Saten Twist was assigned to teach Jake how to drive passenger trains. He was waiting on the platform, and the Super Chief was due to leave in five minutes.
Saten Twist: *Sitting on a bench, watching a switcher push five diesels onto the Super Chief* There's my power for the train. Now where is that pony with the glasses?
Jake: *Arrives, feeling very happy*
Saten Twist: Alright, you made it.
Jake: Hey. My name's Jake, and I'm a nerd.
Saten Twist: We met yesterday at the bar. I remember your name.
Jake: Well there's a first.
Saten Twist: Follow me. *Walks to the diesels*
Jake: *Following Saten Twist*
Santa Fe Pony 83: *Climbs down from the cab*
Saten Twist: How is everything?
Santa Fe Pony 83: Good. You'll have no trouble reaching Albuquerque.
Saten Twist: Good job.
Santa Fe Pony 83: Thanks.
Saten Twist: *Climbs into the cab with Jake*
Jake: All we have to do now is wait for the conductor. We're not allowed to leave until he gives us the signal.
Saten Twist: Shouldn't I be telling you this stuff?
Jake: Did you forget that I'm a nerd? I know everything. I've come prepared.
Saten Twist: There's no way you know everything.
Jake: Try me.
Saten Twist: Who attacked Pearl Harbor, and on what date?
Jake: The Japanese on December 7, 1941.
Saten Twist: Which pony went against Dwight D. Eisenhower in the 1953 Presidential Election?
Jake: Adlai Stevenson.
Saten Twist: Name three railroads other than the Pennsylneighnia Railroad which runs through Fillydelphia.
Jake: The Reading, Baltimare & Ohio, and the...Central Railroad of Neigh Jersey?
Saten Twist: The Jersey Central does not run through Fillydelphia.
Conductor: All aboard.
Jake: *Blows the horn twice*
Saten Twist: Hey, you let me do the work! *Rings the bell, and drives the train* You're suppose to sit, and watch.
Jake was not happy with these instructions. Upon entering Flagstaff, when Saten stopped the train to let passengers off, Jake decided to speak again.
Jake: Do you know what type of diesel this is?
Saten Twist: An F7.
Jake: Did you know they're no longer in production? EMD stopped building them in 1953.
Saten Twist: I already knew that Jake.
Conductor: All aboard!
Saten Twist: And that was quick. *Blows the horn twice, and drives the train while ringing the bell*
Jake: Did you ever get a chance to drive any of the steam locomotives?
Saten Twist: I did not. I first started work here two years ago after my training. Since I always drive the Super Chief, I've only been driving diesels.
Jake: What do you know about our steam locomotives?
Saten Twist: If you promise to stay quiet until we reach Albuquerque, I'll tell you.
Jake: *Nods*
Song (Start at 3:20): link
Saten Twist: By the end of World War 1, and after control by the United States Railway Administration, the Santa Fe began it's own development of steam locomotives. For 30 years, the Santa Fe set new standards for design of steam, but by 1957, diesel power took over all parts of the railroad. After 1950, both EMD and Alco developed General Purpose diesels which could be used in switching as well as for mainline duties. Chicagoat was the eastern terminal for the Santa Fe, and by 1954, train action around Dearborn Street Station was still a beehive of activity.
Jake: Was that where you started training?
Saten Twist: I was a photographer, two years before I started training.
Jake: Right. You said you started training in 1956.
Saten Twist: There were still a few railroads which held onto steam until the middle to late 50's, and the Grand Trunk was one of them.
Jake: You make the story sound like it takes place in the future. The 50's aren't over yet.
Saten Twist: *Blushing* I guess I just got lost in the moment. I would also like to work in movies. Until then, I'm staying on this railroad.
The song fades away once they reach Albuquerque.
Saten Twist: *Applying the brakes* Watch me butter the bread.
Jake: But we're not in an airplane.
Saten Twist: Lighten up.
The train came to a complete stop.
Jake: I guess we're done for today. What do you want to do now?
Saten Twist: I'm going home.
Jake: You don't live in Los Angeles?
Saten Twist: Nope. I spend some time with my friends in the bar, then chill with a friend of mine at his house. He works for The Southern Pacific.
Jake: Ah. Well, I'm going to a hotel. See you tomorrow.
Saten Twist: I have the day off. You will be working with another pony tomorrow. I believe his name is Tareq. He'll show you how to drive freight trains. They're a little bit tougher than passenger trains, so good luck.
Jake: Thanks.
