Leonard, from K&K Kodakid="orange">, called me this morning to let me know that my pic-

tures were in. Since I had to make a trip to the local lumber yard for some build-

ing materials, I decided to go by and pick them up.

As you recall, the NYNH&Hid="black"> boxcar (identified simply as Pie) was deliver to a freight

transfer service in Colfax, the contents of which were forwarded by one of their

trucking vendors to Remington's Western Division in Sacramento.

Here are a few of the pictures I took:

The first two pictures were taken early morning as the car was being spotted:





Tripleid="blue"> 'Fid="blue">' (FOOTHILL FREIGHT FORWARDERSid="blue">) may be a small operation, but it has been around

for many years and it is well-known for its efficiency.



Below, one of two non-prototypical SP trailersid="orange"> has been spotted for making the transfer. Looks like

the crew of #1906 has headed out on foot to the yard office.

Towards mid-afternoon, two truck loads of trouble :erm: showed-up to be transferred to the boxcar. I

talked briefly to one of the truck drivers, and he mumbled something about sweet chicks from the local

candy plant. It seems that one of their managers [:-paperbag] had misfigured a batch size resulting in a production of

gigantic proportion. [:O] All I can say is, the loads appeared to be very unstable, and those handling them

seemed to be flying high on a sugar rush. [:-drunk]

Below, the first of two truck loads bound for Michigan arrives on site to transfer its load:

An operating session was held on the New Haven RR on Saturday March 22nd. Of intrest was the 'unusual' car put on NX21 the Southward Valley Branch Local.

John Corsair the engineer and Bill Sinclair Conductor along with head brakeman George Monahan prepared to leave Hartford Yard with the train. Bill says to the engineer:" John, have you seen the strange looking car at the rear of the train this morning?" John replies: "Yes, that's the darndest car I've ever seen on this railroad. The Super told me about it this morning. We're to take good care of the car and not jostle it around." Bill says:"Why John?" John replies:" B'cause there ain't no rivets holdin' her together...no bolts or screws either that we can see." Bill says: " Well I hope it's not just holding together with glue! Bill assures John: "It made it out here from Troy, Illiois so we should be fine." "Ok" says John. "I hope your right"




Bill walks back to the caboose and gives the higball to John and they head south out of Hartford Yard onto the Branchline. First stop, Wethersfield and the Gra-Rock Bottling Co. Makers of the World's Finest Ginger Ale.



After the short trip to Wethersfield, John eases up to the rear of the train and hooks on to the caboose. George, the Brakeman uncouples the car and says to John: "Ease 'er back slowley" .... "That'll do" says George with the hand signals. George throws the switch and yells: "A-head!" John opens the throttle and the 244 chugs to life. George then gives the stop signal and the CNW car is spotted at the 3rd loading door, George uncouples the car and climbs aboard the Alco RS-3. George says to John: "The plant super told me we can pick her up on the return trip this afternoon. They should have it loaded in a few hours." "Okey Dokey" says John.



On the return trip NX21 picks up the CNW car and it is brought back to the Hartford Yard. A switcher crew takes the CNW car and puts it on the evening train to Maybrook, NY.



I came out of the Yard Superintendent office for one last look at the 'unusual' car. I says to Tony the car inspector: "Well, there goes that strange lookin' car." Tony says: "Ah-yah. Say Boss, do ya suppose we'll be seein' some other cars like it?" I said: "Sure. The world is-a changin' and I'm pretty sure we will see some more new things this year." Tony says: "Where is that car goin' to ?" I said to him: "According to the billing, it's goin' way out west to Milwaukie, Oregon. Tony says: "Boss do you think those bottles will make it all the way out there without breakin'?" I said: "Sure will. I took a good look at that car from top to bottom, and she's built pretty darn good. Almost as good as we build 'em here on the New Haven!" Tony and I had a laugh and I went back to work in my office.

OA8 depart to the interchange at Maybrook, NY at 9:37pm right on time. This is a direct routing and it arrived 4 hours later.

