P.C.C.M. #33F: Continuing the Virtual Ops from the N.Y.C.T.L.

Hello all!

The "virtual ops" ball has landed in my court again after a mighty fine series of model railroad operations recently posted on the New York Central Train Layout blog.  See the installments leading up to this point by clicking the following link:

http://newyorkcentrallayout.blogspot.com/

Since we have around 40 freight cars in common but not as many locomotives, we've tended to route trains to Selkirk as a mid point where power consists are changed out.  This provides a reasonable explanation for why our trains have different power when they reach each other's layouts.  This time however we were able to carry a consist all the way through.

The power selection at Terminal Yard was a combo of an FP7 and a GP38 that hauled Train NV-3 toward Selkirk.   After some servicing there the train turned south, following the river to West Mill, now designated as Train VWM-4.

The lead unit, FP7 #4348, and second locomotive, GP38 #7675 (popularly known as "The Sir Larry" on the N.Y.C.T.L.) are seen crossing Ulster Ave at Kings Port while a pair of heavy duty six axle U Boats runs light on the high line in the background.

Cars included on VWM-4 for West Mill include this pair of gondolas loaded with scrap wheels for Sal's Salvage...

...A TP&W boxcar loaded with steel wool scraps from Walsh Steel Wool for Booms Ready Mix as a concrete reinforcer, and a 50 foot PC boxcar loaded with packaging materials for Blue Ribbon Flour from Berk Enterprises.

An NYC covered hopper loaded with soy flour for Blue Ribbon and a B&M 50' RBL car empty for Corning Glass are next in line.

Two hoppers from Hudson coal for Corning Glass's power plant.

A GM&O boxcar full of hardware from American Hardware for ACME Auto Parts

...and finally, three 60' auto parts cars empty for ACME at the request of the Ford Motor Company.

The train is later observed passing WM tower and approaching West Mill Yard.

Crossing Railroad Ave....

Entering the yard as Empire Grain looms in the background.

Passing the loco service tracks...

...and the yard tower...

...until the train is completely in the yard.

The FP7/GP38 consist comes to a stop and the crew from Terminal Yard gets off.

A West Mill crew leaves the yard tower to board yard switcher SD9 #6925 to pull the caboose from VMM-4 and later sort the cars into three blocks; a Kings Port Turn, a block for transfer to the KP&W, and a short Yard Job serving local industries.

A little confab with Yardmaster Cappy Foster prior to getting started.

More to come, including an explanation of our dispatch form that helps us keep track of where cars are in the virtual ops (i.e."Where is that PC boxcar!?!").

Thanks for taking a look!