Silk Trains

[cn nutbar]

Hello Everyone---Handling precious cargoes was common on many railroads.For the CNR,handling silk imported from the Orient was one of those special assignments .These trains were so important,they had clearance rights over the entire system as it was critical to get this commodity to market as soon as possible.Usually the train was loaded at the pier as soon as the ships landed.Headed by the railroad's fastest locomotives and specially designed rolling stock,they were a sight to behold as they raced to their destinations.
Inspired by some of the recent roll-bys by other members,I thought I would do a run by of a typical Silk Train---hope you enjoy

CNR J-7 Class Pacific #5303 is perfect for this assignment---fast and powerful



On the drawbar are a series of specially equipped Through Baggage boxcars---note the passenger type trucks designed for high speed











Quite often,the train carried handlers and agents on board to insure speedy off-loading.Here we have a combine in the consist



Carrying the markers,a classic CNR caboose carries an extra crew