P.C.C.M. 48I / PC Train LI-2 Arrives at Terminal Yard

Greetings All,

P.C.C.M. 48 has reached the N.Y.C.T.L.!! 

John B opened it up California in P.C.C.M. 48A and 48B. Brian took over with trains coming into and leaving Elkhart Yard in 48C. Neal's NJ based A.P.R.R. was next in P.C.C.M. 48D and 48E sending trains NE-2 up the River Line towards West Mill on Ralph's K.P.D. Trains arrived at West Mill in 48F, were dispatched towards Selkirk in 48G and the local switching work was completed in 48H.


Freight trains from four layouts representing California, Indiana, New Jersey and Western New York have been humped and blocked at Selkirk and now are making their way down the Hudson Line towards Terminal Yard in Penn Central Train LI-2.

Rolling past Bedford Tower Train LI-2 gets a highball from tower operator 1/87th scale John B who came down to check out some foreign run thru power in the consist.

LI-2 rumbles thru Bedford NY towards Terminal Yard and looks to be on time for it's 10:15 PM arrival time.

Mopac GE's 4637 and 4632 are pulling hard and running off some owed power pool mileage as LI-2 heads towards the B side of Terminal Yard. The Mopac-Penn Central power pooling arrangement dates back to the New York Central.

LI-2's Block #1 has cars for the Empire Belt RR and Empire City proper that will head out towards the E.B.R.R.'s North Side Yard.

The end of block 1 with block 2 starting at the white AP 50' RBL's  that are headed for the Long Island Railroad via the E.B.R.R. and North Side Yard.

More cars for the L.I.R.R. roll into Terminal Yard. No surprise as this is Train LI-2!

Last but not least block 3 starts at L.F.N.W. 160 and has several cars for local Bedford industries.

The Penn Central served local industry block is pulled off LI-2 and spotted on track 7

 Cars for the L.I.R.R. are shoved into track 3.

All cars from LI-2 to be interchanged with the L.I.R.R. at North Side Yard are now on track 3.

Cars for Empire City industries that are served from the E.B.R.R.'s North Side Yard are shoved into track 4.

Next move for the A crew is to shove L.F.N.W.50' boxcar #160 towards the B side of the yard for delivery to Bruce Electric Equipment. This car was dispatched from SP LA based Taylor Yard in Train BSMFF on John B's layout in P.C.C.M. 48B.

The B crew is spotting L.F.N.W. #160 loaded with electric equipment from California Electric Supply Company at Bruce Electric Equipment. 

A late arriving Empire Belt EC-4 from North Side Yard arrives at Terminal Yard. The crew will go off duty from here leaving the engines to be inspected and fuel at the Terminal Yard Engine Facility.

We'll pick up the action tomorrow with the dispatch of Empire Belt Train EC-1 with this 9,600 HP consist.

Thanks for reading!!!

P.C.C.M. 48 Update #2

Greetings All,

P.C.C.M. 48 continues it's westerly progress from California across the country with our model trains now in New York State. We are now on layout number four of this five layout virtual ops. Here's the links to catch up;

P.C.C.M. 48E: Neal dispatches PC Train NE-2 from Weehawken towards West Mill and Selkirk on his New Jersey based A.P.R.R. layout. 

P.C.C.M. 48F PC Train NE-2 reaches West Mill New York on Ralph's Kings Port Division layout.

West Mill's yard crew gets ready to work Train NE-2 

P.C.C.M. 48G will feature the dispatch of PC Train towards Selkirk with cars added for my Terminal Yard as well as an Extra with a special load. Stay tuned! Follow the rest of the action on the Kings Port Division as the next posting here will be my installments for the P.C.C.M. 48 series.

Thanks for reading!! See ya soon!

P.C.C.M. 48 Update

Greetings All,

A quick update on our Penn Central Car Movements also known as the virtual ops.

P.C.C.M. 48A John B got the action started at his new Malabar District in California

P.C.C.M. 48B John followed that up with the dispatch of SP Train BSMFF from Los Angeles' Taylor Yard to East St Louis. He even added a PC pool power unit into the engine consist!

P.C.C.M. 48C BSMFF reached East Louis where Brian picked up the cars to be interchanged and brought them into Elkhart. From there they were sent east with some 40' reefers of fresh fruit that the Produce Brokers are buying as the cars head east towards Selkirk and Neal's A.P.R.R. 
 

P.C.C.M. 48D Neal's New Jersey based A.P.R.R. is busy getting freight cars heading towards Ralph's K.P.D. and my N.Y.C.T.L ready while the freight cars from the east head his way.

