P.C.C.M. #77 Part 5- Sorting The Inbound From Both Railroads

Welcome back to the continuation of P.C.C.M. #77 on the Atlantic Pacific Railroad. 

We pick it up in Rock Ridge Yard. The sorting of the inbound freight are being handled by AP MP15 #105 with 1/87th NJ John at the throttle. Riding shotgun with him in the cab is his conductor Stuart, who needs to learn from a master...

Also working the yard is AP SW1500 #100 with 1/87th Engineer Norman (as well as the Official APRR Photographer) at the throttle. In the cab with him is 1/87th Jim W, who needs to learn how to move the freight cars around within a given period of time...

Some of the sorting begins today...

These two guys are good.. Just about done for the day..

Let's see how these guys handle the sorting and classifying the freight cars..

And the classifying continues..

The freight is in the yard, and ready to head out on the next days work...

That's all for today. Tomorrow is the big day in Rock Ridge where the crew will have an 'all hands on deck' game plan to get the freight delivered to the consignees in and around Rock Ridge

Remember to check out both Sir John's N.Y.C.T.L and PC Ralph's K.P.D.  for the most up to the minute train moves on their railroads!

Thanks for reading!

P.C.C.M. #77 Part 4 - Inbound Weehawken To Rock Ridge

Welcome back to the inbound part of our Penn Central Car Movements (P.C.C.M.) on the Atlantic Pacific Railroad. This is a 3 layout adventure featuring Sir John's New York Central Train Layout and PC Ralph's Kings Port Division & Kings Port & Western Railroads.

We start the day at Weehawken. Last night both Train SK-5 from Terminal Yard via Selkirk and Extra Train #7085 from West Mill arrived. AP engines have moved into place. 

On the left are a pair of GP38-2 engines with AP 306 and AP 305 pulling this 17 car train to Rock Ridge. Designation - AP Train WR-1

Alongside AP Train WR-1 is GP 38-2 AP #304 and behind it GP40 AP #400. They'll bring the 11 car train to Rock Ridge and its designation is AP Train WR-3

A view of the tower and signals protecting the departure tracks in Weehawken

Looks like train WR-3 has the green signal to proceed...

Let's watch the departure of AP Train WR-3 to Rock Ridge..

AP Train WR-1 now has the green signal..

Let's watch the departure of Train WR-1

Both trains are approaching West Harold. Looks like Train WR-1 has the priority since it has a string of reefers on the train...

Now that WR-1 is ahead of him, Train WR-3 is waiting for clearance to head into Rock Ridge via the North approach coming in South. There's a return track that passes a few industries in and around Rock Ridge. This gives the yardmaster the ability to have two trains arriving in Rock Ridge without interfering with each other.

Train WR-1 arriving Rock Ridge...

And Train WR-3 arriving in Rock Ridge...

We'll cut it here for today. Tomorrow we'll pick up with a new crew breaking down and sorting the cars from both railroads. 

Make sure you check the two other layouts getting their inbound freight..

Sir John's N.Y.C.T.L. 

and

 PC Ralph's K.P.D.

Thanks for reading!

The Expansion On The Layout Continues!

Greetings followers of the Atlantic Pacific Railroad and my blog!

As I refine the operations of the railroad and my operating sessions, I always look for ways to expand the railroad. No, I'm not adding more track. I think I'm pretty sure I have no more space for that. If I did suggest it, I know a few guys who would tell me in a few short words "Are you crazy!". 

The last expansion was to fill a space in Rock Ridge Freight Yard backdrop divider. It was blank, a track was parallel to it, so I added an industry, ShopRite Supermarket Warehouse. It's used mostly in my virtual op sessions, and when I'm running solo. Tough to have the yardmaster make moves lately to this place since he's busy switching cars and building trains during the operating sessions. 

I saw one area that I knew I could expand, and it was Shapeless Steel. This industry has 3 tracks, one of which is a long siding. It's adjacent to the window, and while the view to my back yard is nice, I wanted to see how I could make use of that long third track.

I had some extra walls left when I had made the diesel facility that is in the Richmond Hill Engine Terminal as well as from other Walthers backdrop kits. Here's what I did...

Pieces added on the left side of the building as well as the right side. 

