IN THE YARDS PT26

A short string of MOW cars sit in Hillsdale Yard.

The first car is an old derrick car, updated with roller bearing trucks. It is nothing more than a flatcar equipped with sideboards on one end, and a derrick hoist mounted on the other end. It is useful for installing/removing line side equipment, such as signal cabinets and switch stands; however with the versatility of hi-rail trucks, and self-powered cranes, this car is largely obsolete.

The middle car is a regular flatcar, with a backhoe on top. It, too, has been updated with roller bearing trucks, and now has reflective striping added; however, it lacks reporting marks!

The final car is yet another rare find today; a MOW boxcar. And note that it still has its original friction-bearing trucks and roofwalk! At least it has reporting marks -the original marks from when it was converted over to the maintenance fleet!

Basking in the late afternoon sun, SD40 3163 awaits her next call to duty. It may be officially "Spring", but it's still cold enough for the shop forces to keep the door closed!