2011 UPDATE #7

As always, I keep adding to the layout whenever I have the chance. Once again, I extended the backdrop along the wall -but this time not behind the layout!

This was the scene as viewed from inside the layout. Since I don't normally operate or take photos from here, the shortness of the backdrop really wasn't a problem. I did, however, have an extra set of backdrop extensions that I wasn't using.

So, why not? The seam visible just to the left of the edge of the layout is where the backdrop originally stopped.

The slight effect of the newly added panel. While not much from this angle, in the last post the photo of the Ford Explorer outside the Kibri Apts. was made better by this extension; the sky could now fill the whole background (why I took the photo!).

Another recent update: the completion of the planned lighting of Bank Street! Two of the lights are visible here, on either side of the church. The third one is in front of the hotel, hidden by the communications antenna.

And now, the night shot. And yes, I DID add two vehicles with working headlights as planned! Even better, I just ordered another lighted vehicle for the other side of the street!

TOWN LIFE PT14

A Ford Explorer sits in the parking lot beside the Kibri Apartments. Its owner doesn't live there -yet. She's inside checking out the available unit.

A Sysco Food Service truck has just stocked up KFC, and is preparing to head back out.

Another day, another long double-stack train passes through. This one is loaded with international traffic from around the world.

On a quiet Main Street, a motor-scooter sits between two cars. Like most parts of the country, gas prices in Hillsdale have generated increased interest in gas-sipping mopeds!

A large shipping container has pulled up to the warehouse. No, Tony did not make a very big parts order! The upstairs area of the building is still used for storage, and an area merchant is taking advantage of it; lots of toys for the upcoming holiday season! (Order early for best selection!)

THE SCNABEL CAR

As part of the AP&W main line from the Midwest to the Northeast, Hillsdale sees a number of large cars designed to move large objects, such as transformers. Among these cars was this particular car, called a Schnabel car.


Sitting in the yard awaiting forwarding back west, Schnabel car, PTDX 202 gets a once-over by Norman and another worker.

Mark Davis goes to check the caboose while the other two discuss the car's massive size. The Engineering Department caboose houses the crew that accompanies the Schnabel when it's carrying a load.

The sheer size of the car is apparent when viewed from the side. At 120' long and 13' tall, it's a big beast when empty; when loaded with a transformer it's even bigger! It also has 40 wheels to help spread out the weight on the rails.

Here, the car has been placed in a train, and is headed back home to Muncie, Ind.

Schnabel cars have the unique ability to separate into two halves to accommodate the load. Thus, these cars have no set length when loaded. The equipment at the ends of the car allow the load to be raised and/or shifted to one side or the other for clearance purposes en-route -hence the need for an operating crew to accompany the load. Originally built for Westinghouse, PTDX 202 can carry up to 1,200,000 pounds between its two halves! These cars have strict operating rules on the AP&W;

1) 15mph max when loaded and must be accompanied by at least two cars plus crew car

2) 25mph max and near the head-end of the train (within 3-5 cars of the locomotives) when empty.
While the AP&W is a fast freight railroad, when dealing with these behemoths, sometimes haste makes waste!

BACK AT TONY'S PT2

This old Ford F-850 tow truck has been in the family for almost half a century. "T & M Body Shop" refer to the original business between Tim and his brother, Mario -Tony's father and uncle. Like any body shop truck, she's been worked on and customized -check out the dual stacks!

Tony checks the dumpster to make sure he didn't accidentally toss a part he needs! (He found it later -in the wrong place of course!)

Jimmy talks to the proud owner of this 1971 Hemi -Cuda convertible. With less than a dozen of these cars built new, this is one rare beast indeed.

Jeff goes to work on an easy job; replacing the wheel covers on this PT Cruiser.

New moon hubcaps installed, tha car is ready for pick-up. But first, Tony has to price-gouge the owner! ($125 for the rims...$200 labor...)

GE DEMO UNIT PT2

As the 2005 operated over the AP&W, it was soon joined by GE's test car to help the railroad -and GE's engineers - to monitor and gage the locomotive's performance.

GECX 90 is GE's rolling laboratory to help it develop new locomotive technology ( and has since been repainted and marked as such).

The yard crew checks the connections between the engine and test car before releasing the set for operation.

Since the AP&W uses its AC-motored units primarily in unit coal service, the 2005 was tested in this fashion. Here the engine leads two recently delivered AC4400's on an eastbound coal train with GECX 90 splicing the consist.

The train accelerates through the yard. Running the new engine with the model it will soon be replacing allows a direct comparison of old and new technologies -and to see whether or not the new line-up will, indeed, be better.

Bringing up the rear is one of the AP&W's Engineering Department cabooses. Both the Engineering and Mechanical Departments were impressed with the new locomotive; the same horsepower and lugging ability of the popular AC4400, but with less fuel consumption due to the smaller engine. While the AP&W purchased the last 100 of its 600 AC4400 fleet that year (2004), it signed up for the new ES44AC early and often, purchasing 400 units during the first three years of production!