P.C.C.M. 46J: Trains WR-1 & WR-3 Arriving at Rock Ridge Yard

Greetings followers of the Penn Central Car Movements. We continue with P.C.C.M. 46 as 2 trains have left Weehawken heading to Rock Ridge Yard. 

The first train to arrive, WR-1 has cleared West Harold, and is approaching Little Jamaica. Tower operators at both interlocking have to coordinate with the yardmaster. 

Train WR-1 with PC3141 on the lead is seen approaching the Little Jamaica Interlocking.

Train WR-1, seen here passing CP South and newly opened South Tower, heading into Rock Ridge Yard. South tower now controls the entire Rock Ridge Yard. CP Rock is under the control of South Tower.

WR-1 heading down the East ladder in the yard. The engines will be cut, moved over to another track, where one of the switchers will handle the duties of breaking down the train in the yard. 

While the moves are happening, Train WR-3 with APRR 306 & 305 are being held outside Little Jamaica.

A few moments later, WR-3 is given the approach and sent over to Rock Ridge Yard.

Here we go!

WR-3 is seen crossing over to the arrival tracks in Rock Ridge Yard. With so much freight coming in and out, this train will be worked on once they break down WR-1. 

With WR-3 in the yard, the A.P.R.R. can work on getting freight sent out to its great customers, who never complain about most anything, other than when the bill is received for services rendered! 

Next up, A.P.R.R.  locals are set out to deliver the goods!

P.C.C.M. 46I: Train VW-1 arriving at Weehawken

Greetings followers of the Penn Central Car Movements! P.C.C.M. 46 originated on the spectacular N.Y.C.T.L which is overseen by Sir 1:1 John R. That was followed by some incredible action on the Kings Port Division directed by Sir 1:1 PC Ralph, one of two resident Penn Central experts.

We left off with the train VW-1 heading to Weehawken. There was a delay in the arrival of the train on two counts. First issue was a motive power failure. The good news is that there were a couple of A.P.R.R. engines operating north of Weehawken. Seems that Sir 1/87th Neal heard there was some excellent private stock of Canadian Rye nearby, so he sent a crew to pick some up. While bringing down VW-1, NYC Pacemaker car 174508, heading to the Chemical facility west of Rock Ridge, had a bad axle. The crew was good enough to work with the Selkirk crew to help transfer the load between two APRR freight cars as they were headed to Three Amigos Warehouse, which is adjacent to the Chemical facility.

After a few hours, a few burgers (and a few drinks), the rested crew headed out to Weehawken down the River Line.

Train VW-1, while running late, will arrive at Weehawken, where the train will be broken down into two trains.

Train VW-1 has arrived at Weehawken. The first train out, heading to Rock Ridge yard, is powered by a pair of GP40 units lead by PC 3141. This train will take a number of cars over to Rock Ridge yard for further breakdown and routing to various industries within the Rock Ridge service area. 

 APRR engine 306 & 305 are cut from the train and are parked on a staging track within Weehawken. A quick crew change will happen here, as the hours for the crew are carefully watched by 1/87th Sir John R, who is 1/87th Sir Neal's Senior Manager and right had man! 

 PC engines 3141 & 3111 will take a cut of cars over to Rock Ridge. This will now become WR-1, Weehawken to Rock Ridge. 

Next train out will be WR-3, which will follow WR-1 immediately. The reason for the two trains is that the APRR has been getting freight sent up from the south via Potomoc Yard, thru Philadelphia, Morrisville, and on to Rock Ridge. The yard is bulging with freight cars and down the road, the coffers will be bulging as well!

Next up, trains WR-1 and WR-3 arriving at Rock Ridge. 

Stay tuned!

Layout Update

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

For those who may not know, I'm a member of the NMRA (National Model Railroad Association) and Northeastern Region. Every year the regions host a meet where they have displays, seminars, meetings, railroad tours, operating sessions and layout tours. In addition, some have non-railroad events for the guys who bring their spouse or other guest. 

Last summer I was asked if I wanted to participate in the regional meet with an operating session or layout tour. Since the room is not that big, and I don't use car cards, waybills or any type of switch list, I felt it would be better to participate in the open house layout tours. I was officially notified a couple months ago (maybe more) that I'm on the list, and a picture of the yard was shown in the email blast to the members. 

And now the countdown begins.... 