Then I needed a way to support it against the window. The official staff photographer of the A.P.R.R. Norman, who is also knowledgeable in woodworking and especially taller than me, helped me add the supports to make it stand upright...

With the support in place, and giving Norman some Tylenol for him going to the pain contorting himself that night, I proceeded to finish the industry and put it in place, albeit temporary.

Welcome to the expansion of Shapeless Steel! This additional structure is close to 40" and the other side to the left of the tracks is about 18" in length...

I still need to finalize the backdrop, add a backing to it as during the day the sun comes thru and you can't see the sign on top. Also, I'll paint the side walls a sky blue all the way over to the Amtrak Station. The far right side of the addition has some blank wall spots, which have the ability for me to add some loading dock doors, if I choose. That gives me the ability to have not only coil and gondola cars, but box cars as well.

A lot of work and planning went into this. Thanks go out to Norman and John, who gave me some great feedback and help during this build.

P.C.C.M. #77 Part 3 - Heading Out From Weehawken To West Mill And Selkirk

Welcome back to the conclusion of outbound portion of  P.C.C.M. #77 on my railroad. Both Sir John's N.Y.C.T.L. and PC Ralph's K.P.D. are on the move with their outbound portions..

So let's head over to Weehawken, NJ where the APRR interchanges with the Penn Central.

Here we see AP Train RW-1 heading into Weehawken Yard...

The train comes to a stop as a red signal has prevented him from proceeding any further. Weehawken Yard is upgrading its signal system, due in part to the APRR and Sir 1:1 Neal enhancing operations.

There will be both engine and caboose changes here in Weehawken. Since this is a dedicated Penn Central crew down from Selkirk, they insisted on their PC caboose. Weehawken Yard is jointly operated by both the APRR and PC and Sir 1/87th Neal has assigned engine EB #8163 for caboose movements. This is a very prestigious assignment since they get to work side by side with the Penn Central. Today's engineer is 1/87th scale Dan, who is really excited about working this shift...

The swap out of cabeese is underway..

The move completed and 1/87th scale Dan heads back to the caboose area...

Now for the engine change. PC GP 40 #3111 is on the lead and will take the train out to West Mill and Selkirk...

They await the signal change...

A green signal is up and they head out of Weehawken..

Next stop, West Mill and Selkirk!

Stay tuned next week for the inbound portion on my railroad as well as the inbound portions on  Sir John's N.Y.C.T.L. and PC Ralph's K.P.D. 

Thanks for reading!!

P.C.C.M. #77 Part 2 - Getting Ready To Head Out of Rock Ridge!

Welcome back to the continuation of the Penn Central Car Movement #77 on the Atlantic Pacific Railroad. The outbound action has started on both Sir John's N.Y.C.T.L. and PC Ralph's K.P. & W. model railroads..

We pick up the action back in Rock Ridge Yard. AP MP15 #105 with 1/87th scale NJ John at the throttle, runs over to Tropicana to pick up 3 PC RBL box cars destined for Ralph's Grocery in Empire City.

Tropicana is a huge facility and has its own switcher on the property. The crew in Tropicana will hand off the loads to NJ John and he'll bring them back to Rock Ridge. Once in the yard, the crew will build the outbound train.

AP #105 heads back to the yard with 3 cars in tow. 

Back at the yard, AP SW1500 #100 with 1/87th scale Matt at the throttle will start to build the outbound train.

Matt starts the build and knows to block the cars for the West Mill on the K.P. & W. and for Terminal Yard on the N.Y.C.T.L. so there's no real delay dropping cars. West Mill will get their cars first, then the rest of the train will get dropped in Selkirk for Terminal Yard..

These auto parts box cars take up lots of track space in the yard. However, the engineering design of Rock Ridge makes it easy for the guys to build trains quickly and efficiently. Besides, one never knows when management will show up unannounced! 

The outbound road engines arrive from Richmond Hill Engine Terminal, fueled, loaded with sand and run thru the engine wash. At the throttle is 1/87th scale engineer Norman (who is also the official APRR photographer).The AP uses a lot of sand this time of the year due to the change of seasons and fall foliage on the rails. The tracks can get slippery, so sand is used to help the trains run better and not slip when braking..

The rest of the moves are being completed...

The crew checks in at CP South with 1/87th tower operator Rich, grabs the paperwork and prepares to head out.

Next stop, Weehawken!

