear a crossing". A mechanical man from the CB shops shows up but can't find anything amiss, should have 12000 HP but the 2 locos couldn't pull the hat off your head. Dispatcher now calls the engineer and tells him (quote) "I'm not trying to upset you or put pressure on you, but the local authorities are enroute"
Seems there have been numerous complaints by people unable to leave there housing addition for work due to the blocked crossing. Plan "B"... conductor starts tying down hand brakes at the end, cut the crossings and with a few less cars to haul, maybe be able to pull the hill enough to get things opened up. A good plan in theory, but even with the cut the engines won't do more than stretch the train a little then sit there and tremble some more. A little after daylight an MOP arrives on the scene and soon deems it a real problem (I think the engineer and conductor had that pegged a couple hours earlier) Finally, about 5 hours after it started, the train from the south is ready to come and help. Now just a matter of putting the train back together and releasing all the hand brakes. The last thing I heard before I had to leave the radio room was the dispatcher asking if the train left on the siding down south was blocking any crossings. You could almost hear the twilight zone music playing. So kids, you sure you want to be engineers/conductors??
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