There have been some troubles on "The Slide" which is the grade from Bedford NY to the lower level of Empire City on my basement New York Central water level layout.
This blog entry could have also been titled "Big Mike was Right" as we'll soon see.
The events started out with the newly purchased used power chassis under the 6554 diagnosed with cracked axle gears. The big Hook has been called out to lift the engine.
In my say hello to the 1693 blog post I mentioned the lower level connecting to the NYC Harlem Branch. This imaginary layout connection was the result of research into a November 1967 NYC Timetable given to me by 1:1 PC Ralph.
Additional research by PC Ralph disclosed that the Harlem Branch with its larger clearances was a convenient way for the NYC / PC to move Plate C boxcars and high and wide loads into the city. Perfect for an alternate freight car route!
Now let's test the lower level clearances!
One of the trains I wanted to use for the Harlem Branch was a transformer on a depressed flatcar that looks really cool.
Later that day 1/87th scale conductor John and engineer PC Ralph are on a high wide move using the lower level to access the Harlem Branch. The High & Wide train however stopped right here as the clearance bureau has made a big measurement mistake. Ugh....
Thanks for reading!!!
See ya soon!!
Nice work on repairing 6554 and getting it back into service. While I like your idea of using the lower level as an alternate freight route, that image of the high and wide all dressed up and no place to go gave me a good chuckle. Hopefully down the road the Superintendent of that line will give special orders for the type of trains that can be routed down there...
ReplyDeleteThanks Sir Neal!!! I laughed at the mishap myself so I thought I'd share it. My saving grace during the testing was that I sent the train from Terminal Yard and not the lower level Empire City Station area or I'd be trying to fish the transformer out from the tunnel! I think the line can handle "high" but we now know it can definitely not handle "wide".
Delete"GE should have stuck to making toasters!" Big Mike has his opinions and this time they bore out for sure! I enjoyed the rescue and repair. Nice shot of the five EMD unit coming up the incline! D'oh! The "high" part of tunnel entrance does not seem to be a problem for the transformer but the "wide" on the other hand...!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ralph! I was recently watching a Bednar video and he used that exact line when commenting on the new LV U Boats. It came immediately to mind when the engines sat there with their wheels slipping and going nowhere. Thanks for all the help in exploring the Harlem Branch connection!
DeleteGood job getting 6554 back into service. I really like the looks of your "Big Hook" doing the heavy lifting. Bummer about your clearance issues. The 1/87th size railroad world does a good job mimicking the 1/1 scale world. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks Brian!!! If I didn't just make and glue that portal in I'd probably rip it out and start over. Still may do that at some point.
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