P.C.C.M. #65: Part 1 on the KPD

Hello again railfans!

We're kicking off another "virtual ops" series that we like to call Penn Central Car Movements (P.C.C.M.s).  Its our 65th (!) series of forwarding cars from one layout to the next by photographing trains with identical cars to convey the idea they have traveled from layout to layout.  This time two layouts, my Kings Port Division and John's New York Central Train Layout are exchanging cars.

Cars that will be forwarded to  John's New York Central Train Layout  from my Kings Port Division this time include:

Two 38 foot hoppers full of aggregate for the New York State DOT Region #10 highway project that are seen below getting loaded at Hedberg Aggregates...

A GULF tank car loaded with diesel fuel for Terminal Yard's Engine Facility seen being picked up by a local for West Mill Yard.

Over at KP Steel six empty coal hoppers and four loaded Evans coil coach cars await pick up.

Later, at West Mill, cars have been gathered and are being assembled into a train for Selkirk that will forward cars to Terminal Yard.   Cars on this train include three 60 foot auto parts cars from ACME Auto Parts for Ford Motor Co....

 ...and this 40 foot boxcar PC #104478 loaded with new 55 gallon drums from ACCO for Drywell inks.  

The two 38 foot hoppers of aggregate, the tank car from GULF, and a NYC Hi Cube loaded with tall neck bottles from Corning for Heilemans Brewery will also be added to this train

This train for Selkirk will be powered by a nice symmetrical  GP30/F7B/GP30 lashup from West Mill.

The consist leaves the engine track to enter the yard and pick up its train.

Backing into West Mill Yard to couple up with the train.  Yard switcher SD9 #6925 idles nearby

Coupled up and testing the air as the brakeman walks the length of the train.

The train, designated as Extra #2228 receives permission to pull out of the yard but is instructed to hold at the entrance to the mainline.

Waiting "in the hole" the crew of Extra #2228 watches a work train go by.  This equipment is headed south on PC's River Line to help clear a major derailment between Weehawken and Rock Ridge.    See John's post about how this problem effects participation in the current virtual ops HERE 

 After the "Big Hook" goes by Extra #2228 expects  to receive permission to proceed but it is withheld.

The reason for this soon becomes apparent as a KP&W manifest from Mayfield for Williams Yard rolls through West Mill with "borrowed" B&M power at the head end.  These units will be put on a train back to their home territory after reaching Williams Yard.

Extra #2228 bides its time as the KP&W/B&M train rolls by.

About 15 minutes after the dust from the KP&W/B&M train settles, PC Extra #2228 receives permission to proceed to Selkirk with a stop at KP Steel to pick up additional cars.

The Extra is seen approaching KP Steel later in the morning.

The consist is cut from the train so it can pick up cars at KP Steel. 

Passengers waiting for a commuter to arrive at Kings Port Station watch as the diesels roll below the platform.  Any railfans in the group?   What a great spot to watch trains!

The six empty hoppers are pulled from KP Steel first.  They will eventually be forwarded to Hudson Coal.

After the hoppers are pulled from KP Steel's Track 1, they are shoved onto Track 2 to grab four Evans coil cars.

The cars are pulled beyond the switch for the main line and the Extra's brakeman aligns the points so they can be pushed back to couple with the rest of the train.

Extra #2228 now includes all cars bound for Terminal Yard

As it proceeds toward Selkirk and crosses Ulster Ave we can review the list.

Six empty hoppers for Hudson Coal...

Two loaded Evans coil cars for Ford Motor Co. and two for Gervais Pipe and Fittings... 

Three loaded 60 foot auto parts cars for Ford. (NYC # 53051, KP&W #50335, and TOC/PC 350562)

NYC Hi Cube #173861 loaded with tall neck bottles for Heilemans, and forty foot boxcar PC #401148 loaded with new 55 gallon drums for Drywell Inks

GULF Tanker (WRMX #14285) for the Terminal Yard Engine Facility and two 38 foot hoppers (one NYC and one PRR) loaded with aggregate for road construction in NYS DOT Region 10.

PC N12 caboose #24520 brings up the rear of Extra #2228 as it heads out of Kings Port, northbound. 

Stay tuned next weekend for the arrival of a train from John's New York Central Train Layout with cars to be forwarded to local industries on the Kings Port Division!  Check out the virtual ops action occurring on the N.Y.C.T.L. Here!

An Unexpected Visit to an Historic Depot in Salt Lake City

Its become an annual tradition that I accompany my wife to her library conferences and enjoy touring the cities where they are held. Along with visiting the unique places of interest each city offers I try to find railroad related attractions if I can.  Last year's trip to St. Louis was a treat as we stayed at a hotel connected to that city's historic Union Station.

See my blog post from last year about the hotel and station: Here

This year's trip was to Salt Lake City.  Our hotel was downtown and I wasn't seeing any obvious railroad attractions nearby.  The Golden Spike National State Park in Brigham City, Utah is 63 miles from Salt Lake City, a bit far for our schedule.  I thought I might just have to content myself with riding Utah Trax, the light rail system serving the city...which I did.

But, the first night in town I looked out our hotel window and noticed a red neon sign for the RIO GRANDE a few blocks away.

The next morning I set off walking in that direction and found myself in the city's Greek Town where there is a mix of old and new buildings and several restaurants.  

 At the end of the street I came upon this Historic Depot!  An interpretive sign informed me that the station was built during 1908-1910 and includes "elements of Beaux Arts Classicism and Renaissance Revival architectural styles".   It was designed by Henry J. Schlachs of Chicago and cost $750.000.  At the time there was a Union Pacific Depot three blocks away to the North.  Apparently the Rio Grande Station was an attempt by George Gould to "develop a transcontinental railroad system to compete with the Union Pacific".   The interpretive sign goes on further to read, "In 1977 the building was given to the State of Utah.   It has been occupied by the Utah State Historical Society since December 1980"

The building houses the Utah Historical Society, the Utah History Research Center, a gallery and a restaurant.   Most of the building was locked and required  pass cards to enter so I walked around for a better look at the outside.   I found these vestiges of old passenger platforms.   The nearest existing railroad tracks are at a freight yard a full block away.  I could see UP units hauling a train in the distance.   I decided not to walk down there to train watch since the area is pretty sketchy.  A few dozen folks who looked homeless or who might have been waiting to "catch out" were lounging on the grass behind the Historic Station and in a nearby park.  

Here is the interpretive sign.

The Rio Grande Cafe is apparently housed in the original depot restaurant space.  I think they did a nice job with it. The food is billed as "Comfort Mexican".  I had a tasty burrito.  The odd object hanging from the ceiling at the right is an art installation of a large taco with a life size human female figure inside.  My waiter commented that it receives mixed reactions from patrons....

A G Scale train runs over the bar in front of this great neon Rio Grande logo

 Menu placards bear the Rio Grande logo as well.

I liked this mural in a small waiting room next to the restaurant.  The main part of the station is beyond those doors but they were secured.  I could see an art gallery inside. 

I was happy to find the depot and enjoy some Rio Grande history along with a decent lunch at a fun cafe.  I'd recommend checking it out but use your "city smarts" as the area is noted for high crime and drug use.   You can read more about the Historic Depot in the link below.

Historic Rio Grande Depot

Thanks for taking a look!