Re: “Son, It was your idea to be a railroader…” (the inside the cab story of #168’s incident)

Story continued:

Every locomotive has its own cacophony of sound it makes while moving and the #168 is no different. After we crossed Lobato trestle, I began to notice there was a “Katink” noise emanating from the Johnson Bar (which is ridiculously short in #168). As we entered the Narrows the sound seemed to be more pronounced. I asked Dylan if this was normal and he indicated that he didn’t think so. At about this time Jeff noticed it and asked Dylan what it was. Within seconds the “Katink” noise grew in volume and then became a loud “KATHUNK, KATHUNK, KATHUNK!” Jeff quickly stopped the #168.

At first Jeff thought the lubricator had run dry which would cause greater friction leading to louder noises. He discovered it was indeed nearly empty and he and Dylan refilled the lubricator. Then Jeff decided to make a careful examination of the locomotive before proceeding. We all got off and Dylan looking underneath, discovered that one of the eccentric straps had come loose and departed the locomotive and the eccentric was lying on the axle of the first driver. At some point the nuts or studs of the eccentric strap had worked themselves loose and when they departed, so did the strap. It was 1:15 am.


The eccentric rod is laying on top of the brake rigging and the eccentric on the middle driver is just visible in the upper left. No eccentric strap! Well @%*&!!!!

To be continued...