RH>I often listen to the RR action up near Stevens Pass on my scanner.
RH>(Skykomish, WA)
 
Hey, you're in a good location, Richard. My wife and I were just over
Stevens Pass in May with the Alki Tours Amtrak Special. Beautiful
country up above Everett, on the one side, and Leavenworth on the other.
 
RH>This past weekend the workmen were using a machine called an
RH>"undercutter". I picture something to replace ties but all the ties
RH>were replaced this last summer. Just what is an "undercutter"?
 
Not sure about this one personally.
 
RH>Also, on every track and time issued, the last thing said is "joint
RH>with trains and maintenance away". Just what does this mean?
 
You've got this one fairly close, but it should read...
 
  joint with trains and maintenance of way
 
The MofW crews are the track gangs that work on the roadbed and rails as
that work is needed by the railroad. What it means, most likely, is that
both train crews and MofW had best pay attention to whatever it is the
dispatcher for that area just ordered, rather than it being specific to
only one or the other. Any change of orders specific only to the train
crew would not require this specific phrase.
 
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 # SLMR 2.1a # If this were an actual tagline, it would be funny.
 # PDQWK 2.5 #51
 
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