Chapter 2
Alden climbed into the bunk car he shared with Dominic Ragulsky, another machine operator who ran the tamper. A family man, Dom went home to his wife and kids in Durango, Colorado, almost every weekend. On the rare occasions when his wife came to visit him instead, Alden made himself scarce. They each had stamp-sized bedrooms at opposite ends of the former boxcar and shared the cramped galley area and living space in the middle. Mostly they ate with the crew since that was easier than trying to cook. Latrine facilities consisted of a closet-sized cubicle that held a commode and also served as a shower stall.
Feeling the day’s accumulation of dust grit against his skin, Alden headed for the shower, peeling off his dirty clothes as he went. Moments later, standing beneath the spr
