PASSING TRAINS PT56

After delivering the transformer to a power plant in New Jersey, Extra 8678 returns back west...

EMD SD70MAC 8678 leads the way around the curve under the bridge.

Business is slow today in Hillsdale Yard, as the train rolls through.

Without a load, the Schnabel is closed, making for a shorter -and lighter- car.

The previous time we saw this car, the wheelsets had yet to be painted.

Now they have. The wheel mask only does four wheels at a time- and this car has sixteen of them!

The caboose brings up the rear. While few trains use cabooses anymore, they are still a must on oversize load movements to house the crew that travels with -and monitors the clearances of- the load.

PASSING TRAINS PT55(3)

From last week; the end of OM518...

Among the tank cars are a set of TILX cars with blue-topped ends, signifying their status as crude oil cars. These are 25,500 gal cars, instead of the more commonly-used 33,000 gal cars.

Interrupting the string of black is this white car. At least it has a black band to denote a petroleum cargo!

A side-by-side comparison of the 33,000 gal car and the smaller 25,500 gal tank car. 4,500 gallons make a big difference! Also, the larger car has protective end shields, designed to reduce the likely-hood of the ends being punctured by the coupler of the adjacent car in a derailment.

The EOT on the rear end passes by, and after giving OM518 the "All Clear", the crew of Extra 8678 prepares to go back inside the cab and resume their eastward journey.

Extra 8678 slowly rolls through Hillsdale Yard, as the yard crew eyes the train for anything amiss. While not carrying any hazardous or flammable cargo, losing control of a 300 ton transformer can still be quite an event!

The red rooftop marker light on the caboose glows brightly as the train passes under the bridge. If you guessed by the paint scheme, design, and now the rooftop marker, that this caboose is an ex-SP unit, you are correct!

PASSING TRAINS PT55(2)

Last week, Extra 8678 was stopped for a meet with a passing train. This week, the passing train enters...

OM518 rolls through Hillsdale behind a trio of GE's, including a pair of BNSF ES44C4's.

8678's crew prepares to perform an inspection of OM518 as it rolls past. It may be a train of empties, but ANY derailment is a bad thing!

The two crews exchange greetings as OM518 passes by at reduced speed.

The third GE in OM518's consist is AP&W 9485, an ES44AC.

The lead engines slowly make their way past the oversized load. The immense size of the transformer is the reason for the slow speed -and why the meet is being held in Hillsdale Yard instead of out on the main line.

OM518 continues its slow creep past Extra 8678. Actual speed may be 15 mph, but when you're usually rolling along at 50 mph, it seems like a crawl!
The conclusion of OM518 next week...

PASSING TRAINS PT55 (1)

Another new transformer is on the move through Hillsdale...

The short, slow-moving train -8678 Extra- enters the yard limits, led by SD70MAC 8678. Today, it will stop for a meet with another train.

The support container travels in a well-car this time, instead of on the usual flatcar. While the use of a well car is unusual, it is a "retired" 48' all-purpose well car, soon to be rebuilt into a longer 53' unit to handle the new standard in domestic containers. Behind it is a HDTX caboose, one of two that travel with the Schnabel car.

An empty TTX heavy-duty flatcar is used as a spacer car. While well-maintained, the deck still shows some rust.

The star of the show is the massive Schnabel car, with its equally massive 300 ton transformer suspended between its two halves.

Bringing up the rear is another heavy-duty flatcar, this one a depressed-center car, followed by the other caboose.

The other train, OM518, rolls under the bridge into town. More on this train next week...

ON A SPRING DAY

On a spring day in Hillsdale...

A Sprinter van belonging to Miles Heating and Electrical sits on Main Street. More work is being done on the red and tan building behind it in preparation for a future business.

A pair of homeless men camp out in the alley behind one of the shops. Later, they'll head to the Salvation Army shelter for a warm, safe -and dry- place to stay.

A new awning has been erected over the outdoor break area outside the shop. Now the employees can enjoy their brakes sheltered from the sun and rain (mostly)!

And not too soon either! southwestern Pennsylvania has been soaked by spring rains this year, and Hillsdale is no exception! The sun is out, but the mud still remains as the yard workers go about their business. At the end of the day, they'll be looking for a hose to rinse off their boots with!