Chapter 1614
See What They Have Available
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Temporal Mission:
Past Timeline:
November 26 1963
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Young Allison and Cameron watched the sunset as they headed north on Route 6. Mojave was soon in sight.
Cameron glanced over to the right as they approached Mojave. She noticed the headlight in the distance. She could see there was a train coming from the east. It would be a Santa Fe train.
She could see activity in the yard ahead of them. The road would need to cross back over the railroad tracks. There would be a bridge built later on, and then a second one even later, to provide unrestricted access to Mojave from what would be the end of the 14 Freeway. It was all years away from now.
They would need to cross the tracks of two separate railroad companies. Santa Fe had trackage rights over the Southern Pacific to Bakersfield. It was an agreement influenced long ago when Santa Fe considered building over Tejon Pass to reach the Central Valley. There was a previous trackage agreement which put it all into play.
"We'll cross over the Southern Pacific tracks first, and then the Santa Fe tracks immediately afterwards. They share joint trackage in the Mojave yard." Cameron said. "The Santa Fe tracks used to join the Southern Pacific rails further to the north towards the middle of the yard. They were moved to this location and along what became the northern border of Edwards Air Force Base later on. Route 466 will join with Route 6 very soon after we cross both sets of tracks."
Young Allison remembered reading something about it. She began to slow as they approached the railroad crossing and the city limits of Mojave.
"If I remember correctly, Southern Pacific originally built the rail line initially to the Colorado River." Young Allison said.
Cameron knew it was some brinkmanship by the Big Four.
"They did." Cameron said. "There was some competition on the way. The Atlantic and Pacific Rail line was headed west. It would eventually be taken over by the Santa Fe. The Atlantic and Pacific reached the Colorado River and decided not to use the Southern Pacific tracks as a connection. They threatened to build their own tracks alongside them and enter the Los Angeles area through Cajon Pass. They already worked out an agreement with the California Southern Railroad to join with them at Barstow. The Southern Pacific could see the Atlantic and Pacific was going to make good on its threat. They would be stuck with a rail line which went nowhere. They already committed to the Sunset Route along the southern border. An agreement was worked out where the tracks from the Colorado River to Mojave would be traded for some rail lines being constructed south of the border. It turned out to be a bad investment in several different ways going forward for the Southern Pacific. Decades later, the Southern Pacific would build the Colton Cut Off from Palmdale and use Cajon Pass as well. Their efforts may have been better directed to have done the same thing initially, instead of continuing east to the Colorado River."
Cameron thought it was a classic example of a bully trying to get their way with several smaller individuals. When the smaller individuals eventually stood up to the bully, the bully needed to back down. It was the case with the rail line Southern Pacific constructed to the Colorado River. Even 'The Octopus', as the Southern Pacific was sometimes referred to, could only grab so much or push so hard depending upon the situation. She understood it was business. She didn't think things weren't too different in modern times. Companies just weren't quite as overt about it.
Young Allison looked over to the east. She could see the Santa Fe train coming. There was a dark blue locomotive with some yellow highlights. It was an F Unit of some sort. It was too far for her to make out. It was most likely an F7A. It wasn't painted in the silver and red 'Warbonnet' scheme of a Santa Fe passenger unit. It was followed by several more 'covered wagons'.
She believed she could make it past the crossing before the train arrived.
Cameron calculated the speed and distance.
"You'll need to remain at five miles an hour above the reduced speed limit." Cameron said.
Young Allison sped up slightly. She didn't push it too hard. She didn't want to attract the attention of the Sheriff or the Highway Patrol. She glanced over at Cameron's short skirt. Maybe they did have an ace to play if they were pulled over. Cameron could always flash some sheath material where the sun didn't normally shine.
There was a Southern Pacific train sitting in the yard. There were several actually. It looked like all of the tracks there were full. She saw the headlight come on followed by the oscillating light. It indicated the train was about to depart the yard. It would pass over the road on a track next to where the Santa Fe track crossed Route 6.
Young Allison was almost to the crossing when the lights started to flash. She could hear the bells ringing. She continued over the crossing with plenty of time to spare.
Cameron was aware of one of the reasons why they'd built the bridge over both rail lines. There were times things became a little congested in the Mojave yard.
"Sometimes a train pulling into the Mojave yard won't have a track long enough to fit all of it on until other trains depart in the opposite direction." Cameron said. "They would block the road and create a massive traffic jam."
