P.C.C.M. 50: Dispatching the train to Selkirk

Hello!

Today is the day all participants in P.C.C.M. 50 are simultaneously dispatching trains to Selkirk!
 
After all of the behind the scenes work of gathering cars at West Mill Yard, train WMV-1 is being assembled for dispatch to Selkirk.    Yard Switcher #8951 has been working over time to get this train set up.

The first block of cars set out on the ready track are for interchange with the L.I.R.R. to locations such as Pilgrim State Hospital, Ronzoni....

...and Republic Steel.

The second block will be sent west to Colorado.

Block 1 couples to block 2

The third block is a large order of auto parts and steel coils for Ford Motor Co. carried by seven cars.

As the switcher crew finishes setting out the Ford cut an agitated radio call comes from the tower   A clerical error led to the failure to include PC covered hopper 890658 in the block for Colorado!   Some extra moves are required to correct the problem.  (OK...I forgot to include the car!).

The remaining cars are for Empire City industries. Cars loaded with new bottles for Heileman Brewery...

...and packaging for Heilemans as well...

The last cut added to the train includes NYC #80755 for Reliable Machine and IC #30130 loaded with soda for Ralph's Grocery Warehouse....

...along with two empty TOFC's for Terminal Yard.

 Their work finished, the switcher crew ties down #8951 while in the background....

...another crew has boarded a four unit consist of a GP38 and GP38-2s to power the Selkirk Run. Some PC fans believe the GP38/GP38-2 is The Iconic Locomotive of the Penn Central.   Is it? Ask John R. about his research into that sometime!  

The consist leaves the loco servicing track and couples onto the head end of the train.   The fourth unit wears the rare Orange C mating worms logo.

WMV-1 is waiting for permission to proceed as all four units burble away next to WM tower.

Looking back toward the yard WMV-1 stretches the entire length of West Mill.

The train's caboose is near the tunnel at the South end of town.   Maybe the conductor has enough time for an ice cream run before the head end gets the green!

Also waiting is Train WWM-3, Weehawken to West Mill which is anticipating its turn to set cars out in the yard.   The short train is powered by a GP35 still in PRR livery and an F7B...a typical oddball PC consist.

WMV-1 gets the Green Indication and the engineer notches up the throttle to pull this long train out of West Mill.

That's it for now!   We'll be resuming the virtual ops next week as those trains heading to Selkirk and sorted and cars are forwarded to their destinations.

P.C.C.M. Pelude #3

Hi all!

One last post prior to the Saturday dispatch of a train to Selkirk.

Twin RSD12s are assigned to the Kings Port Turn which will pick up cars between West Mill and Kings Port that will be added to the P.C.C.M. 50 kick off!

Pulling forward of the yard lead...

...backed up and now coupled onto a short train of cars for KP Steel and the GULF facility on the river.

The Turn, now designated as WK-1, is told to hold at the Yard entrance.  The engineer intentionally stops on the grade crossing to protect motorists who don't know a second train is coming.

Twenty minutes later an Eastbound unit coal train glides by powered by an F7A-B-B-A consist.

The WM towerman gives a wave after providing the usual roll-by inspection.

The Turn's locos make a quick move to pick up TP&W 627 loaded with packaging for Heileman Brewery

A second car from Canton with a similar load for Freihoefers Bakery was pulled yesterday.

After the car is pulled from Canton Box, the Turn gets underway and is later seen rolling through Upper Kings Port station and Marion.

The train arrives at Kings Port and KP Steel.

The train's brakeman uncouples the locos and TP&W car from the gondolas that will be set out at KP Steel.  First order of business is the pick ups. 

Three gons and two "Bread Box Trough" cars loaded with steel coils are pulled from KP Steel's holding yard. One is headed to Republic Steel, two are for Ford Motor Co., and one is for Shapeless Steel near Rock Ridge.

The train returns to the gons to be set out

....and places the empties at KP Steel

The set-outs completed the Turn reconnects and heads toward the Williams Yard interchange track with the KP&W.

The KP&W set out these four cars for the Penn Central yesterday. 

 The RSD12s run around their train in order to push it back into the interchange to pick up the two covered hoppers from Blue Ribbon Flour (destined for Ronzoni) and the two empty TOFCs.

"There's one of them cabooses"...as Mike Bednar might disparagingly refer to the transfer hack noted for Spartan amenities.

The train is shoved into the cut on the interchange.

...and the cars are pulled out.

Another loco consist runaround followed by placement of the caboose on the next track for later pick up

the last of the Turn's cars roll by the caboose

...the caboose coupled up, and the Turn is ready to head back to West Mill as KW-2

Next stop is the GULF facility which will receive one tanker.

The train reaches the north side of West Mill and picks up a covered hopper from GERN (for GERN's facility in Colorado) and a gon of shredded metal for Ball Container.

All pick-ups competed, the train heads into West Mill Yard.

West Mill yard is looking pretty full in anticipation of Saturday's dispatch of a train to Selkirk.  

Stay tuned!!