Mid 80s. Clemson, S.C. Living a few hundred feet from Norfolk Southern RR mainline. Slight upgrade towards Central from low trestle over Lake Hartwell.
Hear diesel locomotive(s) revved up, but not moving. Like a vehicle's engine racing in neutral.
Turn on scanner to 160.95 MHz, and hear the following:
Train crew: Wheels are slipping. Unable to move forward.
Southern Chief Dispatcher Greenville (S.C.): Had a report of a previous train arriving with a tank car leaking soybean oil. Is that what is on the tracks?
Crew: Not going to get out to taste it. Going to back up, and get a running start.
Dispatcher: I can't approve that.
Long freight. Luckily no grade crossings until far side of the Lake. Backed up without incident.
Made it on second attempt, with diesels roaring.