The goal is to have the following things in place on the railroad: 

Rock Ridge Yard - Currently there is one flat structure in place (American Hardware). It's an industry that can be switched during an operating session. 

That leaves space for two more flat structures as the divider is close to 11'. Not all of that will be filled, especially the area where the switchers are parked when not in use. There will be 2 more flat structures that will be put in place. One will be about 30" long and non-functional. The other flat structure will be about 24" and non-functional as well. This one will be to the left of the 30" building. Here's how it will fit in on the railroad:

This building, while not 'named' will bear the name "Rock Ridge Freight Yard" 

The next two flat structures to be added will be placed on the south wall under the train showcase. Right now it has one flat structure and one building on the right end.

To the left of it will be a very wide structure. It will be a flat of a 'closed' industrial building. I'm using Design Preservation Models (DPM) Powerhouse as a flat with additional large windows. If you're familiar with their sections, each section is 2 11/16" wide. There will be 14 sections to it, plus the supports in between each section. In the middle will be 2 stacks. 

If I can find another kit to add, it would be for Ideal Auto Parts & Electronics on the same wall, next to the tracks for trucks loading or unloading. 

I need a Yard Tower on the south end of Rock Ridge Yard by CP South and then a new Interlocking Tower for both West Harold and Little Jamaica. All of these kits are in my possession; just need to be built.

I have 2 automobile ramps that need to be built and painted for the auto rack facility. Lots of small detail parts on them. Also one if not both of my Mi-Jack cranes for the Intermodal yard. 

One thing I am going to do is have the engine facility ready on the lower level below the Intermodal Yard. The original building I had planned won't work, so it will either go to the Florida layout or possibly swap with someone who may need it. It's fairly modern. We'll see. 

So what's next? I still need to paint some parts of the top of the layout shades of gray. I just picked up some pipe sections which will go by Shapeless Steel with some vehicles and maybe a fence. I have another signal I need to add on the mainline at the corner of the south wall across from Tropicana. A switch machine needs to be replaced by Ideal Auto Parts. Some type of backdrop or sky blue paint with clouds to cover the 4 sets of windows on both north and east wall. Oh yeah, one of my train friends asked if the elevated subway line will be operating. Asked him when he's coming to help me install the wood and supports..

The last thing to address, and one that needs to be done is some ballast work. The goal is to have ballast in place from the Amtrak station on the west wall, all tracks on the north wall, then over to the entrance to the freight yard track leads on the east wall. That include both mainline and helix/yard tracks in the middle. I have some help coming to teach me the best way and hopefully the easiest way to do this. I'll admit it, scenery is not my expertise and this is one area I welcome the help! 

Deadline? September 9th. Open house is either the 15th or 16th. Dates have not been assigned. I have my friends NJ John and Norman to run trains and the yard while I give the tours and speech. That means no more 6 visitors at a time due to space constraints and I'm sure not a lot of skinny people in the mix...

More updates to follow as they happen!

New Industries for the A.P.R.R.

Greetings followers of the Atlantic Pacific Railroad! 

As many of you know, I participate in a number of multi-railroad virtual operational sessions called the P.C.C.M., or more well known as the Penn Central Car Movement. There are 5 participating railroads that are part of the movements at one time or another. They are listed here in no special order:

John R and his New York Central Train Layout

Ralph V's Kings Port Division

Ed W's Very Large Hoschton Railway Co.

John B's Model Railroad

Brian's Ralston Creek Railroad

These 5 participate in the moves depending on availability and freight movement.

One of the nice things about the virtual operations is that we all have industries on our railroad where we can send the exact same or like cars 'virtually' from one layout to another. We have box cars, gondolas, hopper cars and more. There are a couple of name industries on some layouts. John R. and I have a Cargill facility and I think Ralph has one. We do get a lot of freight moves out of this one. Ed and I have the same Morton Salt plant. 

John R. has a nice flat called American Hardware Supply. This is an industry that's always in view or part of a freight car movement on the N.Y.C.T.L. Looking at the kits that I had laying around, it seems I had the same kit. Then I decided that I can add this to the layout and it will serve two purposes. One is to be part of the virtual operating sessions, and, to add moves for the yardmaster when I'm hosting an operating session when there aren't trains being worked on. What does this have to do with the yardmaster on my layout? This building is being added to the railroad as a flat against the backdrop in Rock Ridge Yard on the north end. The back drop is 11 feet long and very plain. The track where it is going to be located, while part of the arrival /departure tracks is seldom used. What better place to put it is on a track not used so often! 

