P.C.C.M. 55C / Dispatch of Penn Central Unit Coal Train URN-5

Greetings All,

Welcome back to the P.C.C.M. 55 series!!!!

We'll pick up the action at Bedford Tower with 1/87th scale John B juggling two higher priority trains that need to overtake the Coal Job that is sitting on track 2 between the tower and Terminal Yard.

Conventional wisdom might suggest that the Coal Job proceed up the grade to Terminal Yard first but that's not how we do it out on the 1/87th scale high iron of the N.Y.C.T.L. 

First train to proceed will be scheduled Empire Belt train EB-2 with 1/87th scale Senior Engineer Sir Neal at the helm while Alco Joe gives him the business and a roll by inspection from his S-4 switcher.

1/87th scale Sir Neal with EB-2 rolls along on Main 3 towards the Coal Job's caboose sitting on Main 2.

EB-2 with some big six axle power overtakes the Coal Job and heads towards Terminal Yard.

Following right behind EB-2, 1/87th scale Alco Joe with another Ford Extra brings the newest Ford cars to Terminal Yard for nationwide distribution.

With the track now clear the Coal Job heads into Terminal Yard with it's train of loaded coal hoppers.

With the loaded hoppers weighed and spotted and ready for dispatch the Coal Job grabs another group of empty hoppers for delivery to Hudson Coal as the coal cycle continues.

Later that day the Coal Job brings the empties out of Terminal Yard to swap for the now loaded coal hoppers that came in on PC Train URN-4.

The Coal Job starts pulling the loads that will eventually go to the B&O's Genesee Coal Dock at Rochester NY. 

With the empties now spotted it's time to head out and pick up the loads sitting on Main 2. 
The Engineer drops off the brakeman back at his caboose.

The H16-44s are coupled to the loaded hoppers and await clearance to depart once again. When being assigned to the Coal Job it's a good idea to bring plenty of reading materials.

Here's the reason for the wait, 1/87th scale PC Ralph is ready to board the F7A-F7B-F7A lashup that will be pulling PC Train SLX-1 to Selkirk and beyond. Due to union agreements the NYC F7 with its 'agreement' seats must be in the lead until the PRR units get the upgraded seats with armrests.

SLX-1, with 1/87th scale PC Ralph seated comfortably in the 1645, heads towards Selkirk passing the Coal Job waiting on Main 2.

With SLX-1 in the clear the Coal Job once again heads back to Terminal Yard. B.T.W. the H16-44 was Fairbanks-Morse best selling locomotive. The NYC purchased 13, the PRR 10 and the NH 25. The PC corralled them in Chicago where they would be closer to their F-M parts source in Beloit. WI.

The Coal Job brings the loaded hoppers into Terminal Yard and over the weigh in motion scale track.

Over at the engine tracks 1/87th scale Big Mike is making sure the original URN-4 pooled power consist is ready for departure after being fueled and sanded. Big Mike's making sure Wet Willie knows to run the engines thru the wye so that PC 1802 is the lead engine for cab signal reasons.

Much to everyone's surprise 1/87th scale Wet Willie has coupled up the trio of F7s correctly to what will be PC Coal Train URN-5. 

Looks like 1/87th scale Alco Joe is still at work as he grabs a caboose for URN-5 and heads out of the engine tracks via the wye.

 The caboose is coupled on.

 URN-5 departs Terminal Yard

The unit coal train rolls thru Bedford NY behind it's 3 F7As.

Black diamonds as far as the eye can see destined for Rochester via Selkirk and West Mill on the K.P.D. Hey that rhymes!😉

The F7s climb the grade onto the High Line as they approach Empire City. Per an August 1960 Trains Magazine article the B&O had a rating of roughly nine cars to an F7 when dealing with loaded coal hoppers and steep grades so this three engine 20 car train Has power to spare.

 Running west thru Empire City, Next Stop Selkirk!!!!

Be sure to follow the conclusion of P.C.C.M. 55 

on Ralph's Kings Port Division

See ya soon!!!

Thanks for reading!!!!