P.C.C.M. 48E This is the next installment to be posted by Sir Neal from Weehawken Yard. That 2360 is a sharp looking engine!

From Neal's layout the action will be heading up the River Line to Ralph's Kings Port Division . Then it's up and over the Selkirk Hurdle and down the Hudson Line towards the N.Y.C.T.L.

Thanks for reading!!

P.C.C.M 48 is Underway!!!

Greetings All,

P.C.C.M. 48A is underway!

For those following the Penn Central Car Movements aka the virtual ops a five layout P.C.C.M. 48 is underway. The model rail traffic is heading west to east this series. The action has started in California on John B's L.F.N.W. layout and is now heading for Elkhart that will be on Brian's Ralston Creek layout.

Here's the links and the batting order:

P.C.C.M. 48A John B's opening installment

P.C.C.M. 48B John B dispatches SP train BSMFF towards East St                           Louis

As of right now BSMFF is traveling to East St Louis on SP tracks. Brian will pick up the action from there so look for the next installment in a day or two from this posting.

P.C.C.M.48C Trains arrive at Penn Central's Elkart Yard on Brian's                         layout.

Brian will be forwarding the freight cars east towards Sir Neal's A.P.R.R. layout. Then it's over to Ralph's K.P.D. layout and finally the eastern terminus of the N.Y.C.T.L.'s Terminal Yard.

I'll post updates and links as the freight cars make their way from west to east.

Thanks for reading!

A.P.R.R. GP35's Inspection Report

Greetings All,

The N.Y.C.T.L's Locomotive Shop was recently contracted to perform a post purchase inspection and refurbish a quartet of EMD GP35s for the Atlantic Pacific Railroad. That work has since been completed and the four units have been sent off to the A.P.R.R.'s Rock Ridge Yard for testing.

Here are the engines at Rock Ridge NJ in their great looking custom painted A.P.R.R. colors.

This report and spec sheet has been forward to A.P.R.R. management.

NEW YORK CENTRAL TRAIN LAYOUT

TERMINAL YARD SHOPS

To:         Chief Executive Officer, Atlantic Pacific Railroad                                         

From:    Chief Executive Officer, New York Central Train Layout

Subject: Atlantic Pacific RR GP35’s 361, 362, 363, 364 

1   The Terminal Yard Shops have recently completed their post purchase inspection on A.P.R.R. EMD GP35’s 361, 362, 363 and 364 that were contract painted in Dedham Mass. The GP35’s bought used from another railroad have been rebuilt to like new standards and are now ready for the AP.R.R. to put them into service testing.

2   The EMD GP35’s were built from 1963 thru 1966 with over 1,300 units sold to various railroads. The GP35 introduced the spartan cab which became an EMD standard for twenty plus years.

3   The rebuilt GP35s feature upgraded mechanical systems that are to EMD standards and configured to A.P.R.R. requirements. These include the 567D3 prime mover rated at 2,500 HP and a gear ratio of 62:15 with a top speed of 65 mph. The A.P.R.R. units are each fitted with dynamic brakes and all have multiple unit capabilities. A complete spec sheet is attached to this report.

Submitted for your information,

John R. C.E.O. N.Y.C.T.L. and E.B.R.R.

Engine Builder: EMD	Engine: 567D3 16 cylinder
Bore & Stroke	8.5" X 10"
RPM (Maximum / Minimum)	800 / 275
Main Generator: GM - D22	Horsepower: 2500
Gear Ratio: 62:15	Speed: 65 mph
Trucks: 4-Wheel	Configuration: B-B
Traction Motor Blowers: Delco Electric Drive (4)	Model: GM
Weight: 260,000 lbs	Traction Motors: GM - D57 (Four)
Tractive Effort (starting) 60,500 lbs @25%	Tractive Effort (continuous): 50,000 lbs @ 9.3 mph
Multiple Unit Capability: Yes	Dynamic Braking: Yes
Auxilary Generator: Delco 64-72	Alternator: GM D14
Air Brake: Westinghouse	Model: 24L
Compressor: Gardner-Denver	Model: WBO
Quantity Built: 1333	Dates: 10/1963 to 1/1966
-	-
Exterior Dimensions	GP35
Total Length	56'-02"
Wheel Diameter	40"
Truck Wheel Base	9'-00"
Height to Top Engine Hood	14'-06"
Height to Top Cab	15'-03"
Cab Width	10'-04"
Engine Hood Width	10'-02"
Top of Walkway	10'-09.5"
Walkway Width	3'-08"
Center Bolster	34'-00"
Center Front Truck to Front Pilot	3'-10"
Center Rear Truck to Rear Pilot	3'-10"
Distance between Truck Centers	43'-00"
Minimum Turning Radius	39 degrees
-	-
Fuel Oil (gallons): 1700	Lubricating Oil (gallons): 220
Engine Cooling Water (gallons): 275	Sand Capacity (gallons): 18 cu. ft.
Options: - Hot dog roller, coke machine

For more on these great looking engines check out 1:1 Sir Neal's A.P.R.R. blog site.

