The Terminal Yard Train Master is getting well deserved high praise through the rail fanning community. This morning Empire City rail fans were treated to a Subway Series Special that originated on the Kings Port & Western in Kings Port NY, stopped at West Mill NY and then connected with the Atlantic Pacific Rail Road at Rock Ridge Yard before making its trek towards the Big Apple. In the lead is none other than newly refurbished and repainted Penn Central SDP40 #6197 with assistance from NH SDP40 6502.
PC 6197 wears the orange "C" scheme formerly only worn by a small group of PC GP40s. The orange "C" is a shout out to the New Haven RR as both Blue Box units power the Subway Series Special. For the purists neither the NH or PC had SDP40s on their respective rosters.
Side shot of the 6197 downgrade on track 1.
The orange "C" decals are courtesy of PC Ralph.
Thanks Ralph!
The orange "C" decals are courtesy of PC Ralph.
Thanks Ralph!
The 6197 and 6502 roll past construction workers installing the Wilcox Barriers to protect the trains from the four foot drop to the concrete floor. The barriers are named after Bill Wilcox, a renowned rail photographer, who noted the unprotected edge to the abyss. Although N.Y.C.T.L. Management has been aware of the issue for sometime once it is pointed out by another party something bad is bound to happen unless the situation is corrected. N.Y.C.T.L. train crews and passengers are extremely thankful to Bill for spurring on this safety upgrade. 
Looks like the Subway Series Special has a definite NY Mets slant and a party atmosphere. A Schaefer Beer reefer (one time Official Beer of the NY Mets) is on the head end with a baggage car converted to a bar car for the special. That New Haven Coach is carrying the Gervais Industries CEO along with his friends and family. Connecticut is usually considered Yankee country and CEO Bobby G has not declared his allegiance to either team just yet.
A refurbished Penn Central diner sits about midway in the consist. The diner features oatmeal on demand as specified by avid Mets fan KP&W CEO and president PC Ralph.
A New Haven baggage car has been temporarily converted to a piano bar offering a more subdued place to start the evening and have a night cap before moving back to the two sleeper cars. Passenger are hoping PC Ralph not only sings but shows how to mimic a diesel horn on the electric organ that has been added as well. My first request. The Mets Jingle!
A Penn Central Sleeper for the KP&W CEO is coupled with Mets fan 1/87th Scale Sir Neal's private varnish Nassau County which is bringing up the markers. The train and it's passengers will be spending the weekend in the Big Apple using the sleeper cars as their hotel accommodations. The train is slated to lay over in Sunnyside Yard in Queens but there is a concerted effort being undertaken by the passengers who chartered the train to have the train layover at Hunts Point Yard in the Bronx to be closer to Yankee Stadium. For those not in the know Hunts Point Yard is located in the confines of the NYPD's 41st Precinct. The precinct was known as "Fort Apache". Then the South Bronx burned down and it became
"Little House on the Prairie"
"Little House on the Prairie"
The obligatory roster shot of the 6197 going through the grade crossing as it enter Empire City Station.
Whoo-hoo! A Subway Series! What a great reason to take a train ride! Happy to get my breakfast of choice in the dining car as we glide on down to the Big City for a great game on real grass between New York's two teams! I think it will only take a Schafer or two (It is after all "the one beer to have when you're having more than one!") to get me to sing the Mets jingle! "Meet the Mets, Meet the Mets, Step right up and greet the Mets!..." What a classy way to get to the city! That NH loco is a thing of beauty by the way...nice compliment to the PC unit with the orange shout out to its heritage!!!
ReplyDeleteGood idea to install Wilcox barriers. Do my eyes deceive me or do I recognize the materials employed to make them?
Great post John. Lots of fun!
Thanks Ralph! The mood was certainly festive last night as the Mets tied the series at 1 game each. Most of the breakfast crowd seemed to be very impressed with the game itself and both your Mets jingle and Shaefer jingle during the post game celebration last evening. Nicely done!
ReplyDeleteThe Wilcox Barriers are made from small dowels painted black. But I know what you were thinking.
Glad you enjoyed it. It was a lot of fun to set this one up!