Sunday, July 7, 2013

PASSING TRAINS PT5; THE DINNER BELLE

The America units roll their train into Hillsdale Yard, towards their meet with the Dinner Belle.
The yard crew stands by to perform the run-by inspection, as C-DB47 passes the Dinner Belle. Just as the Belle's engineer turned of the F-unit's Mars light for the meet, C-DB47's engineer also turns off the ditch lights on his engine; it's the same as turning off your bright headlights when you meet another car on the road at night (common courtesy).
After passing the other engine, C-DB47's engineer turns the ditch lights back on, and throttles up heading out of town, a long string of double-stacked 40'-45' containers in tow.
After the long intermodal passes, the Dinner Belle's engineer cuts the Mars light back on, and throttles up. The Mars light swings back and forth to attract attention to the train, especially at grade crossings; they were used on many locomotives, freight and passenger, from the late thirties up until the early eighties, when many railroads stopped using them. Today, ditch lights serve this purpose.
With it's three car train in tow, the F-7 huffs its way through the yard. In this modern day and age, there's something about seeing a 70+ year old locomotive still earning a paycheck!

The Dinner Belle rolls out of town. Between the domes and the rear picture window, the passengers will have some great views of the southwestern Pennsylvania scenery!

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