Support for R.M.O. Electric and neighboring industries

Now that R.M.O. Electric has the additional track that it desperately needed, management of the A.P.R.R. was faced with another situation. R.M.O. executives wanted assurances that while the extra cars are on site, they don't want to wait for days to have cars switched within the plant. A call was made to the Richmond Hill Engine Terminal, and newly acquired GEE 44 Toner #900 was dispatched to Rock Ridge. A.P.R.R. #900 was about to enter the shops for lettering, but the pressure from R.M.O. executives (plus a large alligator skin briefcase handed over to A.P. management), made the decision an easy one.

A.P. #900 is now based at R.M.O. Electric and will handle the power plant. In addition, #900 may be used to switch out its neighbor, Cargill. A crew will be dispatched daily to serve the plant, even though no switching may not be needed that day. Rumor has it the briefcase covered a substantial 'gratuity' for having the engine based on the premises. Oversight of the engine will be controlled by Rock Ridge Yardmaster. 

Expansion at R.M.O. Electric

The management of the R.M.O. Electric put in a call to the offices of the A.P.R.R. asking for a feasibility study to add at least one extra track for coal cars. Seems the demand from both Tropicana and Cargill as well as the surrounding area is putting a strain on the power plant and it needs more coal on a timely manner. A reserve on site will work to serve the needs of these industries. 

As you can see, they had two tracks. A team was dispatched, including a representative from the N.Y.C.T.L. engineering division. After some grueling discussions, and many, many handshakes the likes I've never seen, work was begun immediately.

We took out part of the track leading to the track on the right, added a curved switch, which allowed new track 3 to parallel track 2.

Management was called back to approve the track placement, and the executive team of R.M.O. Electric were jumping for joy! More handshakes were given out, and the crew finalized the track.

Rock Ridge yard crew went back in for clearance checks and cars were placed on newly installed track 3. 

This expansion will allow R.M.O. Electric to handle anywhere from 9-12 coal hoppers, depending on tonnage. Prior to the expansion, they could only handle 6-7 cars. 

R.M.O. Electric will do a gradual rate increase over time. They don’t want their customers a big price hit all at once as it sends up flags. You do that, and then you have the BPU involved, as well as the FRA, STB, OSHA, NTSB, FBI, CIA and a special task force from Empire City, as they all would want a cut of the regulatory action kickbacks!

A.P.R.R. management will be in contact with R.M.O. Electric coal suppliers that are being serviced by the KP&W as well as the E.B.R.R. These two railroads will benefit by the increased tonnage, as well as profits to be garnered from this expansion. 

P.C.C.M. 38F RORM-2 Rock Ridge to R.M.O. Turn

Continuing our three layout virtual op, the KP&W and N.Y.C.T.L. have taken Unit coal Train URN-3 from Terminal Yard to West Mill, and several coal hoppers have been cut from the train have left Weehawken as Extra #6554 continuing on to Rock Ridge Yard with a final destination for these coal hoppers to R.M.O. Electric.

Extra #6554 motive power need to be serviced, the same crew has offered to deliver the freight to R.M.O. Electric. 

The move is still being overseen by 1:1 Scale Sir Larry of Flemington. At the helm is Senior Supreme & Exhaulted Engineer for Life Double E.

Since the motive power from West Mill is out of service, Double E was assigned to pick up PC 9543 SW1500 and paper work for train RORM-2; the Rock Ridge to R.M.O. turn. The drill requires them to take the coal cars over to the plant, and bring back the empties that need to head out for more coal.

Here we see Double E retrieving his engine, fully fueled as this is one heavy load.

electric

As he heads over to track 9, the cars will be taken off the extra and then head out.

Double E has clearance to head out of Rock Ridge via CP South and make the run over to R.M.O. Electric. It's a short run, but one with priority as the coal is needed to power their high paying customers, Cargill and Tropicana.

As the train approaches R.M.O., Sir Larry is carefully watching the movement. Double E has pulled the empties and will spot them on the secondary track as he completes the drill

Now that the loads have been delivered, RORM-2 can bring the empties back to Rock Ridge.

Double E has brought over all of the empties, but one more thing needs to be done. Sir Larry, the astute supervisor, wanted to make sure the crew sent back PC caboose 24520 with the empties as this caboose is required for all all coal trains coming and going to the A.P.R.R.

The caboose added to the empty hoppers, these will eventually head out for more coal to be used at R.M.O. Electric. PC 9543 heads back to the engine track to await further assignment.

RORM-2 is now in the books! Freight is delivered, and the crew heads over to the diner on the north end of Rock Ridge for a well deserved meal. Sir 1:1 Neal was so happy they completed the job on time and without delays, he's ordered them to grab some grub and head home for a couple days of well-needed rest.

