While progress on these boxcars has been slow, I continue to plug away at them. Painting is complete, as is most of the lettering. Here's a builder's photo of a car just out of the shops. She's yet to be weighed, so that data has not been stencilled in place:
Next step will be weathering, then re-weigh and re-pack data added, and then a little final weathering before the cars go into service.
As a test, I placed a car near the switch where the Erie Northshore's track leaves that of the Grand Valley. This is the start of the grade down to Elfrida:
Without being pushed, the car began to roll, out onto the bridge over the Speed River:
...and then into the tunnel to Elfrida:
...in a few seconds, the car shot out of the tunnel and into Elfrida:
...despite the track now being level, the car sped through town:
...then out onto the bridge at Chippawa Creek:
Now heading downhill again, she picked-up speed, rocketing over Indian Line:
...then over the Maitland river bridge:
...and into Lowbanks:
...unslowed, the car sped past the Lowbanks station...
...and around the curve towards Port Maitland:
Still rolling, the runaway glides past the GERN warehouse:
...and then the silos:
...finally slowing in the curve amidst the GERN complex, and coming to a stop less than 100' from the chasm at the layout room's entrance, where the lift-out was not in place:
Based on this test, management has decided that a savings in coal consumption can be had by eliminating locomotives on all westbound through trains. Positions are now available for experienced brakemen to ride the cars, applying handbrakes where necessary. Applicants should have nerves of steel and several changes of underwear.
Wayne