Operating outdoors on the Penn Central

[Junior]

Yesterday, 8/29/20, a small, informal outdoor op session was held in anticipation of Gene Fusco's upcoming virtual open house. There were a handful of operators there, all of whom have operated on the A&O, allowing some trains to get run. It was an enjoyable time, and actually felt like things were somewhat normal for awhile.

I'm gonna be testing multiple attachments in one post, so let's see how these things go! Haha.

Photo 1:
Craig is switching Bill's cut of cars, as soon Bill will be heading up the branch to switch up there.




Photo 2:
A view from across the property shows Gene explaining something to Craig, while David approaches Little Falls with the passenger train.




Photo 3:
My coal train is leaving Northfield Yard, soon to be heading up the Hillsboro branch, while David and Craig catch up in the yard. Bill has finished his work on the branch behind me, and is switching Industry.




Photo 4:
My coal empty passes over "Shelby Creek" as it starts its way up the Hillsboro branch.




More to come!
~wko

[Junior]

Photo 5:
Craig is eavesdropping as Gene and Kirk listen to something Richard has to say. Gene is running the passenger train.




Photo 6:
Another "across the property" shot shows Bill running around his train at Maple Ferry, while Gene is making progress on the passenger train, and David is switching out Mopar, the auto part facility.




Photo 7:
After completing my work on the branch, I park the 4-axle power in the yard, in anticipation of picking up the 6-axle power for the trip to the power plant.




Let the railfanning begin!
~wko

[Junior]

Photo 8:
My coal train has just finished emptying at the power plant, but must wait for traffic. One of the opposing trains was a merchandise led by a pair of NH FA's.




Photo 9:
My personal favorite of the day, my coal train is rounding the curves climbing out of Maple Ferry. The railroad had to swing out like this to avoid a 4+% grade, adding to the run.




Photo 10:
The end of the train at the same spot. The quarry only has a couple cars in it due to the limited nature of the op session.




Photo 11:
The PPLX empty is rolling through the industrial part of the railroad as it approaches Northfield Yard.




Things are about to wrap up.
~wko

[Junior]

Photo 12:
David has just finished his pick up/set out and is departing the yard, while yardmaster Craig looks on.




Photo 13:
My coal train is departing the yard, crossing over the large bridge. The plan is to make this bridge double-tracked. Smile Craig! 




Photo 14:
The session is wrapping up, as Bill and David both are cleaning the cars out of the railroad. Bill is crossing the bridge while David waits to leave the yard.




Photo 15:
A short while later, David's train left the yard, crossing over the bridge. The custom GP9B and the repainted GP9 both made their debuts today, and both looked fantastic!




That's all I'm posting from yesterday, though I've got much more to go through. It was great to actually be doing something non-work, baseball, or family related, which is basically all we've done for the past several months. I look forward to more op sessions, regardless of where they are!
~wko

[Craig]

Great day for sure!!!  It felt good to get a throttle in hand and work some BIG trains