THE NS EXECUTIVE UNITS

To celebrate the introduction of Amtrak's new Lynchburg-D.C. train, Norfolk Southern moved its business train to it's Lynchburg, Va. Montview Yard.

Here's a view of the four rebuilt F-units that pull the train. Note that only the cab-equipped 'A' units are equipped with Head End Power generators (the reason for the rear exhaust muffler/stacks) to power the passenger cars. The non-cab 'B' units in the middle lack this equipment, since they can't be used by themselves.

A close-up of the HEP modifications.

Here's another top view of the units. Those of you looking to detail the Athearn units released last year, here are your shots!



When I got to the overpass, it was still dark out, so this was the best I could do with the rest of the train. By the time the sun was up, I had already been interviewed by the cops- passerby thought I was planning to jump off the bridge! I stayed long enough to shoot the power.

MORE VEHICLES

A few weeks ago, I shot this 1929 Ford Model A in a local motel parking lot. The owner was in town for a Model A convention in Charlottesville that weekend -over 200 Model A's in one place!

Here is yet another trike I found. This one also has a trailer.

The other side.

2 TRIKES & A FLATCAR

Here are two photos of a Honda trike I found in a local hotel parking lot recently. The man in the background is the proud owner. He was polishing it up a bit when I asked permission to photograph the bike. Note the lights on the side of the front forks and the bug deflector in front of the foot pedal.

This rear view shows the matching trailer. I believe there is also storage in the compartment behind the seat. Overall, a nice, clean ride.

This is a more custom trike I found one afternoon outside the local Target. The rear storage on this one appears to be a large, lockable plastic storage box mounted to the rear frame. The rear lights are mounted the sides and rear of the box! That's probably the fuel tank in front of it. Note the 'Wheelie' bars underneath!

The front view shows off the custom 'chopper'- style front half; complete with long forks, wasp fuel tank, and custom seat. It also shows that the engine is mounted between the rear wheels, instead of under the frame like a conventional motorcycle. Note the extra head lamps in front of the rear wheels. In a way, not as fancy as the first trike, but definately just as distinctive.

Finally, there's this NS heavy duty flatcar loaded with a brand new transformer from local company Delta Star- note the logo on the side of the transformer. The two boxes on the end deck are probably accessory parts. Note the series of plates welded to the main deck to secure the transformer, along with the cables attached from the top to the car. When the car finally gets to it's destination, the plates will be cut off so the load can be removed. Also seen in this view are two former trailers that have had their landing gear and rear boogies removed and converted into storage containers.

MORE NS CARS

Here we see a NS gondola sitting in Montview yard. Notice, however, the logo on the near end of the car- a Missouri Pacific 'Buzzsaw' herald! Obviously the NS acquired this car second-hand.

Next, we see an NS-owned tank car, similar to the Atlas 20,700 gallon tank car model. In fact, the top hatch configuration is very close. It appears to most closely match the model with the 2-piece top platforms and type 20 saddles. As you can see, the car is in Maintenance Of Way service, and looks to have been recently painted/repainted. This is the first railroad- owned tank car I have see in person.

COLTAINER CARS

Here are several photos I took earlier this year of an old Coltainer car. Actually, the car and the Coltainer containers were not originally used together; I believe the spine car was originally used to haul a different, though similar, type of open-top container that was double-stacked on the ends only. The Coltainer was originally developed by Norfolk Southern to carry coal shipments by either truck or train, hence the name. I have seen this set-up in the yard at least once more, several cars were in a train on one the tracks used for locals. I believe that these containers are now used to haul scrap steel, a use which has probably saved them from being scrapped themselves!

MONTVIEW YARD FACILITIES

Here are some shots of Norfolk Southern's Montview Yard that I recently took.

An overall view of the shop buildings. Notice the lean-to roof added to the dismounted trailer, along with the windows. There is also a picnic table for the employees. The end building is apparently the office.

A closer view of the trailer and container joined and converted into a shop facility. Note the window A/C unit held up by a wooden post. A large propane tank is located along the side of the container 'crossing the T'. I have included a similarly modified shipping container as a workshop on my HO scale layout.

A shot of the M.O.W. trucks and storage trailers.

An office trailer is located at the far end. It's not permanently mounted on a foundation or blocks, but still on it's wheels.

The view from the opposite end. Note the ties stacked up. Just to the left, and out of the picture, there was also a stack of 40' rails, similar to the Life-Like SceneMaster load sets. The paved road is publicly accessible; the gravel portion in the distance is NS property (no trespassing). If you are looking to detail your modern-day model railroad yard, these photos should help you.

ANOTHER OLD GON STILL GOING

These three shots are of a old N&W mill gondola still in service. It is loaded with steel I beams.

As you can see, it still has it's 60's-era 'Hamburger Herald'! If any of you still have the old Walthers 50' 'waffle-side' boxcars, the CSX boxcar is the current-day match.

This last photo is for those of you who want to detail your model train track a little differently. In addition to the fresh ties set off to the side for future useage, notice the ballast. While fresh ballast has been laid on the outside of the rails, the old ballast is still present on the inside. Definately something different to model.

TRACK MAINTENANCE(?)

I know, it's been awhile since I last updated this blog, but I've been busy with my layout. Speaking of which, today I took these pictures of the yard tracks in Montview yard and may just try this on my layout.

As you can see, a good amount of grass has grown up between the tracks. There was a small amount of grass on the track on the right (farther up, out of the picture), but this track was the worst.
An attempted close-up of the grass. Given the relatively abundant rainfall we've seen over the past month, it probably should be no supprise that the grass is nice and green. Right now, it actually looks better than most of the lawns in the area!