Late September Operations
September 26th, 2015 dawned bright, but cool.
Setting out the trays of cars for the days session is just what the crew needs to get the blood flowing and the heat generating.
(Click on pictures to enlarge them and click outside them to return to the normal look of the page.)
(Click on pictures to enlarge them and click outside them to return to the normal look of the page.)
The freight cars are stored in these bread trays with labels indicating which town or yard each tray is destined.
The freight cars on this tray will be placed in Bell. This is the location where they were left from the previous operation as the computer program cycles from session to session.
Chris is all smiles as Doug and Lawrence discuss the morning's events in the background and Stu (standing) holds a discussion with Paul (sitting).
My interests are on other things! Yum Yum! Thanks Steve and Henk! Happy Belated Birthday to ya, Henk. How does it feel to be the youngest operator of the bunch!
Lawrence points out (literally) a few items in the pre-ops meeting while Steve is occupied with pen in hand.
The session begins! Paul has signed on aboard 318 out of Glen Hammond. Note our dispatcher, Doug, at his post in the booth.
Train 318's destination is Craig Leigh, the railroad's terminus to the east. Paul will then crew the return run, Train 319, later in the morning.
Paul is on the roll with 318 passing the depot in the Glen.
Fall colours abound at Lily in harmony with the crisp morning air as Paul brings 318 downgrade into Blockhouse.
I'm working Nelson Yard with Gord and Henk. I offer to head to Mackenzie Lumber to lift the cars destined for the yard. The cars will later be placed on their respective tracks in the yard for future delivery aboard a variety of trains.
Paul switches out Blockhouse while Stu looks on.
I've lifted the cars from Mackenzie Lumber and head into Fallentree Mine to grab a few more.
My locomotive will be sandwiched between the two cuts of cars, but only for a short distance to the main yard at Nelson. Check out the photographer's silhouette.
Gord assembles trains from his post at the east end of the yard while Stu looks on. Chris and Lela are spotted in the background working the east end of Bell aboard Train 302.
In the booth, Doug continues to keep all trains a safe distance from each other while orchestrating a host of meets and passes in the small towns en route.
Eastbound Passenger 2 on the left track at Mercer Siding. Typically we run right hand through Mercer. Passenger 2 must have been given orders to take the left hand track.
Steve, the operator aboard Passenger 2, has been granted permission from dispatch to cross the diamond at Bellamy while Bob's ore train takes the grade out of Firgrove bound for Bell in the area known to railfans as "The Ledges".
Passenger 2 crosses the diamond.
The ore train, number 702F, is spotted in the distance.
Passenger 2 passes between the two depots at Bellamy and Belson.
Pat is at the helm of Train 15, the Pool Train. He is about to take on the grade up into Lily.
Stu looks on as Gord's Nelson Yard switcher continues to build trains in the yard.
The Pool Train rounds the bend at Lily.
Pat crosses the bridge outside of Nelson Yard and Glen Hammond.
Train 15 and 2 meet in the Glen.
You cannot doubt the colour of railroading!
Indeed, this RP&M combine offers a significant splash of colour all on its own!
I share a chuckle with Steve as our two locomotives meet outside the yard.
My locomotive passes Gord's in this "sometimes congested" area at the eastern throat of the yard.
Number 2 passes Blockhouse...
...while Number 15 takes the crossing at Bellamy.
I head back to the yard to continue to work the western throat.
Yup, the crew at Nelson keeps it clean and tidy!
I've backed my locomotive onto Track 3 where I find my train.
I will crew RP&M 65. I will have to back my train out of the yard in order to head into the Glen.
Let's head over to Rat Portage. We spot Henk working Train 67/68, a turn from Nelson Yard to Bell.
Switching out the two track yard at Rat Portage.
Note the bird poop on the cab roof.
Note the bird poop on the cab roof.
"Now, behave yourself!" Henk tells his locomotive. "No running under seagulls anymore!" Indeed, he is a "locomotive whisperer" in these parts.
Over to the eastern sector of the line, Passenger 2 has reached Spruce.
At Ironwood, Pat and Paul handle 301 while Lawrence with train 327 and Chris with 302 meet at Watkins siding.
Passenger 2 rounds the bend between Spruce and Ironwood...
...and pulls into the station track.
Passenger 2's headend passes the station...
...and readies for a stop while the crew of 301 work the yard tracks at Ironwood.
Pat and Paul are all smiles on this sunny morning.
Bob is spotted at Cedar Rock where he works the ore cars at the crusher.
Paul has 318 protected at Mount St. Helens as his train drills the trailing sidings.
Nice power, Paul!
At Craig Leigh, Bernie is keeping the yard organized.
He flashes a smile for this ardent railfan!
Then gets back to the serious business of running a terminal yard.
The ore train departs Peter's Pond for Nelson Yard.
