PASSING TRAINS PT34

The unit oil train is back, and now a regular visitor to Hillsdale!

This time, two engines are on the point; AC4400's 8919 and 8900.

The string of empty 31,000 gallon tank cars. This train is OM518; Oil Movement, Baltimore to Chicago. The loaded eastbound train is OM519.

The three hoppers on the point are "buffer cars", required for unit trains of oil and ethanol tank cars. They provide separation -and therefor safety- between the crew and the flammable cargo.

The long black string snakes around the curve and out of town.

The tail end features two more covered hoppers in "buffer car" service; a pair of BNSF hoppers, appropriate since this train is received from the BNSF in Chicago.