Islip Sunset View W. Photo: Mike McDermet 10/22/2008

Ore cars Islip view E 1996 on route to Hampton Materials and Handling, Bridgehampton

"...They went kaput a short time after and did not pay the bill to the railroad. Freight job RF7 from LI City went out with the ore jennies. They received Conrail hopper cars of 1/4 inch bluestone also when freight job RF70 went out and did Pulver gas which is just east of there on the DEF....(double end freight)..." Info:  Don Fischer

MOW: at 84 Lumber  north siding View NW  Photo: Fred Lindauer c.1980's 

The 12 signpost was the car marker for a 12 car westbound diesel, stopping at Islip; prior to the bi-levels. Info: Bob Anderson

Conrail #375173 Boxcar: North siding  View SW  Photo: Joe Saullo  05/28/2005

Conrail #375173 Boxcar: North siding  View NW  Photo: Joe Saullo  05/28/2005

Hyster H80-120FT 
Photo: Matthew Liegey 

Velvetop uses these pure clay bags in their blacktop products. I used to work at that 84 Lumber, and occasionally we would help them out unloading the car if they had poor car positioning or if they were having issues with their forklifts.

These bags were dangerously heavy for using those smaller lifts especially at that height, so I think one or 2 times we helped them out using our Sellick SD80 Forklift (example pictured left). It has an 8000 pound rating, but we used it for all sorts of stuff from moving our trucks around the yard to moving railcars! 

The Sellick SD80  no issues with this due to its wide wheelbase and overkill size, but a more normal fork truck such as the Hyster H80-120FT which was our other fork it was a bit more troublesome.  Same weight rating as the Sellick at 8000 lbs, but the wheelbase was more narrow and tricky with a heavy load so high up. I would guess they were under 5000lbs. 

Those bags by the way are HEAAAVY! They have nylon loops at the top to put the forks through for lifting.

There were five 84's on the Island: Riverhead, Islip, Patchogue, Port Jefferson, Smithtown. (Only one left is Patchogue)

The only store with rail access was Islip.  We would receive precut 2x4x92" studs on our cars.  We were the prime source of precuts which were at much better pricing compared to trucking them in on 18 wheelers.  One car was more than 2-3 18 wheelers.  We would get a car in and distribute it to the other stores that didnt have rail connections.  It is part of what made us so successful at Islip for that time - track builders eat 2x4's for breakfast, and we had a CHEAP supply of them compared to other locations on the island, including competition.

Contribution thanks to: Matthew Liegey 

Liquid calcium chloride (CaCl₂) is an
odorless, slightly alkaline, colorless fluid.

Calcium Chloride is used in various applications to retard cold weather hazards, including snow and ice control on roadways 

It is also used as an accelerator for ready-mix concrete curing, and as an anti-freeze for coal storage and transportation. Calcium Chloride also can be used as a roadbed stabilizer.

Wellwood Ave. N. Lindenhurst  08/19/2008 
BNSF  #722619 and GATX #19180 CaCl₂ switched out from Islip next day
Photos: Mike McDermet

GATX #11615  
Photo: Mike McDermet 09/30/08