A PAINT PATCH JOB

On a recent morning, I found a passing intemodal in Montview Yard. Among the cars was this stack car; It caught my eye due to the sharp contrast between the heavily weathered/graffitied sides and the fresh yellow patch for the new TTX logo.

When the train stopped (again), I had time to walk over to the other side, where I had a rare opportunity; to be able to shoot both sides of the same car at the same time! As you can see, a new patch was also used for the reporting marks.

Again, a fresh yellow patch for the new TTX logo. The "56" designation is for the well length; these cars were originally built to carry the UPS 28' containers (four to a well, hence the 56' length).

Another non-standard paint job is this boxcar. I couldn't get a clear shot due to the pipes, but if you look closely between the two vertical pipes, you will see that the car's number is spray-painted on the side! You know it's an old Southern boxcar only if you can read the rust that the lettering has become!

Finally, a re-paint and re-build. NS 5619 is a GP38 that has been rebuilt; the air horns have been relocated, an a/c unit has been added to the roof, displacing the radio antenna, and the unit now has a "liberated exhaust" with an extra pair of stacks next to the dynamic brake fan! If the unit is an ex-Southern unit, then it has also had its short hood lowered as well.

OLD CARS

It's amazing what you can find still running in today's trains.

Here is a prime example. This 65' mill gondola is still carrying its Penn Central reporting marks and paint scheme in 2011, despite the fact that PC became part of Conrail in 1976! That it still has paint left after 35+ years of service is amazing; you can still see the faded PC logo on the side(beside the tree).

All of the gondolas in this string of cars were in Maintenance Of Way service; this one had a Caterpillar excavator in it, probably with a claw attached to the end of its arm for picking up old ties along the right of way.

Another old car I found in Montview Yard recently was this ex-Chicago North Western grain hopper; now with DSRC reporting marks, yellow conspicuity stripes along the sides, and rust coming down from the roof. The car next to it shows what the railroads have to do when graffiti
covers the sides of their cars -they have to cover it up with a coat of paint along the bottom half.

The ex-BNSF SD40-2 locomotive that was working in Montview Yard has since been replaced by this ex-Union Pacific SD40-2. This unit has been repainted in CEFX's lease-fleet scheme, and can be identified as an ex-UP unit by the "can" mounted to the front handrail stanchion to hold the MU hose end when not connected to another unit. The MU (Multiple-Unit) hose is what allows multiple engines to be controlled from the lead unit; this is one of the advantages that helped diesels to take over from steam locomotives during the 1950's.

AIR SHOW PICS 3

Since it was Armed Forces Day, the military had a heavy presence at the show (lots of recruiting opportunities!).

To go with the military theme, here is a USMC cargo truck with tank trailer. During the show, people were actually re-filling their water bottles from the trailer! Lots of people also had their kids pose with the Marine for photos; one girl did it for her brother in Afghanistan.

Another aircraft was this Pietenpol Air Camper 1929 design airplane.

Details of the plane's construction. The owner built the plane from a set of plans. Total cost; about 15 grand. Try buying your next Learjet for that price!

The background on the plane's design. You can click on the pictures to enlarge any of them to read the details.

AIR SHOW PICS 2

The stars of the show -the Blue Angels! Here the planes are lined up at the start of the show, they took off during the last hour.

Another plane that performed during the show was this Cold War veteran -from the other side!

Here the bi-planes of the air circus are lined-up and ready to rumble. And rumble those old radial engines did! Radial refers to the fact that the cylinders are literally placed in a circle around the crankshaft to drive the propeller.

The Barnstorming father/son duo return from their flight. During the flight, they literally walked on the wings of the plane; in addition to riding on the top wing, one of them also hung sideways from the post on top of the wing -like a flag. The best stunt was when the father hung upside-down from the bottom wing -holding on with his ankles!

The restored transport plane that the Army Black Knights jumped out of during the show. They made two jumps (different groups) and were quite visible with their red smoke units!

AIR SHOW PICS

This weekend, there was an air show here in Lynchburg featuring a flying circus and the Blue Angels! Unfortunately, camera limitations prevented me from shooting any of the planes while in flight -a slow shutter speed wouldn't capture the bi-planes, let alone the FA18's!

