IN THE YARDSPT17; THE END

Chris and Jason prepare to get back into their truck after inspecting one of the switches in the yard. Among the amenities at their disposal; a roof-mounted spotlight, hi-rail wheels for those times when they need to ride the rails, and a generator in the back, along with a tool box and a metal basket full of spare coupler knuckles.

Two visitors to Hillsdale are these two BNSF GE C44-9W's, the second one still in Santa Fe paint. While foreign power is not unusual passing through, to have it sitting in the yard is. They may have been sidelined by minor problems that merited a quick look before heading back west. Still, what a catch for the local railfans!

Another sight in the yard is this load of pipe, awaiting movement east to New Jersey. The load originated in Gary, Indiana.

A brand new office has been erected! Now Maggie has a space all her own to handle the yard's business affairs -including payrole!

A look inside sees Sam at the desk inquiring about his training record, while James and Will lounge on the sofa. Another desk will soon be added for the various supervisors in the division. And the vending machines outside the shop will probably be moved in here as well -out of the weather.

THE END!
Not really. Like most model railroads, the AP&W gets rebuilt/upgraded to keep things fresh (interesting). And there were definitely some things that I wanted to change on the layout. So, follow us next year as we see what changes time has brought to the layout!

THE CHRISTMAS TRAIN!

It's the return of the Christmas train!

The train rolls into town, with Santa on the front smilling and waving (when not clutching the handrail!) to passerby on nearby Main Street.

With the train parked in the yard, Santa goes to the cabooose, to greet the children. This year, along with his usual helpers, another "assistant" is there; a man with balloons! The company photographer records the joyous event.

Meanwhile, Chris and Doug check over the other cars in the train, making sure everything is in good order.

Mike and the engineer, Henry, converse while waiting on Santa. Henry enjoys this run, as it takes him across the eastern half of the railroad, from Chicago to D.C. It's a busy assignment, but a fun one; being a grandfather makes the kids' smiles all the more enjoyable!

After the gifts have been handed out, the train is off for Dale City. Santa rides the front for a short spell, before he heads back into the cab. This time of year, the roof top a/c isn't needed!
Yes, that is a bridge in the background. More on that next year!

TOWN LIFE PT22

Ms Martha, Gary, and Richard gather in front of the Salvation Army, ready for the kitchen to open up for lunch.

On another day, another homeless man sits on the newly placed bench outside, with his worldly possesions beside him. Contrast him with the man about to get into his shiny new Mercedes Benz outside Cristie's Pet Supply. Does the Benz owner look at the homeless man and think about how lucky he is, or does he even see the other man?

Ted drives away from his storage unit with a load of old appliances, headed to the local scrap dealer. But, despite its looks, the old truck won't be dropped off there as well!

Utility work at the corner of Main and Bank streets. Obviously, the work was done during warmer weather; note the Beetle convertible with the top down!

The Sparkling Springs Water vendor is back in town. Will their business ever grow enougth to merit a bigger truck?

A view of the buildings downtown. Only the top floor of the tan building seems to be occupied, while every floor of the cream building is in use. How much space is available in the Delta Building?

IN THE YARDS PT 15

A new Engineering Department car has shown up in Hillsdale!

Car 30 is an old, WW2 troop sleeper, that was purchased after the war and converted into a dynamometer car. A dynamometer car is used to help test a locomotive's performance in service. When the APRR began dieselizing during the 50's, the car was used to test the various demonstrator locomotives produced by the builders; the results led to purchasing decisions. Today, the car still tests locomotive perfomances -and it still has its Allied full cushion trucks, which were banned in interchange service soon after the war!

Painted Engineering Blue with white roof, the car stands out. Note the recently applied yellow conspicuity striping. Underneath, from left to right, are the water tank, equipment box, and battery box. On the roof, the smokejack for the heater is in the center, two vents are on either end, and the exhaust for the diesel generator is on the left end. A bay window allows the engineer to observe track conditions while in motion.

Car 30 is coupled to Sewalls Point in the yard.

A group of crewmen walk past Car 30, on their way to a pair of crew changes with two passing trains.

All three area engineering cars are here.The local engineers are glad to see Car 30 show up; unlike the other two cars, it has beds and a kitchen! Given Hillsdale's location in south western Pennsylvania, this is a good place to test engines and other equipment; if it fails the repair shops are in nearby Cumberland, Md.!

TOWN LIFE PT21

The park now has an old APRR caboose on display!

