We're running an unusual virtual ops this time to give participants who have more modern intermodal equipment a chance to show their stuff! While the Kings Port Division is firmly rooted in the Penn Central era (1968-76) and has few intermodal cars, its fun to see what other folks are coming up with for this run.
I'm following up Neal's first post of two. He encouraged me to post my installment and he'll follow up with his second one.
See his intermodal work here:
Neal's first post
The Kings Port Division's meager contribution to this series consists of these three TOFCs seen here at Williams Yard.
A pair of KP&W switchers moves the cars out of Williams Yard to set them out on an interchange track for later pick up (much later!) by a CSX intermodal train!
Meanwhile the Kings Port Railfan society has found themselves a good vantage point to watch the set-out.
The guys lament the limited intermodal operations that can be seen on the Kings Port Division.
Later at Volstead's Tavern the guys try to imagine what intermodal rail service might be like in the coming decades. Benny, the most imaginative of the group, proposes the possibility of time travel as a way of finding out. After a few rounds the other guys become enthusiastic about the idea.
A few days later Benny surprises everyone by claiming to have devised a time travel device that he has installed in his VW Bug! Its a flux something or other... According to Benny's calculations they need to get the little car up to 88 MPH to activate the device and see the future! Starting near the engine yard the guys pile in the VW and Benny hits the gas!
Speeding along at 55....60...65...70...75...80..85 MPH...!
"Get ready for the flash!" shouts Benny!
Oh, there's a flash all right...from the lights on top of a K.P.P.D, patrol car! The Kings Port Railfan society finds themselves busted. Seems like the only thing they'll be seeing in the immediate future is the inside of a cell. Hope they memorized the number on the bail bond sign on top of Volstead's Tavern!
You, however, can get a good view of intermodal rail traffic in the future beyond the PC era by staying tuned to these blogs!
John R.'s Blog
John B.'s Blog
Neal's Blog
Brian's Blog
Meanwhile these TOFCs are ready to join their more modern counterparts.
What a great post with all of the amusing details! The intermodal cars look great! I hope the Kings Port Railfan Society has learned their lesson. Do they need my copies of Outdoor Life to pass the time? Your switchers look great, I like them in consist.
ReplyDeleteThanks Neal! Any second hand magazines would be appreciated to pass the time! The two switchers are the first equipment I painted for my freelanced road, hence the different road name lettering than what is now the standard white. Originally the KP&W was only going to be represented by these two units pushing and pulling a couple of cars off a hidden staging track...then things got out of hand! :)
DeleteFun story with those hapless railfans! I'm still trying to figure out that gag in VOLSTEADS Tavern's name. How about a clue?
ReplyDeleteThanks! Volstead is the name of the Minnesota Congressman who sponsored the so called Volstead Act which effectively implemented Prohibition in the United States after the 18th Amendment was ratified so a bar in his name is rather unlikely! :) Closer inspection of the little model of the bar on my layout reveals a sign in the window that reads "Closed".
ReplyDeleteThanks! Funny, I'm a history buff, and am very much into politics, but not a political history buff! May Volstead spend eternity 'THIRSTY'! He could be looked at as the one who allowed the MAFIA to flourish. Despite all that, it is a clever gag!
DeleteTo: Williams yard
ReplyDeleteFrom: Terminal Yard
Acknowledge set out on intermodal T.O.F.C. cars for pick up.
Terminal Yard out...
I knew this would be entertaining and was not disappointed! The K.P.R.S. was doing well until their fate was altered by their run in with the K.P.P.D.! Terminal Yard will be dispatching a Penn Central T.O.F.C. train in my installment so we'll get your T.O.F.C. cars picked up sooner rather than later. Well Done Ralph!!!
Thanks John!
DeleteGreat segment and quite the adventure for the KPRS. Putting a Flux Capacitor on a VW Bug has lots of risky implications. They are just as likely to end up at a Perogi festival with Big Mike during the Conrail era. I had to look up the Volstead Tavern comment after hearing it on a couple of your videos. Very clever. 😉 I think the Judge in the KPRS case should punish the lads to community service cleaning graffiti off of railroad equipment. That’ll teach them a lesson. 😃
ReplyDeleteThe Pergoi Festival Love it! I'm OK with cleaning graffiti as a community service!
ReplyDelete