There were some things I could get on film; like these World War 2 vehicles.

The Willys Jeep, the vehicle that made Jeep famous!

An old Army pick-up truck. Note the winch on the front bumper.

Another WW2 vet was this T-4-C trainer.

The informational plaque. This plane was actually in service with Canada during the war training their pilots!

ANTIQUE CAR SHOW PT9

A final look at last week's car show features the hot rods that weren't part of the actual show, but made an impact anyway.

This yellow 3-window coupe was the first thing I saw, parked in front of the hotel.

A shot of the engine and exhaust. For the younger car fans, that is a custom air intake for the carburator on top! (Also known as a header.)

A late-50's Chevy Bel-Aire with a custom paint job and, of course, mag wheels.

Perhaps the most interesting pick-up you'll ever see. It looks like it was assembled from spare parts!

Another old coupe hot-rod, this one with front-end flames.

ANTIQUE CAR SHOW PT8

More photos from last week's car show at the Lynchburg Kirkley Hotel...

An old Chevy delivery truck, I believe a one-ton from the late-20's to early-30's.

A Depression-era coupe. I didn't get the info on this one, so I don't know what make it is; however the covered spare on the fender and the headlight assembly say 'luxury', and the license plate says 1933.

Another car I didn't get the info for. After a close-up of the photo, I do know it's a Buick; probably a Super-Eight. The hood can be opened from either side.

Two shots of an old '65 Rambler Marlin. Notice how small the trunk is!

ANTIQUE CAR SHOW PT7

A 1920's vintage Ford Model A coupe. This car was extensively rebuilt and restored to this condition. Note the rear 'rumble seat' where the trunk on today's cars would be. Two circular foot steps- one just above the rear bumper, the other on the back of the rear fender- helped you climb into the seat.

The same man who restored the Ford also restored this Chevy; I believe it's a late 40's car judging by the body style and windshield visor.

One of at least two Studebakers at the show, was this Champion sedan. If you read the 'Pickles' comic strip, this is similar to the car that grandpa drives. Unfortunately, Studebaker went out of business in the 60's.

Another 40's Chevy; this is what they were building when Pearl Harbor was hit. If you look closely under the hood, you can see the air horns!

Another rare bird is this Hudson Hornet. The Hudson car line disappeared in the 50's.

ANTIQUE CAR SHOW PT6

Corvette fans also had reason to celebrate. In addition to a pair of second generation convertibles I didn't photograph (stupid!), there was this 1965 coupe. I believe the color is 'Butternut Yellow'.

While not part of the car show, this first generation Corvette was definately worth a look.

The single headlights identify this as a '56-'57 Vette, in '58 they were paired. In addition to the hood scoop and flag graphics, I was told the car also has a Chrysler engine (BLASPHEMY!)!

Another car there was this late 50's Impala, complete with a spotlight on the front fender.

At the rear, twin radio antennas and a Continental spare tire kit. And, of course, those 50's fins!

ANTIQUE CAR SHOW PT5

MOPAR fans were not disappointed. This is a rare, 1969 Dodge Challenger Daytona, specially built to qualify the car for use in NASCAR. Richard Petty drove one on the track.

Another rare MOPAR is this 1971 Plymouth Barracuda convertible. 1971 was the last year of the 'Cuda, and only 374 of them were convertibles.

The window sheet says that this is one of only eight cars built with the 383 high-performance engine and 3-speed transmission! It also says that it's still wearing its factory paint, 40 years later!

The lettering on the hood confirms that is does, indeed, have the 383 engine.

To finish the MOPAR section, towing one of the cars to the show in the trailer behind it was this Dodge Ram Mega-Cab with patriotic door handles!

ANTIQUE CAR SHOW PT4

Along with the cars were several trucks, including this early 50's vintage Chevy pickup. Many of these trucks had the white-painted bumpers, grill and hubcaps from the factory, as back then most pickups were no-nonsense farm and work trucks.

Along with the wooden side stakes, the truck also has a wooden bed, typical of trucks built up until the 60's.

Another truck with wooden side stakes was this old, pre-WW2 Dodge.

The rear body is a custom build; probably the only thing original is the cab.

And at the rear, a Chevy hitch cover!