After that, both ponies went on their separate ways.
2 B Continued
Saten Twist: *Sitting on a bench, watching a switcher push five diesels onto the Super Chief* There's my power for the train. Now where is that pony with the glasses?
Jake: *Arrives, feeling very happy*
Saten Twist: Alright, you made it.
Jake: Hey. My name's Jake, and I'm a nerd.
Saten Twist: We met yesterday at the bar. I remember your name.
Jake: Well there's a first.
Saten Twist: Follow me. *Walks to the diesels*
Jake: *Following Saten Twist*
Santa Fe Pony 83: *Climbs down from the cab*
Saten Twist: How is everything?
Santa Fe Pony 83: Good. You'll have no trouble reaching Albuquerque.
Saten Twist: Good job.
Santa Fe Pony 83: Thanks.
Saten Twist: *Climbs into the cab with Jake*
Jake: All we have to do now is wait for the conductor. We're not allowed to leave until he gives us the signal.
Saten Twist: Shouldn't I be telling you this stuff?
Jake: Did you forget that I'm a nerd? I know everything. I've come prepared.
Saten Twist: There's no way you know everything.
Jake: Try me.
Saten Twist: Who attacked Pearl Harbor, and on what date?
Jake: The Japanese on December 7, 1941.
Saten Twist: Which pony went against Dwight D. Eisenhower in the 1953 Presidential Election?
Jake: Adlai Stevenson.
Saten Twist: Name three railroads other than the Pennsylneighnia Railroad which runs through Fillydelphia.
Jake: The Reading, Baltimare & Ohio, and the...Central Railroad of Neigh Jersey?
Saten Twist: The Jersey Central does not run through Fillydelphia.
Conductor: All aboard.
Jake: *Blows the horn twice*
Saten Twist: Hey, you let me do the work! *Rings the bell, and drives the train* You're suppose to sit, and watch.
Jake was not happy with these instructions. Upon entering Flagstaff, when Saten stopped the train to let passengers off, Jake decided to speak again.
Jake: Do you know what type of diesel this is?
Saten Twist: An F7.
Jake: Did you know they're no longer in production? EMD stopped building them in 1953.
Saten Twist: I already knew that Jake.
Conductor: All aboard!
Saten Twist: And that was quick. *Blows the horn twice, and drives the train while ringing the bell*
Jake: Did you ever get a chance to drive any of the steam locomotives?
Saten Twist: I did not. I first started work here two years ago after my training. Since I always drive the Super Chief, I've only been driving diesels.
Jake: What do you know about our steam locomotives?
Saten Twist: If you promise to stay quiet until we reach Albuquerque, I'll tell you.
Jake: *Nods*
Song (Start at 3:20): link
Saten Twist: By the end of World War 1, and after control by the United States Railway Administration, the Santa Fe began it's own development of steam locomotives. For 30 years, the Santa Fe set new standards for design of steam, but by 1957, diesel power took over all parts of the railroad. After 1950, both EMD and Alco developed General Purpose diesels which could be used in switching as well as for mainline duties. Chicagoat was the eastern terminal for the Santa Fe, and by 1954, train action around Dearborn Street Station was still a beehive of activity.
Jake: Was that where you started training?
Saten Twist: I was a photographer, two years before I started training.
Jake: Right. You said you started training in 1956.
Saten Twist: There were still a few railroads which held onto steam until the middle to late 50's, and the Grand Trunk was one of them.
Jake: You make the story sound like it takes place in the future. The 50's aren't over yet.
Saten Twist: *Blushing* I guess I just got lost in the moment. I would also like to work in movies. Until then, I'm staying on this railroad.
The song fades away once they reach Albuquerque.
Saten Twist: *Applying the brakes* Watch me butter the bread.
Jake: But we're not in an airplane.
Saten Twist: Lighten up.
The train came to a complete stop.
Jake: I guess we're done for today. What do you want to do now?
Saten Twist: I'm going home.
Jake: You don't live in Los Angeles?
Saten Twist: Nope. I spend some time with my friends in the bar, then chill with a friend of mine at his house. He works for The Southern Pacific.
Jake: Ah. Well, I'm going to a hotel. See you tomorrow.
Saten Twist: I have the day off. You will be working with another pony tomorrow. I believe his name is Tareq. He'll show you how to drive freight trains. They're a little bit tougher than passenger trains, so good luck.
Jake: Thanks.
After that, both ponies went on their separate ways.
2 B Continued
1965 Oldsmobile 98
