Engine Update on the A.P.R.R.

The A.P.R.R. management has been assessing the amount of increased freight coming in to the area. While Rock Ridge Yard has the capacity to handle the much needed freight, the amount of cars being sent to the area requires more motive power. A visit was paid to the Richmond Hill Engine Terminal today to see what engines can be brought back on to the road. 

The only 6 axle engines currently in the fleet are leased U25C engines. However, they’ve been assigned for coal trains from Weehawken to Rock Ridge only. They need some long haul engines to run up to Selkirk and back, as well as from Rock Ridge to the Philadelphia area and beyond….

Effective immediately, and after much deliberation, the decision was made to re-activate a couple of SD45 6 axle engines. Penn Central #6184 and #6197 will be pressed into service this weekend. Before this can happen, the engines will have to go thru a short road test before being put into revenue service. 

The C.E.O. of the Atlantic Pacific Railroad reached out to the C.E.O. of the New York Central Train Layout as they have one of the best Chief Mechanical Officers in the railroad industry. Immediately following the conversation, the A.P.R.R. sent their corporate jet to pick him up!

Arriving in less than 2 hours of being picked up, 1/87 Sir John R. has arrived at Teterboro Airport. He was immediately whisked off to the A.P.R.R. Richmond Hill Engine Terminal.

Not wasting any time, 1/87th Sir John R is seen conferring with Sir 1/87th Sir Neal to discuss exactly what needs to be done.

 A.P.R.R. Richmond Hill Engine Terminal Chief Supervisor NJ John is at the nose listening intently to the directions given to him: "Get these engines down to the N.Y.C.T.L. Terminal Yard - NOW!!"

Not wanting to alienate anyone, NJ John takes the helm and backs them out of the terminal and personally takes them down to the N.Y.C.T.L. Terminal Yard Engine facility for inspection and, if need be, any maintenance needed to have them revenue ready for operation on the A.P.R.R. 1/87th Sir John was driven back to Teterboro Airport so he can be at the yard when they arrive. 

Off they go!!

The engines have arrived at Terminal Yard where 1/87th Sir John has gathered his entire mechanical team to give them a thorough inspection. 

 Looks like 1/87th Sir John wants everyone out here to give these engines the once over...

After a long afternoon, and into the early evening, 1/87th Sir John has finished the inspection of the engines and has given 1/87th Sir Neal the following report:

NEW YORK CENTRAL TRAIN LAYOUT

TERMINAL YARD SHOPS

To:         Chief Executive Officer, Atlantic Pacific Railroad                                                                  

From:    Chief Executive Officer, New York Central Train Layout

Subject: Penn Central SD45 locomotives available for lease. 

1.     The Penn Central Railroad (PC) is making available for lease a large group of EMD SD45s as they are trying to reduce their roster of 20 cylinder engines.

2.     130 PC SD45s were built by EMD starting in 1966 for the Pennsylvania RR. The Penn Central added another 5 units in August 1968. All are on the active roster.

3.     The SD45 engines are equipped with a 20 cylinder V-20  645E engine that produces 3600 horsepower delivered to the rails via C-C trucks. The SD45 weighs 389,000 lbs produces 97,250 lbs of tractive effort with 82,100 lbs of continuous tractive effort. The units are equipped with 62:15 gearing and can achieve a maximum speed of 71 MPH. The engine is 65’8” long and has a 4,000 gallon fuel tank.

4.     The Chief Mechanical Officer of the New York Central Train Layout has visited various Penn Central Maintenance Bases to identify which units are in the best overall condition for lease by the Atlantic Pacific Railroad.

5.     Our initial findings are that the group of SD45s based at Enola Yard are superior in mechanical and cosmetic condition. All the SD45s inspected at Enola had complete maintenance records, no outstanding mechanical issues and were current on their 30 day inspections. In addition the group of SD45s at Enola all have EMDs upgraded crankshaft installed. Two units SD45 #6184 and 6197 were freshly shopped and painted by the PC placing them in like new condition. Both units were taken into the Terminal Yard Engine Shop where they passed a very thorough inspection. It is these two units, the 6184 and 6197 that the N.Y.C.T.L. highly recommends.

   Submitted for your information,

   John Reynolds C.E.O. N.Y.C.T.L. and E.B.R.R.

The engines will now head back to the A.P.R.R. Richmond Hill Engine Terminal where they'll be readied for revenue service.