APPALACHIAN SD45'S

A pair of Appalachian EMD SD45's roll a freight into Hillsdale in the late 60's. The engines show off their as-delivered paint scheme. The AP purchased 100 of the 3600hp engines over a three-year period, 1966-1968, primarily for coal trains in West Virginia and Virginia. AP 6239 was delivered in 1967, part of a 50 unit order, 6225-6274. AP 6279 was delivered the following year, part of the final order of SD45's; 25 units, numbered 6275-6299. Like most railroads, the AP found the SD45's to expensive to operate and maintain; after 6299 was delivered, the road turned to 35 GE U36C's and 50 EMD SD40's in 1971, 55 GE U30c's in the early 70's, then ultimately amassed a fleet of 340 EMD SD40-2's between 1977-1984. Even so, the railroad still picked up Erie-Lackawanna's fleet of 34 SD45's, 33 SDP45's and 23 SD45-2's during the 76' Conrail merger, getting a large quantity of EL locomotives along with much of the ex-Erie main line from Chicago to Buffalo, NY (an attempted purchase of the EL before the formation of Conrail fell through).

A close-up of the two units. The two radio antennas on the roof are for the Locotrol equipment. Like many coal-hauling railroads, the AP was an early proponent of remote-controlled helper units to move heavy coal trains through the mountains. Other optional equipment include cab sunshades and a snowplow pilot. As the units got shopped during the late 70's and early 80's, many acquired re-railing frogs and spare coupler knuckle holders mounted on the trucks. Most made it to the 1986 merger, they were renumbered 9200-9299 and joined by 48 ex-Frisco and 20 ex-MC&K units, along with the ex-Erie Lackawanna SD45's. None of the units received the 'Desert Storm' scheme; most were traded-in to EMD for new SD60's by 1992. While most went to the scrapper, some found new homes on regional lines.

The locomotives are Kato units.

THE 'DESERT STORM' SCHEME

A GE B40-8 locomotive pulls a train of Road Railers through Hillsdale as an Amtrak train rolls through. If the layout were still in the hobby shop, the Amtrak would have a station to stop at; however in my basement, the far side of the layout- where the station was- is now up against the wall. The locomotive shows off the AP&W's post-90' paint scheme, nick-named the 'Desert Storm' scheme due both to the colors as well as the timing of it's introduction. It was adapted to increase the visibility of the engines, especially at grade crossings.

AP&W 3054 was delivered in this scheme in 1991, one of 30 units delivered by GE (road #'s 5030-5059) for high-speed intermodal service, including Road Railer service where they can still be found today.

The locomotive is a DCC equipped Atlas model, the Road Railers are from Bowser, and the Amtrak train is comprised of Kato models.

Here a EMD SW1500 pulls a string of FGE reefers through town. AP&W 350 is also painted in the post-90' 'Desert Storm' scheme; this was one of the first units to be repainted into the new scheme. Delivered to predecessor road Appalachian RR in 1966, the unit originally was #150; a number it kept after the 1986 merger. When it was repainted in 1990, it was also renumbered to 350.

The train is all Athearn models.

BEFORE AND AFTER

Here is Hillsdale yard not long after I got the layout up and running again.This is Hillsdale yard now, almost a year later. What a difference a year makes!

This is an early view of the contractor's lot, M.O.W. lot, and the road; as well as the church and Bank Street. Once again, this is soon after I got the layout up and running.

And here, again, is the area as it looks today. The addition of the backdrop adds to the scene immensely, and now other scenic details have been added that contribute to the overall feel. It may not be a "Great Model Railroad" but it works for me!

NEW SHOP BUILDING FOR THE YARD CREWS

These are shots of the new shop building for the Maintanence of Way crews. Like many railroads, the AP&W frequently uses retired intermodal equipment for storage purposes. This time, the MOW crews went a step further and cut windows and end doors into an ex-P&O container to make a "new" shop building. The container is a Walthers 40' hi-cube, with Pikestuff windows and doors. I plan to add a BLMA window A/C unit, probably to the un-modified rear door, later on. It may even see a coat of paint eventually!