PCCM 102: Part 1 on the KPD

Hello,

We're starting our 102nd Penn Central Car Movement (PCCM) "virtual ops" series moving cars from one layout to the next between John's New York Central Train Layout,  Neal's Atlantic Pacific R.R., and my own Kings Port Division.

Usually the first part of the series on the KPD begins at West Mill Yard but today we're starting in Mechanicville, NY where several virtual ops cars await assembly into a transfer run to Selkirk.  These cars were "off layout" in New England and are now returning to be forwarded to consignees on the APRR, the N.Y.C.T.L., and the Kings Port Division.  They include B&M RBLs, TOFCs, auto parts cars, and a Swift reefer.

The cars are made up into train BM-17 for Selkirk via Rotterdam Jct.  Watch it depart Mechanicville powered by a GP30 still in NYC livery along with Penn Central F7B unit #3442 .  The train arrives later at Selkirk on the heels of MC-4 powered by an F unit consist typical of trains from Frontier Yard (Buffalo).   MC-4's manifest includes the very first PCCM car, the red Triangle Pacific boxcar TPFX #5510 working its way from British Columbia.

The distinctive orange and white Dresser Magcobar car is seen among a sea of freight cars.   It arrived at Selkirk on train NY-6 from East St. Louis.   This car will eventually go over the hump to be sorted onto train VW-1 to Weehawken along with the cars that just arrived on BM-17.  The VW-1 will stop at West Mill on the way to Weehawken to set some cars out.

Incidentally, check out the high tech system at Selkirk's hump in this 1969 video when you have a chance:

Cybernetics at Selkirk

VW-1 has been assembled.  Watch it leave Selkirk with a U33C-GP30 consist in the video below:

  

We finally turn our focus on West Mill Yard where things are pretty quiet.  The lone car in the yard is an NYC double door boxcar that will be heading to Half Moon Wholesale Lumber Distributors.  It was pulled off of the car float yesterday with some empty hoppers.  The hoppers were transferred to the KP&W's Mayfield Yard.  

The quiet times at West Mill usually don't last long.  Watch as VW-1 arrives and drops off a cut of three cars; two MEC bulkhead flats with pulpwood loads and the Dresser Magcobar car.

After the three cars are set out VW-1 proceeds on its way to Weehawken with cars scheduled to be forwarded to Neal's APRR; 86 foot auto parts cars NYC #67086 and PRR  #125291, and the Triangle Pacific car #5510. 

After VW-1 leaves, the bulkhead flats and Dresser Magcobar car are pulled into the yard.

The West Mill yard crew turns its attention to assembling a Bloomberg Turn to serve industries in the Catskills.  The Dresser Magcobar car is loaded with bentonite for Bloomberg's Agway.  Four covered hoppers that will also be going to Agway are pulled from nearby Empire Grain and added to the train.

 A caboose is tacked onto the rear of the Bloomberg Turn

...and its power, GP38-2 #8150, passes by to couple to the head end.

 Watch the Bloomberg Turn back out of West Mill Yard and then head up the Mountain Branch.

Cars on the Bloomberg Turn will later be seen delivered to Agway.  The P&LE gon loaded with long poles in the foreground will be picked up and taken to West Mill Yard.

The clicking of the Turn's wheels on the rails has barely faded away when The Kings Port & Western's daily Binghamton to Williams Yard transfer run (BiWi-3) arrives with an F7A-SD9 consist to set out two cars at West Mill.

 

Two cars are cut from the front of the train, EBBR #360279 and NIRX LV #41000

 They are set out in West Mill Yard by the BiWi's F7A/ SD9

...and then BiWi-3 continues its way to Williams Yard in Kings Port.

That's it for today.  Come back tomorrow as more trains arrive with PCCM cars to be forwarded to John's N.Y.C.T.L. and Neal's APRR!