New York Central Bee Liner

New York Central Bee Liner
RDC-3 #497 calls at Bedford Station

Friday, December 2, 2016

The Trials and Tribulations of Train UKP -3

Greetings All,

Today we' take a look at the coal cycle of life and the trials and tribulations of Penn Central Train UKP-3 (Hudson Coal - Kings Port Steel). The train originates at Hudson Coal on my N.Y.C.T.L. Metro Division and travels to Kings Port Steel on Ralph V's Kings Port Division;
http://kingsportdivision.blogspot.com/2016/11/strike-labor-dispute-affects-operations.html

Depending on production schedules at Kings Port Steel this train runs usually once or twice a month. KP Steel also gets coal directly from the B&O which has trackage rights on the K.P.D. to keep it's furnaces hot.

The action starts with empty coal hopper train UKP-2 returning to Hudson Coal and then the building and dispatch of train UKP-3. 

Let's check it out;

To:        West Mill
From:    Terminal Yard
Subject: Dispatch of unit coal hopper train UKP-3
              (Hudson Coal - Kings Port Steel)


PRR GP9Ms from Walthers lead UKP-2, a train of empty coal hoppers, towards Terminal Yard under the watchful eye of an MRC Platinum NYC F7A in the very rare passenger gray cigar band scheme. 
Empty hoppers from various railroads rolling thru Mid Town 
And across the High Line
The empty hopper train, UKP-2, at Bedford Tower where the engineer gets a hi ball and roll by inspection from Tower Operator 1/87th scale John B. 
A train of empty auto parts cars leaving Terminal Yard behind two U Boats and an A.P.R.R. GP38-2 waits at Bedford for the coal train to pass.
UKP-2 passing the mammoth 86' auto parts boxcars.
UKP-2 hits he curve at T&R Gravel
And climbs the grade to Terminal Yard behind Hudson Coal
UKP-2 arrives at Terminal Yard
And heads for Track 9 passing am A-B-B-A set of Alcos on Track 1
Clinchfield hoppers from Rivarossi were recently added to the fleet
The Metro Division local of the Brotherhood of 1/87th scale trainmen hold an impromptu meeting at Terminal Yard to discuss the current labor unrest at Kings Port Steel.
A pair of Athearn BB NYC GP9s at work at Hudson Coal pulling the loaded cars. With caboose on track 3 the crew will pull tracks 1 and 2 then spot the caboose to pull the cars on track 3
Moving the caboose out of the way
All coupled up, brake test complete the loads head out of Hudson Coal as Train UKP-3
UKP -3 behind two NYC GP9s heads towards the Bedford Tower
Meanwhile at Hudson Coal the cycle of coal life continues with the empty hoppers of  UKP-2 being spotted for loading. 
Empty hoppers in place the engines will head out to Terminal Yard with their caboose which is on Track 2
UKP-3 heads thru Bedford NY on it's way to Kings Port Steel where it's fate is uncertain. Continued labor unrest at Kings Port Steel may have this train held at either Selkirk or Port Owen.
   

Terminal Yard out...
******************************************************
To:         Kings Port Division / Metro Division / Terminal Yard  
From:     West Mill
Subject:  Labor unrest at Kings Port Steel

Labor Strike at Kings Port Steel continues. Delivery of hopper cars uncertain. 1/87th scale Brotherhood of Trainmen will not cross picket line.
The scene at Kings Port Steel

West Mill out...
******************************************************
To:         Port Owen Tower Operator
From:     Kings Port Division
Subject: Train orders for Train UKP-3

Train UKP-3 is to be held at Port Owen Yard until further notice. Crew will continue on to Selkirk caboose light for next assignment.

Kings Port Division out...
******************************************************
Thanks for Reading!

4 comments:

  1. That vintage equipment comes off remarkably well! It takes me back to the holidays when I was a teenager and delighted to get an AHM car or whatever! Your photos show what that stuff can be to make guys happy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks John! Any train as a gift is a great train! Thanks for the compliments.

      Delete
  2. Nice series of events on the N.Y.C.T.L. Glad to see the strike is over at the K.P.D. Always enjoy the details and images that accompany your recap of that day.

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  3. Thanks 1:1 Sir Neal! I think all 1:1 layout owners and 1/87th scale employees are glad that this labor unrest is in the past!

    ReplyDelete