Thanks for reading!

A Joint Effort / Penn Central Empire Belt Train

Greetings All,

After the less than positive results from the Empire City Service train that I posted about last time I tried running a joint PC-EB train from Selkirk that stops at North Side Yard drops cars for the Empire City industries and picks up outbound cars for Terminal Yard.

The 30 car test train is on the main where it will drop off the cars for the Empire Belt.

The PC-EB train has backed into North Side Yard and coupled to the cars for Terminal Yard. 

The work at North Side Yard completed the PC-EB train heads towards Terminal Yard

 The train heads over the High Line towards Bedford. 

Later that day Empire Belt Train EC-3 makes it's daily afternoon appearance at North Side Yard with cars for Empire City industries forwarded from Terminal Yard. EC-3 will pick up the outbound cars on the left and head back to Terminal Yard as EC-4.

Here's the yard after EC-4's departure. The GP30 crew will do the pick ups and deliveries either later today or the following morning. Note there are no cars for the L.I.R.R. included in today's test.

Conclusions: 

Having the special Empire City Service train was just to cumbersome to deal with during an ops session and looks to be even worse for the virtual ops. With all that said the Empire City Service train(s) are now suspended until further notice.

The joint effort train worked OK. Freight cars were in North Side Yard bright and early w/o having to build a train for Empire City at Terminal Yard. The downside is not having to build a train for Empire City at Terminal Yard which is one of my favorite activities. 

The N.Y.C.T.L. operating scheme was designed so that Terminal Yard would be the clearing yard for all trains arriving and departing the layout and be the feeder yard for all rail operations. That scenario has worked well and been quite enjoyable. Getting away from that scheme did not improve operations or the overall fun of running the layout.

To close on a positive note it was fun coming up with the new operating scenario and testing it out. I got to run the layout and experiment with proposed rail traffic efficiencies. While those were not realized running the trains was still fun and to me that's the bottom line. 

Thanks for reading!

Empire City Service Part 2 / Testing and Conclusions

Greetings All,

Last entry I posted about the Empire Belt R.R. testing the waters of express trains to and from Empire City's North Side Yard going under the name Empire City Service. This week I tested the feasibility of operating such an Empire City Service train that included the local switching of the freight cars brought in by the E.C.S. train. The local switching of Empire City industries is the backbone of the E.B.R.R. and any initiative undertaken has to benefit this work.

The results were not very positive. In theory it all sounded and looked good on paper. The practical application of the Empire City Service however revealed some issues that had been overlooked like yard capacity and duplication of switching moves. Lets take a look;

An Empire City Service train entering Empire City. The FA-FB-FB-FA lash up leads the train thru the east side towards North Side Yard. The High Line to Bedford and Terminal Yard is behind the engines. 

 The train arrives at North Side Yard via the east side.

The four ALcos have cut off and given way to the GP30s that will deliver the cars to their consignees. The ALcos and train now on track 3 are simulating the outbound Empire City Service train that would need a yard track. I'm going to wish I had this track available as the op session went on.

The GP30 crew has switched over to the industrial track and begins their work shoving back towards the Ralph's Grocery Warehouse /Gervais Pipe siding.

Pulling three boxcars from Ralph's Grocery and one bulk head flat from Gervais Pipe and Fitting. Another unforeseen issue is arising here.

A boxcar exchange at Neal's Lumber & Hardware has 1/87th scale Senior Engineer Sir Neal ready to connect the air hoses to get the empty Illinois Terminal all door boxcar out of the way.

Working Empire Produce more unforeseen issues have cropped up. The boxcars and reefer from Empire Produce are to be included in tonight's outbound E.C.S. Train. The caterpillar bulldozer is not going to an E.C.S. train and neither are the bulk head flat with pipe from Gervais Pipe and the empty IT all door boxcar from Neal's Lumber. 

Over on the west side 40' double plug door boxcars from the GN and BN are spotted at Superior Furniture.  
Finishing up the Empire City Service switching requirements a Chessie 40' boxcar is shoved towards Drywell Inks and two 50' boxcars will be spotted at Moore & Company.

With the switching complete the GP30 crew now heads over the High Line towards Bedford and Terminal Yard as Extra 2160. The  lack of yard space at North Side Yard to accommodate these cars has prompted this extra move. 