A man photograghs the caboose, while another one jogs past on the trail.

Meanwhile, another man takes a picture of a couple sitting on a bench in front of the old caboose. Built in the early 50's, the car has been restored to its original appearance and paint scheme. "Always Professional Service."

Another recent addition is this flag, complete with concrete base. No doubting Hillsdale's loyalty!

And, in a final update, Glover Park Hardware now has a small parking lot. While unlined, it does keep cars off the street, making things easier for customers. Meanwhile, they still have several riding mowers available for anyone who needs one!

PASSING TRAINS PT10

A train with UP power is passing through town!

The lead unit is UP 1982, UP's Missouri Pacific Heritage unit. While this unit, along with the other five Heritage units, mostly stays on home rails, it sometimes "tours" other parts of the country.

The second unit is an ex-Southern Pacific Dash 9-44CW.

On the head end of the train is a long string of articulated autoracks, forming a long, yellow snake behind the locomotives -and almost matching the Armour Yellow of the second UP unit!

But, after the racks, are a string of piggyback trailers, including two sharing a draw-bar connected pair of flatcars.

The men in the yard watch as the last of the cars roll past, alert for any problems. They find none, and the train continues westward, the two engines on their way back home to the Union Pacific!

PASSING TRAINS PT9

Train TKC35 stops for a crew change. Today, it's led by the Rock Island heritage unit, Dash-944CW 5416, and a BNSF Dash-944CW, 972. Western power sometimes shows up on this train due to the Kansas City connections to the West Coast. Since the AP&W's predecessors gained alot of trackage west of the Mississippi River after the collapse of the Rock Island, the heritage unit fits right in.

As is usually the case, the train is almost exclusively trailers. Also, the train is exclusively spine cars; none of the usual piggyback flatcars are in the train.

The trailers range from 53' reefers to 28' pups.

The lone containers in the train are these JB Hunt 53' plate wall containers.

The EOT device brings up the rear, as the train passes into the forest at the edge of town, on its way west.

TONY'S GARAGE

Another day at Tony's...

Tony Jr. looks over a special car -his! While his sister is seen off to the right receiving her new Smartcar from Daddy, Junior went out and got his own; a used BMW 525. While it'll stay mostly stock, he may make a few tweaks to the engine and suspension!

Later, Tony, Junior and Jeff team up to change a tire on an old Chevy C-10 pick-up . As usual, Elvis is laying down on the job by the front door.

A freshly trimmed Ford F250 sits among the cars in the lot. Tony and his crew applied the flames and graphics. Also of note; the Porsche 928 sitting next to the truck.

Back in 1962, Tim and his his brother, Mark (Tony's dad & uncle), purchased this brand new Ford F850 tow truck. Here, they pose with it for a advertising/posterity photo.
"If you wreck it, we can tow it, and we can fix it!"

A half a century later, all three have aged, changed, and seen better days, but are still alive and going strong!

TOWN LIFE PT20

Another day in Hillsdale...

Tony supprises his daughter, Tammy, with a new car! After her old clunker finally died, he got her a brand new Smart Car. Getting up to 41mpg highway, she'll save alot of gas money versus her old 84' Buick!

Later, Tammy takes her new car to the Olde English Flower Shop. Not only will she send her dad a thank-you bouquet, but her mother's birthday is comming up soon! Another increasingly popular fuel-efficient car is parked behind hers; a Mini Cooper. At the opposite end of the spectrum, is the Ford Expedition EL passing by.

Tony's secretary and her lover make out behind the garage. Think she'll make it back from her lunch break on time?

A customized owner-operator semi rolls down Main Street, headed for the open road. The chrome trailer seems to make up for the lack thereof on the tractor!

Crime in Hillsdale! The cops put the cuffs on a pair of suspected drug dealers outside the townhouses. Is that how they were able to afford the Cadillac Escalade?

ON A FALL DAY

On a fall day in Hillsdale...

Yet another fall excursion passes through town, this one powered by an old steam engine!

Another way to get away on a fall day! An RV is parked outside the travel agency. Wherever they go, they won't need plane tickets!

A new hardware store has opened up on Main Street! Bill checks out Glover Park Hardware, while another man inside checks out the selection of riding mowers. It's the end of the mowing season, so great deals are available!

Speaking of mowing, several other homewners are busy doing just that!

A Smitty Lumber truck heads to a construction project with a load of lumber. Fall also means a big push to complete construction projects, before it gets too cold to stay outside!