September 2024 Layout Operations Part 3 Finale

 Greetings All,

September 2024 Layout Operations Part 3

Finale

Welcome back to the closing segment of this exploratory series of model train layout operations. As a reminder the focus of this series of op session is based on the baseball strategy above. Get the rolling stock and trains on the layout, move them as needed to their intended industry or interchange and them get them moving back off layout and into their boxes (staging) so other rolling stock and locomotives can be added to the operations on a recurring basis.

Beginning on September 12, 2024 I embarked on and documented a series of model railroad operations to focus on train sequences and cycling rolling stock and motive power on and off the layout. The goal is to improve the overall operational continuity of the layout by determining what works well, what needs improvement, what needs to be discarded, what could be added and what should be added.

Days 5 thru 12

September 16 thru 27, 2024

Day 5

Mainline Cleanup

Day 5 started out with some clean up work to clear the mainlines of Train NH-2 and SK-9 that were dispatched to Cedar Hill and Selkirk in day 4. The two consists included forty five (45) freight cars and eight (8) locomotives that were cycled off the layout to their respective boxes to await their next calls to operations duty.

Freight Yard Status

This was followed by some admin work checking the freight yard status of the four on layout freight yards.

Terminal Yard: 48 freight cars, 6 passenger cars

B&O 16th Street Yard: 4 freight cars

Bedford Park Yard: 2 freight cars

EBRR North Side Yard: 25 freight cars

Total: 73 freight cars and 6 passenger cars

Transfer Runs to Clear Yard Space

Our first trains of the day were Train EC-1and EB-2 to clear yard space in both Terminal Yard and the Empire Belt's North Side Yard and deliver the interchange traffic needed to keep the operations moving along.

Train EC-1

Terminal Yard to North Side Yard

The EC-1 powered by four GP20s brings sixteen (16) freight cars of interchange traffic to North Side Yard.

Train EB-2

North Side Yard - Terminal Yard

In a dispatcher scheduled meet three EBRR GP18s with twenty one (21) freight cars of interchange traffic for Terminal Yard meets and passes Train EC-1 at Bedford. 

Days six and seven were spent focusing on local service.

Day 8

September 21, 2024

Ford Auto Service Train / FAST 50

Selkirk - Terminal Yard

Hot shot train FAST 50 from Selkirk heads into Terminal Yard with auto parts and TOFC traffic. The Four EMDs power the train up the 2.5% grade into the Terminal Yard tunnel.

The FAST-50 is one of the hottest trains to run on the layout consisting of auto parts and high priority TOFC traffic. The FAST-50 often has run thru pool power from the SSW, UP or ATSF.

Fast Forward to Day 12

September 27, 2024

Last Op of the Month

Day 12 ops consisted of the Bedford Turn handing freight traffic to and from Bedford industries, two thru trains to Selkirk and recrewing a transfer run from North Side Yard that had died on the law at Bedford on day 11. 

Train Extra 1862

Terminal Yard - Selkirk 

Extra 1862 powered by five F7As took eighteen cars (18) from Terminal Yard to Selkirk. Motive power and freight cars were cycled off layout and back into their respective boxes. 

Empire Belt Train EB-2

North Side Yard - Terminal Yard

The EB-2 powered by three GP18s outlawed on the Bedford Secondary on day 11 due to yard congestion at Terminal Yard and was recrewed this day to complete its journey with twenty two (22) freight cars of interchange traffic.

Train BT-27 / BT28 

The Bedford Turn

Terminal Yard - Bedford - Terminal Yard

The BT-27 powered by RS2s 5229-0503-9932 delivered seven (7) freight cars to Bedford based industries, The BT-28 returned to Terminal Yard with ten (10) freight cars.

Train SK-9

Terminal Yard - Selkirk

The SK-9 powered by four GP20s brought twenty six (26) freight cars to Selkirk. Motive power and freight cars were cycled off the layout and back into their respective boxes.  

End of September Layout Operations

The 12 days of ops came to an end on September 27, 2024. On this day forty four (44) freight cars were cycled off the layout along with nine (9) locomotives in two trains. 