Young Allison could spot several older looking motels along the east side of Route 6, once it was joined by route 466. They would share the same section of road for about a mile. The railroad tracks and yard were on the left side of them as they moved north. She quickly realized some of the motels were still there in modern times with a fresh coat of paint. She didn't know how extensive the renovations might be. She didn't think it would be very much. She still didn't know what Cameron had in store for her.
"Are we going to continue on, or spend the night in Mojave?" Young Allison asked.
Cameron wanted to give Young Allison a surprise tomorrow.
"I'm not sure yet." Cameron said. "There's an airport here which is very Warbird friendly. There's also a small airport in Tehachapi."
Young Allison looked at Cameron's short skirt. It hiked up again on her. Everything was clearly visible. It was like looking in the mirror. She kept an eye on the gasoline gauge. There was plenty of room for additional fuel. The big FE 'R Code' engine used a fair amount of fuel, especially when the RPMs picked up. She noted they passed a gas station a block ago. It was near the junction of Route 6 and Route 466. She thought about the airport Cameron mentioned.
"I take it you want to tank up with avgas again." Young Allison said. "I'm pretty sure the higher octane fuel is able to give a little more horsepower than the standard premium grade can. It will be almost a full tank this time. You're dressed for the occasion."
Cameron glanced down at her short skirt. She always found it amazing how female attributes could have such influence over others. It was the way most of the animals were. There were males and females. It was how the different species reproduced. It only seemed to be a big deal with humans. All males and females possessed the same anatomical parts. Why was it such a big deal? Everything was the same, even if it differed in detail.
There was a very loud blast of an air horn near them. It was the Southern Pacific train she saw ready to depart. She glanced back over her right shoulder to see where the Santa Fe train was. It was moving very slowly. It might be waiting for the track the Southern Pacific train was about to depart as it headed south towards Palmdale and Los Angeles. She spotted four SD9 units on the point.
Cameron figured out why the Southern Pacific train stopped earlier.
"They probably cut the helpers off." Cameron said. "During this era, all of the helpers are manned. Unmanned helpers won't appear for decades. Almost every Southern Pacific train working uphill from Caliente has helpers, unless it is very short with a lot of power on the point. Helpers can be put on in Bakersfield or Caliente. On this side of the summit, the grade isn't as bad from Mojave to the summit in Tehachapi. There are fewer curves. There's a 'wye' there for turning helpers if necessary. It will be ripped out in later years. Its location will remain clearly visible. Route 466, which runs concurrent with Route 6 in this segment of Mojave, will continue to follow the railroad tracks, including through the town of Tehachapi. The 58 Freeway won't be built for more than a decade. When it's built, it bypasses Tehachapi to the north. Decades afterwards, the 58 Freeway will be completed around the east side of the airport and bypass Mojave. During that time period, Route 14 will continue through most of it before it veers off to the northeast and follows what used to be Route 6."
Young Allison spotted a small sign for the airport. She almost missed it.
"Let's check out the airport here and see what they have available." Young Allison said. "Your outfit will have the most effect while there's still light. I can see it's a little windy here too. Everything should play well for you."
Cameron looked down at her short skirt. She quickly glanced over at Young Allison as she pulled it down. She didn't want it to bother her.
"It sounds like a plan." Cameron said. "There is a rail siding which services the airport from the northwest. You may need to cross over some spur tracks to reach the hangar area."
Young Allison thought the streets were very wide. She noticed the big dips in them as they passed the cross streets.
"I think these streets fill up with water when there's a downpour." Young Allison said. "I'm glad we have clear skies."
Cameron looked out her side window and smiled. It would all be part of the surprise tomorrow. They crossed over a rail siding. It was only protected with cross bucks. She could see several hangars and planes parked around them.
Young Allison kept her eye out for the fuel trucks. She could see with the number of aircraft parked around the airport, there was bound to be some. She was a little anxious about the surprise Cameron mentioned several times. She didn't get too many surprises when she was in her bunker at the Palmdale house. Her mother and Summer moved to the Resistance base. Anna was with her all of the time as well as her Detail. She really didn't think she needed to be watched or protected, all of the time. Anna was supposed to have come with her on her temporal mission. Cameron changed the plans. She needed to refocus.
There were several things which were supposed to happen on her temporal mission. It appeared Cameron changed the plans for those too. She wasn't really sure why. Savannah and her mother were supposed to be in the past as well. She needed to pay attention. She needed to look for a fuel truck.
"There's one." Young Allison said.
Cameron spotted another one. It was much larger. She knew it would carry at least two grades of fuel. She wanted the highest octane fuel she could get.
