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| Photos of April 22, 2008 Ops |
| Tax season is over so it's back to running the railroad. We had a late crew cancellation so we ended up with one man short of a full crew with 7 crew members and the dispatcher on hand. The session went pretty smoothly and apparently no-one looked at their watch, as the session ran a good 30-45 minutes longer than normal. Consequently, our one-line customers and our interchange partners were very pleased, as we moved a whole lot of freight and even a couple of passengers. |
| The Operators Rod Smith was quick to volunteer for the dispatcher's position. Did he know something that we all didn't?? Usually a difficult position to fill, Rod stepped up and did a great job. (only one operator error mainline no-one else would take the job - pressure from his father I am sure - thanks Jeff) and the Mackinaw City yardmaster was Andy Schnur. The management thanks all of the volunteers. Now for the guys that wouldn't volunteer (the smart ones): John Blunden, Les Dahlstedt, Jim Diaz and a first time C&M operator, Don Morenzi. As usual the Superintendent was Bob Osborn who also ran some trains. Here are some pictures: |
| The total number of cars moved was 325 (wow a new record) in a total of 29 trains: 4 1st class passenger trains 2 2nd class Fast Freights (#210 & #211) 13 turns (out and back) (another new record) 5 through freight (a record low) 2 PRR interchanger's 3 boat interchanger's (estimated - out and back) Online customer deliveries/pick ups totalled 98 cars at industrial sidings and in addition, we even picked up/setout a total of 14 express loads in our passenger operations. |
| Click images to Enlarge: |
| The wrecks of the day: |
| Here is the record setting crew. We broke several Here is the record setting crew (or is that a card short crew. We broke several crew. We broke several records in this session and we were a man short of a full crew (or is that a card short of a full deck? you decide). My guess is that the stellar job of the Superintendent had something to do with this record performance, Right!? In any case, nice job crew, your check is in the mail. See you all next time. |
| job. What was wrong with him, before?? He must have know what he was doing, as things ran very smoothly all session. Good Job Rod. |
| Comstock Park Yard in late in the day and something went amuck! The Pennsy Cabin the maintenance shed and the C&O 50' boxcar. Good thing it missed the outhouse. That would have really raised a stink! No blood, no foul. The C&O boxcar was empty. |
| The Yardmasters - Andy (left) in Mackinaw City and Jeff (center & right) in Grand Rapids. Both men kept the railroad moving. They accepted into their yard everything that headed their way. You can't ask for more than that. Good Job Andy and Jeff. |
| Jim (left) and Don(right) up in Petoskey. Jim was running the Petoskey Turn while Don was running the Northbound #102. The top picture shows that the town was full of trains! |
| We started out right. Here is the meet of the two RDC commuters in Traverse City, right on the advertised! |
| Here is wreck #2. The super- Fast Freight #211. Things were going fine until a Walton intendent was filling in as a Jct. local crew (who will remain unnamed until after the investigation) left a mainline switch open. The Super was |
| asleep at the throttle, didn't notice the open switch and barrelled into the rear end of the local. Again, no blood, no foul. Just spilled the conductors coffee while waking him up!! The #211 just backed out of the siding and continued on it's way. The FRA if being kept pretty busy investigating all of the wrecks on the C&M! |
| The Grain Job (Walton Jct Turn) |
| tonight. The Northern Michigan Framers Co-Op loads empty covered hoppers with local grain heading throughout the country. Top right - it looks like John is Job had to use the Station Track to get through. |
| the Cadillac Turn engineer, checking the Grain Job as it runs back to Grand Rapids through Cadillac |
| Above - The hotshot #210 was relegated to the siding through Grand Rapids, but Jeff made sure there was a clear path through. Below - #210 takes the Station Track to get through Cadillac. The Northwoods Fast Freight |
| Here's Les having fun working the Cadillac turn. |
This was Don's first
operating session on the
C&M. He ran passenger
trains, road freights and
a couple of turns. We
kept him pretty busy and
he looks happy in this
picture. A gluten for
punishment!
operating session on the
C&M. He ran passenger
trains, road freights and
a couple of turns. We
kept him pretty busy and
he looks happy in this
picture. A gluten for
punishment!
| Cadillac and several road really concentrating on his next move in Cadillac. |