SPRING WORK PT2

Spring is here, and with it comes the inevitable trackwork issues...

Extra 784 heads out of town to perform grading work by the Youghiogheny River, with Jordan spreader X784, SD40 3163 and caboose 4368.

The spreader leads the way, since it has to be pushed by the locomotive. The large air tank is prominent on the rear deck.

The a/c unit stands out on the roof. Note the white grab irons on the rear as well. The side "wings" are folded up for transport; when the crew gets on site, they will be lowered and opened out to properly grade and profile the line.

SD40 3163 is still going strong after over a half-century of service. Today, she is the power for Extra 784. The heat-generated rust from her dynamic brakes is quite noticeable.

Along with the rust is the soot on the rooftop and dirt on the walkways.

Caboose 4368 brings up the rear. A short-bodied bay window caboose, it is the newest of the three , having been built in the 70's.

Carrying AP reporting marks, 4368 is along for the ride as a crew transport; the tracks along the river are not accessible by road so a crew bus won't work.