PASSING TRAINS PT2

The headlights of an oncoming train pass under the bridge.

The passing short manifest is returning Schnabel car CEBX 801 back east.

Norman watches as the train eases through the yard. It's an easier task with an empty car, but still a challenge due to all those trucks it rides on -8 per half, for a total of 16 (32 wheel sets)!

Bringing up the rear is HDTX 714. A member of the AP&W's Heavy Duty Transport Division, it is one of five (710-714) that assist in the movement of over-sized loads.

The next day, another manifest slows to a stop for a crew change. Neither engine has received the new logo yet, and only a small "APW" under the road number denotes ownership. The crewman on the steps has a safety vest on, an increasingly common occurrence.

PASSING TRAINS

A KCS SD70ACe leads the eastbound Gateway Cherokee through Hillsdale Yard.

As usual, the train has lots of JB Hunt and Schneider containers. Today's train also has a lease unit trailing the KCS unit, instead of the usual AP&W unit.

Brad watches the train roll past.

As an ethanol train rolls through, an Amtrak train rolls in.

Based upon the presence of the Viewliners on the head end, this train is probably a re-routed Cardinal headed west to Chicago; the Capitol is Superliner equipped.

TOWN LIFE PT2

Light morning traffic passes on Main Street.

Later, a semi rolls out of town, with a trailer outfitted with an under body wind skirt. These skirts help reduce the drag underneath the trailer, improving fuel economy -important when these trucks only average about 7mpg!

The once-vacant bank on Main St. is now occupied!

It is now a branch of Quidd's Banking.

The cars are in the lot a the soon-to-be Tony's Garage. While the deal has yet to be finalized, Tony has been allowed to set up shop and get started; note the car already in the open bay!

Tony jr. gets ready to help a customer, who has just pulled up in the Mazda Miata. With the summer heat on the way, now's the time to get the "toys" ready!

END OF THE BLOCK

The end of the block, before the approach to the bridge, has long been a trouble spot for me. Here's a look at how it has evolved...

This building, formerly on the back side of the layout, is now taking up space here. The houses that were here are no longer on the layout, leaving the empty space on the right.

To fill in the space, a small tree line and a billboard were added. But it still wasn't right...

The billboard that was on top of the Bradley Building was added next. Better, but the warehouse's roll-up door is now blocked!

The solution: a different building altogether! Originally on the layout years ago when it was still in the hobby shop, it now works as an appropriate business for a small southwestern Pennsylvania  town -and the future home of Tony's Garage!

The view of the strip, with building and billboards in place.

The most recent addition is this new billboard, advertising Ginete Organic Foods. Available at the supermarket on Market Street!

IN THE YARDS PT2

After all of the construction from last week, it's time to take some of the equipment out. No longer needed, the excavator is loaded up on the lowboy trailer and ready to go as the driver heads for the cab.

The semi pulls out of the lot, and heads out.

One of the company's hi-rail trucks rolls out of the yard on a maintenance job. While the Hillsdale crew has had MOW trucks for some time, this is the first non-pickup hi-rail truck for them, hence the almost spotless appearance.

Sam talks with Jim and Bob at the start of the shift. Reportedly, new crew-cab pickups are on the way, meaning that now Jim and Bob can ride in the cab and not in the truck bed!

Speaking of new trucks, a new MOW truck, with a crane and the new company logo, sits in the lot. This truck will be used for putting up/replacing signals, signal sheds, line side control cabinets, grade crossing signals, etc.

Brad watches as the tail end of a train passes by. So far, he hasn't had to arrest anyone for trespassing or vandalism, just warn a railfan or two about staying off company property. Still, he must be vigilant; in rural areas like Hillsdale, sometimes guys like to use line side signals for target practice!

AROUND THE SHOP PT3

More work around the shop, this time on the other side of the tracks...

The dump trucks are lined up, loaded with gravel and ready to get started!

The dumping begins as the first load is dropped.

The bulldozer begins spreading the gravel.

Then the grader performs the final smoothing finish.

The result; a gravel finish instead of a plywood finish!

AROUND THE SHOP PT2

More around the Hillsdale Yard...

A new sign has been added to the shop lead track; a blue flag sign. It reads: DANGER MEN WORKING.

Here, the sign is raised, though there are no cars in the shop! Blue flags are used to protect men while they are working, either on equipment or the tracks themselves. Similar to 'Lock-Out' tags on electrical equipment, once they are placed -or raised- only the person who placed it can remove it.

Heavy equipment is lined up in preparation for the application and spreading of gravel.

A truck driver prepares to drive off after discovering he was at the wrong job site!

At the other end of the yard, the office now has a pair of vending machines inside.

Outside, next to the propane tank, is the new a/c unit -much better than the old window unit!

AROUND THE SHOP, PT1

Recent work has been done around the Hillsdale Yard Shop...

There is now a concrete parking lot around the building.

The concrete lot is now painted to look like concrete, and the main line has (partial) ballast added.

A storm drain has been installed on one end of the lot.

A larger one is one the other end of the lot. Note too, that the ballast on the main now goes past the building!

Parking bumpers have also been added, to help keep non-rail cars out of the shop!

Lastly, there is now a dumpster for all the trash to go into.