Greetings virtual ops fans!
This is the beginning of our 113th Penn Central Car Movement series (PCCM) also known as our "virtual ops" between John's New York Central Train Layout , Neal's Atlantic Pacific R.R. , and my own Kings Port Division.
We're starting the morning at West Mill as the daily carfloat from Port Owen has just arrived powered by the tow boat "Robert H."
The carfloat is secured to the float apron at West Mill. Today's run includes two empty PS2 hoppers from Port Owen Brick Company and four empty non-PCCM coal hoppers from the Con Ed power plant.
SD9 #6922 prepares to unload the carfloat with a couple of buffer cars.
The flat car serving as a buffer couples to one of the PS2 hoppers. A crewman makes sure that the coupling is secure.
A view across the float toward West Mill Yard. The NYC bay window caboose a couple of tracks over is on the tail end of today's Bloomberg Turn which is preparing to head up the Catskills.
The morning gets busy as the yard's switcher #8951 and a transfer caboose head out to Empire Grain to pick up a couple of covered hoppers while the car float is unloaded and the Bloomberg Turn backs out of the yard!
The short run to Empire Grain arrived there ahead of the Bloomberg Turn which is seen rolling by on its way to the Mountain Branch.
After the 8951's pick up at Empire Grain is completed it brings the covered grain hoppers back to the yard.
The West Mill crew gets to work sorting the cars that came in this morning The two PS2 hoppers will be set out on the siding next to the main for the Kings Port & Western's daily BiWi-3 transfer to pick up. The BiWi-3 runs from Binghamton, NY to Williams Yard in Kings Port. Utilizing trackage rights between West Mill and Kings Port it often stops at West Mill along the way to interchange cars with the Penn Central.
After the two empty PS2 hoppers are forwarded to the KP&W's Williams Yard they will later be put on a train to Hedberg Aggregates.
The expected BiWi-3 arrives at West Mill two hours later. The KP&W train is powered by a pair of F7As which will drop off several cars at West Mill.
The BiWi-3 sets out the cut for West Mill in the yard.
After completing the set out the BiWi-3 picks up the two PS2 hoppers and continues on to Williams Yard in Kings Port.
After the BiWi-3 leaves town the yard crew resumes sorting cars into blocks for Rock Ridge, Selkirk, Terminal Yard, and local trains.
Two cars for Rock Ridge: The KP&W boxcar is loaded with paper from International Paper Co. for Marcal. The LV #7120 is carrying Heinz & Weber pickles and mustard for C&P Restaurant Supply.
Several cars for Terminal Yard: two covered hoppers loaded with grain for Ronzoni, LV NIRX #41000 carrying adhesive backed paper for Berk Enterprises, two carloads of containers for West Chemical...
...and cars for Selkirk to be forwarded to Mechanicville: two auto parts cars loaded by ACME Auto Parts for Somerville Ford, an empty Swift reefer returning to its home in New Hampshire, and LV #66392 loaded with Presto batteries for Irwin Marine...
You can see the Bloomberg Turn, in the background of some of the photos above, returning from serving industries in the Catskills. The train is held by a red indication while waiting to take the main. The reason for the Turn's delay is soon apparent as a power balancing run from Selkirk runs through West Mill on its way to Weehawken! After the consist passes by, the Bloomberg Turn is cleared to enter West Mill Yard.
The yard crew sorts the Turn's cars, adding to the blocks for Terminal Yard and local trains.
These two APPR cars are empty for Van Winkle Canning.
Cars for Rock Ridge are coupled together and set out on the siding for the next VW-1 Selkirk to Weehawken Transfer.
That'll do it for today! Check back tomorrow when we focus on action at the KP&W's Williams Yard.
To: West Mill / Rock Ridge
ReplyDeleteFrom: Terminal Yard
Acknowledge tug boat Robert H delivering a car float of PCCM to West Mill Float Yard.
Acknowledge PC 6922 working West Mill Float Yard and unloading car float.
Acknowledge PC (ex NYC) 8951 departing West Mill to work at Empire Grain.
Acknowledge PC Bloomberg Turn departing West Mill Yard.
Acknowledge KP&W BiWi-3 interchanging PCCM freight traffic with PC at West Mill Yard.
Acknowledge PC Power Balancing Move from Selkirk passing West Mill for Weehawken.
Acknowledge PC Bloomberg Turn returning to West Mill Yard.
Acknowledge PC West Mill Yard Crew sorting and blocking PCCM freight traffic for future movements.
Terminal Yard out...
Once again West Mill is the center of it all for PCCM action!!! Car floats, switch engines, power moves, local trains and an interchange of PCCM freight traffic with the KP&W let us know that our rail system is running well and making a profit. Well done Ralph!!!