This is how I see things from working at the D&S...
I learned how to fire and run here in Durango, all coal. It was my first railroad job. The "standard" to fire here has always been a boiler full of water and a clean stack. If the boiler is full, you have some leeway if the injector breaks or some other issue arises. If you can keep the engine hot with the stack clean, it means you're paying attention to what you're doing, you know the grade, the engine, or even your engineer. 5-6 tons a day, 4-5 days a week, around 4 1/2 years.
I wound up leaving Durango in early 2009 to pursue some personal interests but have remained in some form of railroading the entire time. The experience I gained here has proven to be incredibly beneficial to me at other operations and on various coal fired locomotives. I had the privilege of getting to pass that on to the next person, was able to explain a technique, and know why it worked instead of the usual "that's how we've always done it", or "everyone does it different". I had the benefit of getting to really know what I was doing because I worked with professionals that mentored me here when I was starting out, and it has been a treat to work with others who have come along and have either stepped up here at the D&S or those who I've met along the way who really understand what it takes to run steam. Many of those very talented people have made the oil conversions at the D&S a tremendous success. The engines are completely different animals. They have more power, have fewer boiler issues, make less smoke, they're louder, and look classier. How could you not enjoy that?
Will I miss firing coal in Durango? Eventually. When that time comes, the logic of the oil conversions will still remain, and making logical decisions is railroading.
John Hillier
