New York-New Jersey Ops #1 / Part 1 / Debut of New Virtual Op Series

 Greetings All

Welcome to the opening installment of the NY-NJ Ops #1!!

In January 2026 after more than a decade of combined virtual operations the Penn Central Car Movements came to a close with PC Ralph no longer participating due to personal reasons. It was a great run and Ralph contributed much to the PCCMs. I'll certainly miss him and wish him well going forward.

After consulting with 1:1 Sir Neal we decided to continue running model railroad virtual operations between my layout and Sir Neal's Atlantic Pacific Railroad under the name NY-NJ Ops. The parameters will be basically Penn Central as before with early Conrail for some variety. NY-NJ freight traffic will also feature some new traffic patterns, shippers and consignees.

The NY-NJ action starts at the Empire Belt RR's North Side Yard with Senior Engineer Sir Neal and conductor John getting ready to run the Belt Job that serves the local Empire City industries.

The Belt Job is on the move.

The Belt Job has cut off its  caboose and begins working the Haydon Heights industries. Below a long string of covered hoppers are being delivered to the Quaker Plant.

Four Empire Belt gondolas loaded with pipe for National Supply in Ambridge, PA get pulled from Gervais Pipe. National Supply is a new customer of Gervais Pipe & Fitting that will have its NY-NJ traffic moving thru the APRR's Rock Ridge Yard.

Over at the Quaker Plant a Hoschton Railroad RBL loaded with cereal products is pulled from the siding for movement to ShopRite in Rock Ridge NJ. 

The Belt Job is now working Empire Produce pulling two BAR reefers loaded with produce for C&P Rest Supply in Rock Ridge, NJ. 1:87 Emery is back to capture the NY-NJ rail action!!

Sir Neal has the Belt Job back together and prepares to shove back to North Side Yard.

The Belt Job returns to North Side Yard.

The EBRR brain trust talk things over after yarding their train. Conductor John checks his watch for the arrival time of Long Island RR Train MA-3 which is due soon.

And here comes LIRR Train MA-3 behind a single Alco C420.

Train MA-3 heads to North Side Yard.

The MA-3 caboose is coupled onto the freight cars going to Fresh Pond.

The C420 is coupled onto the headend with engineer Jimmy Alco back for the new op and talking things over with the EBRR guys.

LIRR Train MA-4 departs North Side Yard for Fresh Pond.

Next Stop Fresh Pond!!!

A little while later Sir Neal and conductor John have the yard in order and will be taking EBRR Train EB-2 to Terminal Yard. Conductor John will inspect the train as it heads out and then hop on the caboose.

Train EB-2 departs North Side Yard.

After cutting the engines off the EB-2 the EBRR guys check in with the Terminal Yard yardmaster and Big Mike. 

Sir Neal couples up to the outbound non NYNJ traffic going to North Side Yard as Kar Knocker waits for three step protection before connecting the air hoses.

Train EB-3 departs Terminal Yard.

We'll cut it here for today with the EBRR guys back in North Side Yard and heading to the office with their waybills.

We'll pick it up tomorrow at Terminal Yard with the yard crew breaking down the EB-2 freight cars.

This concludes part one of the NY-NJ Ops on the NYCTL. Be sure to catch the rest of the NY-NJ action on Sir Neal's Atlantic Pacific RR.

Thanks for reading and watching!!!

See you tomorrow!!!

Locomotive Spotlight #4 / 2026 / Norfolk Southern Dash 9-40CW*

 Greetings All,

Locomotive Spotlight #4-2026

Norfolk Southern Dash 9-40CW #9251

Welcome to another edition of the ongoing locomotive spotlight series. Today the spotlight will shine on General Electric Norfolk Southern Dash 9-40CW #9251. Lets take a look at the prototype and the HO scale rivet counter model from Scale Trains.

Is it a C40-9W or Dash 9-40CW?

Or a C44-9W and possibly a Dash 9-44CW? 

Lets Find Out!

Prototype Information from Scale Trains

The GE DASH 9 Series debuted in 1993 with numerous electronic upgrades, building on the DASH 8 platform. Available with 4,000 or 4,400hp, they were well-received by the railroads and their employees, quickly becoming one of the most common locomotive types in North America. The DASH 9s remained in production until the early 2000s when it was superseded by GE’s “Evolution Series” ES40/44-series models. Most are still in service today.

"D7K_6415-1" by Mark F. Levisay is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

General Electric wrestled the title of top domestic locomotive builder from EMD during the late 1980s with their DASH 8 series. GE once again positioned itself to shake up the locomotive world again less than a decade later. Entering the 1990s, GE completely revamped its locomotive lineup by utilizing customer feedback, learning from experience gained from previous locomotive series, and improvements in technology.

