I guess I'll tell the whole story:
This happened around 2000-2001. We were drifting down Cumbres Pass on the helper. Marvin Casias was my engineer. The railroad had issued a new shovel to the locomotive that very morning. Somewhere just below Lobato I put a few scoops in and on the last scoop the shovel flew out of my hands and landed smack dab in the middle of the firebox. Marvin didn't see it happen. I stood in disbelief for a few seconds and then figured I better try to get it out. I grabbed the clinker hook off the tender and managed to fish it back out before it was fully engulfed in flames. Marvin looked over and asked what I was doing and I think I replied that I was giving the shovel a good christening. Considering it was exposed to the firebox's heat for about a minute it didn't look too bad, just some burn marks on the clear enamel coating on the wooden handle. I used it several more times that summer without incident.
I always made sure that we had two shovels before we departed Chama as there were various ways of losing one. There was often a shovel on the tender tank to be used as a spare.
A few notes about shovel safety:
1) When you get on the locomotive in the morning, check to make sure you have two shovels and both are in good working order (no bends, cracks, dents)
2) Never lean your shovel against the tender tank or cab: the next rock of the locomotive will probably make it fly off the locomotive. One C&TS fireman did just that and they had to stop the train while he hiked the length to find his shovel (not me, but I do know who).
3) Never stick it in the coal pile ready to pick up with a fresh load: if the engine derails and begins to go over, you don't want to have the handle tripping you as you try to get out.
4) Shovels should be placed on the hook next to the coal gates of the tender: that way they are not obtrusive and can quickly be reached.
5) Always make sure you have a spare shovel (see above).
There's probably more, but it's been 19 years since I fired a coal burner...
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/17/2020 02:09PM by Dave Peterson.
