Movements in reverse -

Regarding the picture that Jeff posted above (and copied below) with the Motorman looking out the side door; the way he is posed indicates to me that he was in the process of backing it up. I’ve tried doing it that way a few times and it’s not easy! Anyway, that was in the days before how we operate Goose #5 now, with 3 or 4 spotters on the ground and/or somebody in the back door with a 2-way radio! (Actually in this picture it does look like somebody is standing in the back door and ready to communicate with the motorman via the cab bell.) I’m sure it was a real physical strain on the motormen when they had to run in reverse the length of a yard like Dolores after turning on the wye. But I’m also sure they planned their movements so as to minimize having to operate in reverse except for very short distances! Now, imaging doing that when it’s 20 below zero and snowing!