HIGH AND WIDE PT 3

 Last week, a high and wide load parked in Hillsdale Yard.  Today, we take a closer look at the cars...

GECX 2029, painted in the new colors of Wabtec Freight, is the motive power for Extra 2029.

AP&W 24594 carries equipment and supplies.

A pair of crew members walk to the forward caboose, as preparations are made to roll back out.

Brad talks to one of the car operators. Each half of the Schnabel car has an operator cab, as the load may need to be shifted sideways or raised to clear obstacles along the way.

A pair of workers check both the load and the car for any potential issues. With a load this huge, smooth operation is a must!

The cab operator at the other end of the car sits down as he waits for the call to action.

TTMX 80636 is an old 68' flatcar being used as a spacer in the train -and to add braking power as well.

And HDTX 4726 shows off its new look, as the Hillsdale Yard crew has added FRA-compliant conspicuity striping to the sides. The other caboose will receive them as well at a later date.

HIGH AND WIDE PT 2

 A "high and wide" movement has arrived in Hillsdale...

Chris is on the radio, helping back extra 2029 into its spot in the yard.

Extra 2029 begins backing up. Normally, there would be a crew member on the caboose platform, but apparently not today.

Yard personnel watch carefully, as the train slowly backs down. A derailment here would foul the eastbound main  for quite some time, as it would take a while to get the proper equipment in place to right the extremely heavy load.

The empty well car, added for extra braking effort.

The head end slowly, but surely, approaches. With a 200+ ton load, nothing is being rushed!

Train in place, the engineer ties down for the night.

A loaded CEBX 801 is one massive car!

HDTX 4726 will look a little bit different when she leaves. While she is sitting in the yard, an minor upgrade will be performed.

Stay tuned...

HIGH & WIDE PT1

A "High & Wide" movement is entering Hillsdale!

Rounding the curve into Hillsdale Yard is Extra 2029.

The train is led by Wabtec-painted GECX ET44AC demonstrator 2029,

The load is a transformer being shipped to the Port of Baltimore for export. The opposing track is clear to allow for the extreme overhang of the loaded car as it rounds the curve.

The massive load rides between the two halves of a massive Schnabel car.

Already moving slow due to the load, 2029 slows down even further, as it prepares to stop.

The "A1" end of the car.

The "A2" end of the car.

Caboose HDTX 4726 brings up the rear.

Next week, Extra 2029 will back into the long siding and tie down for the night.

PASSING TRAINS PT 39; M1795 PT 3

 M1795 continued...

A big reefer, owned by Tropicana, but carrying a "Naked" logo. (Carrying nude juice smoothies perhaps?)

Another 60' TBOX, but an older one with the old logo, followed by an AP&W 60' boxcar.

A pair of brand new 60' TBOX cars, with "grid" sides.

A pair of old 68' flatcars carrying concrete sewer pipe segments. Built in the late 60's, these cars are close to retirement.

A look at one of the cars and it's load.

Yet another loaded centerbeam flatcar.

A special Easter delivery! Former GONX Railgon gondolas, now owned by Helm-Pacific Leasing, carry a shipment of Easter bunnies.

The end of the train is filled out with a short string of MOW gons carrying old ties.

A look at the first gon. Note the rust and grime on the car.

The second car is not as bad, but still grimy to be carrying such a precious cargo! At least the bunnies are securely braced in the car.

And with that -HAPPY EASTER!

PASSING TRAINS PT 39: M1795 PT 2

 Train M1795 is passing through Hillsdale...

.A pair of RFMX ex- Penn Central hoppers.

A grey HPJX boxcar and a loaded TTX centerbeam bulkhead flatcar -the first of several in the train.

A patched Railbox boxcar and a black Trinity Leasing hopper car -with high "anti-graffiti" reporting marks. Note the "75" graphics at the end of the car; EMPYREAL 75 is a Cargill-developed, corn-based protein concentrate used in animal feed. There are over 80 of these black hoppers across the country, usually in groups.

LRS 4223 is a Laurinburg & Southern boxcar leased from GATX. Another FBOX  50' "grid-sided" boxcar follows, but this one has the new red logo.

A pair of POTX three bay hoppers. Potash has a variety of uses, including fertilizer, ice melt, feed supplements, cement, water softener, and even in the metal industry. Potash Corporation has thousands of hoppers in service across North America in this salmon pink scheme. Many are faded pink, like the second car.

A trio of tank cars carrying hydrochloric acid. Like Potash, hydrochloric acid is also used in water treatment, as well as road salt. The green bands are to let first responders know that potentially hazardous cargo may be on board.

Two Canadian National 60' boxcars, with tow different paint schemes. While the CN "website" logo is the same on both, it is on different ends of the cars!

Another loaded centerbeam bulkhead flatcar, this one owned by St. Marys West.

The fist of several 60'' TBOX TTX cars, TBOX 662066 has the new "Heritage" logo. The tank car is carrying anhydrous hydrogen fluoride, a highly corrosive compound. The car also has a "inhalation hazard" warning on the side as well.

More M1795 next week!