"Trio of Dash 9's" by jpmueller99 is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

A single C44-9W demonstrator, number 8601, debuted in 1993 (and later became C&NW 8601). While similar at first glance to predecessor models like the C40-8 and C40-8W, the Dash-9 series featured a few notable physical differences. Built on a slightly longer platform that allowed for a massive 5,000-gallon fuel tank, Dash-9s also featured thicker radiator “wings” at the rear of the car body. This is usually the quickest way to differentiate them from previous models.

"Northbound at Shepherdstown" by jpmueller99 is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

The GE DASH 9 series includes several models, including the C40-9, C44-9W, and C44-9WL. These models differ in power output, traction motor types, and other features, but share a common design and architecture. The DASH 9 series is characterized by its distinctive nose shape, angular lines, and robust construction.

"Train 360, CP 9N/S, New Paris, IN" by amtrak_russ is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

One of the key features of the DASH 9 series is its high-power diesel engine, which produces up to 4,400 horsepower. This makes it one of the most powerful single-engine locomotives in the world. The engine is paired with a state-of-the-art traction control system, which optimizes power delivery and reduces wheel slip. This results in improved acceleration, braking, and overall performance.

"NS Manifest" by steam_marc is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

The DASH 9 series also features advanced digital control systems, including a microprocessor-based control unit and a sophisticated monitoring system. This allows for real-time monitoring of the locomotive's performance, fault detection, and automatic control of various systems.

"P1050366" by skabat169 is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

In terms of design, the DASH 9 series has a distinctive appearance, with a sloping nose, angular lines, and a robust construction. The locomotive's body is made of steel, with a durable paint finish and a range of optional liveries. The cab is designed for comfort and ergonomics, with a modern control stand, adjustable seats, and ample visibility.

"Sweet Light Before Sunset" by jpmueller99 is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

The GE DASH 9 series has been widely adopted by freight railroads in North America and globally. Its high power, efficiency, and reliability make it an ideal choice for heavy-haul freight operations, particularly in mountainous terrain. Many railroads have also praised the DASH 9 series for its ease of maintenance, reduced downtime, and lower operating costs.

"Making Preparations on the Big Sandy" by Leo Blackwelder is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

The DASH 9 series remained in production until the early 2000s when it was superseded by GE’s “Evolution Series” ES40/44-series models. Age has begun to catch up with the earliest C44-9W and related models so some railroads are storing and/or rebuilding these veteran units. NS’s oldest units, the spartan-cab C40-9s, have been rebuilt with the latest GE safety cab for increased crew comfort and safety plus AC traction for better performance.

"An ES40-DC Leads Another Intermodal" by jpmueller99 is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

In conclusion, the GE DASH 9 series has earned a reputation as one of the most reliable and efficient locomotives in the world. Built over a long timeframe, and proving to be a solid, upgradeable platform, the C44-9W family of locomotives including rebuilds is sure to remain a fixture on today’s railroads for the foreseeable future.

From Wikipedia

The GE Dash 9-40CW is a 4,000-horsepower  diesel-electric locomotive built by GE Transportation Systems of Erie, Pennsylvania, between January 1996 and December 2004. 1,090 were built for Norfolk Southern Railway, as road numbers 8889 to 9978. 53 GE Dash 8-44CWs built to Dash 9 specifications were also built for CSX Transportation, carrying road numbers 9000 to 9052.

"P1080871_edit" by skabat169 is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

Part of GE's "Dash 9" series of locomotives, the Dash 9-40CW shares its frame, HiAd trucks, 16-cylinder 7FDL engine, and 752AH-31 traction motors with the GE Dash 9-44CW. But while the more common 9-44CW offers 4,400 horsepower, software in the 9-40CW's engine-governing unit restricts its power output to 4,000 horsepower, although the engineer can override this restriction when desired. The Dash 9-40CW was basically an extension of the previous order for the standard cab GE Dash 9-40C, built under the same premise that a lower power rating would prolong the life of the engine and use less fuel.

"Awaiting another load" by amtrak_russ is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Model Information and

Operation Life Saver

Operation Lifesaver was founded in 1972 to prevent collisions, injuries, and fatalities at railroad crossings and on the tracks through free education, public awareness, and community outreach. Through a three-pronged strategy, the organization educates, enforces, and engineers ways to reduce track-related tragedies. 

Norfolk Southern designated seven DASH 9s for the Operation Lifesaver program, #9250-9256. Operation Lifesaver’s 25th anniversary was in 1997, when some of the first DASH 9s were coming off the assembly line. The seven designated units received Norfolk Southern black paint with the Operation Lifesaver 25th anniversary logo displayed on both sides of the long hood. 

These units merged public safety messaging with frontline freight service, and now you can showcase a pair of them on your layout with #9251 and #9256.

NS 9251 is coupled up to NS GE ES44C6m #4082.

The 4082 is a rebuilt Dash 9-44CW equipped with DCC and sound.

When new locomotives arrive in Terminal Yard the always railfan friendly engine hostler Wet Willie can be counted on to spot them on the track nearest the public street. Local railfans have a good view of the new Dash 9. 

