The purpose of having a train layout is to run trains!
So, here is another train passing through Hillsdale...
OM518, the east-bound oil train, rolls through behind a pair of GE AC4400's; one each from the AP&W and UP, running "elephant style."
A plain, sparsely marked hopper is the lead buffer car.
As usual, a large string of "oil cans" follows.
Like a long, black snake, the train winds through Hillsdale Yard on its way to Baltimore.
Not all of the tankers carry crude oil. Several carry bio-diesel fuel; these cars will be forwarded to AP&W facilities in the New York area, as the railroad experiments with the fuel in its fleet of local switchers with an eye towards possible lower emissions -and, perhaps, cost.
An AGP car is also mixed in the train.
Other older oil tank cars, without the end shields, are also in the train.
Another plain hopper brings up the rear.
The EOT flashes "goodbye" as the train leaves town. Crude oil shipments have dropped in recent years, thus this train now only needs two locomotives, instead of three, and non-crude oil products have been added. Still, OM518 makes an impressive sight as it rolls through!
The lead buffer car is also a transition car. On one end is a Sergent coupler, to mate with the locomotive.
On the other end is a Kadee #58 coupler, to mate with the tank cars. Currently, the double-shelf SE type couplers from Sergent are unavailable, so I have to use the Kadee #119 shelf couplers on my tank cars. While the EZ-Mate double shelf couplers are actually more realistic in appearance, I prefer the metal Kadee's. And I have to replace the couplers on my Scale Train tank cars so I can uncouple them! Because the Scale Trains couplers lack trip pins, and the double shelf design prevents the use of an uncoupling tool; the only way to separate them is physically lift and twist them apart -something I don't want have to do with $45 tank cars!
