Leigh Valley 44 Ton Switcher

While in PA. last month visiting friends, I  got a chance to goto a big Hobby Shop called Tracks and Rails  (I can't now remember if that is the exact name).  The place is huge and  has an amazing selection of 0-scale as well as other scales.   They had the biggest selection of locomotives on display I have ever seen.  My intent was not to buy a locomotive but to look for some coal hoppers.

I found the 2 hoppers pretty quickly and I was on the way to the counter to pay for them when I spotted 3 boxes of 0-scale decals on the counter in front of the locomotive display cases.  I could not pass that up so I stopped and started flipping thru the decals.  Found 2 sets of New Haven McGinnis paint scheme sets.  I was delighted.

About that time this very nice employee walked over to see if I needed assistance.  Told him I found what I was looking for, etc.  He then asked me if I wasn't interested in a locomotive because they were having a good sale and there were plenty to pick from.

I noticed that after I told him I had what I needed he looked somewhat downcast.  He was a young guy and I figured he was working his way through medical school or something by working at the shop on commission.   Even though I had no intention of buying anything else he said they had 2 very beautiful MTH Leigh Valley switchers.  My mind was immediately taken back to my new industrial area that Sir John made me build and I remembered I didn't have a cool switcher to service the industries.  I actually did have some switchers but not as nice as the Leigh Valley one.   The kid said they just got it in that morning and they expected it would be sold by the afternoon, they were in that much demand.  Holy cow, I just couldn't believe my good fortune to be in PA, in this store on the very same day this sure to be scarce switcher was on sale.   I had no choice but to buy it.

The following video is the maiden run of the switcher pulling a load of coal, pipe and coils, the latter 2 creations are Sir John's creations. Take note of the 2 new black NYC Coal Hoppers mid-way in the consist. 

On hand for the inaugural run was 1:87 Double-E, Double-E's personal assistant Ms. Easystreet, 1:87 Sir John as conductor,  1:87 Sir Ralph, Sir Brian and Sir Larry.  1:87 Sir Neal was invited to be here but the battery was dead on his corporate jet and it wouldn't start.  Walmart didn't have a replacement battery so he couldn't make it.

HRC Acquires Long Island Railroad Alco

As a result of a blowout sale by my LHS the Hoschton Railway Company was able to take delivery of a brand new MTH Long Island Railroad Alco w/DCS.

The LIRR is an HRC favorite and this Alco will be a welcome addition to the HRC Fleet.  The sounds are fantastic and the smoke unit robust.  It is a good puller with some nice details.

Here she is on her maiden revenue generating run.

Operating Session on the NYCTL

Spent a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon operating trains on the incredible NYCTL.  As is usual John was a great host and had lined up a number of fun trains to run.  My intention was to record some of the fun but once again I got caught up in the action and only managed to grab 2 videos.  I will try harder the next time to share the fun via video.

In light of the huge increase in the demand for coal John had a string of coal hoppers that needed to be switched out.  Even better, the hoppers were driven by 2 beautiful LIRR locos.

 

I  also got to switch out most of the industries as well making some moves in the newly expanded terminal yard.   

During one of my union contracted break periods John shared his knowledge of all things Penn Central by way of his Penn Central library.  I also received an education in the various types and sizes of intermodal cars.

Speaking of intermodal the best train of the day was getting  a ringside seat to a very large string of intermodal cars making the rounds of the NYCTL.  I was so caught up in watching the fun I neglected to capture the action in a video.  

Thanks to my friend Sir John for a wonderful afternoon of trains and fun.