IN THE YARDS PT16

A short "parts" train sits in Hillsdale Yard, ready for a trip to a local power plant.

The first car is an empty "idler" flatcar, used to add extra braking to the short, but heavy train.

The second car is a heavy-duty, four-trucked, flatcar, carrying a brand-new turbine to replace the plant's old one.

The last car (before the caboose) is a depressed center flatcar, designed for tall loads such as this compressor segment. While the load would actually still be within modern-day clearances if it was on a regular flat, the 'drop-center' flat allows it to fit within the older clearances still found on most secondary lines. While the load is 12' tall, the flatcar deck is only 2' high, instead of the normal 4'; at 14' total height, the loaded car is shorter that the locomotive!

The run to the power plant will be handled by Ricardo and Bill. While a short run, it is an unscheduled extra -thus, per union contract, it comes with a small pay bonus!