In order to have it as an industry in Rock Ridge Yard, it needed to be larger than the standard kit, so I went and bought another one and made one large industry. Last, but not least was the legal issues. Sir 1:1 John and Sir 1:1 Neal have partnered on many things. He's asked that if possible, he would like (okay, he strongly suggested) a second warehouse for American Hardware located on the A.P.R.R. For those who know his background and former life, I'm in no position to argue with him and readily agreed. No legal papers to sign, some virtual handshakes, some exclusive agreements made (I want that PIZZA!), and I'm pleased to announce the GRAND OPENING of American Hardware Supply located in Rock Ridge Yard!

It came out very nice, and has the capacity to serve 2 50' box cars. In order to celebrate the grand opening, and since the owners were unavailable to be present, they sent over 2 freight cars as a show of partnership.

This building has the possibility to be moved, if need be. It's attached to the wall with velcro. 

The building works well. Now I need to add a couple of 'closed industries' as backdrop flats to fill up the rest of the divider. Those are in the process of being worked on as we type. 

I recently sent out an email announcement about the NMRA Northeastern Region convention that's coming to NJ this September. I was asked if I wanted to give a layout tour if my layout was chosen to be part of the tour, and I agreed. I was notified a few weeks ago I was officially added to the tour, and was featured in their latest email blast. Trackwork itself is 100% complete and operational. Industries that can be worked in a session is at 100% capacity. What is still needed is ballast work, which has been started, and backdrop flats, which is desperately needed. 

I've added one to the railroad back in February and was seen briefly in P.C.C.M. 44E. It's located on the south wall to the left of Irving Depot (named in honor of my father). This flat has no name is is over 2 feet long. I have 2 more planned for that wall; one is another closed warehouse and the other resembles a close power plant. Here's the first building...

That's all for now... Stay tuned for more updates!

A.P.R.R. RS-1 #200 Ready for service!

Greetings followers of the Atlantic Pacific Railroad!

The A.P.R.R. has been acquisition mode for more motive power as the customers are asking for more goods delivered in a timely manner (They never demand, they know better...!). 

The A.P.R.R. took delivery of an RS-1. This engine was not purchased, but donated to the A.P.R.R. It was outsourced to Ted's Engine Shop for repaint in Dedham, MA and arrived on location a few weeks ago. In order for it to be activated to full revenue service, it needed to be inspected.

Here's the full report from A.P.R.R. Senior Engineer for Life Ed detailing the specifics and his inspection report.

ATLANTIC PACIFIC RAILROAD

REPORT OF INITIAL LOCOMOTIVE INSPECTION

Locomotive Type:  RS-1 Builder: ALCO      Delivery Date: 03/5/2018

Road Number(s):  200               

Paint: Orange / Black ATLANTIC PACIFIC RAILROAD

Propulsion: Diesel Electric       

Horsepower: 1,600           Aspiration: Turbo Charge

Truck Type: B-B                        Build Date: 03/10/1960

Train Brake: Railway Air Brake          Dynamic Brake: No

Gear Ratio: 62:15            Maximum Speed: 65 mph

Total Length: 55’5 ½”                Weight: 247,500 lbs                  

Tractive Effort starting: 40,425

Multiple Unit Capability: Yes    Traction Motors: (4) GE731 DC Tractive

Notes:

A.P.R.R. received this ALCO RS-1 in transfer from CEO Jay M. owner of the Shohola Creek Railway 8/21/2017.  It was on or about that date that Jay M. announced his retirement after decades of railroad building and management.  As per directives from CEO Jay Shohola motive power was donated to various railroads in the northeastern region.

In addition to being CEO of the Shohola Creek Jay also held the position of Senior VP of the Lackawanna Terminal Railway where his expertise was instrumental in substantial improvements on that railroad.   Due to the poor wages and draconian working conditions at the Lackawanna Jay also took a job as VP of the A.P.R.R. where wages, benefits and working conditions were far far better.

Sir Neal contracted a repaint and letter of this locomotive in the A.P.R.R. color scheme.  In honor of Jay’s long service and friendship with his railroad friends this locomotive has been named Spirit of Jay and is prominently displayed on the locomotive.

