SD40 3163, the local engine, prepares outgoing train DBW10 for departure...
Fired up and ready, 3163 moves along the yard track. She'll be starting with the string of loaded scrap gons next track over.
Coupled up, she now moves forward with the loads. As usual, loads are carried on the head end for better train handling; lighter, empty cars tend to derail more easily when much heavier cars are placed behind them in a train.
Chris spots the engine as she backs up to the next string of cars.
Jason watches as the string of empty coil cars gets pulled out after being added to DBW10.
Jason waits by the final set of cars, a string of empty bulkhead flats. He's the one who's been connecting the air lines between cars and releasing the brakes so they can be moved.
As the train gets assembled, 3183 will almost exit the yard limits! Due to the fouling of the main, switching has to be done between passing trains.
With it's train almost complete, 3163 waits as the engineer performs one final task before leaving for Dale City -the brake test..
Jason has connected the caboose to the end, and is waiting for the brake test to be completed before climbing aboard for the trip to Dale City. While most remaining cabooses nowadays are locked up to keep people out, 4312 still can be occupied -a good thing when the brakeman doesn't want to walk a train length to the locomotive cab!
DBW10 heads out. With the line through Hillsdale seeing an average of 20 trains a day, it takes skilled and competent crews to switch the yard and keep the local trains running without interfering with the passing traffic. The men of Hillsdale Yard do their job, and do it well.
