P.C.C.M. 50L - Part 2 - Rock Ridge Yard Works PC Extra 3175

Welcome back to P.C.C.M. 50L! It's daylight in Rock Ridge and PC Extra 3175 has been in the northern end of Rock Ridge Yard since the late evening. 1/87th Sir John is talking to the 1/87th Engineer NJ John. The engines need to be serviced, and will head to the Richmond Hill Engine Terminal. Before he sets out, there are 4 PC covered hoppers; 2 that have sand from T&R Gravel in Empire City for the engine terminal and 2 that will be taken to the yard outside of the engine terminal. 

In order to get the covered hoppers off the train, AP RS-1 #200 gets the call to pull part of the train into the yard so the 3 engines can pick up the cars and head out. 

1/87th Sir Larry, Senior Conductor of the A.P.R.R. is making sure the cars are getting classified in the yard. Here we see him making sure the PC covered hoppers are the only cars to head out with the PC engines.

The PC cars are cut from the train and proceed to head south out of Rock Ridge Yard. Train RH-4 with PC GP40 engines 3175, 3180 & 3007 head to the engine terminal for a complete servicing. 

Train RH-4 passing CP South crossing over to the westbound track out of Rock Ridge Yard.

Tower Operator 1/87th John B give train RH-4 the approach signal out of Rock Ridge as control of this train is under his routing. 

Meanwhile, back at Rock Ridge Yard, AP #200 is back taking the rest of the train and classifying the cars in the yard. 1/87th Sir Larry is still out there, overseeing the entire breakdown of this train. He's been in touch with 1/87th Sir John as to the importance of getting the train sorted and readied to go out as soon as possible.

The covered hoppers were pulled away from the train as they will get classified in the east side of the yard. The box cars and gondolas will get classified in the west side of the yard. 

 The PC caboose is dropped off on track #1 of the west side of the yard. All cabeese are serviced on this one track. 

AP #200 has pulled down into the yard and the rest of cars will be sorted on the west side of the yard. 

Now that the west side of the yard has all the cars set off, the switcher can go back to pick up the covered hoppers and drop them on a track on the east side of the yard.

In front of the PC hoppers is ACFX #62004 Morton Salt Covered Hopper arriving empty from Ronzoni in Long Island City. The Morton Salt and PC covered hoppers will remain on that track until it's ready to be dispatched to the Cargill Facility outside of Rock Ridge. This facility is the main Cargill facility on the east coast and services a number of facilities in the region. 

AP #200 has classified the entire train and the work is done for today. 

Next up, the AP will start to get the freight cars out of the yard and delivered to various industries in and around Rock Ridge. 

Stay tuned!

P.C.C.M. 50L Part 1 - Trains Are Rolling In & Out of Rock Ridge Yard

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

All five Railroads are joining in to celebrate not only the 50th Anniversary of the Penn Central Railroad, but the 50th Penn Central Car Movement started by 1:1 Sir John and his N.Y.C.T.L. Railroad and 1:1 PC Ralph and his K.P.D. Railroad!! Joining in the movements are 1:1 ATJOE and his Ralston Creek Railroad and 1:1 John B and his MRRMISC Railroad.

The action now shifts to my railroad, which has been delayed due to derailments on the line leading to and from Rock Ridge. As mentioned in my last post, the line was finally cleared thanks to the help of the crew from the N.Y.C.T.L.

This train has been sitting quite some time in Selkirk. It originated at Terminal Yard to Elkhart (Train LS-1 Terminal Yard to Elkhart Yard via Selkirk). There were two blocks on the train, and the majority of cars were headed to Rock Ridge, plus the additional cars that came from the K.P.D. and points west. A decision was made at Selkirk to service the engines at Pearlman Yard in Selkirk and let them continue to be used as motive power for the train to Rock Ridge. In addition, to make up time, a change was made to eliminate the usual Selkirk to Weehawken train (VW-1) and send the train out as PC Extra 3175 Selkirk to Rock Ridge via Weehawken.

Here we see PC Extra 3175 arriving on the approach to Rock Ridge Yard at night. Led by PC GP40 3175, 3180 and 3007, this train has massive power to run non-stop to Rock Ridge Yard

PC Extra 3175 arrives at Rock Ridge Yard in the middle of the night. The crew tie down the train, call it quits for their tour, and turn the train over to the Rock Ridge Yardmaster and a fresh crew at sunrise.