The A.P.R.R. was pleased to be the recipient of this outstanding locomotive.

Initial inspection of this locomotive confirms all components are in place, fully operational and well maintained. 

Inspection Reporting:  Hoschton Motive Power Inspection Service LLC. Double E President.

A.P.R.R. RS-1 #200 is ready for revenue service!!

P.C.C.M. 45A: Rock Ridge to Selkirk via Weehawken and West Mill

Greetings followers of the Penn Central Car Movements! We're going to kick off P.C.C.M. 45 with a mixed freight that will originate in Rock Ridge Yard, head out to Weehawken and then on to West Mill, located on Ralph's incredible K.P.D. Railroad and on to the final destination at  Terminal Yard on John's amazing N.Y.C.T.L. 

The A.P.R.R. has been a busy railroad as of late. New engines, additional revenue cars and more. This mixed freight will be assembled in the yard by the crackerjack crew led by 1/87th PC Ralph, at the throttle of AP #100.

As AP #100 gets ready to leave engine track #2, the official A.P.R.R. photographer 1/87th Norman has spotted something odd. A short walk to the rear of the track reveals a new engine!

AP #200, an RS-1 has come back on the property. This engine will be used for local freight movements once it's been certified for revenue use. 1/87th Senior Engineer Ed for Life has this engine slotted for testing. For now, it's being worked on with some final details that only the A.P.R.R. can do!

AP #100 will start to build train RW-2, Rock Ridge to Weehawken. AP #60358 was pulled from Mike's Lumber and will head to Van Winkle Canning in West Mill with a load of pallets.

 Morton Salt covered hopper will be heading to Cavendish Foods. They'll be busy unloading this car!

 The car was cut and dropped off on the north side of the yard tracks so AP #100 can do a run around and block the car properly on train RW-2.

 The car is now blocked so it can be cut off at West Mill and the crew of the KP&W can work the cars in their yard...

Next up, 86' 8 Door box cars PRR #125291, AP #86027 and NYC #67086 are blocked and will head to the Ford Car Plant in Empire City. These freight cars are loaded with parts from Ideal Auto Parts & Electronics.

The 3 86' 8 door box cars are added to the train build. 

The switcher will pick up a set of 4 Penn Central PS-2 covered hoppers on yard track 3. These were over at the Richmond Hill Engine Terminal and brought over on an earlier engine move. 

The four covered hoppers are headed over to T&R Gravel on the N.Y.C.T.L. to be loaded with sand for the A.P.R.R. and Richmond Hill Engine Terminal. With the additional motive power acquisitions, much sand is needed!

Juice? Who has juice? A&P in Garden City, LI has put a call out to Tropicana for more juice for their chain of stores, USLX/Tropicana #13068 is headed to them.

Wait, there's more! AP box cars the 60382 &60394 were loaded up at Marcal, and brought over to the yard. These two cars will head over to Ralph's Grocery with a car load of napkins, tissues and toilet paper. With all of the snow they had on Long Island this winter, the demand for toilet paper of all things, was at an all-time high! I wonder why.....

Last freight car to be added to the train is the Hostess Covered Hopper, Loaded at Cargill, it will head to the Hostess Bakery in Empire City.

With the train finally assembled, AP #100 is set off on yard track #4. 1/87th PC Ralph, along with 1/87th ATJOE will take train RW-2 over to Weehawken, where the train will be handed off to another Penn Central crew. That crew will take train WV-2 up the River Line to West Mill and eventually over to Terminal Yard on the N.Y.C.T.L.

PC GP38-2 #7893 will head out the south end of Rock Ridge Yard and on to Weehawken...

Train RW-2 on the move!!

Train RW-2 heads out of Rock Ridge and on to Weehawken, seen here passing thru Little Jamaica.  

  

As train RW-2 comes into Weehawken, the crew is met by 1/87th Senior Engineer Ed for Life and 1/87th Sir Larry of Flemington. The guys are there to personally pick up the crew who pulled double duty today in Rock Ridge. A job well done!

A crew change is made and now train WV-2, Weehawken to Selkirk is on its way! 

It's a wrap for P.C.C.M 45A on the A.P.R.R. Next up, the action continues on the Ralston Creek Railroad  and on to the K.P.D. to follow WV-2!