Intermodal Virtual Ops 1G

Greetings and welcome to Intermodal Virtual Ops 1G. In our continuing series of Intermodal segments, featuring different layouts and eras. We find a Union Pacific Intermodal train rolling west out of Omaha, Nebraska sometime in the late 1980's. It's carrying several containers and trailers of recycle material for the West Coast.

Leading our consist is Dash 8-40-C #9217. It was added to the train in Omaha after receiving the block of cars from the Chicago North Western. The CNW picked up the train from Conrail in Chicago. The CNW in those days was the eastern connection for the UP to Chicago.

Next up is SD-40-2 #3275. It has the longer "snoot" nose that was used to house the radio control equipment for the remote helper sets from the 1970's.

GP50 #53 is a recently repainted Missouri Pacific unit from the 1982 merger. The Mopac had opted for the non-dynamic brake option for their GP50's. The Union Pacific soon found this to be an issue for its trains working on the western end of the system. Ideal for "hotshot" intermodal trains, this GP50 and it's respective fleet will soon be banished to the flat terrain of the Great Plains and eastern part of the UP system.

Various TOFC cars working their way west with "recycled" products.

A set of trailers on a linked set of spine cars, headed to West Coast recycle dealers.

 Some unique TOFC cars made by Front Range Products during the 1980's.

Bringing up the rear is a set of spine cars set up for COFC service. This train is running with one of the new "FRED" devices to allow for caboose less operations. A sign of the times, recycle products for cargo and caboose less trains. Lots of transitions happening in the closing years of the 1980's. Thanks for reading!

Intermodal Virtual Ops 1B

Greetings and welcome to the very first virtual Intermodal Ops between five different layouts. John B. started the series on the West Coast with Intermodal Virtual Ops 1A. Here's a shot from his post.

Since each participating layout has equipment from different eras and locations, we decided to "freelance" our different postings. Mine is from the early to mid 1980's. Before the Double Stack trains and with an exchange between the Burlington Northern and Conrail.

Nothing says 1980's railroading like a SD-40-2. This Burlington Northern SD-40-2 is seen racing across the High Plains, between Denver and Omaha. It departed Rennick Intermodal Yard in Denver with a planned exchange with Conrail in Chicago.

BN SD-45 #6422 is working its final years with the Burlington Northern. Being a 1960's era gas guzzler and maintenance issues with the 20 cylinder 645 prime mover. The Burlington Northern was anxious to send them to a early retirement.

In contrast, Burlington Northern GP-38-2 #2264 was quite low maintenance and easy on the gas.

Starting out our Intermodal segment, some "spine cars" set up for COFC. These cars and containers were made by Concor in the late 1980's.

Some interesting TOFC cars made by Front Range Products in the 1980's. They were modified 50 foot flatcars for Intermodal Service. Those are Front Range 45 foot trailers as well.

Another set of Concor "spine cars" with Athearn and Front Range Trailers. I lost the decals to this set at some point. I'll have to track some new ones down and weather them according to John B's information in Intermodal Virtual Ops 1A.

This group of cars represents my earliest attempts to bring TOFC service to my layouts. With my limited space and tighter track radius, there was no way I could run 89 foot Trailer Train TOFC flatcars. My solution was shall we say interesting. Using 40 and 50 foot flatcars, with Athearn, Concor and Front Range Trailers. I may have to revisit these cars someday.

Bringing up the rear is an Athearn Wide Vision Caboose. I bought this at a Swap Meet in 1978. We've seen a lot of miles together. Thank you for reading! Stay tuned for additional posts on this Virtual Intermodal Ops.