PCCM 93: Part 5 on the KPD

Hello once again!

We're continuing the "inbound" parts of this 93rd Penn Central Car Movement series with John's New York Central Train Layout, Neal's Atlantic Pacific R.R., and my own Kings Port Division.

Yesterday two KP&W trains were dispatched from Williams Yard.  The WiBi-4 to Binghamton passed through West Mill.  The Mayfield Transfer isn't far behind.

West Mill's always busy yard switcher #8951 sets out a cut of cars  for the Mayfield Transfer to pick up.  These include four empty auto parts cars for ACME Auto Parts..

 ...and two empty coal hoppers for the LV coal connection.

The cut is pulled past WM Tower, switches are aligned, and the cars are pushed next to the mainline for easy pick up.

The work is completed in time for the arrival of the Mayfield Transfer from the KP&W's Williams Yard, now arriving at West Mill.   The pair of F7A's at the head end are cut off and the string of cars from West Mill is added to the train.

 Watch the pick up in the video below:

After picking up the string of cars the train continues on its way to Mayfield Yard.

An hour and a half later the train is about to arrive at the KP&W's Mayfield Yard.  Evidence of the connection with the Lehigh Valley can be seen as LV #305 works a coal job near the tower and LV #300 is coupled up to KP&W RS3 #566 on a pooled-power coal transfer preparing to leave for West Mill

The Mayfield Transfer makes its appearance at Mayfield Yard....

...bringing in a mix of PCCM and "nonplayer" cars.

After the Transfer is broken down an LV crew climbs aboard their #305, now ready to pull a string of empty hoppers to coal country with KP&W cars #233 & 234 at the front end.

KP&W #922 is assigned to a local serving ACME Auto Parts and Cavendish Foods and Spirits.  It will deliver some of the cars brought in by the Mayfield Transfer.

After a little time on the road Extra #922 sets out NYC #53051, KP&W #50335, and TOC/PC #350562, all empty for loading at ACME Auto Parts.

Since there are only three loading bays, empty EBRR #608279 is constructively placed on the next track with PC gons #576104 & 576123 which are loaded with steel stock from Shapeless Steel.

After switching ACME, the local moves on to Cavendish Foods and Spirits.  It sets out PC boxcar #360063 loaded with food packaging materials from C&P Restaurant Supply.   You can smell the malt in the air around Cavendish with maybe just a touch of haggis!

Remember that pooled-power train of loaded coal hoppers waiting to leave Mayfield?  It is seen arriving at West Mill below:

Watch Extra #566 bring in the coal train in the video below:

Extra #566 passes WM Tower to access the yard lead so it can back the coal cars into West Mill.  As they pass underneath the Schaefer billboard the fireman comments, "Mets are doin' good this year!"

Watch the KP&W coal train back into West Mill Yard, passing behind NH #36116 loaded with City Pallets for Port Owen Brick Company.   The NH boxcar will soon join the coal hoppers for a ride on the car float to Port Owen.

After the coal transfer arrives SD9 #6922 once again assumes car float duty with its buffer cars, a pair of flats and an old PRR gondola.

The NH boxcar is pulled from Track 6 and coupled to the string of hoppers on Track 5.

The cut of cars is then loaded onto the float.  Watch the careful action in the video below:

The fully loaded car float barge shoves off from West Mill powered by the tug boat "Robert H.", arriving at Port Owen 45 minutes later.  

SD9 #6922's sister unit #6925 pulls the cars off the float at Port Owen.

NH #36116 is spotted at Port Owen Brick Co.

That'll do it for today!  Tomorrow's final post will follow Southbound and Northbound Locals out of West Mill Yard.