PASSING TRAINS PT28

Finishing last week's train...

With winter's blast on the way, that 2-bay covered hopper was probably carrying either a load of sand or slag for use on the highways (to increase traction). A pair of tank cars follow.

When Amtrak ended all non-passenger service in 2001, the AP&W picked up a number of these boxcars; unlike this car, many are still in Amtrak colors! With their 60' length and cushioned underframes, these cars are often loaded with appliances.

A pair of well-worn RailBox cars.

An empty centerbeam bulkhead flatcar. That there is only one is unusual; normally they travel in strings of four or more.

The end of the train is made up of these big UP reefers. Recently unloaded in New Jersey, they are headed back to the West Coast to be re-loaded with produce.

PASSING TRAINS PT27

An SD70MAC leads a PITT29 train westward towards the Steel City. PITT29 is the AP&W's priority freight service between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. The trains are often short, so one 4000hp diesel can usually handle it.

Engine 8663 has the new 'Star' logo on its flanks. Originally purchased in the 90's for unit coal service, she, like her AC4400 contemporaries, has been bumped in to the general freight pool by a combination of newer, more efficient locomotives, and the general decline of coal traffic -especially in the east as EPA mandates lead power plants to switch over to natural gas.

An AP&W boxcar leads the train, with several loads of telephone/power line poles following.

Several LPG tank cars are also present.

A string of empty HERZOG gons.

A pair of boxcars. Note the grimy Guilford car. The rest of the train will pass through next week!

PASSING TRAINS PT26

Another stack train rolls through town...

Train DBC47 rolls through, behind a pair of AC4400's.

The second unit has the new 'star' logo on its flanks and end.

Loaded with a variety of 53' containers, are this trio of 53' All-Purpose stack cars. Able to carry either containers or trailers up to 57' (or a pair of 28' pup trailers) in the well, these are versatile cars.

A more conventional stack car carries a container from COFC Logistics up top, a new operator.

Several CSXT containers are mixed in with JB Hunt boxes. While NS and BNSF containers do move over the AP&W's routes, CSX containers are a rare sight. The brown containers are ex-Staxx boxes.

IN THE YARDS PT23

3163 sits in the yard between assignments, as traffic rolls by on County Lane.

A short string of covered hoppers sit in the yard, awaiting pick-up by a west-bound freight. All four were delivered to Keystone Fertilizers, and two are now empty while two are loaded.

This uniquely re-painted CPLX car, while similar to thousands of NSC-built grain hoppers, is actually for potash -note the round hatches on the roof, verses the trough hatches found on grain cars. Potash is frequently used in fertilizers.

CITX 701819 is a large, 6351 cuft hopper, designed for carrying DDG pellets. DDG pellets are a byproduct of ethanol production, and are also used in fertilizer production, as well as animal feeds. Notice how clean this newer car is, compared the other three!

These two ACFX cars are loaded with fertilizer. While larger cars are usually used, these cars are headed to smaller dealers in the Midwest.

A crew-cab hi-railer sits in the gravel lot. Notice the fire extinguisher mounted on the end of the tool box, as well as the spare tire in the bed. Judging by how clean this truck is, it has recently been washed; like most railroad equipment, MOW trucks get dirty real quick!