Re: Todays Call.. Dec 22, 1950

From the evidence shown in the registers I have copies up (Oct, 50 - mid-Jan 51) 215-216 ran on time 90% of the time. Usual plan was to run frieghts at times that didn't interfere with the passenger train. Getting heavy frieght trains over the road on any kind of schedule is close to an impossibility and as there were lots of "block holes" out there where communication was difficult if not impossible, it was much simpler to schedule freights at night or after the passenger train left.
This was the beginning of the pipe business. In addition there was considerable "general freight" shipped as well as lumber, coal and oil. I found the returning Lumberton Turn's consist of 35 loads, 2 empties interesting. Most westbounds were empty cars with a few loads of coal and lumber from Durango. 35 loads is quite a cut of heavy cars, no wonder they got set out at Lumberton for later.