This past Saturday I saw LIRR MP-15ac's pulling several TTTX flatcars with new M-7 sets on them eastbound past Richmond Hill team yard. Today I saw 152 pulling a set of M-7's with 167 bringing up the rear. On this move, the M-7's were coupled directly to the MP-15ac's, and thus running directly on the rails. Why would the move on Saturday be done on the TTTX flatcars, and today were already on the rails?
The M7s on the flatcars were new arrivals from Bombardier in Plattsburgh. They arrive on the CP train at Pond and they go from Pond to Hillside, where they are removed from the flatcars.
The M7's being towed directly by the diesels are cars that are either going to Arch Street Shops or coming back from there for warranty repairs.
Jay