A little background/refresher...my layout is based on the former GR&I/PRR/PC Muskegon Secondary, more or less running from Grand Rapids to Muskegon. The setting is 1978 with Conrail operating the branch (in reality Conrail elected to not include the branch in its system). The latest completed portion of my layout included the Muskegon Heights Extension. This was a one mile line (in reality partially intact and in use today by the Michigan Shore) which connected to the Muskegon Secondary with a wye in Muskegon, headed south and connected to the C&O Manahan Belt. The PRR had trackage rights on the C&O belt to serve a number of customers.
Tonight I had my first chance to switch customers on the new trackage.
Our day begins late morning on Monday, 11/13/78. After getting permission on the Muskegon Heights Extension south from the main line at Jefferson St, the power for YMMU01, the 9073, has run down to the south wye switch.
YMMU dropped off an empty for Morton Mfg on the main line clear of the north switch, so the loco could run around it. Here the 9073 is stopped to throw the switch and tie onto the empty boxcar.
After grabbing the boxcar, YMMU heads back down the wye towards the belt line.
Now on the C&O Manahan Belt Spur, its slow going!
Another view that shows some of the sidings. Because of space limitations, I couldn't model the customers and their longer sidings. I only had room for stub sidings. I kind of like it though, because it reminds me of the old industrial tracks in Portland, OR I used to walk a few years ago.
Spotting the car at Morton!
Heading back westward light.
Pulling two loads from Dresser Crane.
After pulling around the wye, we're back at the south end of Muskegon Yard. YMMU is ready to prepare its next move (switching Michigan Paper Box east of town), and start assembling the night's outbound train. The job's regular cab is parked on the main line with some cars from Brunswick. The MH Extension is usually switched around three times a week, as needed, and usually the waycar is used, but this time it happened that there wasn't any backup move so it was left at the yard.
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