South Jersey

10/14/2018

Today's 39G has a former Burlington Northern SD70MAC trailing an ex-Conrail Dash 8W.

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5034502" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5034504" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5034505" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Seeing that BN 70MAC in the condition it's in now is tough. The BN-BNSF mainline passed by our CG river tender in Keokuk, Iowa. I was fortunate to have been stationed there in 95 to 98, just before the BNSF merger. These MAC's were brand new at the time and they were bringing Powder River Coal up from the south on the Mississippi, to the Upper Mississippi coal fired power plants. That line, I believe they called it the Hannibal Sub, was dominated by EMD BN 70MAC's and the occasional GE C-30-7's. Those GE's had a distinctive bark about them, but the MAC's were just turbine smooth. Music to my ears!

At night along Highway 61 outside of town to the north, your car's headlights would often catch a MAC on the track. Those thin, double red stripes were reflective in your lights. Just spotless engines, Cadillacs. And the best looking diesel modern era diesel locomotive paint scheme, with the Conrail SD 80 MAC's a close second, in my opinion. (Honorable mention of course, is the monumental NS Heritage Units Program; which should really stand alone in their own right for what NS did for the railroad industry). The executive color scheme, Grinstein Green and Cream, named in honor of the BN CEO at the time, before Robert Krebs took over with the BNSF merger. Trains Magazine called this engine a game changer, with it's AC traction. I think they called it correct. I've no doubt I saw this unit many times passing my old boat on some coal drag.

I even recall the first AC units pass by; that being the SD60 MAC's, in their own separate paint scheme.

John, many thanks in posting this; as too I again salute the guys who get out there in all kinds of weather, to document the rolling history that rides the rails in this South Jersey forum!!!

Mike

Thanks Mike! I agree- I've always like that paint scheme myself.

CW44-6 PRLX 668 led 39G on Wednesday. Formerly AC60CW CSX 668.

YPCA05 ran a light engine move to Ann Street (Philadelphia) on Thursday.
39G had SD60E 6973 and SD60i 6759. 6973 reportedly crapped out west of Abrams.
WPCA20 on Thursday went out with 27 cars.

Friday's 39G had SD70ACu 7268 and SD70M-2 2771; a Conrail ballast hopper was in the consist.

Any idea on the purpose of the solar panel on the ballast hopper?

glennk419 wrote:Any idea on the purpose of the solar panel on the ballast hopper?

Glenn, w/o viewing the pictures, I believe the solar panel is utilized to power a heater on the hopper, which in turn is used to keep the ballast from freezing during colder weather.
Ben

Tues, Oct 30th
-Two NS Highhoods (ex SOU, #'s 5019 & 5235) running light, back to Pavonia Yard at the 36th St overpass:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5040735" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

-NS 39G exiting Pavonia Yard:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5040704" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

-Former Rio Grande Railroad trailer outside of Pavonia Yard in Camden:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5040698" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ben

glennk419 wrote:Any idea on the purpose of the solar panel on the ballast hopper?

I'm fairly sure they are used to power some kind of automated ballast dumping mechanism that is remote-controlled. I don't think you can store enough power in the battery to power the heater for long enough to make a difference. JS

Thursday's NS 39G had an AC60CW leaser trailing.

-Cape May Seashore Line's newest acquisition, former PRSL/PC GP38 #2012 built in 1970, now LLPX #2014:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5046733" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

-All three former Penn Central GP38s that are currently under lease by Cape May Seashore Lines, were parked near the tower in Tuckahoe this afternoon.

•LLPX #2014, ex PRSL/PC #2012
•GMTX #2015, ex PC #7684
•GMTX #2661, ex PRSL/PC #2011

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5046732" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

-Also of note, Cape May Seashore Lines recently restored the former GATE block station that was originally located in Pomona, NJ along the spur that went to the Atlantic City racetrack:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5046734" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ben

Any info on how or when GATE was moved to Tuckahoe? I had no idea it was saved.
Jason

Jason wrote:Any info on how or when GATE was moved to Tuckahoe? I had no idea it was saved.
Jason

It was recently. Apparently, the block station sat neglected for years in Winslow. CMSL restored it, and placed it along side the tower in Tuckahoe.
That's really the only info I was given.
Ben

11/15/2018

WPCA51 went south today with 17 stone hoppers for the SRNJ in Winslow. NS has abolished the unit stone train 62X and are now bringing in cuts of cars on 38G to Pavonia.

Magnolia, in the first snowfall of the 2018 fall season-

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5048746" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5048747" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;