Great photos and stories everyone!

We got a call from Charlie the dispatcher on duty this morning.

“The switch down here at Medusa is going to be bring some boxcars through today.” He told us.

We grabbed our gear and headed down. Got there just in time.

The boxcars are bring in supplies such as pallets, bags, labels, and other type supplies needed by the distributor. Not all deliveries involve cement.



Athearn 40’ Boxcar – Lehigh & New England – Custom painted and decaled.



Accurail 40’ Boxcar – Nashville Road – Custom painted and decaled nad owned by a friend.



Atlas PS-2 Covered Hopper – Lehigh & New England





Atlas MP15 – Reading

Tom,

Nice pix! :up: :up:

My package from Allen arrived Friday and was immediately impounded by agents of the Public Health Service and FBI on allegations of contamination with Yellow Chick Fever, intentional spreading of contaminated substances across state lines and a whole variety of things I can't remember. My lawyers are trying to get the quarantine lifted and hope to have results within the next few days. [:-sick][:-shake][:-shake][:-nonono][V]

Stay tuned.

Pete

in Michigan

Thanks Pete!

I forgot t mention the LNE boxcar was my interchange car in the first round.

Bill, . .Nice scenario, and we're looking forward to some of that Mid-Western gingerale.

Tom, . .As you know, I always enjoy you scenes and pictures, . .and yes, I recognize that LNE boxcar. Right now, I have my eye on that '53 Chevy (?)! We used a similar car ('54) for our honeymoon in 1965.

Bruce, . .Love those yard signals. I have a few of 'em I need to install.

Thanks, Allen, and I'm sure you didn't miss the Susie-Q boxcar you sent my way.

NA4 the fast freight from New Haven pulls into Hartford Yard at 6:34 am behind DL-109 #0702. This freight has a block of reefers in the consist.





Pat 'Paddy' O'reilly the conductor of NA4 jumps off the hack and walks over to the Superintendent's office. Paddy sticks his head in the door and says:"Top O the mornin' to ya Billy" I replied back:"Good Mornin' to ya Paddy." "How was the trip?" I asked. Paddy replied: "Oh, pretty uneventful this time." (Last run Paddy had a problem with a bearing on a car and had to set it off at the Newington Station track.) "I've got a few cars here that have to get iced, laddy" " One of them is somtin' I've not see on this road for a very long time." Paddy said. What's that?" I replied. Paddy says:"Come take a look at dis here reefer" So I followed Paddy down the yard tracks to the reefer.



"Wow!, that's an old timer" I exclaimed. "And she's in great shape to." Paddy said: "I heard last week that you had a really unusual car." I said: "Yep, that was a car I'd never seen the likes of before. And now we have one from the past. I thought all of these were gone." Paddy says:"Nope laddy. There are still a few floatin' around." "How about those trucks?" I asked. Paddy replied:"Ain't notin' wrong with those Billy. Never gave me an lick of trouble." I said: "OK Paddy. I'll get the yard crew to get this and the others over to Hartford Ice and get 'em iced." I said goodbye to Paddy and walked back to my office.

They yard crew picked the reefer block up and put it into Hartoford Ice across the tracks from New England Produce.








More to come.......

With all the storms across the plains this week I am amazed that the reefer made it to CO already! Good job USPS and as ever a great story line to initiate the April interchange.

Our Pony Express horses are grain fed!!!!

Hi Tom,

I'll have the package in the mail tomorrow moring. Sorry I'm running a little late.

Enjoyed seeing the Nashville Road car on your layout![^]

Hi John, Tom and Pete,

Just a FYI, I got Pete's car in the mail today and I sent John's car to Tom today.

Glad to hear Pete's car made the trip safely, Andy. Allen's car showed up in today's mail at my place.

It is interesting to note that with us just one month into the 2008 Car Interchange that over a hundred postings have been made and the thread viewed more than 2,600 times! I get the impression this year's effort will esbablish several new, impressive records, what with 8 months yet to go!

John