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!