The Chain Gang
Head brakeman Donnis Volin visits with a shop employee while he waits on the power for today's train 640 to be pulled from the Auburn Washington diesel shop. Donnis recalled, "this consist was a few minutes late and was being readied for service". The engineer, satchel in hand, contemplates the need to get moving promptly, while the hostler finishes his move.
A note of thanks to my good friend Dave Sprau, a 38 year veteran of the Northern Pacific and Burlington Northern Railroads, for his historical insight.
A personal recollection from Dave: The term "Chain Gang" had the same meaning as the phrase "Ring" used by the Milwaukee Road, or "Pool" on the Great Northern. All crews working the through trains between terminals Auburn and Yakima were from the
"Chain Gang".
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