The E.B.R.R. GP30s extra heading towards Terminal Yard meet the daily morning train EC-1 powered by the E.B.R.R.'s U30Cs heading to North Side Yard at Bedford Station. Getting Extra 2160's train out of North Side Yard gives the E.B.R.R. enough capacity to accommodate EC-1's pending arrival.

Conclusions: 

The time saving efforts by diverting the train to North Side Yard were not realized. The extra switching required to move the Empire City Service freight cars to and from their consignees is negated by the fact that other non E.C.S. freight cars coming in on  EC-1 and later EC-3 would need still need to be spotted. This means the switch crew(s) has to go out three times.

Sorting and segregating Empire City Service and non Empire City Service freight cars at North Side Yard would be a time consuming task that further complicates the daily switch crews lives. Leaving the E.C.S. and non E.C.S. freight cars together for the proposed outbound nightly E.C.S. Train pretty much eliminates the premium freight rate charged for E.C.S.  

Building and sorting an outbound train from North Side Yard directly to Selkirk also highlighted the issue of capacity or lack thereof. Holding the cars and engines all day in N.S.Y. is not feasible and would negatively impact the daily E.B.R.R. operations and the all important interchange with the L.I.R.R.

Next I'll be posting about a Joint Effort between the Empire Belt and Penn Central to speed up freight service to Empire City.

Thanks for reading! 

Empire City Service?

Greetings All,

A recent trip to the beach had me mulling some ways to increase my freelanced Empire Belt Railroad's role in the overall New York Central / Penn Central scheme of things that are the backbone of the N.Y.C.T.L. The state of railroad affairs in the northeast in the late 60's and early 70's was challenging for all railroads to say the least. With long distance passenger service on a severe decline and to many railroads with too much capacity fighting for too few car loads what if anything would be plausible for the E.B.R.R. that exclusively serves the fictional and mostly prosperous Empire City? 

Taking a cue from NYC and their Empire Service passenger trains and coupling that with their Early Bird Freight Service a light bulb went off. I thought hey why not an Empire City Freight Service or Empire City Service that would run from Selkirk NY directly to the E.B.R.R.'s North Side Yard in Empire City and back bypassing the always busy and congested NYC / PC Terminal Yard in nearby Bedford NY. Hmm.

The B&O had their Time Saver Service, the Reading had Bee Line Service. So why not an Empire Belt Empire City Service?Borrowing the 'On Time a Day Early' slogan from the Early Bird Service trains this may have some potential. Let's see if we can have some fun with it;

The big three, 1/87th scale Senior Engineer Sir Neal, PC Ralph and Engineer Ed,  meet for a sit down at Dominick's Restaurant to discuss the implementation of Empire City Service over plates of pasta and carafes of red wine.

Empire City Service would be a premium freight service that would expedite the freight traffic in and out of Neal's Lumber & Hardware. Neal would pass the charges along to his customers so it's a win win for him.

Ralph's Grocery Warehouse would also benefit from the faster service and the quick turnaround.  

Engineer Ed Walsh's Steel Wool Products is another highly valued customer that would pay the premium prices for faster shipping to get his products to market. This would also allow the railroads to compete with the over the road trucks that carry and deliver some of Walsh's freight. 

Empire Produce is another likely candidate as they deal with fresh produce that can have a short lifespan.  

Faster shipping and receiving would keep a business like Superior Furniture competitive and keep their products on the rails. 

Moore & Company Importers & Exporters is another likely candidate to request Empire City Service.

A pilot program Empire City Express train takes the middle track over the High Line on it's way to North Side Yard.

The E.C.S. Train comes thru the east side of Empire City and gets ready to enter North Side Yard bypassing the Vanderbilt Bridge in the background and the town of Bedford. 

The Empire City Service would also bypass the congestion in Bedford and the wait to enter Terminal Yard.

The crew of the 6018 has outlawed and that train is waiting for a recrew. The F7 on track 2 is waiting for an available track at Terminal Yard.

Empire City Service. An express train from Selkirk to Empire City and back running once in each direction each day. A premium freight rate would be needed to make it profitable and pay the trackage rights fees to the NYC /PC should the E.B.R.R. be able to convince them that this is a good idea.

Maybe this could be a joint NYC /PC - E.B.R.R. endeavor? Not a bad idea that needs some further thought. 

Will other model railroads be interested in continuing the expedited service with timely connections and priority routing? 

Stay tuned as this is still in the mulling stage. It looks promising at this point and I'll see if it's actually fun to route the trains in this fashion and if they contribute favorably to the virtual ops Penn Central Car Movements that I participate in.

Thanks for reading!!!