Ah, yes, McCormick & Baxter. Memories of many years ago. The last time I switched it wasn't particularly notable as far as M & B was concerned but our engine-only return trip to the "B" yard at Willbridge was one of those events which sticks in your mind.

Having completed our switching in the plant we obtained verbal authority from the Vancouver Terminal Dispatcher to re-enter the then-Eastbound main line at the McCormick & Baxter switch at MP 5.72 and run against the current to the "B" yard switch at MP 3.99. When we were at about MP 4.9 (just off of the west end of Willamette River Bridge 5.1) an eastbound movement called the dispatcher asking to enter the Westbound main from the Willbridge "A" yard at MP 4.07, cross over to the Eastbound (all hand throw switches) and proceed toward Vancouver.

The dispatcher gave permission for them to line across (into our path) and stated that for some unknown reason (well, duh!) he couldn't get an eastward signal for them on the Eastbound at the Willbridge Interlocking Plant at MP 4.29. He further stated that after stopping at the stop signal at Willbridge that they had authority to proceed Eastward Main to Eastward Main which put them directly opposing our in-progress against-the-current move. By the time the conversation was finished we were far enough westward along Curve 5 that they likely could see our headlight in the distance when we called them on the radio to suggest that they might want to wait a few minutes before proceeding.