"Let's go with the other one." Cameron said. "It's just up ahead a short distance."
Young Allison spotted the second fuel truck. It wasn't the only thing she spotted.
"I can see the tail of a Mustang by it." Young Allison said.
Cameron knew they were going to spot a few Warbirds around the location.
"There are air races which will be held here at Mojave." Cameron said. "Strangely enough, one year in the California 1000 Unlimited Air Race, a well-known Mustang owner, and pilot, would fly a DC-7 right on the deck around the course. The other contestants all complained about the size of the aircraft. The four big R 3350 engines on the DC-7, could put out a lot of power without any type of load. It also gave it the range necessary so it wouldn't need to refuel. He actually came in fifth place. There were three Mustangs, a Bearcat and a Corsair which finished behind him. The airliner against the Warbirds was sort of like the 'rabbit and the hare' tale we hear discussed. Remember, speed isn't everything, even if it is. There's always a certain amount of strategy which must be factored in as well."
Young Allison saw a photo of the DC-7 and a P-51, side by side. They were both right on the deck. She didn't think they were more than thirty feet above the ground flying at top speed. If she remembered correctly, there was a C-97 in the background. She couldn't see the rear end of it clearly so it might have been a KC-97. There were a number of bombers which were converted to water bombers during the time period they were in. Some tanker aircraft would be converted later.
She could see some of the buildings still had military markings on them, even though the airport was now in civilian hands. She was glad to see the airport hadn't gone to waste. There was a gap between two of the buildings where the fuel truck was parked. There wasn't even a fence. She simply drove in near the fuel truck.
Cameron looked over at the little office near the fuel truck.
"I'll be back." Cameron said.
Young Allison could see Cameron's skirt immediately blow up in the strong wind. It reminded her of a picture she saw before of a famous actress standing over a subway vent. Cameron made no effort to restrain it. The goods were on display. She watched as Cameron knocked on the door. She remained outside where she could take full advantage of the wind. She spoke with someone for a moment. A head appeared out of the doorway and looked around. She could see it returned to Cameron's fluttering skirt. Cameron handed the man something. She figured it was money. There was a big smile on the man's face as he looked at it. He soon returned his attention to Cameron's fluttering skirt as he followed her out to the fuel truck by where she was parked.
She decided to get out of the Galaxie. It would give the man something to think about instead of what he was doing as he pumped in the high octane fuel.
Cameron made no effort to restrict her flowing skirt in the wind. The truck driver seemed very pleased with everything. Once the tank was full, she slipped the driver some more money as a tip for being such a good sport.
They walked over and checked out the P-51. It was not in the best condition.
"It's a shame to see people run these aircraft into the ground." Young Allison said.
Cameron couldn't agree more. People didn't respect machines, especially fine machinery. She couldn't help but wonder if something like it would happen to her one day. Even if she was fully functional, someone might decide she was obsolete. She could be regulated to the scrap pile. She pushed the thoughts from her mind.
"A lot of these aircraft were picked up for next to nothing after the end of the Second World War." Cameron said. "Most of them went to the scrap heap."
Young Allison gently touched the wing tip on the Mustang.
"What a waste of machinery." Young Allison said. "The current owners don't realize how much these aircraft will be worth in a few decades."
They could hear the sound of an air horn in the distance. It was probably the Santa Fe train crossing Route 6 and entering the yard. It had a different tone than the Nathan P3 air horns used on the Southern Pacific freight locomotives.
Cameron looked up into the sky.
"I can hear the sound of a Merlin engine." Cameron said. "I think there's a Mustang on approach."
They walked up along the side of the hanger they were parked by towards the runway.
Young Allison could hear it now as well. It wasn't the sound of someone getting off of the throttle either. The Merlin was wide open at full throttle. It could only mean one thing.
"I think he's going to 'cut the grass' before he lands." Young Allison said.
A few seconds later they could see the P-51. It was in a shallow dive to gain more airspeed. It was level as it flew low over the runway.
Cameron smiled. There would be some real speed tomorrow.
See What They Have Available
To get along with each other
Everyone needs to be reasonable
For anything to actually happen
It must be real and feasible
To interact and share will determine
If they are compatible or incompatible
If things don't click and flow
Both will face a needless crucible
There is always room to grow
When everyone remains flexible
They don't need to give up their will
But things need to be malleable
Not everything can be planned
There's always an unforeseen variable
There are very few absolutes
The rest is always a gamble
Forge ahead to go for the gold
Try to avoid a slip or a fumble
Time and events will
See what they have available
Nobody