The latest Penn Central Car Movement series, #20, is in full swing on the N.Y.C.T.L. P.C.C.M. #20 originated on Ralph V's excellent home layout known as the Kings Port Division. For those unfamiliar the K.P.D. and N.Y.C.T.L. have been involved in 'virtual ops' since February 1st where we run joint or consecutive ops sessions using similar rolling stock and at time engines even though our train layouts are separated by a thousand miles and the equipment involved never leaves our basements.
To keep the virtual ops manageable Ralph and I break the ops down into segments so we can easily document and follow the action on each others layouts via photo heavy emails. This blog entry will cover several of these segments and we'll conclude the 20 series with the next blog entry later in the week.
Click here to catch up on the origination of the 20 series
http://kingsportdivision.blogspot.com/2016/10/derailment-affects-operations-at-west.html
and here for the transition from the K.P.D. to the N.Y.C.T.L.
http://newyorkcentrallayout.blogspot.com/2016/10/this-week-at-nyctl.html
Now that you're up to date the next Penn Central Car Movements will make a little more sense.
P.C.C.M. 20G
With the River Line shut down for several days last week on the Kings Port Division the service interruption was felt system wide and especially on the Metro Division. Metro Division trains for the West Mill Rail Hub on the K.P.D. were embargoed due to the line closure and congestion at West Mill, the West Mill Float Yard and Port Owen. Trains through Selkirk down the River Line were halted and due to rail traffic detours both Terminal and North Side Yards of the Metro division were at full capacity. Thankfully the line has reopened and now the dispatchers will have their 1/87th scale hands full getting trains into and out of the yards and to their consignees.
To: West Mill
From: Terminal Yard
Dispatch of trains NS-1 (North Side Yard - Terminal Yard)
EC-1 (Empire City Turn)
Cars from WMV-1 / VN-4 are blocked on track 7 and ready for power.
Before we can dispatch EC-1 North Side Yard needs to make room
and get the train on track 3, NS-1 behind the GP20s, to out of Empire City and to Terminal Yard. NS-1 is performing it's terminal air test as it awaits clearance to depart.
Freight cars as far as the eye can see.
This being the Metro Division the heavy mail, express and passenger train traffic takes precedence and track space. A four Unit ALCO lash up below is on point of a Mail and Express train stopped Bedford Station
Heavy M&E traffic stretches out on track 2
with Express, REA and Flexi-van cars
Flexi-Vans with US Mail
Meanwhile a baggage dormitory car in NYC paint takes on express shipments
The North Side Yard to Terminal Yard Transfer run Train NS-1 passes the Hohman Ave tower and gets a wave from tower operator 1/87th scale Larry D.
Crossing to track 3 to pass the M&E train being loading at Bedford Station
the M&E Train
P.C.C.M. 20H
To: West Mill
From: Terminal Yard
PC train EC-1 (Empire City Turn) delivers cars to Ford, Heileman
Brewery and North Side Yard.
A short time later Train EC-1, the Empire City Turn has left Terminal Yard and is on it's way to Bedford Park where it will work the Ford Plant
Bedford Tower Operator 1/87th scale John B is working hard today keeping the rail traffic moving. The RS-1 has dropped PC 40' boxcar #167872 just past the Heileman Brewery lead and is proceeding to the Bedford Park Ford Plant with the two Breadbox trough coil steel cars from Kings Port Steel.
Heading towards the Steel Receiving Track
Pulling the empty steel cars
Loaded cars spotted and 9909 heads back to couple up to the empties
Time to spot PC #167872 at Heileman in door #1
EC-1 #9909 has coupled back to it's train after dropping and picking up cars at Heileman's Brewery. The local crew waits for hotshot train NY-4 to clear the signals before it can proceed towards North Side Yard.
NY-4 with an A-B-B-A set of Lightning Striped F7s
NY-4 roars by on track 2, EC-1 holds on track 3 and we can see the
reworked Heileman Brewery lead.
With NY-4 now clear EC-1 can proceed to North Side Yard
All is temporarily calm at Bedford Station as EC-1 eases thru the
switches onto track 2
9909 has uncoupled from it's train and has run thru Terminal Yard.
It will now back thru the yard to get around it's train to perform it's
work in the yard but not before posing for this roster shot outside
Ralph's Grocery Warehouse.
Terminal Yard out...
P.C.C.M. 20I
To: West Mill
From: Terminal Yard
EC-1(Empire City Turn) completes it work
EC-1 has spotted five cars for North Side Yard on track#1. The crew
will tack the caboose back onto it's train and then couple the engine
up to the front of the train.
The rear brakeman mans the caboose and protects the shove as EC
backs down the industrial lead towards Hohman Ave to gain access
to the west side reverse curve. What's up Larry D!
City
Empties pulled from Ford are spotted with the caboose at the
Bedford Park Yard
NYC 67086 loaded with Auto Parts from Acme is spotted at Ford. The train shoves back to American Hardware Supply to set out the P&LE 40' boxcar
P&LE 35892 is spotted at American Hardware Supply and the crew
works picking up outbound cars at Bedford Park Yard
Time to work University Lumber and Milling. Empties TPFX 5510
and PC 160502 are pulled from the back end of train.
PC 160502 and TPFX 5510 are spotted at University Lumber & Milling The brakeman waits for the train to come out of the siding and back up to the GBW boxcar so he can hook up the air hoses.
EC-1 encounters Extra 2875 West, a train of empties headed for Selkirk. The crew gives 2875 West a roll by inspection.
Thanks for reading!
Next installment we'll conclude the P.C.C.M. 20 series
Nice summary of the virtual ops concept John and terrific follow up for the train that finally made it out of West Mill! I like all of the train meets and the diesel spotters dream roster of RS-1, FAs etc!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ralph! This was one of the best in the P.C.C.M. series thus far. I really liked your opening scenario which was in fact based on prototypical events and the way we both dealt with it in 1/87th scale. Thanks for the compliments on the motive power choices. It was nice to work them into the mix.
ReplyDeleteJohn, This has to be one of the best recaps I've read. You had me engrossed from the getgo!The moves were detailed, the photos made me feel I was there, and of course, the commentary is very detailed. Makes me want to figure a way for 1:1 Sir Neal to make an appearance and experience this first hand!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the compliments 1:1 Sir Neal! I think this was one our best P.C.C.M.s to date. Ralph started it out very nicely and we were able to use the trickle down effect of the derailment to our advantage. The door is always open and the guest suite is available for visiting dignitaries! Come on down!
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