1/87th scale Sir Neal Files his Report on the E.B.R.R. GP9ms

Greetings All,

The much anticipated report on the GP9ms from 1/87th scale Sir Neal has been received by Empire Belt Railroad management. Let's take a look at the report and follow along with Sir Neal as he works the GP9ms in and around Empire City.

Sir Neal's report;

As Senior Engineer on the N.Y.C.T.L., Sir 1/87^th Neal has successfully drilled Empire Belt Engines GP9m 7278 & 7279 in revenue runs on the railroad.

Clearances – passed

Slippage – passed

Wheel alignment – passed

Traction test – passed

Brake test – passed

Fuel capacity – confirmed to FRA standards

Engines were run in tandem and ran light to and from North Side Yard and then with loads to Terminal Yard and back.

GP9m 7278 and 7279 are now ready for revenue service on the N.Y.C.T.L.          

Sir Neal

Now we'll take a look at some of the train movements that 1/87th scale Sir Neal has based the aforementioned report on;

Last installment we ended with E.B.R.R caboose #1605 protecting the shove to the east side industries of Empire City.

The caboose has been dropped and the GP9ms have shoved their freight cars past Gervais Pipe to work Ralph's Grocery Warehouse.

With empties pulled loaded RBLs. (Reefer, bunker less) AP 60394, EBRR 358274 and EBRR 358279 are spotted for unloading at Ralph's Grocery Warehouse and Distribution Center. 

1/87th scale Sir Neal is notching up the throttle as he pulls APRR 50' RBL 60358 from Neal's Lumber and Hardware. The car is loaded with veneer paneling for Mike's Lumber on the APRR. 

One load out and two loads in as these two 40' boxcars are now spotted at Neal's Lumber and Hardware. Normally we don't spot more than one car at Neal's at a time due to clearance issues for the gates. With 1/87th scale Sir Neal running North Side Yard you can guarantee the cars will be picked before the close of business today! 

With the local industries serviced 1/87th scale Sir Neal does some housekeeping at North Side Yard getting this block of cars ready for interchange with the Long Island Railroad. That good looking orange 50' RBL is from the Hoschton Railway Company, The Crossroads of the South. This is 1:1 scale Engineer Ed's home road and he painted and lettered the car.

1/87th scale Sir Neal couples his GP9ms to the NYC GP20s and gets them ready for their return to Terminal Yard. 

Heading out of North Side Yard past Hohman Ave with 7279 in the lead. The train is now identified as EC-2 

This was good day to be a rail fan! The four unit consist rumbles thru Bedford NY towards Terminal Yard.

Heading up the grade behind Hudson Coal to Terminal Yard.

 Train EC-2 arrives at Terminal Yard.

The GP9ms have passed their test runs according to 1/87th scale Sir Neal's report and they are now in regular revenue service working out of North Side Yard.

Fans of the GP20s should not despair. They'll be back as relief power for North Side Yard and used in mainline symbol train service. They might even find a spot as power units for Terminal Yard once the expansion is completed.

Stay tuned for a quick turnaround. A unit train of empty covered hoppers will be dispatched tomorrow to Empire Grain on the Ralph's Kings Port Division. 

Thanks for reading!