PASSING TRAINS; PN70 PT2

The first car up is one of TTX's many 60' TBOX boxcars.

Next is a well-worn EEC (East Erie Commercial) 50' boxcar.

5673 and her sister roll through the yard past the track side observers.

 A third EEC car. Note that while this is also a 50' boxcar, it is a  different style of car: the end post spacing is different, as is the side sill. Not all boxcars are the same!

 Another 50' box, this time an excess-height FBOX car. Note the "waffle-side" design of this car -more proof that not all boxcars are the same!

A pair of 33,000 gal. LPG tank cars trail the boxcars, setting the stage for next week, when we look at the first string of tank cars in PN70.
Stay tuned!

PASSING TRAINS PT6; PN70 PT1

 A set of GE ET44AC demo units rounds the curve with PN70, the Pittsburgh-NYC manifest.

A look at the train as it rolls through Hillsdale Yard, as seen from behind the Kibri Apartments.

 The traditional view from the yard.

 PN70 is stopping for a crew change today.

While the train is stopped, we get a look at some of the other cars in the yard, including a loaded center-beam bulkhead flatcar and a kaolin tank car, with a string of boxcars behind them.

The crew change done, PN70 moves on, as several members of the yard crew stay trackside to perform the run-by inspection. And with a trio of 4400hp engines on the point, there will be a lot of train to watch! ..(hint, hint!)

EASTER TRAIN SPECIAL

Easter time in Hillsdale...

Morning church service is busy as usual -on Easter Sunday at least! As service lets out, many church goers will be surprised -and excited- by what will be coming  down the tracks nearby soon...

 A special Easter train!

Each of the gons is loaded with a large Cadbury egg. These are filled with chocolate creme.

Caramel-filled ones are also in the train. Due to the size and weight, only two eggs are loaded per car.

 The eggs are being shipped from Hershey, Pa. to Midwestern markets.

A caboose brings up the rear. While Hershey's does, indeed, make the Cadbury eggs under license, they are actually made in Canada. And, of course, they don't make them this big! Still, model railroading is supposed to be fun, so have fun!
HAPPY EASTER!

IN THE YARDS PT3: DBW10

Phil and Jim prepare SD40 3163 for departure to Dale City with DBW10, the Wilson Steel Works local, as Matt walks the train.

Several gons of shredded scrap are on the head end of the train.

Behind the gons are several coil cars, including this one lettered CHTT.

The CHTT cars are second-hand purchases; as you can see by the photo, the numbers on the end of the hood no longer match the numbers on the cars themselves! These cars were originally built for the NOKL (Northern Oklahoma).

A Conrail car is among the CHTT's.  Note the CoilSHEILD lettering on the hood; like the CHTT cars, this car has an insulated hood to better protect the steel coils underneath.

A short bulkhead flatcar rounds out the short consist of this week's train.