Summary

Total Locomotives Used This Op Series: 44

Total Freight Cars Cycled Off Layout in Trains: 157

The remainder of locomotives on the layout were removed via the 0-5-0 switcher and as of this writing new locomotives are being readied for the October Operations Series.

Lessons Learned

The documenting of each days movements is a big improvement in the planning and execution of the layout operations. I plan to continue doing this going forward as it made managing the freight cars and locomotives much easier.

Using Available Resources

When I began working on fine tuning the layout operations I turned to a valuable resource who regularly holds operating session on his home layout, the renowned Atlantic Pacific Railroad and is a visiting engineer on other operations based layouts. Ongoing communications and consultations with 1:1 Sir Neal provided both insight and inspiration to better organize the train movements on the layout with simplified and specific instructions for each train. That is currently in the works. Thank you very much Sir Neal!!! 

 Streamlining The Operations

In October the plan is to streamline the layout operations using some simplified paperwork known as the Rockford Card which I experimented with in March of 2023. This will be a basic check the box listing of each train to be run in a specific sequence.

Compilation of the September Ops Trains

Thanks for reading and watching!!!

See you soon!!!

September 2024 Layout Operations Part 2

 Greetings All,

September 2024 Layout Operations Part 2

Day 3

September 14, 2024

Welcome back to the September 2024 Layout Operations series. As a reminder the focus of this series of op sessions is based on the baseball strategy above. Get the rolling stock and trains on the layout, move them as needed to their intended industry or interchange and them get them moving back off layout and into their boxes (staging) so other rolling stock and locomotives can be added to the operations on a recurring basis.

Beginning on September 12, 2024 I embarked on and documented a series of model railroad operations to focus on train sequences and cycling rolling stock and motive power on and off the layout. The goal is to improve the overall operational continuity of the layout by determining what works well, what needs improvement, what needs to be discarded, what could be added and what should be added.

Day 3 

The day started out with a review of the four freight yards currently being used in this op. 

Terminal Yard: 50 freight cars

B&O 16th Street Yard: 12 freight cars

EBRR North Side Yard: 23 freight cars

Bedford Park Yard: 2 freight cars

Train BP-12

The action starts at Bedford Park Yard with RS1 9909 getting ready to work the yard and local industries. When the switching work is done the 9909 will lead Train BP12 with 7 freight cars from Bedford Park to Terminal Yard .

Train BP-41

After delivering the BP12 to Terminal Yard the 9909 makes a quick turn and heads back to Bedford Park Yard as Train BP-41 with 6 cars. Four of these cars are delivered to local industries and 2 are placed in the yard for later delivery when sidings are clear.

Terminal Yard Yard Job

The yard job still powered by SD40s 6282 and 6102 took care of classifying the 7 freight cars brought into the yard by Train BP-12.

Train BT-27 / MR-1

The Bedford Turn

Train BT 27 was our next local train of the day that departed from Terminal Yard. It was combined with Train MR-1 to deliver 6 PS2 covered hoppers to T&R Gravel and 6 cars to Bedford industries. 

Train BT-28 / MR-2

The Bedford Turn

Upon completion of the above work the Turn is ready to go back to Terminal Yard with 11 freight cars as Train BT-28 pictured below.

Terminal Yard Yard Job

The SD40s took care of the inbound cars from Train BT-28/MR-2 and have the yard in order for the next operating session.

Empire Belt RR Belt Job

Our last train of day 3 is the Empire Belt RR's Belt Job that works their North Side Yard, services Empire City industries and a Team Track in North Side Yard.

The Belt job was quite busy this day blocking and classifying 23 freight cars in North Side Yard 16 of which came in on LIRR Train MA-3 on Day 2 and picking up 3 cars from the Hohman Ave Industrial Park Storage Track (below). 

When the smoke cleared 14 freight cars had been placed at local industries, 3 cars were placed at the Hohman Ave Storage track to await cleared sidings, 12 cars were delivered back to North Side Yard where they were blocked for movement or interchange. 

The final yard tally was 2 cars for local placement, 2 cars for the LIRR and 21 cars for Terminal Yard.

