P.C.C.M. 71: Part A

Hello,

We're embarking on a quick two-layout virtual ops this time as KP Steel on my layout has several empty hoppers waiting to be assembled into a unit train for Hudson Coal on John's New York Central Train Layout . Once loaded, the cars will be returned as a unit coal train for KP Steel.

KP Steel's holding yard is full of empties. 

The power for the unit train, GP40 #3007 and GP30 #2228, is sent from Weehawken running light with a NYC bay window caboose.

Not far behind the engine run is Kings Port & Western train BiWi-4 (Binghamton to Williams Yard in Kings Port).  This train, coming from the west, merged onto shared trackage with the Penn Central just south of West Mill.

Watch the PC engine run, with the KP&W BiWi-4 following behind it, pass through West Mill on the way to Kings Port in the video below:

What's up with the B&M power in BiWi-4's consist?   The "Blue bird" F7A and GP9 arrived two days ago at Mechanicville at the head end of a run from East Deerfield.   They can be seen pulling the train behind one of the classic Penn Central  F7A/GP9B/F7A lashups commonly used on the B&M.    Mechanicville's famed XO tower is in the background

After being cut off the train from East Deerfield the units were added to a consist on a D&H train to Binghamton.  After that they were coupled up to a KP&W F7A on the BiWi from Binghamton to Williams Yard in Kings Port where they will eventually head to Massachusetts.

Back to the Penn Central engine run which is seen arriving at Kings Port in plenty of time to begin coupling up to the two strings of hoppers before BiWi-4 comes into town. 

The caboose is cut so the locomotives can back into KP Steel's holding yard to grab the hoppers.

BiWi-4 arrives at Kings Port and passes by KP Steel as the unit coal train is still being assembled.   The train rolls slowly through Kings Port to reach the cutoff to the KP&W's Williams Yard.   

There is a problem though.   A KP&W towerman at the entrance to Williams Yard has forgotten to flip the switch that makes a signal controlling BiWi-4's entrance into the yard automatic.  The searchlight is indicating red and BiWi-4 has to hold while its cars block Ulster Ave.   A call to the KP&W tower alerts them of the error but there currently is no room for the train to enter the yard!

Some ten minutes later Kings Port PD show up to find out what's going on after the train has violated the five minute rule sitting on the crossing.  Traffic is backing up. 

The KPPD walk the length of the train to reach the lead locomotive.   They demand to know who in the tower is responsible for the delay.  The KP&W crew know the towerman but play dumb.  The cops tell them to radio the tower and get the name.   The towerman in question, Spence Soderberg, thinks fast and remembers a story he heard about a similar incident from a yardmaster on the Lehigh Valley.  Spence replies on the radio that he is "Frank Rossollino, from the EL at Bangor, Pennsylvania.  I'm new here so gimme a break!"   Meanwhile Williams Yard crews are humping to get a track cleared for the BiWi and to get Spence out of a jam.   The word comes through that the train can enter track 2.
 BiWi-4 proceeds to Williams Yard.  "Wow"

Once the train is clear of the crossing, the backed up traffic starts moving under the watchful eye of the KPPD.

The Division Superintendent will later burst into the tower waving a citation and demanding to know, "who the *%#$! is Frank Rossollino?!?" Who indeed?!?

Meanwhile the Penn Central is finishing assembling their unit coal train at KP Steel.   The first string of empty hoppers backs into the second one. 

The train pulls forward with all cars in tow and then backs to couple up to the caboose.

 The Unit Coal Train now known as Extra #3007 is ready to go.

Getting the go ahead to proceed, Extra 3007 slowly notches up for the run to Selkirk and Terminal Yard.

Follow the train to John's New York Central Train Layout using the link at the top of the post!