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!