Freight Yard Status

North Side Yard: 25 freight cars

Terminal Yard: 50 freight cars and 6 passenger cars at E. Bedford Station on track 1.

16th Street Yard: 12 freight cars

Total time: 3:15

End of Day 3

September 15, 2024

Day 4

Day 4 started at Terminal Yard with the dispatch of Train SK-9 with 27 freight cars for Selkirk and powered by four GP38s. These freight cars and locomotives will be cycled off the layout and stored back in their boxes later in the op. 

Train SK-9 

The SK-9 heads to Selkirk.

New Haven Train HN-2 / NH-2

During this op session I experimented with making the HN-2 / NH-2 a turn job with it delivering freight cars to Terminal Yard from Cedar Hill Yard that includes a block of cars from the New Haven's Maybrook Gateway. The NH-2 would then shortly thereafter depart Terminal Yard for Cedar Hill Yard with a block of cars for delivery to the NH's Maybrook Yard if present in Terminal Yard. The idea of adding Maybrook Yard traffic to the ops was interesting to me and I'll cover this in a future blog post.

New Haven Train HN-2

Train HN-2 from Cedar Hill Yard in New Haven, CT passes RA Tower as it heads to Terminal Yard.

The HN-2 is powered by four H16-44s to get the 19 car train up the ruling grade of 2.5% from RA Tower on the lower level, up the slide which is track 1 (shown below) and into Terminal Yard. 

Terminal Yard Yard Job

The SD40s continued to work the yard and classified the 19 cars brought in on Train NH-2.

Pier 16 Switcher

B&O SW7 9552 pulled one loaded car from the Empire Power Authority, two loaded cars from Bruce Electric Equipment and delivered them to the 16th Street Yard.

B&O 16th Street Yard Transfer

B&O 6954-7071 & C&O 8238 continue to work 16th Street Yard and remained idling away in the yard.

Train NH-2

Below the NH-2 departs Terminal Yard with 11 freight cars, 10 TOFC and 1 boxcar. No Maybrook traffic today.

Shop Switcher

A nice little move that I rarely if ever run is the shop switcher delivering cars between the shop and Terminal Yard. Here it with a HD flatcar with a large crankshaft and two flatcars containing EMD prime movers going to the big shop at Selkirk, NY.

Pier 16 Switcher

B&O 9552 from Pier 16 picks up the HD flatcar with crankshaft at Terminal Yard for delivery to Pier 16 to be exported by ship. The car has had some wheel work done and this is a "hot move" as the ship loading is drawing to a close.

End of Day 4

Day 5 thru 12 coming tomorrow

which will conclude this series

Thanks for reading and watching

See you tomorrow

September 2024 Layout Operations Part 1

 Greetings All,

September 2024 Layout Operations

Get Them On, Get Them Over, Get Them In

The focus of this series of op sessions is based on the baseball strategy above. Get the rolling stock and trains on the layout, move them as needed to their intended industry or interchange and then get them moving back off layout and into their boxes (staging) so other rolling stock and locomotives can be added to the operations on a recurring basis.

Beginning on September 12, 2024 I embarked on and documented a series of model railroad operations to focus on train sequences, rolling stock and motive power cycling on and off the layout. I am looking to improve the overall operational continuity of the layout and determine what works well, what needs improvement, what needs to be dismissed and what could and should be added.

Day 1

September 12, 2024

LIRR Train MA-3

The September Operations started with Long Island RR Train MA-3 delivering twenty one freight cars from Fresh Pond Yard to the Empire Belt RRs North Side Yard. The LIRR had the lead off spot simply because North Side Yard had a block of cars there awaiting pick up.

After dropping the 21 cars in the yard LIRR Train MA-4 departs North Side Yard with 10 cars of interchange traffic for Fresh Pond Yard. 

Fresh Pond Staging

Fresh Pond Yard trains run from North Side Yard to Terminal Yard where they are placed in the LIRR staging box until a future MA-3 runs since I lack a staging track for the LIRR. My operations scheme has all the LIRR freight traffic moving from Fresh Pond Yard to North Side Yard so what goes out must come in.

