One recent day, this peculiar train passed through town.
On the head end, a three-unit spine car leads the way. Loaded with a pair of trailers and a container, this is probably yet another intermodal freight passing through.
Yet, following the spine car are not more intermodal cars, but a string of tank cars! According to federal regulations, loaded tank cars cannot be placed directly behind the locomotives in a road freight train for safety reasons. Apparently the spine car is being used to provide the necessary buffer.
Following the tank cars are two well-graffitied boxcars, with more tanks to follow.
Later in the train are these gondolas, followed by a string of high-cube boxcars.
On the tail end are these two auto carriers, with two Engineering Department cars bringing up the rear -including a caboose! Now THIS is a mixed freight!
A trucker goes back to his rig after getting directions. Interesting to note that instead of the traditional moving van, his trailer is a 48' container on chassis!
Meanwhile, Sam and Bill talk with the delivery driver from Air Products. Yes, the oxygen tanks need re-filling. No, we usually don't refill them from the back of the truck! Yes, an exchange of tanks would work just nicely!
The crew gather around and listen to old Johnny spin tales about "the Good Old Days" as he sits on the bumper of his Ford Model A. Purchased by his father in 1931, the car has been restored at least twice during the subsequent 75+ years. Old Johnny himself- like his father before him, and his son, Earl, since- worked for the railroad after finishing school. World War 2 sent him overseas to fight the Japanese in the jungles of Burma; upon his return he gladly went back to cleaning out steam engine boilers! He retired in 1985, after 45 years of railroading and now enjoys watching others do the hard and dirty work!
Tony is still busy fixing up cars for the upcoming car show. The '48 Ford is now ready, along with the 'Hemi Barracuda, '59 Eldorado convertible, and Shelby Cobra. Tony may be busy, but at least he gets to work on some VERY cool cars!
After working late, James walks to his truck. Thanks to the newly installed lighting, he can find the proper key more easily -as well as his truck!
