P.C.C.M. #64 Part 3 - Inbound Train On The A.P.R.R.

Greetings followers of the Atlantic Pacific Railroad and the Penn Central Car Movements! We're deep into P.C.C.M. 64 with a 4 layout move!

The outbound action started on the three participating railroads:

Sir John's N.Y.C.T.L.

Brian's R.C.R.

PC Ralph's K.P.D.

Rock Ridge Yard has been very busy these days. A manifest train has just left the yard, and that has made room for the inbound train from Weehawken. There's plenty of room for the freight from both the N.Y.C.T.L. and the K.P. & W.

PC Extra Train 7983 is at a stop signal by Little Jamaica.  What happened to a stop at Weehawken? 

Check out the video for the answer....

And now we have the approach to Rock Ridge..

Here we go.........!

PC Extra 7983 has arrived in Rock Ridge Yard. 

The engine is cut as the local yard crew will take over and break down the train, classify them in the yard until the next day when they'll start deliveries.

AP RS-1 #201 is called to duty. Today's engineer is 1/87th Steve, a veteran of the railroad industry. His conductor is 1/87th Ken, another new hire, recently retired from the automotive industry. 1/87th Ken has no idea what he's in for...

First cut of cars to move are the three 86' auto racks from the Ford Plant on the N.Y.C.T.L.

Here's the move in action...

Next up, three reefers from Ralph's Grocery on the N.Y.C.T.L.

A pair of box cars from the K.P.D. from Reynold's Beverage Dist. and Canton Box

The coal hoppers and gondola cars need to be spotted on the east ladder of the yard.

A quick run around of the engine and caboose will make the move flawless. 1/87th Ken is getting initiated by 1/87th Steve. More like he's along for the ride, and a ride it is!!

The caboose is cut on track 1, and 1/87th Steve left his brakeman on board. Told him to secure the caboose and report to the office as he will spot the 4 remaining cars on the east ladder.

The two coal cars as well as two empty gondolas from ACME Auto Parts from the KP&W are spotted on east ladder track 4. 

The move is complete and the crew is done for the day...

That's all for today's inbound. Stay tuned for the conclusion to P.C.C.M. 64 on the A.P.R.R. tomorrow as the freight gets delivered in and around Rock Ridge!

Thanks for reading and don't forget to follow the inbound from the three layouts participating on this P.C.C.M.!

Sir John's N.Y.C.T.L.

Brian's R.C.R.

PC Ralph's K.P.D.

Mid-month Operating Session

Greetings followers of the Atlantic Pacific Railroad and my blog!

Today I hosted the mid-month operating session for our non-group group. As with every operating session (with the exception of a night time session) we gather at the local diner closest the person hosting. 

Prior to hosting the session, certain preparations need to be made. I also take into consideration that my op sessions may take place during one of virtual op sessions. 

Here's a list of the preparation that I did prior to today. 

Freight yard has to be staged. A pair of engines needs to be in the yard to take a train to staging.
Industries along the wall need cars to be pulled. 
Power plant must have empty coal hoppers.
My list of trains that can be run needs to be posted. 

That being said, here's what it looked like prior to the session:

Rock Ridge Freight Yard - Ready!

Three Amigos Warehouse and Tank Terminal - Ready!

Cargill - Ready!

R.M.O. Electric - Ready!

Tropicana - Ready!

Intermodal Terminal - Ready!

Shapeless Steel - Ready!

C&P Restaurant Supply - Ready!

Mike's Lumber - Ready!

Freihofers - Ready!

Marcal - Ready!

Auto Rack Terminal - Ready

Ideal Auto Parts - Ready!

Morton Salt - Ready! 

We are Ready!!

The caravan of cars arrived back from the diner at 1330 hours. A total of 9 guys came back; 7 of which were running trains. I had my dispatcher Rich with me as well as my right hand guy John, who assisted me with a few things. 

We ran a number of trains, including intermodal, two local freight jobs, 3 manifest, the Amtrak passenger train and a couple of local moves within Rock Ridge. Total running time was close to two hours as some of the guys needed to get back home. Two guys drove over an hour to have some fun!. Some of the highlights...

Everyone had a fun time, not without some freight car issues, which does happen on occasion. The yardmaster Rich always does a great job for me and when he is at that position, I never need to tell him what to do within the yard. During a session I will notify him of what train is coming and how he wants me to route it to the yard.

Now that I've hosted, I need to restage the layout for the next operating session or virtual op session.

Thanks for reading!

P.C.C.M. #64 - Part 2 - Preparing The Train To Depart Rock Ridge

Welcome back to the Atlantic Pacific Railroad Blog and the continuation of P.C.C.M. #64! If you haven't had a chance to check out the other three participants, click on the links below!

Sir John's N.Y.C.T.L.

PC Ralph's K.P. & W.

Brian's Ralston Creek Railroad

We left off with all of the freight that will head out to various points on all of the railroads that the Penn Central will serve.

GP 38 #7675 and GP 38-2 #8148 are the engines that have been brought in to Rock Ridge from Weehawken. There's a meeting of the minds as 1/87th Sir John has come to check out the crew. While this is an AP train move, it's not uncommon to have borrowed motive power make the run. The reason for the discussion is the crew brought a caboose for this train as there will be a motive power change at Weehawken and the crew taking the train from Weehawken is on break (or something that resembles a break!)....

The box cars on the east ladder will be added to the covered hoppers. 

Last, but not least the caboose is added to the train. 

The crew makes a stop at CP South for orders. They'll depart as AP Train RW-1 Rock Ridge to Weehawken. 

Here's the departure from Rock Ridge to Weehawken.

The departure signal is given and they'll be on their way!

Here's the video of the departure of Train RW-1...

Next stop is Weehawken and a crew change will occur...

Train RW-1 arrived at Rock Ridge. A crew and engine change will happen and then a quick departure to stay on schedule...

A pair of GP40 engines #3141& #3111 take the lead and will head out as train VW-2 Weehawken to Selkirk. 

Next stop - SELKIRK!!

This concludes the outbound portion of P.C.C.M. #64 on the A.P.R.R. Don't forget to check back next week for the inbound portion on the A.P.R.R. as well as the outbound freight from the other layouts!

Sir John's N.Y.C.T.L.

PC Ralph's K.P. & W.

Brian's Ralston Creek Railroad

Thanks for reading!