Train NY-4

The next train heading to Terminal Yard is Train NY-4, the meats product train that originates in Chicago. Today's NY-4 is powered by four GP20s and features seven cars of livestock and nine iced reefers of dressed meat.

NY-4 Arrives and Terminates in Terminal Yard

After arriving in Terminal Yard the NY-4 power will head to the engine terminal and the freight consist will require special handling due to the livestock and iced reefers. 

B&O 16th Street Yard Transfer

The B&O 16th Street Yard power was called out and ran caboose lite to Terminal Yard. After arriving in Terminal Yard and hopefully in accordance with RR rules the NY-4 cars were picked up by the B&O and moved to 16th Street Yard

16th Street Yard

This is the only place on the layout where the livestock will get water and rest and the ice hatch reefers will be iced. The B&O will be paid for this service.

A look at the 16th Street Yard and Pier 16 freight cars and paperwork. This is getting to be a busy area on the layout.

Train VN-4

The last train of the day is Train VN-4 from Selkirk which is powered by a quartet of GP38s and brings 14 cars of mixed manifest traffic from Selkirk to Terminal Yard.

VN-4 Arrives and Terminates At Terminal Yard

After arriving at Terminal Yard the VN-4 power heads to the engine terminal.

Terminal Yard Yard Job

The Yard Job power for this op is a pair of PC SD40s. The Yard Job classifies and blocks the VN-4 freight traffic. The work also includes delivering one Southern Railway Flexi Van from the VN-4 to the TOFC /COFC track and pulling four Penn Central TOFC cars back to Terminal Yard for later movements.

Freight Yard Status End of Day 1

Terminal Yard

42 freight cars waiting for local and symbol train movement.

16 Street Yard

16 freight cars. 9 reefers and 7 livestock to be moved to Terminal Yard once the livestock is deemed rested and the reefers re-iced.

Empire Belt North Side Yard

28 freight cars. 2 boxcars from MA-3 awaiting movement to local industries. 14 cars from MA-3 and 12 additional cars that started the op in the yard awaiting movement to Terminal Yard.

Day 1 Totals

86 freight cars in yards, 61 from this op session trains. 2.5 hours to run the op.

Day 2 

September 13, 2024

B&O 16th Street Yard Transfer

Day 2 started off with the B&O 16th Street Yard Transfer delivering  the NY-4 rested and watered livestock and re-iced reefer cars from Day 1 to Terminal Yard. 

The NY-4 cars are set out on track 2. Note the livestock cars are on the headend to reduce slack action in the cars and prevent injury to the livestock.

Train EC-1

Next train out of Terminal Yard is Train EC-1 that will be powered by five PC F7s and will be delivering 21 freight cars to the Empire Belt RRs North Side Yard. The freight consist features 17 cars for the LIRR including the live stock and reefers and four cars for the Empire Belt served industries.

PC Train EC-1 heads to North Side Yard

Empire Belt Train EB-2

As Train EC-1 above is departing Terminal Yard Train EB-2 is departing North Side Yard powered by three GP18s with 26 cars for Terminal Yard. The dispatcher has arranged the EB-2 and EC-1 to pass each other at Bedford. 

Train EB-2 heads to Terminal Yard

EBRR Train EB-3 and PC Train EC-2

After dropping their freight cars at Terminal Yard and North Side Yard respectively EBRR Train EB-3 and PC Train EC-2 traveling caboose lite pass each other in Bedford on their back to their home road yards.

LIRR Trains MA-3 / MA-4

Last trains of the day were LIRR MA-3 from Fresh Pond Yard delivering 16 cars to the Empire Belt RR at North Side Yard and MA-4 below from North Side Yard heading back to Fresh Pond Yard with 16 cars for Long Island based consignees.

End of Day 2

Totals for the day

9 trains, 16 locomotives and 85* freight car movements.

Time to run op 3.5 hours.

Two Day Totals

15 Trains, 16 locomotives and 171* freight car movements

* Freight car tallies are based on the number of freight car movements used to move trains during the op session and not necessarily the number of freight cars on the layout. In most cases freight cars were moved from an off layout origin to an on layout railroad's freight yard. Many of these cars would need additional movements for interchanges and final deliveries.

