This is the Berks Products Ready Mix aggregate unloading facility located near Leesport, PA.  The siding was installed new in the summer of 1999 and has been used to unload 25 car trains of 100 ton open hoppers.  Most product received to date has been a manufactured sand used for asphalt top coat.  Natural sand and aggregates for concrete have also been received.
The plant is located along the former PRR Schuylkill Branch, now part of the Reading & Northern Railroad.

This photo shows the aggregate unloading hopper under the rails.  Two small conveyors feed the sand or rock to a longer conveyor which moves the material out of the picture to the right.  The overhead structure is used to inspect and/or clean out the car interiors during unloading.  R&N 802 and 803 are on their rails, approach with a train load of sand in the fall of 1999.  The train will be backed into the siding, and half will be stored on one of the two tracks to the left of the switch in the foreground.

On a rainy day in September 2000, R&N 803 (SW8 - ex LV 270, CR 8905) has finished unloading the string on the left.  It is now coupled to the other half of the 25 car string for unloading.  The white hose draped on the nose of 803 is used to provide air from the main reservoir to the rapid discharge air line on the aggregate cars.

On a brighter day in October 1999, the R&N is ready to deliver a variety of rapid discharge cars.  These are from the carmeuse facility in Annville, PA and were turned over to R&N from NS overnight.  The cars bear WIMX reporting marks and include 3 pocket cars from Trinity Industries and some 4 bay cars formerly B&LE.

Bob Bucklew

Continue on for more unloading pictures

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