• March 29, 2024
    Member Login
    Username:

    Password:


    Not registered yet?
    Click Here to sign-up

    Forgot Your Login?
    Follow Us!
    Facebook icon

    Paused
    2023 Q2 Signalman's Journal
    2023 Q1 Signalman's Journal
    2022 Q4 Signalman's Journal
    2022 Q3 Signalman's Journal
    2022 Q2 Signalman's Journal
    Site Search
    Site Map
    RSS Feeds
    Contact Elected Officials!

    Download Our App!

  • UP to the Rescue: Four Signalmen Save Couple in Distress
    Updated On: Jul 197, 2018

    Four Gang 8351 Signalmen were driving back to town after completing minor maintenance on a switch install when they came across a couple stranded in the salt flats of Box Elder County, Utah.

    “We were two and a half hours from town, when we saw the husband, Matthew Adams, sitting on a Union Pacific transformer holding an umbrella with a ‘HELP’ sign attached,” said 11-year Skilled Signalman Ronn Garrison. 

    From left, Skilled Signalmen Jeremy Farr, Quinn Norman, Ron Garrison and Craig Cupp.

    After cautiously approaching Matthew, the signalmen learned the couple had been driving along East Hogup Road in the west desert when road conditions worsened. Their pickup’s front tires became stuck in a mud hole, preventing four-wheel drive from engaging.

    Matthew walked nearly 10 miles searching for a cell phone signal, but was unable to get service in such a remote area.

    “We tried to unstick the truck, but on salt flats by the Great Salt Lake you end up just getting stuck deeper,” said Abigail Adams, one of the stranded citizens. “We realized we were in it for the long haul. We spent the night trying to dig the truck out with baseball bats and pieces of wood that we found.”

    When Mrs. Adams’ mother realized they were far behind schedule, she called the Box Elder County Sheriff’s Department. The Sheriff’s Department contacted their hotel, learned they had not checked in despite their reservation, and then launched search and rescue efforts.

    The couple, however, did not sit idly by; early the next morning, they came up with a plan to make contact with the railroad. Abigail, a diabetic, stayed in the car and covered the windows to avoid direct sunlight.

    Matthew walked two miles to the Lucin Cutoff railroad grade, with a “HELP” sign created from a feed bag, lipstick and an umbrella.

    Before a train even had time to pass through, UP workers discovered Matthew Adams.

    “Because of our UP training, we took him to our vehicle right away and gave him water,” said Skilled Signalman Quinn Norman. “We used our vehicles’ improved cell signal to contact search and rescue, Mrs. Adams’ mother and our UP supervisor to keep everybody in the loop.”

    The caravan of UP vehicles then drove quickly but with caution to find Mrs. Adams. 

    “Our entire team, from our management to our co-workers, has the mentality that the first and foremost priority is safety, both for ourselves and the public."

    Skilled Signalman Ronn Garrison

    “Luckily, some of us were familiar with the area so we decided to take a slightly longer, but safer route to make sure we would be able to get to her,” Garrison said. “We were worried she might go into diabetic shock, but it’s important to use caution in such a remote area.”

    After reaching Abigail, the signalmen freed the couple’s red pickup truck from the sinkhole; while sharing sandwiches, fruit, Gatorade and water — everything they had packed for lunch.

    “It’s good to know we can make decisions to help others in remote locations around the railroad,” Garrison said. 

    This experience highlighted the need to be vigilant for Signalman Norman going forward at UP.

    “It’s important to keep an eye out, to pay attention to your surroundings so you can be there with a helping hand for someone in need,” Norman said. 


  • Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen

    Copyright © 2024.
    All Rights Reserved.

    Powered By UnionActive



  • Top of Page image