Example: 

Movement #1: Train NY-4 from Selkirk used four (4) locomotives to get the freight train of sixteen (16) cars from Selkirk (off layout) to Terminal Yard.

Total Locomotives: Four (4)

Total Freight Car Movements: Sixteen (16)

Movement #2: The sixteen (16) reefers/ stock cars in that train were moved to 16th Street Yard by three (3) B&O locomotives. 

Total locomotives: Seven (7) 

Freight Car Movements: Thirty two (32)

Movement #3: On day 2 the B&O 16th Street Yard Transfer delivered the sixteen (16) reefers/ stock cars to Terminal Yard for their next move to in Train EC-1.

Total Locomotives: Seven (7)

Total Freight Car Movements: Forty Eight (48)

If the above calculations are wrong please let me know. I'm basing the counts on the "touches" each time a car is moved which would be billed and incur revenue in most cases.

We'll pick this up again tomorrow with additional train movements and then close it out in episode three.

Thanks for reading!!!

See you tomorrow!!!

The HO Scale Penn Central GP38 / GP38-2 Armada Grows By One

 Greetings All,

The HO Scale Penn Central GP38 / GP38-2

 Armada Grows By One

The HO Scale Penn Central RR that is alive and well in my basement has added another GP38-2 to its roster. In truth I was reluctant to do this as I already have seven PC GP38/38-2s on the roster. These seven units pale in comparison with the 1:1 Penn Central's four hundred sixty eight GP38/GP38-2 locomotives.

The caveat here is that three are Athearn BB models, two are Atlas models and two are Bachmann DCC on Board models and none M.U. well with the other brands on my DC controlled layout.

Atlas Yellow Box PC GP38s that I've painted and lettered. The 2010 was released from the Patti-O Paint Shop in 2020 and the 7675 was released from the shop in 2015.

Factory painted Bachmann DCC on Board GP38-2s have been on the roster since 2013.

This three unit Penn Central lash up consists of two GP38-2s and one GP38 that I've painted and numbered. The 8024 and 7698 are 2014 graduates of the Patti O Paint Shop. The 8308 graduated in 2017. 

After looking at other options for the undecorated model I finally decided on painting and lettering it as the PC 8027.

The project locomotive started out as a new in the box undecorated Athearn Blue Box GP-38-2 that I purchased as part of a three locomotive deal in August, 2024.

A Quick Look at the

The Penn Central GP38/GP38-2 Armada

According to Robert Yanosey in the book Penn Central Power the 2000 HP non turbocharged V-16 GP38 was introduced in 1966 but did not attract much attention compared to the GP40s and SD45s offered at the same time with the 645 prime mover. PC ignored the GP38 until a nationwide swing toward fuel and maintenance savings made it a giant seller. The PC ordered 240 GP38s (7675-7939) from 1969 to 1971.

The 7675 is the lowest numbered GP38 from the Penn Central order in 1969 and features the early oil bath air filter.

"7860" by hugh llewelyn is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/?ref=openverse.

Cheap to run and able to be used anywhere in the system the GP38 became the Penn Central's ideal locomotive enjoying a long career with the PC and long after the PC folded.

"11/78, Conrail GP38 7787" by OHFalcon72 is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/?ref=openverse.

Ex PRSL GP38s

Five PC GP38s in the 2000 series (2010-2014) were ordered by the Pennsylvania Reading Seashore Lines (PRSL), a New Jersey RR owned by the PC and RDG, in August, 1970. EMD withheld delivery of the units to the PRSL after the PC bankruptcy and then determined the PC was more credit worthy than the PRSL. The five GP38s had their PRSL heralds painted out and they became PC property. 

The 2010 is the only one of the ex PRSL group with the PC herald on the long hood.

The GP38-2s

In 1972 EMD introduced the Dash 2 series of locomotives that offered internal improvements with the external differences being high adhesion trucks and a sight glass located on the right rear of the long hood.

