P.C.C.M. #53, a virtual op between five layouts featuring rolling stock supporting the auto industry across five to six decades has turned out to present a great selection of auto racks and auto parts cars along with other freight being forwarded from one layout to the next.
In the previous installment from the Kings Port Division cars were forwarded to Terminal Yard on John R.'s New York Central Train Layout to serve his Ford Motor Company. Since then cars from John B.'s, Neal's, Brian's and John R.'s layouts have been forwarded, some either running through or arriving at West Mill Yard on my layout. We'll follow that second part of the series action here.
We find West Mill looking pretty quiet this morning. A cut of Lehigh Valley cars destined for Mayfield where the KP&W has a connection with the LV waits for the next train out.
Its so quiet around the yard that its easy to focus more on the screeching of the raucous seagulls along the river....
...and the mechanical sounds of Empire Grain's conveyor system as it dumps grain into a barge.
Finally, railroading sounds are added to the scene as SD9 #6925 fires up for pull-out duty.
The yard loco is assigned to move the cut of LV cars to the pick-up track for a run to Mayfield.
Backing up, the hearty SD9 shoves the cut for Mayfield in place...
...and returns to its engine pocket.
#6925's crew timed their work well as KP&W Extra #566, a transfer FROM Mayfield is arriving at West Mill.
This train hauls loaded coal cars from the LV connection to West Mill's car float where they will be ferried across the river to Port Owen's Electric Company.
Extra #566 backs into the yard...
...and the crew of the RS3 gets a chance to take a break while they wait for their chance to pick up the cut of cars set out for them earlier by SD9 #6925. The distinctive white LV boxcars can be seen in the distance behind the caboose and engine tracks.
I beg the indulgence of virtual ops fans who may be wondering about not seeing any auto industry related freight cars yet. The moves documented up to now are a bit of a preamble for things to come!
While RS3 #566 idles at West Mill, red signals warn of the approach of the latest train from Weehawken to Selkirk headed today by a GP40/GP30/GP38-2 consist.
Aha! This train is carrying auto parts cars that were forwarded by Neal's A.P.R.R. from Rock Ridge!
The train rolls at speed through West Mill...
Heads turn to observe the enormous 86 foot long auto parts cars. Even the Kings Port Railfan Society has made it in time to see the train go by for this op!
The two impressive cars in their pre-merger schemes together seem to convey a hopeful sense of team work.
The train leaves West Mill...
Meanwhile, over at Kings Port, Train VWM-4, a short transfer from Selkirk to West Mill has come to a stop to wait for the hot shot from Weehawken.
It isn't long before the train for Selkirk approaches Ulster Ave.
...and passes by the waiting VWM-4.
The conductor in VWM-4's caboose waves at the passing locomotive crew.
The auto parts cars for Ford on are their way via Selkirk as the train leaves Kings Port!
Shortly after the dust settles from the hotshot's passing, VWM-4's engine crew leaves Dave's diner where they got a quick bite and board their train.
VWM-4 is underway with its FP7/ GP38 lashup.
Why is this train important? Its carrying some cars forwarded by Brian (Elkhart to Selkirk) and John R. (Terminal Yard to Selkirk) that are destined for West Mill. These include a pair of empty steel coil cars for KP Steel...
An empty PC Hi Cube for Peerless Appliance near Mayfield, a company car for GERN, and a PC covered hopper for Agway in Bloomberg.
VWM-4 arrives at West Mill.
The cut of cars for Mayfield waits for the PC Hi Cube on VWM-4 which will be included in the run back to the KP&W yard..
The FP7/GP38 consist slows to a stop in the yard. The RS3's crew has finished lunch and is ready to get back to work.
First things first. West Mill's SD9 yard switcher will pull the Hi Cub off of VWM-4 and couple it up with the Mayfield cut.
Starting with pulling the Northeastern styled caboose...
...and then shifting a couple of cars to the next track...
The Hi Cube is pulled and set out.
Finally a KP&W caboose is tacked onto the end of the cut. All this group of cars need now is some power!
A KP&W crewman uncouples #566 from the coal cars and it moves on its way to the head end of the next train for Mayfield.
An easy run around move gets the loco in front of the train.
#566 pushes hard to back the train up past WM Tower and the switch over to the mainline.
The train leaves West Mill for Mayfield Yard.
Arriving at Mayfield.
The Hi Cube can be seen at the end of the train...
...and is later delivered by a local to ACME Auto Parts.
The next morning KP&W GP8 #769 is fired up for the run up the Mountain Branch, serving several industries.
This train includes the PC covered hopper from Elkhart for Agway.
...which is later seen set out at the Bloomberg elevator.
While the Mountain Branch Run is being taken care of, a quick single car move from West Mill serves GERN with one of its own cars...
As the covered hopper is shoved toward its home a Penn Central empty coal car train passes on the main.
These 100 ton H43D hoppers are a recent decal project I've been trying to accomplish for over a year after John R. brought the appropriate Highball Graphics decal set to my attention. The trick was finding the right hoppers!
I'm very glad to have finally completed these classic PC cars!
One final move in this unusually long post!: The Kings Port Turn delivers the two empty coil cars to KP Steel. While coal cars are prepared for loading on the car float...
The pair of RSD12's that often pulls the Turn approaches a cut of cars led by two coil cars for KP Steel.
The two coil cars are spotted at KP Steel later that afternoon.
That finally concludes the Kings Port Divisions role in this current virtual op! Thanks for taking a long look! :)
To: West Mill - Terminal Yard - and points West!
ReplyDeleteFrom: Rock Ridge
Acknowledgement of auto racks and manifest freight in/out and around West Mill
Rock Ridge Out!
Yes, there was a lot of freight movements going on. I think this is the first time I've seen many pics of the grain area and supporting structures. Like the LV box cars as well!
To: West Mill / Rock Ridge / Elkhart / Zenith Yards
ReplyDeleteFrom: Terminal Yard
Acknowledge OS of Weehawken to Selkirk Train at West mill. Acknowledge delivery of empty coil steel coaches to KingsPort Steel and PC Hi Cube to ACME Auto Parts.
Terminal Yard out...
WOW!!! A two cups of coffee post that was good to the last sip!!! Great job weaving the fabric of the auto parts op storyline with the KPD and KP&W daily operations. With your usual fine photos showcasing your layout and rolling stock this was a visual delight. Nice job on the new H43s!!!
Wow Ralph!!! Fantastic segment and action on the KP&W! You could do a whole PCCM series on this post alone. Great looking H43 hopper cars as well. Another enjoyable segment on the Kings Port Division!
ReplyDelete