Back at Bell, 327 has kept the main clear for the Pool Train.
Doug, our illustrious dispatcher, ensures safe train movements across the IPP&W line.
The Pool Train has a lift and a set out at Bell on this day.
Bob requests clearance from Gord to enter Nelson Yard.
You cannot beat the look of a unit train in my books!
Bob is dressed for the part on this morning! Note how he has uncoupled his locomotive from the ore cars via remote control from his throttle. Pretty cool, I say! That's Lawrence working the interchange tracks at Bell in the background.
I've backed RP&M 65 out of the yard at Nelson and will head to Glen Hammond. Bob has uncoupled from the ore train and heads over to Fallentree Mine to pick up some more cars.
Lawrence at Bell. The Pool Train is on the station track in back.
Pat navigates RP&M trackage with the Pool Train. He is downgrade on his approach to Pratt's Bottom.
I have some switching to do in the Glen. I have been given orders to keep the station track clear for the imminent approach of the Pool Train.
Lawrence keeps busy at Bell.
While Bill runs the hop from Firgrove, Train 20/21.
Train 20 arrives Bell.
Nice looking locomotive, Bill!
I like the look of those cars as well!
The Pool Train arrives Bellamy...
...and rounds the big curve to the west of Glen Hammond.
Once 15 arrives, I am clear to head out.
Before heading to Rat Portage, I will work the team track near Bellamy. We see two RP&M trains in this image. I'm Train 65 in the foreground while Henk, aboard Train 67, climbs the grade out of Pratt's Bottom in the distance.
The team track is to left in this image.
I await the passing of 302 before I can proceed.
My train is upgrade into Rat Portage.
I head through the tunnel to switch the yard tracks.
I peer over the fence at the big curve out front.
The yard at Rat Portage has all trailing sidings for me.
With some interesting rolling stock in the mix.
With my switching complete, I run around my train and it is tender forward for 65 back to Nelson Yard.
Dispatch has cleared me across the diamond at Bellamy.
I take the turnout which will show me the way to Gouda Bud Light.
Where I have a set out and a lift to complete.
A look at the railroad from the western end of the line.
Henk runs back down the RP&M as Train 68.
He is indeed a relaxed gentleman!
My train, RP&M 65, has reached its destination in the yard at Nelson.
Paul aboard 301 works the yard tracks in Bell.
Bob and Gord enjoy the autumn sunshine.
My nicely weathered steamer continues to work the yard at Nelson. Gord's brilliant idea of using your locomotive to clear all the industries at the end of a session allows for more train ops after the day is complete! My locomotive has headed over to the team track at Bellamy and has picked up the traffic thee and at Gouda Bud Light. We bring the cars back to the yard in order to place them back in the bread trays Love it! Thanks for the great weathering job on my locomotive, Chris!
The ore train rounds the big bend at Lilly where the plants show off their fall foliage.
The ore train pierces the trestle.
Followed on the heels by 319.
Bob reaches the siding at Mercer.
Back in Craig Leigh, Chris and Lela arrive with 302.
Who says you can't run a small diesel on narrow gauge days!
Lawrence is descending the grade between Cedar Rock and Peter's Pond aboard Train 328.
He meets the ore train.
That's one lovely looking steam locomotive, Lawrence!
A look at Peter's Pond.
The ore train reaches "The Corners" with throttle wide open.
301 ascends the grade into Firgrove where it will terminate its run.
Paul is all smiles as he runs light through the trestle.
328, also lefthand running at Mercer.
Firgrove is basked in sunlight near the end of the session.
Bob navigates the turnouts on his approach into the yard at Firgrove.
Love that unit train look once more!
As it snakes through the switches...
...and terminates its run.
Nice looking diesel, Bob!
Fred cuts the lawn in between the tracks aboard this little puppy! Hehehe!
Paul and Pat tuck their locomotive away.
Paul enjoys some post ops camaraderie while Lela cooks up a storm for the entire crew! Mark, to the left, ensures all is organized for the post ops lunch.
Following the session, the railroad still looks beautiful without a car in sight!
The lads enjoy stories in the crew lounge. From left to right, we see Chris, Pat, Bernie, Lawrence, Henk, Steve and Pat.
Now, here's a crew for the ages! Yessirree! The RP&M crew of Mike (me), Henk and Gord celebrate another successful day along the most famous of railroads in the land, The Rat Portage and Mattawa...aka...the RP&M! We missed you, Colin!
As the tail end heads out of sight, we all thank Fred for allowing us to run trains at his place even though he was away on the weekend. We really missed you, Fred, but we were confident you were enjoying train running south of the border as well!
Stu asked me to mention on the blog what next week's theme will be. Lawrence announced that next weeks operations will be standard gauge...so please ensure your diesels are charged everyone!
Have a great week and we'll see you in seven days' time!
Mike Hamer - Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