Tomorrow we'll wrap up the outbound portion of #77 on my railroad with the train heading out from Weehawken..

Make sure you check out the outbound portions on the two other railroads

Sir John's N.Y.C.T.L. 

and 

PC Ralph's Kings Port Division 

P.C.C.M. #77 Part 1 - The Outbound Pick Up Begins

Welcome to Penn Central Car Movement #77! This will be a three layout movement featuring my railroad as well as Sir John's incredible N.Y.C.T.L.  model railroad and PC Ralph's superb K.P. & W. model railroad! Both of these model railroads are Penn Central themed, along with their own private railroad, which interchange with the Penn Central. 

We're going to start our part with picking up freight cars that are around Rock Ridge. 

AP SW1500 #100 is called into action with 1/87th scale Matt at the throttle. He'll be working within the Rock Ridge Yard limits picking up freight cars that are destined for for locations in West Mill on the K.P.. & W. as well as industries around Empire City on the N.Y.C.T.L.

Meanwhile, AP GP38-2 #302 is being warmed up with 1/87th scale Dan at the throttle. He's the nephew of 1/87th Sir Neal and has been performing his duties with precision moves .More than we can say for others who work for the APRR..

AP MP15 #105 is at the ready with 1/87th scale Norman at the throttle. He'll be assisting Matt within the yard when the freight comes in...

AP #100 heads to American Hardware to pick up 2 KP&W cars headed to Quality Fabrications headed to West Mill Yard and a pair of APRR 40' box cars with hardware for its sister location in Empire City..

Let's watch the moves from American Hardware

AP #302 heads out to pick up freight from Ideal Auto Parts. All 6 Auto Parts Box Cars will head to the Ford plant in Empire City..

Let's watch as AP #302 drops the auto parts box cars in the yard

AP GP38-2 #303 with 1/87th scale engineer NJ John will head out to pick up freight from Marcal, Feihofers Bakeries and Mike's Lumber...

1/87th Tower Operator Rich gives the crew the work orders, tells them to contact the tower operator at Little Jamaica for routing to the industries..

Marcal and Freihofer share the siding. NYC covered hopper will head back to Blue Ribbon Flour empty for reloading as needed...

Four car loads of reefers will be heading to Ralph's Grocery with  baked goods (especially Chocolate Chip Cookies). Now I hear there's one 'special package' labeled for the Terminal Yard crew thanking them for the way they've taken care of the APRR cars that head to Empire City and back. 

Mike's Lumber has the NYC box car for Port Owen Brick on the KP&W loaded with steel bands. They're also picking up a couple of non-virtual op cars for delivery to Morrisville, PA which they will forward to consignees in the Philadelphia area.

A quick run around and the crew will head back to the yard... 

Let's check out the move around Little Jamaica...

AP #303 is back in the yard with his job. Now AP #105 will classify the train.. AP #303 heads back out to West Harold Interlocking for more freight...

A meet at the Rock Ridge Yard limits...

AP #303 at West Harold Interlocking checking in...

AP #302 heads back out to Three Amigos and Shapeless Steel for more freight...

The caboose is dropped on the main (being protected by West Harold tower operator) to pick up a pair of AP & EB gondolas which will be loaded at Gervais Pipe with pipe loads and head back to Shapeless Steel in a future PCCM.

A quick call to the engineer instructing him to pick up an AP box car which will head to Ralph's Grocery with restaurant supplies. More than likely the supplies in this freight car may have goods for Pizzaland? 

They pull the car and head over to Three Amigos. A pair of KP&W box cars will head back to Quality Fabrications empty...

The engine makes its move so it can head back to Rock Ridge..

Final clearance at West Harold..

AP #302 heads back to Rock Ridge..

AP #302 back in the yard...

AP #303 is helping pull cabooses out of the way as there's more work to be done in the yard..

AP #100 and #105 are busy breaking down the rest of the inbound freight that came in...

The crews have finished the last set of moves...

The jobs are complete!

We'll cut it here for today. Tomorrow we'll finish retrieving some last minute loads that need to be picked up from Tropicana. 

One last thing - October is National Breast Cancer Awareness and while it didn't exist in the PC era, it exists today and you may see something out of the ordinary in the upcoming parts. It's my way of showing support. 

Thanks for reading!