Another Penn Central Car Movement series (P.C.C.M.) has begun on John's New York Central Train Layout and now includes sending cars to my layout. See John's well staged side of the story here: http://newyorkcentrallayout.blogspot.com/
Today's action in West Mill is heralded by a red indication near WM tower warning that a train is approaching.
The towerman walks outside to do a roll-by inspection as Train VW-1 from Selkirk slowly emerges, headed by a typically eclectic Penn Central lashup of an F7A and a GP38.
This long train contains a cut of cars for West Mill from Terminal Yard that originally made its way to Selkirk as part of train LS-1. The West Mill cut of cars was removed from the Chicago-bound freight at Selkirk and included on VW-1 (Selkirk to Weehawken). West Mill is a mid-point stop where the cut will be set out. Several cars on the long train pass by before we see the West Mill cut.
The cut for West Mill begins with this BAR car loaded with tea for Cavendish Foods and a PC 40' boxcar full of burlap bags for Hedberg Aggregates in Marion, NY.
The P&LE car is loaded with gears for Peerless Appliance in Mayfield NY, while the PC 40' boxcar and NYC 50' car behind it are both loaded with drums of ink for Canton Box Company, located right here in West Mill, which can be seen in the background!
The PC gon is loaded with pipe for the Hudson Valley Ag. Coop and the IC car contains cases of refreshing Heilemans beer for Reynolds Beverage Distributors.
Two TOFC loads bring up the rear of the cut which as been separated from the rest of the train behind it.
West Mill Yard Loco SD9 #6922 is assigned the task of pulling the cut from VW-1 and bringing it into the yard.
Once the loco is coupled behind the cut, a crewman separates the West Mill cars from the train.
A back and forth move through the maze of switches by WM Tower has the cut (with the BAR car in front) rolling into the yard.
SD9 # 6922 finishes setting out the West Mill cut and returns to the VW-1 to reconnect its remaining cars and caboose into the rest of the waiting train.
VW-1, now reassembled and ready to go, slowly leaves West Mill for Weehawken as Yardmaster Cappy Foster observes from the base of his yard tower.
VW-1 picks up speed as it leaves West Mill.
Next Up: sorting cars for local trains and interchange with the KP&W.
Another well staged virtual ops. I like how you and John set up your trains as part of a bigger system. With parts being added and subtracted as the train continues its journey. Really gives a sense of prototype operation.
ReplyDeleteIncluding virtual ops cars on a train like VW-1 is a fairly recent development. We used to send entire trains to each other that terminated at each other's yards. I like the current scenario for the reasons you mentioned.
DeleteTo: West Mill
ReplyDeleteFrom: Terminal Yard
Acknowledge arrival of Train VW-1 at West Mill with cut of cars from Terminal Yard.
Terminal Yard out...
Nice Job Ralph!!!!
ReplyDeleteATJOE1972 hit it on the head. A well staged virtual ops installment! Excellent photos of the layout and rolling stock. I like the PC consist and SD9 6922 is another favorite.
Another nice virtual op move Ralph! The photos along with the commentary as well as your terrific scenery makes it so real. Just awesome!
ReplyDeleteIt is really neat the way the operation flows from 1 railroad to another so smoothly. The match up between all of the industries and the storyline is very creative and entertaining. Hats off for another great op between the King's Port and the NYCTL.
ReplyDelete