The breakdown

A couple weeks ago Joy approached me and asked if I wanted to go to Fairbanks with a couple others to pick up 2 more coaches that were left behind when we originally came down to the lodge. Being that I'm here to work as much as possible, I wasn't going to pass up on the opportunity to have more hours. We drove up to Fairbanks, AK in a van. Last time I drove the Parks Highway it was snowy in parts, and real brown and ugly. This time it was so green and beautiful, not to mention gorgeous weather. It was fascinating what just a couple weeks of sun turned that drive into, it was beautiful. We arrived in Fairbanks and went to get the coaches. The one I would be driving was at the Lathrop st. shop. I went to start it up, and it wouldn't turn over. I attempted a couple more times, and it finally decided to cooperate, only the red "check trans." light was illuminated. I walked around the coach, and came back to shut it off. When I checked all my fluid levels and neccesary components of the engine, I tried to crank it again, only once again it wouldn't turn over. I called one of the trainers who traveled along to Fairbanks (Brad) and asked him to return to the shop to assist me. Once he came back, we got it started up again, and it was running real rough. I backed it out of the spot, and drove it around the lot, in which i died anytime I came down to idle speed. Nervous, we called the McKinley Lodge mechanic who said to run it around the bus yard a few times, and then come on southward. He wanted to get it to lodge so that he could continue to work on it. I was worried as the speedometer had trouble kicking in, and also the coach didn't like to idle. I changed my log book and hit the road with Brad following behind me in the van. We made it out of the parking lot, and it died at the first stop. I got it to turn over and realized I just need to hold back at lights so I don't come to an idle. We got on the road in decent time, and the coach was running great from what I could tell. Rich (mechanic) called Brad in the van a couple times and asked how the coach was running, to which he responded that it was going 55 mph up hill so it was doing just fine. We continued on our way and Brad had to make a quick stop in Denali and the Princess lodge to pick up a few boxes of luggage tags. I told him that I was going to press on and I would meet him at the gas station about 15 miles up the road. I went on alone and pulled up to the tracks just outside Denali. According to federal law, commercial passenger vehicles must stop at all train crossings and I knew right away I was going to have issues as my coach sputtered as it came down in gears. When I got down to about 15 mph, I lost all power and coasted to a stop. I probably could have coasted to the opposite side of the tracks but I didn't want to chance not making it completely to the opposite side and being stuck on the tracks. I immediately trying starting it back up, but the coach didn't agree. I went back and turned off the battery for a few minutes, and then switched it back on. Still nothing. I called Brad and he sped to reach the tracks as quick as he could. Rich called the Denali lodge mechanics to come and have us towed out of the road at least. It was quite the ordeal. Sadly, a bunch of Holland America coaches passed by with guests on board, it probably looked really bad. We were towed to the other side of the tracks and the Denali mechanics worked on it while Rich was on his way the hour and a half from McKinley. They found that I had lost oil pressure. They were getting 7 lbs when it runs around 50-60? I don't really know what that means but I did loose pressure. They couldn't resolve the issue though. Rich arrived and all three mechanics stood there scratching their heads. Still no resolution. The coach sat there in the National Park along side the train tracks and road for a couple days until it could be towed back to Fairbanks to be worked on. Brad mentioned princess should gave me a raise, I conveniently placed a moving billboard where i could be seen from all directions from the train and highway traffic! That's optimism if I've ever heard it. I was so nervous, and what was a 9 hour shift turned out to be more like 16.5. At least it was a learning experience with lots of overtime!

even put up the triangles

The van to the rescue

The breakdown.