2017 - YEAR END WRAP UP!

Greetings followers of the A.P.R.R.!

It's been a fun 2017 on the railroad.

First, I want to thank Sir John for pushing me to create the blog for the railroad! It helps in the P.C.C.M. movements and also to update my friends to follow my progress! Thank you Sir John!

Some other highlights include:

More participation in the Penn Central Car Movements created by John and his N.Y.C.T.L. and Ralph's KPD Railroad! I'm happy to participate in a 3 layout VO session!

Sir John and his Patti-O Paint shop outdid themselves with many great projects to enhance not only the A.P.R.R.but the cars that were shared with both Ralph and John!

There were so many coal cars painted by John they're all over the railroad!!

Ralph did a special run of freight cars for the KPD which are now on the A.P.R.R. as well...

Both John and Ralph have their work cut out for them in 2018 as the management of the A.P.R.R. sent both railroads freight cars to be painted in their private railroads and more...!

However, one of the best highlights for me was having 2 great train friends, Engineer Ed and Sir Larry of Flemington come over to visit my railroad and have a small operating session as well as meeting some of my NJ train buddies.

We let EE run some trains under the watchful eye of Sir Larry. It doesn't get any better guys and I thank both of you for coming. After the layout run we heading up the road to visit my friend Steve, along with his right hand guy Jay and later joined by my right hand guy NJ John. A great time was had by all, although I'm not sure if they both left with their sanity as Steve gave them the ultimate tour along with his very colorful and laughable comments!!

EE did send an HRC freight car for VO sessions; however it just arrived just before I left for sunny and warmer days. It will make an appearance on the A.P.R.R. early 2018. Thank you EE!

The goal for 2018 is to keep working on the A.P.R.R. Southern Division when I go down there, which will be often as the C.F.O. has retired and will be there thru mid-March. I'll go down every 2-3 weeks for a week or two as I'm still working. In addition, I need to get the A.P.R.R. ready for a layout tour in September hosted by the N.M.R.A. Northeast Region, which I am a member. 

Happy New Year to all and looking forward to a fun time in 2018. Remember, Model Railroading is Fun!!

P.C.C.M. 41R: THE ROCK RIDGE SOUTH TURN

Greetings friends of the Penn Central Car Movements and Atlantic Pacific Railroad!

We're going to highball it to the finale of P.C.C.M. 41 and get the last of the freight delivered to those industries on the outskirts of Rock Ridge Yard.

As we left off, Train RS-1, the Rock Ridge Turn South was heading out thru the south side of the yard to Marcal and C&P Restaurant Supply, with a quick stop to drop off an empty car at Tropicana.

Train RS-1 heads out of Rock Ridge Yard to make a quick crossover at CP South. In order for them to access Tropicana, they need to do a reverse move. This involves the conductor of the this train, 1/87th ATJOE to guide his engineer to shove back the hack to the first outbound track, then cut off, move forward to clear the switch, then shove back to drop off the Tropicana reefer. 

The caboose is cut, and 1/87th ATJOE is guiding him back to the receiving track. 

Once cut off, RS-1 will pick up the caboose and then head out.

Next stop, Marcal Paper and away we go!! The approach signal is set, switches are aligned thanks to the Little Jamaica Tower Operator 1/87th John Bruce. He's a sharp tower operator with years of experience and knows what he's doing. This is one of the most intricate interlocking areas on the Atlantic Pacific Railroad, and only the most qualified to handle it are in the seat!

1/87th Tower Operator John Bruce radios to the conductor on board 1/87 ATJOE to let him know that once on the secondary track at Little Jamaica, he needs to drop the cars on the adjacent track at Marcal. This is done so that once the car at the door is loaded, the next available crew will pick up the load and spot the cars at the loading doors. 

Now that the cars are spotted on the adjacent track, train RS-1 heads over to C&P Restaurant Supply. 

EL 5024 is being dropped off from Ralph's Grocery in located in beautiful Empire City.

In order to make this move happen, the crew needs to cut the engine from the box car, do a quick run around. Once he's positioned behind the caboose, they'll pull out some empties, and shove the EL car into track 2, which is a dedicated track for reefers only!

They meed to pull ot the PFE box car, which will head back to Rock Ridge and then south to Philadelphia. My guess is they'll send the cars somewhere in Georgia, and pick up some fresh peaches!

The car is now shoved into C&P Restaurant track 2, cut off and then RS-1 will head back to Rock Ridge Yard.

Train RS-1 now heads back to the yard on the inside lead track. This way, they avoid tying up any moves at CP South and head down the west ladder in Rock Ridge. 

As RS-1 heads thru the yard throat, they pass the new arrival of APRR coal cars. Rumor has it that due to the loads they carry, a full inspection by 1/87th Sir Larry and his crew will give it the once over.

At this point, P.C.C.M. 41  is in the books! That's a wrap! many thanks to management at the N.Y.C.T.L. http://newyorkcentrallayout.blogspot.com/  and the Kings Port Division http://kingsportdivision.blogspot.com/

Thanks for reading and look for the next P.C.C.M. in 2018!!

P.C.C.M. 41Q: MORE WORK AT ROCK RIDGE YARD

Greetings to all followers of the Penn Central Car Movements!

Rock Ridge Yard continues to move freight that was running slightly behind schedule. In our last movement, Train RN-1, the Rock Ridge North Turn, left Rock Ridge heading out to R.M.O Electric and Cargill. 

As train RN-1 arrives outside of Cargill, he cuts off from the train and takes one of the tracks by Cargill. This lets engine AP 900 pull the coal cars and covered hopper for placement at both industries.

AP 900 approaches to get the cars off the secondary track so RN-1 can head back to the yard. 

The caboose will be cut and then the switcher will spot the covered hopper on Cargill Property.

The car is cut off and then AP #900, A GE 44 toner will do what it does best and that is to spot the coal hoppers at R.M.O. Electric. The demand has been heavy in the area, and coal has been coming from Hudson Coal fast and furious to the point that Sir 1:1 Neal had to g out and buy coal cars! Once run through the A.P.R.R. inspection crew, they'll go into revenue service immediately!

Now that all of the cars are spotted, AP #900 will take the cars back to Rock Ridge and eventually sent back to Hudson Coal

Now Train RN-1 will head back light to the yard with caboose in tow..

Meanwhile back at the yard, freight has to go out to Marcal Paper, C&P Restaurant Supply as well as Tropicana. Train RS-1, The Rock Ridge South Turn, is being put together and will head out once the crew has been given his orders, will head out on its run for the day

Train RS-1 awaits at the south end of Rock Ridge Yard for clearance to proceed.

That's all for now. Next up, delivering the much needed freight to Tropicana, Marcal Paper and Cargill. 

Stay tuned!