"X 12/74, PC GP38-2 7997" by OHFalcon72 is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/?ref=openverse.

Impressed with the performance of the GP38s the Penn Central bankruptcy trustees authorized the purchase of 223 GP38-2s (7940-8162) between May 1972 and October 1973.

"4/74, PC GP38-2 8107" by OHFalcon72 is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/?ref=openverse.

PC GP38-2 8148 is a factory painted Bachmann DCC on Board model.

The 8150 is also a factory painted Bachmann DCC on Board model. This GP38-2 was originally straight DC power. I swapped chassis with a DCC on Board GP40 power chassis to m.u. it to the 8148.

Back to the Project Model

The DC powered engine has been hardwired for better electrical reliability. Kadee #5s have been installed and the truck side frames have been rattle can painted with flat black.

The 8027 poses for a roster shot at Terminal Yard after being released from the Patti-O Paint Shop. Penn Central decals are from K-4 and the ACI decals is from Micro Scale.

The 1:1 scale PC 8027 is a GP38-2 model delivered to the Penn Central sometime between May and September 1972 as part of a one hundred unit order of GP38-2s (7940-8039). An order for 114 more GP38-2s (8040-8153) would follow in 1973.

The 8027 leads four Athearn BB GP38/38-2s hustling a freight train from Terminal Yard thru Bedford, NY.

My original reluctance to add another PC GP38 to the fleet was eliminated when running this four unit lash up that just screams Penn Central to me. I'm glad to have finally come to my senses!!

In other action the 8027 leads three siblings down the mainline to Terminal Yard as a freight train with PC GP38 7675 holds on the Bedford secondary. The 7675 was part of the original 140 unit order (7675-7814) order in 1969.

On another day the four units haul a train from Selkirk to Terminal Yard.

The GP38 Fleet in Action

A Rude Awakening

As the four Athearn BB GP38s made their way around the layout with various trains that I enjoyed railfanning I discovered the four powered units were a bit too much for my MRC 2500 controller during the continuous running. After heating up considerably the overload circuit tripped and the consist came to a complete halt. Rats!!!

I reassessed my power needs and swapped an Athearn dummy GP38 chassis from a Conrail unit with an Athearn powered chassis of an older a PC GP38. The consist is now three powered units and one non powered unit which still provides plenty of muscle. In a pinch the fourth GP38 can quickly be repowered for basic operations.

Final Thoughts and Comments

With eight PC GP38s/GP38-2s now on the roster I envision continuing to us them in system wide service as the 1:1 Penn Central did. The four Athearn BB units now offer additional muscle where needed in a four powered set and can handle most of the tonnage I can throw at them in a 3-1 powered/dummy set. They will be right at home with hotshot TOFC TrailVan trains, mixed manifest symbol trains or lugging loaded coal hopper extras. 

Thanks for reading and watching!!!

See you soon!!

New Power and Rolling Stock for the Empire Belt RR

 Greetings All,

New Power and Rolling Stock for the Empire Belt RR

While recently working on completing the ex New Haven Penn Central Alco FA-FB-FB-FA consist project posted here I came across the below undecorated locomotives along with the Southern FB-1 that was used to power the last PC FB1.

The unboxed undecorated Walthers undecorated GP9m shell and power chassis. The shell will be washed and assembled prior to painting. The power chassis will be disassembled, cleaned and painted black.

EMD GP9m or GP18?

The GP9m is usually a rebuild of a GP9. The short hood would have been chopped down in most cases for better visibility. Certain parts of the locomotive like the trucks would have been remanufactured. The prime mover would have been modified depending on who rebuilt it.

The EMD GP18 is a 4-axle diesel-electric locomotive built by General Motors, Electro-Motive Division between December 1959 and November 1963. Power was provided by an 16-567D1 16 cylinder engine which generated 1,800 horsepower. The GP18 replaced the GP9 in EMD's catalog. 350 examples of this locomotive model were built for American railroads, 40 units were built for Mexican railroads, 12 were built for export to a Brazilian railroad, 2 were exported to Peru, and 1 was exported to Saudi Arabia.

