THE BLUE TRAIN PT3

Finishing the "blue train"...

One of several "Cold Train" reefers in the train, NRDX 13005 shows off its painted wheelsets.

NRDX 13087 shows off its roof weathering -including the exhaust streak from its reefer unit. As-built, these cars had traditional full roofs; after being rebuilt with semi-trailer-style reefers, the end of the roof was cut open to allow better ventilation for the new units.

Once again, ADM hoppers roll through town.

Four-bay and three-bay hoppers are in the consist. And, of course, they are blue!

The only boxcar is this plug-door car. QOCX 193 is a Quaker Oats- owned car.

In this era of trains ended by tiny EOT devices, this train has a welcome variation; a blue caboose! This, of course, is a fantasy paint scheme -on a fantasy train no less. Yet, not only does it match the rest of the train with its light blue color, but how appropriate is an "Athearn" caboose on a model railroad?!

THE BLUE TRAIN PT2

More on the solid blue train rolling through Hillsdale...

The first car is actually two; GATX 46794 is a drawbar connected "paired" car. Both cars are single-bay Airslides. During unloading, the piping on the sides of the unloading bays are connected to air lines, which then send air into the car through a special fabric which, in turn, aerates the load, allowing it to more easily slide out of the car. Hence, the name: Airslide. These cars were developed in the 60's for powdery loads that have a tendency to cake up -such as flour, talc and sugar. In the late 80's, GATX began semi-permanently connecting pairs of these smaller cars to meet a demand for higher-capacity cars by shippers. Italgrani is the company that is leasing this set.

The next two cars are the larger, two-bay versions of the Airslide hopper.

Like the "paired" car set, the two bigger cars have the "GATX AIRSLIDE" on the end.

Another pair of two-bay Airslide hoppers.

These two cars, however, have the minimal lettering of the mid-80's. Interestingly enough, the previous cars were painted in the mid-90's -colorful editions after these "plain-Janes" were done!

THE BLUE TRAIN, PT1

Once again, another "why not" train...

A new train -solid blue- rolls into town.

Like the other fantasy train, this one is pulled by a pair of leased GATX SD40-2's.

A close-up of the lead unit.

A profile shot.

The second unit. Both units were originally purchased by the Missouri Pacific in 1976 for unit coal train service. Due to this, the units were equipped with dynamic brakes -a rarity for MoPac engines. MP successor UP returned the units to GATX in 1994 at the expiration of their leases, and they have been in lease service ever since.GATX leases more than just locomotives, of course. Stay tuned for more...

TOWN LIFE 16, LABOR DAY WEEKEND

A look at Hillsdale this Labor Day weekend...

Maggie checks her e-mails and texts before leaving Friday morning. With a three-day weekend, she'll have plenty of time to relax and enjoy herself -at the beach with her friends!

Maggie won't be the only one enjoying the weekend. A large RV and an SUV are parked in front of World Travel Services.

A smaller camper heads to the lake for the weekend. While the campers will probably be enjoying Budweisers, unfortunately, they WON'T be seeing the three women on the billboard!

Unfortunately, not everyone has off. Most of the yard crew will be working, including Brad. Security is a seven-days-a-week job, and so is railroading!

Another job with little time off; trucking. Here, a CIE truck heads to the warehouses downtown. The driver will get a day off -only because his delivery destination will be closed on Monday!