ROCK TRAIN PT1

From time to time, a unit 'rock train' passes through town. This train operates as an extra -E-RM107; Extra, Rock-Movement(!) 107.

Today the train is led by a pair of leased CITX SD70M-2's.

On the head-end are a trio of side-dump cars. These cars are carrying rip-rap; the loads will be dumped alongside the right-of-way where the railroad travels along the Potomac River bank in northern Maryland.

Behind the dump cars are a string of Ortner hoppers.

Unlike the previous two, this one has the 'APW' on the sides above the numbers. It also has an Operation Lifesaver decal in front of the number, which moves the number back a panel. The end "porches" help spread the weight out over a greater distance for higher capacity; due to the density of the load, 100T of rock can be very heavy!

After the Ortner cars, are a string of conventional 2-bay hoppers.

Several are owned by Vulcan Materials. They are traveling to Vulcan's York facility. The grey paint almost matches the gravel loads!