"Nacionales de Mexico EMD GP18 7504" by Digital Rail Artist is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0. To view the terms, visit https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/?ref=openverse.

GP18s could be customized by their buyers: railroads ordered GP18s with either high or low short hoods, with or without dynamic brakes, and in the case of Grand Trunk Western, with the optional addition of steam generators.

"Chicago Central (ex-Illinois Central) 9420 (GP18)" by Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D. is marked with CC0 1.0. To view the terms, visit https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/?ref=openverse.

Based on the above the Walthers GP9ms have been reclassified as GP18s for the Empire Belt RR as they better fit my railroads operating era.

Back to the Model

The power chassis has been reassembled after being painted flat black along with the truck side frames. Kadee #5s have been installed and tested with the Kadee Height Gauge.

Resurrecting "The Road To The Future"

Empire Belt RR #7280 is just out of the shops sporting the Road To The Future slogan of its former parent road the New York Central. 

The EBRR marketing department resurrected the Road To The Future slogan to show its rail customers that the EBRR was financially sound and moving forward while it's new parent RR, the PC was in dire straits with many other Northeastern RRs. 

The Road To The Future Slogan had been used by the NYC from the early 1960s up to the merger with the PRR which created the Penn Central. The slogan could be found on the NYC cabooses and the new NYC herald introduced at this time was known as the Road To The Future herald.

"New York Central System Rail Car" by Barry Cruver is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/?ref=openverse.

The three Empire Belt RR GP18s (7278-7279-7280) pose for a roster shot at Terminal Yard.

The 7280, 7279 and 7278 head back to their home at North Side Yard caboose lite. Getting those numbers into the number boards was a pain in the neck!!

A New 50' Reefer for the Empire Belt

Another long time stalled project 

Five NYMX (NYC) Mechanical Refrigerators from at least three manufacturers and no two look the same are shown at Terminal Yard on November 29, 2017. Pacific Car & Foundry built 100 of these cars for the New York Central in 1956 that were painted in the yellow and dark green scheme at the right. 

The yellow & green NYMX at left above has been gifted to a young railfan and the white & blue NYMX reefer like the one below from an ebay listing has been a purgatory box resident for years.

I did a patch out on the car similar to the one above awhile ago to make it an EBRR reefer using black lettering but wasn't happy with it. Why black lettering? Because I wasn't eager to use my dwindling stock of white EBRR decals so back to the purgatory box it went. 

Meanwhile the Empire Belt already has three 57' mechanical reefers in its fleet that were painted and lettered in August 2018 as part of another APRR-EBRR Project. Here they are in a PCCM 100 photo from June, 2023.

I finally bit the bullet and sent the blue & white reefer to the Patti-O Paint Shop and the paint stripping container. After being soaked in 91% Isopropyl alcohol the car was primed and painted with rattle can green and gloss white to almost match the three 57' EBRR reefers. 

Much better!!! Should have done this six years ago!!! The ex NYMX reefer had already been thru the car shop where it received body mounted knuckle couplers and metal wheels.

EBRR Reefer #5827 is ready for it's first revenue move to Empire Produce, a local Empire City industry. 

EBRR 5827 ready to be loaded!!

Back to the Locomotives

In other action the GP18s are lensed working the Hohman Ave Industrial Park.

The three Empire Belt GP18s worked very well in switching service and were later assigned to EBRR Train EB-2, the transfer freight train from North Side Yard to Terminal Yard.

The EBRR GP18s are put to the test.

Final Thoughts and Comments

The Walthers GP9ms / EBRR GP18s 7278 and 7279 are original Empire Belt RR engines and have provided reliable service to the EBRR since its inception in 2017. The addition of the 7280 provides another reliable unit adding additional muscle to allow for longer trains in both switching and transfer operations.

While the Walthers units are not highly detailed they are very DC friendly with low current draw and smooth low speed operation courtesy of their flywheel equipped motor. This is just what I am searching for to power the Empire Belt RR today and as it heads into the future.

As for the new EBRR 50' mechanical reefer all I can say is I should have repainted it years ago!!

Thanks for reading and watching!!!

See you soon!!