New 1/87th scale employee joins the NYCTL!

Greetings All,

The NYCTL has opened the books and has hired 1/87th scale Robert R as a Conductor Trainee. 1:1 scale Robert R is a fellow modeler, reader of this blog and he has graciously accepted the employment of his 1/87th scale self. Upon completion of his thirty day probationary period he'll be eligible to join the Brotherhood of 1/87th scale Trainmen and be entitled to full 1/87th scale union benefits.

It's day one for 1/87th scale Robert R and some of the NYCTL Trainmen have gathered at the Terminal Yard office to welcome him to the layout. 1/87th scale Kar Knocker and Big Mike give Robert R a big hello as Sir Neal, PC Ralph and AT JOE and the rest look on. Wet Willie is coming out of the office after getting his latest tongue lashing.

Kid, you're gonna like working on this layout says 1/87th scale Big Mike as he takes Robert R on a tour of some of the layouts hot spots. First stop is RA Tower where the guys have gathered to catch new GG1s courtesy of 1:1 Sir Neal hauling passenger trains. You never know what you're gonna see on this layout, especially between those Penn Central Car Movements the guys run. 

1/87th scale Big Mike and Robert R next visit tower 627 that handles the traffic on the other side of Empire City Station. The 627 Tower man tells Robert R the importance of his job but the operator laments about his lack of recognition in most model railroad ops. Heck, I don't even have a name he complains.

1/87th scale Big Mike brings conductor trainee Robert R to the upper level railfan area and points out all the good places to eat. They'll sample some of the offerings before continuing the tour.

While walking off their meal Big Mike tells Robert R the layout owner knows I'm a Lehigh Valley man and he will often run some LV equipment to keep me from looking to jump to a Lehigh Valley model railroad. He's good like that with all the 1/87th scale train guys so if you've got a favorite RR let him know.

1/87th scale Robert R next learns from Big Mike that 1/87th scale trainmen staying overnight to await their next train off the layout are often put up at the Belvedere Hotel. Best to beware of the sidewalk hostesses and pickpockets advises Big Mike.

The best pizza in Empire City boasts 1/87th scale Big Mike. For some reason the prison workers clean this parking lot everyday. Maybe the deputies get free pizza? Anyway let's grab a couple of slices!

Over in Midtown 1/87th scale Big Mike points out a pair of Irish pubs that serve good food and cold beer. All that pizza is making me thirsty says Big Mike so let's go into Vaughan's Pub for a pint. 

After quenching their thirst 1/87th scale Big Mike brings conductor trainee Robert R over to the Empire Belt RR office to introduce him to 1/87th scale senior engineer Sir Neal, PC Ralph, Conductor John and PC Ralph's trusty brakeman/conductor.

Next they stop at Hohman Ave tower to meet Larry D and catch 1/87th scale Sir Neal running the Morning Industrial Job. Senior Engineer Sir Neal is the 1/87th scale backbone of the NYCTL having worked on the layout the longest confides Big Mike.

1/87th scale Big Mike and Robert R stroll up Hohman Ave where Big Mike points out the corner hole in the wall bar that is a favorite among the NYCTL trainmen. Pay no attention to that man taking care of his business on the side of the building! Best to order bottled beer in this joint advises Big Mike. 

1/87th scale Big Mike and Robert R continue their stroll on the west side and catch this B&O train. See says Big Mike, you never know what you'll see or run on this layout.

This newly acquired BB B&O GP35 is being tested. I liked the look of the engine and I liked the look of the price so here it is! 

After finishing up their Empire City tour 1/87th scale Big Mike brings conductor trainee Robert R to Bedford Tower to meet the famous 1/87th scale John B as an EL freight rolls past. Told ya, you never know what you'll see next on the non virtual op days. 1/87th scale John B lets Robert R know that this is the hottest hot spot on the whole  layout.

John B reminisces to Robert R how the layout owner ran him so ragged in PCCM 50 that he sent 1/87th scale Conductor John over with a chaise lounge chair as a peace offering. That Conductor John is usually a stiff always checking his watch but he came thru that day confides John B.

Next stop on the 1/87th scale Big Mike tour is Bedford Park Yard where conductor trainee Robert R meets the yardmaster. Big Mike lets him know that many of the NYCTL Trainmen started their engineer careers right here at Bedford Park. 

Next the guys check in with Shady Sam at the Tower located behind T&R Gravel at the bottom of the grade leading to Terminal Yard. Shady Sam had nothing good to say about the layout owner or his job and made sure he hid from the camera. Note all the broken ez mate couplers at the bottom of the grade.

1/87th scale Big Mike and Robert R return to Terminal Yard and catch up with PC Ralph in the engine terminal. 1/87th scale PC Ralph tells Robert R working for the Empire Belt RR is OK but he may transfer to the PC side of the layout in the near future. I'm PC Ralph not EB Ralph! he explains to Robert R.

1/87th scale Big Mike and Robert R check out the engines in the terminal and encounter Alco Joe hopping down from the 9942. Big Mike lets Robert R know that if he is working as the yard hostler to make sure all Alco consists are ready to go for Alco Joe. 

Over at the main yard Big Mike points out the Baldwin Switchers working today. Says Big Mike, you never know what you'll run when working at Terminal Yard.

Over at the Terminal Yard extension Big Mike proudly points out his Lehigh Valley EMD SW9 that is coupled up to the NYC 8842. Big Mike explains that he loves this pup but hates those spark arrestors and Kar Knocker has repeatedly had them removed only to find them reinstalled the following day. I think it's the layout owner putting them back he laments. That 1:1 guy is such a pain sometimes. Big Mike tells Robert R to hop on as they have a special move at the shop they need to make.

A short time later 1/87th scale Robert R is riding high on the front of the 8842 as Big Mike shoves towards the shop to pull out some freight cars just released by Kar Knocker. 1/87th scale Alco Joe, his conductor / brakeman and Kar Knocker look on as the rookie gets his first model railroad action. 

Not a bad first day I'd say!!!

I'll post what they are pulling out of the shop in my next entry.

Thanks for reading!!

See ya soon!!