Next up, the Rock Ridge Yard crew takes over to break down the train, classify the cars, and deliver the overdue freight to waiting customers in and around Rock Ridge.

P.C.C.M. 50F: Tracks To & From Rock Ridge Are Open!

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

The launch of P.C.C.M. 50 from this railroad was delayed due to a major derailment between Weehawken and Rock Ridge. While the A.P.R.R. can handle small track issues, this was major and they needed to reach out for help. 

Sir 1:1 Neal always knew he had a friend in the railroad business whom he could call for assistance. Without thinking twice, he reached out to Sir 1:1 John of the N.Y.C.T.L. for help with this disaster. Time is money in this business. A meeting was held at a local choke and puke a.k.a. diner near Rock Ridge. This place was chosen as there's new owners taking over. They seem to be quite hospitable to the guys and 1/87th Sir Neal figured he could introduce himself to the new owners, tell them about the railroad service they provide as it would be in their best interest to have his rail customers deliver to this place. Besides, the meeting is a tax deduction, so, why not? If the food is good, the investment and bold statements were worth it. 

The A.P.R.R  and N.Y.C.T.L. management gathered for a meet to discuss what could be done to help out. 

The financial arrangements were made, along with some special goodies that the A.P..R.R. holds for special occasions or favors, and the work order was put in place. 

The N.Y.C.T.L. dispatched a work train to help clear the area, not a moment to soon! Perishables from C&P Restaurant Supply were needed at some of Empire City eateries and grocers!!

Train TYWC-1 made its way to the disrupted area, and within 48 hours, both A.P.R.R & the stellar N.Y.C.T.L. MOW crews had the tracks repaired and and ready for revenue service. We thank Sir 1:1 John for his help and enjoy the goodies sent back with your crew!

Now we turn our direction to Rock Ridge Yard and the A.P.R.R. Since the yardmaster sitting high above the tracks heard about the progress, he turned his focus to getting crews sent out to grab the freight, build the train, and have it ready to depart on a moments notice.

First train sent out to pull cars was Train RI-3, the Ideal Auto Parts turn. This train, due to the massive amount of cars and weight, pick up to and from this industry. No other pickups are made. The cars are taken back to Rock Ridge Yard for the train to head to Selkirk and beyond. These cars will go to the Ford Plant on the N.Y.C.T.L. U28B AP#2360, is assigned to bring these cars to Rock Ridge Yard.

Next up is train RP-1 the Power Plant shuttle. GE44 Tonner #900 pulled the empties to the yard and head to Hudson Coal

C&P Restaurant Supply had more than 8 cars heading to the yard. 6 of those bright green reefers are destined to Terminal Warehouse & Cold Storage on the N.Y.C.T.L. and the NP reefers out west to California Pears. Train RC-2 with AP switcher #100 out on the road, they picked up all the cars at C&P Restaurant Supply,  plus some cars at Freihofers Bakeries, which will head to Bohack Supermarkets in Brooklyn. The EB and LIRR will handle the delivery to Bohack once they arrive at Terminal yard. All of these cars head right to Rock Ridge Yard, then get added to the train being built. 

In the foreground you see a pair of PC Geeps #8045 and 7983 at the ready, as they will will be the engines to head up to Selkirk from Rock Ridge. 

Meanwhile, AP RS-1 #200 headed over to Cargill and picked up some covered hoppers, included that highly decorated Hostess Covered Hopper, which will head to the Hostess facility in Bedford, NY. As he headed to the yard to drop off the covered hoppers, a couple of PC PS-2 hoppers were brought up from the engine terminal. These will be sent to T&R Gravel on the N.Y.C.T.L.

Now that all of the freight cars have been brought over to the yard, head dispatcher1/87th Sir Larry has summoned 1/87th PC Ralph, along with 1/87th ATJOE, to take this train up to Selkirk. Since it's way behind schedule, the reporting marks will be PC Extra 8045 to Selkirk via Weehawken; non-stop! 

As he approaches CP East and the tower outside of the south end of Rock Ridge, the crew is given orders to depart once the signals are set by AP Tower Operator 1/87th John B. 

PC Extra 8045 is at the ready and awaits the signal from the tower. 

He's given the approach signal as he departs the Rock Ridge yard limits, and is now under the control of the tower operators on the way to Weehawken and up to Selkirk...

We're on the way to Selkirk...FINALLY!

Thanks to everyone for your patience and understanding. A special shout out again goes to Sir John of the N.Y.C.T.L. for his assistance in making the delay enjoyable.