1:87 scale Sir Neal also checks out the 4082 and compares it to the size of his Cadillac convertible.

The Dash 9 and ES 44 running loud and proud in a multiple unit lash up make their first revenue runs.

The Dash 9 #9251 Operation Life Saver unit passes NS GP60 #7140, another Operation Life Saver unit, sitting in North Side Yard.

GP60 #7140 was built in 1991by EMD and delivered to Norfolk Southern in the Operation Life Saver paint and lettering.

The Norfolk Southern units in action!!

Final Thoughts and Comments

Scale Trains has released another standout HO Scale locomotive under their rivet counter series. The locomotive ran great out of the box and in multiple with my Scale Trains ES44 which was the reason for the Dash 9 purchase. The locomotive consist powered by MRC Tech 7 or 2500 series DC controllers ran smoothly together with good sound and bright lights. In DC the DCC options are not available but at some point down the road I may convert the lower level of the layout to DCC to access these features on these and the other DCC sound equipped locomotives in my fleet.

Additional Information and Links

Scale Trains GE Dash 9-44CW model.

Wikipedia Dash 9-40CW page

Rail Pictures photos of NS Dash 9-40CW #9251.

RR Picture Archives photos of NS GP60 #7140.

Thanks for reading and watching!!!

See you soon!!!

New Interchange Partner, the DJS Railway *

 Greetings All,

New Interchange Partner 

The DJS Railway

In December, 2025 the New York Central Train Layout (NYCTL) added the DJS Railway, a subsidiary of the Southern Railway, as an interchange partner to expedite the north-south movement of our HO Scale railroad freight. 

The DJS Railway uses the initials that belong to my nephew and dates back about twenty five years when he and my sons were much younger. Our family, located in New York at this time, had staked out their own railroads like the NYC, PRR, B&O. 

One Christmas each boy received a Walthers Trainline Alco FA1 locomotive and I thought the Southern Railway would be a good fit for DJS, after he moved south with his parents. 

"Southern Railways 6133 Spartanburg, S.C. at Spartanburg S.C. train 27 (Carolina Special) June 29, 1952" by over 26 MILLION views Thanks is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
The Southern Railway interchanged freight traffic with the Pennsylvania Railroad and later Penn Central at Potomac Yard in Ivy City (Washington DC) and via Buckeye Yard in Cincinnati, Ohio.

"6 More of Roger Puta's Southern Railway Photos" by railfan 44 is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0.

Not having his own layout and not wanting the locomotive to sit in the box for another 20 years the Southern 2853A below was sent my way in 2025 to run and film.

DJS Train 2853 prepares to depart from Terminal Yard in December, 2025. At this time the DJS was using a leased NYC caboose.

Fast Forward to 2026

Capital Investments

One of the first goals I set for the DJS Railway was to add additional motive power (like any good model railroader) to allow the DJS to haul more tonnage and make more revenue.

The 2853A and newly purchased 2853B get serviced in the Terminal Yard engine terminal.

The 2853B is an older Walthers release purchased via ebay. After a thorough cleaning the locomotive runs great solo and in multiple unit operation with the 2853A.

Railfans and railroaders alike check out the newest locomotives to visit the terminal.

Operations Plan

The DJS Railway operates out of Sterling Yard and is a friendly interchange partner for freight traffic traveling north and south to and from Terminal Yard. Transfer trains are carried from Sterling Yard to Terminal Yard as Train DJS-1 and return as Train DJS-2.

To run these trains the DJS added Southern caboose X458 which is the Walthers kit I purchased in early January.

With the Southern Railway becoming more involved in the day to day railroad operations I was able to add a couple of Southern boxcars like this Walthers 60' boxcar

An Athearn RTR 40' double door Southern boxcar arrived on the layout in early January.

Freight traffic to be moved via the DJS will include coal traffic coming from the Hoschton Railway, The Crossroads of the South, headquartered in Hoschton, GA.

Below a Hoschton boxcar delivers freight to the Terminal Warehouse & Cold Storage complex. The Hoschton Railway was the freelanced railroad conceived by our late friend Engineer Ed Walsh and lives on in 1:87 scale.

Steel products like this long beam from U.S. Steel in Fairfield, Alabama will come thru Sterling Yard as will the Central of Georgia boxcar behind the Southern gondola delivering CAT products from Thomaston, GA to Empire City Caterpillar.

See DJStrains DJS-1 and DJS-2 move the freight.

Early March Train DJS-1 and DJS-1 

with a High & Wide Special

Trains DJS-1 and DJS-2

April 2026

Final Thoughts and Comments

A special thank you to my nephew for entrusting me with his locomotive and allowing the DJS to participate in my model railroad operations plan. This has been very gratifying for me and I enjoy filming the DJS trains as they move thru the layout.

Look for more DJS action in the future.

Thanks for reading and watching!!!

See you soon!!!