as fast as they can, but we can only build locomotives if the parts are here. If we can get this engine raised, it should be a simple repair job. You were at the site to get the cars here for repair and know what the situation looks like. Is there any way we could use the new prototype steam engine to get that locomotive out?'
Arlen said, 'That site is was heavily wooded along the ravine and around the pond the loco is submerged in. There's no way to pull the engine out until the ground freezes. I assume we can't wait for winter?'
Vince sighed. 'Nope. Hugh needs it now!'
'Just asking.' Arlen looked over at the prototype. It was supposed to generate over two hundred horsepower. It could be mounted vertically on a sledge for transport to the site and outriggers added for stability. The problem was finding a way to lift the weight of the loco without toppling the equipment. Somehow, the lift point had to be right over the loco. He started to get an idea. He doodled on a napkin, laying out the site as he remembered it. When he finished he pushed it across the table to Beth. 'Is this about how you remember the site's layout?'
Beth studied the drawing for a minute. 'That's very close. You've got extremely good powers of observation. Now, what's your idea?'
'I remember a story about a railroad that faced a similar problem. They solved it by rigging cable between a number of large trees and running some type of pulley mechanism out for the lift. I was stuck for a minute on what the mechanism looked like, but remembered an old model train crane I had on my layout. There would be a set of pulleys connected to the steam donkey for lifting and lowering and other sets on the end of mechanism and trees that went back to the donkey engine to run it out and back.' He paused, gathering his thoughts. Abruptly he asked, 'Colonel, how much pull do you have with the navy?'
'I know Admiral Simpson from meetings we've both attended, but all we've ever discussed professionally was how much more rail he needed for his ironclads. What do you need?' Beth asked.
Arlen started to sketch in lines on the site map, connecting back to a point on solid ground. 'We'll need some anchor cable to handle the main lines. Two-inch might work, but three-inch would be better. Probably around ten sections of hundred-foot lengths. We'll return it when we're done, but it will be stretched.' He turned to Lynn. 'I'll also need some custom casting work to make the pulleys and blocks to handle cable that size. Can USE Steel handle something like that with their current workload?'
Lynn studied the rough sketch and then got a faraway look. After a minute she replied, 'I'll have to check with Dad, but I think they could do it if Mr. Lowe asked and explained why.' She looked over at Karl. 'No offense, but your boss has been pushing real hard for loco parts and rail. He'll have to decide how important this work is.'
****
Arlen walked around the flatcar, double checking the rigging holding down the donkey engine for shipping to the accident site. Six weeks of very intensive labor was sitting on the car and he didn't want anything to happen to it. The engine's 'accessories' had taken up all of his time. The gearing system for the two cable drums was simple in theory, but Vince's extra requirements had complicated the final design. The trade off had been that the company could use the design on a wide range of other steam powered equipment. Vince was already in contact with the navy on one of his pet projects concerning the new boilers.
The aerial lifting dolly sat next to the engine, strapped to the deck. At just over six feet long and eight hundred pounds, it would need special handling to simply get it into the proper position once they arrived at the site. It had been ready a week ahead of schedule, thanks to Lynn's efforts at USE Steel in overseeing the finishing machining. Word had arrived two weeks ago that the cable had been delivered by train, along with four navy riggers to help the TacRail detachment install it. It would be ready when he arrived. Hopefully, it should only take a day or two to finish the project once he got the engine set up. The prospect of camping in the woods, even with an army tent and cot, wasn't too inviting. Besides, the doctor said Mimi was inside a month for her delivery. He planned on being there for the birth of their twins.
Arlen finished his inspection. Only one strap had needed some tightening. The shop crew had done a good job loading the equipment. He signaled for the waiting Goose to back up and couple on. Since there was only one car and they couldn't leave the car blocking the main line once they unloaded, the railroad was sending a Goose to pull the car out and return with the empty. As the Goose bumped into the flatcar, Arlen connected the air lines and signaled it was coupled. He grabbed his duffel bag and swung up on the Goose's rear steps as it pulled out. He looked around for Mimi, but she was nowhere to be seen. Arlen shrugged.
An hour later, when the freight special arrived at the accident site, Arlen was amazed at the work that had already been accomplished. The forest canopy had been limbed out and cables ran like a spider's web between the trees. A dirt ramp with a wooden deck was waiting to assist in unloading the engine. The pond where the engine had landed had been drained and a caisson of timbers erected to help in removing enough mud so that cables could be slung underneath the engine's frame.
Beth Pitre met him as he climbed down from the Goose. 'We're ready as soon as you can get your engine set up.' Beth guided him around the site and kept up a running commentary. 'I've had my detachment build rollers to ease the hauling. The site is leveled and the lifting cables are already rigged around the bottom of the locomotive.'
They were interrupted as a crew of local workers swarmed over the donkey engine, loosening the tie downs and attaching ropes to manhandle the load off the flatcar. Beth continued, 'They should have it off and in position before dinner. They're being paid a bonus if we have the work done in the next three days. The army needs all the logistics transport it can round up to support the forces in the east.' With a wave of her arm she added, 'Can you see where we might have missed something?'
Arlen was amazed by the coordinated mayhem around him. TacRail was taking this assignment seriously. He looked around and then asked, 'Did you get the softeners made? I don't think Admiral Simpson would appreciate us cutting his cables, much less Mr. Lowe having his locomotive dropped back in this mud hole.'
Beth smiled. 'Two old truck tires cut up and positioned as recommended! I have to confess. One of my squad worked for a crane company right after high school.' Pointing to the tent area, Beth went on, 'Why don't I get you settled in your tent? You can unpack and then have lunch while we get the donkey engine in position and rig up the aerial gear. We might even have time to finish the rigging before dark.'
'Sounds fine,' Arlen said. 'The sooner we get done, the sooner I can get back to town. The doctor says Mimi could give birth any time now.'
****
After lunch, Arlen watched as the ship riggers moved the aerial lift dolly into position. The riggers took their time. While the process looked easy to the uninitiated, one wrong move could sever a hand or finger in the blink of an eye. When the dolly reached its destination, four cables were waiting and were strung through the pulleys on each end. The entire dolly was slowly hauled by teams with ropes, into position over the locomotive. Arlen was surprised to see Karl in a group gathered around the engine, helping to transfer water to the boiler and overseeing the laying of the coal in the firebox. 'Aren't you a conductor?' he asked.
'I am, but when my father started with the railroad, I was his assistant and got to learn a lot of jobs. Mr. Lowe says I'm a fast learner and he's kept me here to get an education in what he calls the 'hands-on part of project management.' He said he may even send me back to school if I do well.'
Arlen reached over to give him a congratulatory pat on the back, but managed to stop at the last second when he recalled Karl's recent injury. They both laughed at the near miss. Arlen noticed that the sun was starting to cast shadows, making for less than ideal visibility. Colonel Pitre stood nearby surveying the work too. When the TacRail squad finished securing the cables to the drums on the donkey engine, Sergeant Cooper looked to Beth, who considered the scene one more time and then nodded. A shrill blast from the sergeant's whistle brought the work to a halt. 'Pack it in for the night, everyone! We'll get the donkey engine steamed up overnight and start the lift in the morning!' All around the site, men started to tie down their lines and insure the gear was safe.
Arlen approached Colonel Pitre. 'I'm not sure why you need me here, Colonel. It looks like your people have everything under control!'
'It's not the prep work we need you for. Your time comes tomorrow when your engine shows us what you can make it do. There are a lot of people following this effort. Vince has a number of other projects riding on how well your baby performs.' She nodded a good night and headed off for her tent. Arlen checked Karl's efforts on the
