Tough acts to follow...
The Bay Bayou and Gulf (BB&G) recently developed a Special Loads Team (SLT) to deliver oversize loads cross-country. Their special train (which is still being modified) includes 2 former BNSF units (CF-7 and GP-15, both now equipped with Digitrax's new sound decoders), a crew car, an equipment and Right of Way Clearance Measurement and Observation car (modified dome car- not pictured,) an equipment flat with generator and air compressor(not pictured), and a special long caboose with bay windows AND a cupola (also not pictured).
The SLT's most recent assignment was the recovery of the last remaining DD-35, which derailed and slid down an embankment. (yes, the DD-35 still needs "wrecked") The units underframe and trucks were too damaged to repair on the spot, and being the last one, scrapping was out of the question. The SLT assembled cribbing to allow the big locomotive to span 2 heavy duty flat cars while the trucks ran on a separate flat.
(the DD-35 sits on 2 brass tubes set in holes drilled through the cars. The cribbing hides the tube and keeps the -35 from rocking. The cars are NOT coupled together, the DD load means they have to slide closer together and farther out. I will have dummy couplers installed soon.)
Heading home after dropping the unit off at the shops:
Here the SLT delivers a load on BB&G property:
There have been rumors that a Chinese company have offered the BB&G a large contract to ship transformers from the port to customers inland, and that they will provide a large Schnabel car for it. Time will tell...
(I developed the SLT to give me a small, interesting train to work on out on the road, but to also be able to run across the country. Special thanks to: the Silicon Valley Model RR Club, San Jose, CA; the Columbia River Gorge MRRC, Portland, OR; and the Spokane MRRC for letting me run my units, and to the Spokane guys especially for letting me work out the bugs in the DD-35 train.)