TO: West Mill

TO: Terminal Yard

FR: Rock Ridge Yard

Completion of coal delivery to R.M.O. Electric

Rock Ridge Yard Out!

P.C.C.M. 38E Extra #6554 Coal Train From Weehawken To Rock Ridge Yard

Continuing our three layout virtual op, the KP&W and N.Y.C.T.L. have taken Unit coal Train URN-3 from Terminal Yard to West Mill, and several coal hoppers have been cut from the train have left Weehawken as Extra #6554 continuing on to Rock Ridge Yard. Final destination for these coal hoppers is R.M.O. Electric Power Plant. R.M.O. Electric serves a wide area with it's main customers Cargill and Tropicana.

Today's move is being overseen by 1:1 Scale Sir Larry of Flemington. When it comes to supervision, Sir Larry is a no-nonsense guy. At the helm is Senior Supreme & Exhaulted Engineer for Life
Double E.

Let's pick up where we left off. Extra #6554 has been given his train orders and is awaiting the go ahead from Rock Ridge Yard.

As Double E mans the throttle, Extra #6554 head out of Weehawken en route to Rock Ridge yard.

Double E is being held at West Harold, awaiting an approach signal. His next signal will be at Little Jamaica.

As you can see, Extra #6554 has the signal and heads into Rock Ridge Yard. Dispatch has him approaching the yard from the south end.

Rock Ridge Yardmaster has Extra #6554 heading to yard track 9, where this train will terminate. 

Extra #6554 has made his run. The crew will secure the engine and head out as their alloted road time has been maxed out.

Next up! Delivery of Coal Hoppers for R.M.O. Electric!

P.C.C.M. 38D Extra #6554 Coal Train From West Mill Arriving in Weehawken

Hello railfans!

Continuing our three layout virtual op, the KP&W and N.Y.C.T.L. have taken Unit coal Train URN-3 from Terminal Yard to West Mill, and several coal hoppers have been cut from the train and are now being routed to Weehawken as Extra #6554.

The journey started on the N.Y.C.T.L.railroad. John's blog post about the dispatch of this train can be viewed here:
http://newyorkcentrallayout.blogspot.com/2017/08/pccm-38-dispatch-of-unit-coal-train-urn.html

The train arrived on the Kings Port Division on Ralph's KP&W railroad, where it was broken down for the Genesee Coal Docks. Ralph's blog details the action in West Mill here:

http://kingsportdivision.blogspot.com/2017/08/pccm-38-extra-6554-is-dispatched-to.html

Here we see Extra #6554 coming down the River Line from West Mill. PC U boats lead the the extra due to the heavy loads they're carrying to the R.M.O. Electric Co. 

Extra #6554 is now on the approach to Weehawken. There's a number of trains ahead of him, so steady as she goes. This is the north end of the yard, and all trains are on restricted speeds.

Once cleared into the yard, Extra #6554 makes its way to his assigned track. There's a train who will be departing ahead of him. Pacemaker Train NB-2 will be heading to NY and beyond.

Here's a little background on the Pacemaker Freight Train:

The original Pacemaker freight service consisted of LCL merchandise trains NB-1 and BN-2 between New York City and Buffalo. Inaugurated in July 1946, these trains were run as solid consists of the 1,000 specially-equipped red-and-gray Pacemaker cars whenever possible (70 cars or less per train, of course!). This was done to take advantage of the AB-1-B brake equipment installed on these cars, which allowed faster emergency brake applications at high speed.

Steam power was originally used west of Harmon, N.Y., with electric and tri-power locomotives doing the job on the electrified New York City terminal lines. By May 1948, the Pacemakers were dieselized outside the electrified territory.

West of Buffalo, the cars could move in other symbol freights, although in August 1949 the schedule of westbound NB-1 was extended to Collinwood (Cleveland.) Meanwhile symbols BB-1 and BB-2 had been added as Pacemaker trains between Boston and Buffalo in April 1949.

The Pacemakers were successful, but became less of a premier service when the New York Central instituted its system-wide Early Bird merchandise service at the end of 1954. The introduction of Flexi-Vans in 1957 really put an end to the Pacemakers, as these intermodal vehicles were aimed at the same LCL traffic that the Pacemakers had carried. The Pacemaker boxcars were repainted freight car brown and faded into the Central fleet.

Extra #6554 passes by NB-2 and is being switched into a classification track to await further dispatch.

Extra #6554 inching his way into the track as he passes another PC train awaiting movement to points beyond Weehawken.

Extra #6554 is approaching his mark on the track. The crew will secure the train and get the papers to dispatch. 

Our Coal Train has to hold as NB-2 heads out of Weehawken to points North

NB-2 is on the way! Next stop for Extra #6554 -  Rock Ridge Yard where the local switcher will be dispatched to get the hopper cars to R.M.O. Electric!