AMTRAK DETOUR

Normally, Amtrak's Capital Limited travels over CSX rails between Chicago and Washington, D.C., but every once in a while it detours over the AP&W. On this occasion, it passed through Hillsdale.

Here the engine rolls the train through Hillsdale Yard. Right behind it is a baggage car converted from a coach by removing the windows and adding roll-up doors(!) to both sides. They are often used to carry mail and express packages.

The train is comprised of Superliner cars, including these sleeper cars on the head end behind the baggage cars.

Following the sleepers, are these two freshly refurbished cars, now carrying the new image. The first car, with the windows curving up onto the roof, is a Sightseer Lounge; the next one is a diner. Notice that while the striping remains, the 'Superliner' script has now been replaced with the new Amtrak logo, making for a very plain-looking car.

Behind the dining car, three coaches bring up the rear.

PASSING TRAINS PT2

Two of the freight trains that pass through Hillsdale are priority freights between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Both feature expedited scheduling; neither stops between the two cities.

SD70MAC 8663 and AC4400 8773 lead east bound priority freight PHIL-28. The west bound train is PITT-27. Today's train features loaded autoracks on the head end.

Behind the autoracks, are double-stacks loaded with domestic containers.

Among the stack cars are two carrying the new TTX logo introduced in 2007.

Most of the rest of the cars still have the older logo, including this three-unit Maxi IV. Those HUB containers are also carrying an older paint scheme as well; they are now green!

Also in the train are several spine cars such as this one carrying a UPS container/chassis combo next to a Roadway trailer. Both are 28' in length; UPS is the only company to utilize 28' containers.

While this train is typical of the PITT/PHIL trains, from time to time one may find RoadRailers and/or reefers tacked on, especially during the fall harvest season when the west coast growers ship their products to the eastern processor plants.

TOWN LIFE PT 10

The Sheriff's office is represented by this pick-up/'law-boat' combo parked on Main St across from the furniture store. With a popular lake in the area, a patrol boat is necessary to keep the peace on the waterfront!

As usual, Tony is kept busy with repair jobs. While the hot rod and the 300ZX will attract attention, so will the red Ferrari!

Later, the 300ZX has been replaced by a customized VW Beetle. And the Ferrari's been replaced by another rare car- an Oldsmobile 442!

While the crew works on the car, the hound dog -Elvis- naps on the pavement in front.

McDonald's anyone? The delivery truck passes through town on the way out after re-stocking the mid-town restaurant.

VISITORS

Recently, two 'out of towners' passed through Hillsdale.

The gang check out the newly arrived business car. Though the car has been completely stripped for refurbishing, the stainless steel sides still shine well enough to reflect the images of the men standing beside it!

When the upgrades are completed, this end will hold the kitchen and dining areas. No microwave meals aboard this car!

Yes, this car will eventually have windows and an interior! It will also have a name, Joanne Jackson, named after a passenger train that once ran over two of the AP&W's predecessor roads from Chicago to Miami. The car is headed for the AP&W's Cumberland, MD. car shops for finishing.

Another visitor which drew attention was this engine, Union Pacific 1982. Painted up to celebrate the former Missouri Pacific and numbered for the year that UP took over the MP, this engine was one of six that the UP had painted for 'fallen flag' railroads that they took over. While they mostly stay on UP's rails, 1982 made it all the way to Buffalo, NY. this past summer leading a ethanol train! ( My justification for buying the engine!) Here, she is joined by UP 9575 on the point of another ethanol train, this one a bunch of empties heading back west.