In the bad old days there wasn't much heed paid to who was on the freight until they got to Divide, but some misconceptions did arise from time to time. A favorite was the "rule of Jay", or "if his name begins with Jay, go with him" and once this was known, getting a call with a thick russian accent saying "This is Jay and if you give me the railroad, I run like fire!" I try to avoid going out east if I have to, but now everyone tries to get the freight thru the best they can, without risking getting an unpaid vacation...That one gave me a good chuckle. I could just hear the Ruskie saying that.
One of my favorite experiences calling Jay tower was in those early years, working the RS-50 and trying to get permission on the main to go back to Pineaire. It was usual to call the Block Operator, tell them your name, engine numbers, amount of cars including number of hazmat cars, and where you were going to. On this particular night, a female voice who I didn't recognize (and still don't know who it was) answered. My conversation went like this...
"Hello, this is Jay on the RS-50 at Fresh Pond. I have engines 156 & 155 with 20 cars, 2 are dangerous and we're looking to go to Pineaire."
Her response was "Too dangerous! I'm not letting you out if its too dangerous!" She would not give me permission out! No matter how I tried to explain it to her, No way Jose!
I was delayed for two hours waiting for someone else to pick up the phone when I called.
Jay