12-06-2019, 01:42 PM
I got a phone call late last night from a friend that dispatches for the Wilderson Division.
He told me a special move of some type of experiential GERN product was being shipped to an unknown location. The local would pick the car up from the warehouse on Weber Way.
I got there first thing this morning and the only car spotted at the warehouse was this box car so I was relieved it would not be hard to spot as they worked.
I went down the road to the switch and was just in time to see the conductor cutting off the cabin.
I had a minute to chat and He told me this car was very special and was the hottest move they had ever handled, yet he had no idea what the load was. He did mention it was 3 percent lighter than most loads in this car.
The locomotive backed up the siding passed the brewery and carefully coupled into the box car.
Once the conductor and head end brakeman inspected the car the signal to go ahead was given.
Once clear of the switch they backed up for the coupling to their caboose and after a quick brake test they headed for the interchange track.
I took a few more pictures heading to the interchange including my favorite spot, Morris Trestle.
Once they reached the interchange track they cut of their caboose
and spotted the car.
That completed that movement so they proceeded back uptown to the yard to see if they could make some order and deliver cars that had been delayed because of the move.
After they had departed I walked over and talked to the tower operator. He told me this car was so hot a move that they had ordered the next train “no matter what it is” to stop and pick up that car. There was a lot of future business depending on this move and they want that car to be kept moving.
Within 10 minutes a passing train was flagged and ordered to pick up the car. Boy, was that crew mad, It happened to be an ore train and they had a couple bad cars as well as limited power, but they got the car despite their grumbling.
While they finished up and tied into their caboose I made a dash up the mountain for one last picture of the mysterious car with its secret load.
I am sorry the picture is blurred, I was afraid the cattle train coming up the hill was going to block my shot and I didn't take time to focus properly.
My dispatcher friend has promised to keep me updated on the move. I hope all works well, the railroad needs the business.
Charlie
He told me a special move of some type of experiential GERN product was being shipped to an unknown location. The local would pick the car up from the warehouse on Weber Way.
I got there first thing this morning and the only car spotted at the warehouse was this box car so I was relieved it would not be hard to spot as they worked.
I went down the road to the switch and was just in time to see the conductor cutting off the cabin.
I had a minute to chat and He told me this car was very special and was the hottest move they had ever handled, yet he had no idea what the load was. He did mention it was 3 percent lighter than most loads in this car.
The locomotive backed up the siding passed the brewery and carefully coupled into the box car.
Once the conductor and head end brakeman inspected the car the signal to go ahead was given.
Once clear of the switch they backed up for the coupling to their caboose and after a quick brake test they headed for the interchange track.
I took a few more pictures heading to the interchange including my favorite spot, Morris Trestle.
Once they reached the interchange track they cut of their caboose
and spotted the car.
That completed that movement so they proceeded back uptown to the yard to see if they could make some order and deliver cars that had been delayed because of the move.
After they had departed I walked over and talked to the tower operator. He told me this car was so hot a move that they had ordered the next train “no matter what it is” to stop and pick up that car. There was a lot of future business depending on this move and they want that car to be kept moving.
Within 10 minutes a passing train was flagged and ordered to pick up the car. Boy, was that crew mad, It happened to be an ore train and they had a couple bad cars as well as limited power, but they got the car despite their grumbling.
While they finished up and tied into their caboose I made a dash up the mountain for one last picture of the mysterious car with its secret load.
I am sorry the picture is blurred, I was afraid the cattle train coming up the hill was going to block my shot and I didn't take time to focus properly.
My dispatcher friend has promised to keep me updated on the move. I hope all works well, the railroad needs the business.
Charlie