Rust

Mike ,I took only one train down the hill last year.I chose to stay in helper service .I stalled a couple of times ,having to pull the train through the over-sets . Nevertheless I somehow made it down Cumbres , after five years away from the brake stand . I learned to treat all down grade trains as if they were all equipped with K-triple ,though most of the cars on Cumbres have AB . As long as you and any other engineer remember to watch your main reservoir pressure , allow the one or two K-triples in the train to recharge ,and keep your speeds low ,I think a railroader of your skill will somehow find his way down Cumbres . Like Knoob , I nopticed the new brakeshoes made a big difference in how the train handled down the hill .
An interesting experiment I made once in 1995. On the approach to a couple of flat spots I broke my own rules and short-cycled the two-three cars equipped with K-triple reach equalization ,gently slapping against the tender of the locomotive .The cars with AB held ,as they were supposted to do .At Chama ,the conductor told me it was the smoothest ride down Cumbres he ever had !