Further Scenes from Train Ops Session - August 15, 2015

August 15th Train Ops 2015

In the previous post, I took you on a journey around the western section of the IPP&W aboard Train 327/328.  In this post I will show you images from around the layout taken on the same day. 

 In the picture above, the crew are listening to a few pre-session safety and car movement instructions before they take to their respective jobs.  From left to right we see Chris, Bernie, Moe, Pat, Malcolm and Doug.  Doug will be the dispatcher on this morning.

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Fred has a few words of wisdom for us before the session.  That's Bill in the red shirt and Steve seated in the distance.  This is what I call "The Head Table" where we take breaks if our train goes in the hole and where we eat lunch following the session.

Colin owns this lovely Canadian Pacific RS3 which he enjoys using to work Nelson Yard.  Nelson Yard is the major classification point on the layout.  Trains are made up and broken down by the yard crew.  To further complicate matters, a number of nearby industries must be worked by the crew.

Yes, the maroon and grey of the Canadian Pacific is one beautiful looking paint scheme.

The ore train, in care of a CP GP35 #8202, rounds the bend eastward into Peter's Pond.  That big outcrop of rock is affectionately known as Hayes' Hills.

The ore train meets our Train, 327.  The Ontario Northland boxcar works very well with the two covered hoppers to showcase the colour of railroading in the diesel age.

327 is protected at Peter's Pond as the ore train passes eastward to the siding at Mercer and, later, Nelson Yard.  Paul operated the ore train on this day in Bob's absence.

Checking in on Lela and Chris aboard train 318/319, we catch them drilling the spur tracks at Mount St. Helens in the cover of those shady pines.

Passenger Train 2 looks so majestic as it rounds the big curve and arrives Bell while 302 continues to work Stuart Yard.

Love the head end car in Pat's care!

Passenger Train 2 departs and 302 continues his work at Bell.

He's tucked in on RP&M trackage awaiting another train.

Eastbound Train 25, a short hop from Firgrove to Bell arrives on the IPP&W tracks in the distance while a westbound will approach shortly.

Passenger 2 arrives Bellamy and pulls to a station stop before heading into Glen Hammond.

Three trains under CN power are in Bell by this time.  Bell is a unique location where trains from both railroads meet.  This can create interesting challenges.  But, as I always say, "Challenges are opportunities for solutions" we often find crews working hand in hand to assist each other with their moves here.  On this day, my train, 328, assists Train 302 while 25 takes the station track.

Bill has deposited the passenger car in front of the station and tucks in on the east house track.

As seen from a different angle.  Love the basic scheme on that CN switcher!

Back along the RP&M, Henk is spotted doing maintenance work outside of Rat Portage.

"Very Interesting" he is heard to say.  Man, that gets me "Laugh In"!

Henk and Mark sharing some fun!

Once his garden work is completed, Henk gets back to his work on the RP&M at Rat Portage.

With his GP30 #8200.

"Now, where was I before all of that garden maintenance had to be done?" Henk asks himself.

This gentleman, also named Mike, returns to the IPP&W for a visit to the garden railroad.

Moe's Pool Train arrives Bell while Bill looks on.  

Gord passes by Moe and Henk as they enjoy a chuckle or two...or three!  In the back, Bill, Chris and Doug, the dispatcher, look over the procedings.

 Canadian Pacific FA1 #4000 holds the honours hauling the Pool Train as lensed by this railfan at  Bell on this day.  It's at this junction where the definition of Pool Train is truly visible as Moe departs the IPP&W and heads onto the RP&M.  

In behind us at Bell, we spot a train as it departs Glen Hammond in care of this lovely CP geep.

We see more visitors enjoying the layout.

Our trusty dispatcher, Doug!  It's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it...and Doug does it extremely well!  I consider him the "master" at the craft.

Steve grabs a wee drink while Gord carries his in his consist at Bellamy.

Then Paul arrives the scene.  Steve is departing Nelson Yard as Train 311.  He departed Craig Leigh earlier in the morning as Train 301.  His train terminates at the big yard where he picks up a new consist and continues in a westerly direction to Firgrove.  The eastbound 301, along with the westbound 302 are the main freights that cross the entire IPP&W.

302 arrives Spruce as it begins to tackle work in the eastern section of the railroad.

He must sit on the siding while the eastward Pool Train passes.

With work complete at Spruce, 302 arrives Ironwood.

Steve, aboard the 301 is climbing the grade into Watkins Siding.  He had just completed his work in Peter's Pond.

That's Ironwood Brick to the left.

Passenger 1 is westbound on the big curve at Spruce.

As is the ore train.

302 arrives Douglas Yard at Craig Leigh.

A broader view of this train as it terminates its run.

Yes, we always have fun.  That's Chris waving to the camera while Lela listens to Fred before the session.

Indeed, everyone is attentive to the latest instructions.

Whoever chooses to inhabit that big house in back will have a "bird's eye" view of the proceedings on the IPP&W every Saturday morning when the weather allows!  
Thanks, once again to Fred for hosting our sessions each week!
Mike Hamer - Ottawa, Ontario, Canada