P.C.C.M. 42: Anticipating the arrival of NE-2 at West Mill

Hi all!

Train NE-2 with empty coal hoppers from both Neal's Atlantic Pacific Railroad (A.P.R.R). and Ed's Hoschton Railway Company (HRC)  has departed Weehawken and is heading toward West Mill on its way to Selkirk and eventually Terminal Yard on John's New York Central Train Layout (N.Y.C.T.L.).  The cars will then be delivered to Hudson Coal for loading.   With the addition of one boxcar being forwarded from John B.'s layout to the N.Y.C.T.L. we have an unprecedented FIVE LAYOUT virtual op going on!   

My part, and that of the Kings Port Division of the Penn Central R.R.,  is to note the arrival of NE-2 and to add 13 mixed freight cars to the train for Terminal Yard on the N.Y.C.T.L.    Along with the coal hoppers from two railroads and other cars being forwarded by the A.P.R.R. its going to be a long train!

Neal provided an excellent video of  train NE-2 heading toward West Mill!   Its on its way!  Take a look at this long string of cars powered by a consist of SD45s!

http://atlanticpacificrailroad.blogspot.com/2018/01/train-ne-2-heading-to-west-mill.html


West Mill Yard is nearly full and Yardmaster Cappy Foster is doing all he can to get cars moving out!

Prior to the arrival of NE-2, a West Mill Yard crew boards switcher #8951 and starts assembling a cut of cars that will be tacked onto NE-2 when it arrives. 

When the switcher pulls away it reveals GP38-2 #8046 which will later be added to the consist of NE-2 to assist with the increased tonnage of the block from West Mill.

The switcher crew pulls four cars from Track #2, including a pair of PC corrugated gondolas loaded with telephone poles for the New York State DOT's Region 10 highway project.  

Along with the gons are IC  boxcar #30130 and  P&E # 3638, both loaded with Cavendish Foods packaged meals for Pilgrim State Hospital.  These four cars make up one block that will be transferred to the Long Island R.R. after reaching Terminal Yard

The next block of cars is for Ralph's Grocery Warehouse.  The RI car is from Ralph's Midwest Distribution Center in Davenport Iowa,   The P&LE car is loaded with bagged flour, and PC #77047 is carrying cases of Woodstock Hills Natural soda from the Kings Port Team Track.  The first block of cars can be seen in the background on the ready track waiting for pick up by NE-2.

The switcher crew then moves NYC #80755 and Depressed Well Flatcar #766053 to the ready track.  The NYC car is loaded with new 55 gallon drums for Drywell Inks while the flat bears a loaner excavator from Caterpillar that Sal Monella of Sal's Salvage is FINALLY returning.  Cat's legal department and a little encouragement from the West Mill P.D. helped Sal "find" the "missing" excavator that was long overdue for return to Caterpillar in Empire City. 

The final block of cars includes this pair of B&M RBLs loaded with sheet glass and mirrors from Corning Glass for Superior Furniture.    The fragile loads are secure in these cars but the switcher crew takes extra pains to be careful with them!

The two additional cars tacked onto the rear of the B&M RBLs require less gentle handling but are being set out for NE-2 as well.  PC gon #288673 is empty for Gervais Pipe while the TDLX Cargill covered hopper is going back to its namesake facility with grain from Empire Grain.

 The switcher sets out the final block for NE-2 and takes its leave...

The thirteen cars for NE-2  waiting for the train to arrive from Weehawken...

Next up:  NE-2 arrives!

Stay tuned!