A NIGHT WITH THE RAILROAD
My regular job started at 4pm. At that time I would get my switch list then call the P&W dispatcher to get a Form D to operate to North Haven, from Mile Post 15 to STONES (CONRAIL Cedar Hill Yard Lmits)
Our train, NX-1, was already made up by the day crew on NX-26. We left Middletown,CT about 5pm and made switching stops at Middlefield...arriving at Cedar Hill about 6pm, on Kelly's lead, after calling the CONRAIL West Springfield Yardmaster.
We would then wait for CONRAIL WANH-10 to finish switching out the inbounds or sometimes assist CONRAIL WANH-88 make their train up.
Once WANH-88 left the yard, we would pick up our cars and leave for the return trip to Middletown, again switching out at Middlefield.
We would generally arrive back in Middletown about 10 or 11pm, switch out cars at the north yard for the day job, spot cars for the local brick company and then shove up on a backup move to a steel plant to spot cars in their building.
After all that, it was back to the Middletown engine track to park the locomotive, call P&W back to cancel the Form D and complete paperwork.
Typical Form D's
Click on images to enlarge
What's a Form D ???
A Form D is a written permission form which allows a train, track car or repair crew to occupy a section of track which is controlled by a dispatcher. It is either handed to the train crew, given over the phone or over the radio. This form gives total rights for that section of track to the train or person holding the form D, until it is cancelled by the holder.
The form at the top is a typical Form D issued by the P&W to the Connecticut Central RR to travel on a section of their track called the Middletown Branch (MB track) between MP15 and Stones. The other is the additional Form D which is the one referenced on Line 13.
The large "X" through the center indicates that this Form D has been fulfilled.
Kelly's Lead - looking south. We entered the yard on the track on the left, Kelly's lead.
Rip Lead - looking north. Yardmaster's office is on the right. Cars which we just dropped off are on the left - on the Circle Lead
Standing on the Double Zero Lead (track 600) looking south. The locomotives (Conrail 88) are parked on the Short Runaround.
The Grove - looking north toward the AMTRAK Springfeld Line connection.
Cedar Hill Yard in Its Glory Days
Train is on the Rip Lead. Short Runaround is on right. Note the absorbant pads between the rails. This is where they park the locomotives.
Looking south up track 600. Car on left is on 618.
Looking south down track 14. Notice the new ballast. Amazing!! The infamous foot bridge is in the far distance.
Looking north on track 14, toward the yardmaster office. This is how P&W gets to the Middletown Branch, via Kelly's Lead.
Some of the great track in Cedar Hill. Hasn't changed since I worked the yard over 4 years ago. Some of these ties and rails have carried the famous steam locomotives of the NY,NH & H.
More wonderful rail, approaching a switch.
Standing in front of the yard office, looking north. Kelly's lead goes off to the right. The Grove is to the left.
Click on the map or pictures to enlarge
