PASSING TRAINS PT54; SCHNEIDER NATIONAL

Our reefers are still in the yard waiting for yet another eastbound train! This one is SDN39; the  Dayton-NYC Schneider National train.

The train is led by a trio of GE ES44AC's, including a pair of CREX lease units.

CREX 1321 is one of several dozen locomotives the AP&W is leasing from Citirail.

The third locomotive is primer-painted NS 7519, actually an ES44DC unit. Due to a backlog at GE's Erie, Pa. plant, NS chose to have its engines shipped in primer paint for faster delivery. CSX also chose this option for its ES44DC's as well.

As it's symbol indicates. the train is solidly loaded with Schneider National equipment, both trailers and containers. Note the head end of the train is all loaded spine cars.

Not the Tropicana Juice train, but a solid string of orange trailers! Note the short bay-window caboose all by itself on the yard track.
As usual, the train is long enough for two entries. See you next week!

ANOTHER BLUE TRAIN, PT3

After missing last week, here's a double-shot!
The conclusion of the blue train...

A string of Cold Train reefers follow the ex-Golden West Service boxcars. Apparently, the train is moving both grain and perishables east!

The train moves past the reefers in the yard, as Gen-Set 300 waits at the end of the siding.

Next is a string of CSX boxcars. The lead car is actually an ex-CSX car; note the "NOKL" (Northwestern Oklahoma) reporting marks.

These two PAN AM boxcars have yet to receive their "urban decoration". Note the corn syrup tank cars in the yard tracks; City Fizz is waiting to receive a shipment!

An empty Westinghouse heavy duty flatcar is on the tail end of the train. Since the car would normally be loaded when headed east, it is apparently headed for repairs or upgrades.

A blue Athearn caboose brings up the markers. Since the train is a fantasy, why not the caboose too?

ANOTHER BLUE TRAIN; PT2

Last week saw an unexpected medical event. However, my health has returned, so here's more of the blue train...

If it's a blue train, it's got to have ADM hoppers in it!

A trio of CNW hoppers. Originally green, the paint faded to blue on many of the Northwestern's hoppers over time. Apparently, a bad batch of paint was used, as many other cars have stayed green.

After the  blue CNW hoppers come a string of GATX baby blue Airslide hoppers.

The final GATX car is a two-unit paired Airslide. A blue (!) tank car splits the string of covered hoppers.

Another string of ADM hoppers follows the tank car.

After the ADM hoppers is a pair of ex-Golden West boxcars, one with graffiti and one with the vandalism painted over -dark blue on faded blue. SSW is the Saint Louis South Western (also known as the Cotton Belt); a subsidiary of Southern Pacific.

ANOTHER BLUE TRAIN PT1

As promised from last week, the first of two trains...

A pair of GECX ET44AC pre-production units roll a mixed train into Hillsdale.

On the head end is a five-unit CN drawbar-connected stack car. Note the 48' wells and containers.

NACS and EMP containers are also on board. While 48' containers are now obsolete, this is a "for the fun of it" train!

In keeping with the Canadian National theme, a trio of CN 60' auto parts boxcars. And CN now owns a dozen of the ET44AC demo units.

A Quaker Oats boxcar and a B.F. Goodrich hopper continue the 'blue' theme. And, of course, the 'blue streak' will continue next week!

ANOTHER DAY IN MARCH

Its another day in Hillsdale...

Several years ago, there was a vacant storefront on Main Street.

Today, Jackie's Fine Fashions is doing good business on a cold day. Tom and Janet just bought some winter coats at clearance prices, as the store makes room for the spring and summer merchandise. Funny how stores advertise shorts and bathing suits when it's still below freezing outside!

Once again, the Domino's truck blocks the parking lot with a delivery. The store is stocking up for March Madness!

The Rocky Oil truck heads back to Farmingdale, after stocking up the local engines with diesel. He'll be back tomorrow with more fuel; with both engines running around the clock, they need daily fill-ups.

Domino's isn't the only one preparing for March Madness! Hillsdale Yard is filled with reefers for Johnson Foods. They'll be delivered eventually, but first a train -or two- must roll by...
Stay tuned next week for the first train!