Standard Gauge Ops - Or Is It? October 3rd, 2015

First "Ops of October!"

We're now into October and, boy oh boy, the chill in the air feels more like the winds of November!

We're pre-ops here with Gord, Henk and Colin busily setting out cars in the yard.  We welcome Colin back from his European sojourn.  Great to see you in the yard again, Colin!

Note how things are just "warming up" as Henk attempts to battle the chill.

A quick "pre ops" tour around the property finds all cars set out in their respective yards.

This CP tank car is a very nice addition to the scene in Stuart Yard at Bell.

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The team track, freight shed and fuel track in Ironwood are ready to see action.

You've got to love the look of that long string of stock cars at Mount St. Helens.

It feels ten degrees cooler in the shade over at this end of the property.

The loaded gondola and hopper are spotted at Ironwood Brick.

Canadian Pacific class G-3-g 4-6-2, a Pacific, enjoys a bath of morning light as she awaits her assignment outside the engine house at Craig Leigh.  Thus, the title of this posting.

Douglas Yard appears fairly light on this day.

This is because Bernie does such a great job at this terminal location on the railroad.

Bernie makes up Train 15, the Pool Train.  It will be the second train out of Craig Leigh following on the heels of 301.

A "pre-ops" photo of Mackenzie Lumber at Spruce.  The variety of traffic here adds visual interest to the scene.

Bernie's TH&B GP7 traverses all of the trackage in and around Craig Leigh.

Meanwhile, at Nelson Yard, this centre cab assists the yard crew in placing cars to their respective industries before the session begins.  The crew here is a clever one.  Rather than physically lean far over the scenery near Fallentree Mine to place the cars on the tracks, they set these cars out on an "easy to reach" track in their yard "pre-ops" and deliver them to their industries with the aid of the switcher!

This little puppy was spotted hanging out around Nelson.

Over in Rat Portage, Bill checks his list to ensure all cars are spotted at their proper industries before the session gets under way.  Tucked in between the house and the tall hedge, the crews here can find respite from the winds when they pick up.

Looks like Passenger 2 will have a steamer on this day!

Lawrence's road switcher awaits its assignment on one of the tracks near the turntable at Firgrove.

Aha!  Yet another steamer!  Indeed, the "standard gauge" session has been invaded!

This is Canadian National #5141, a Pacific J-4-e.

Pat gets an idea in his head.

It seems he and Steve have read each other's minds.

"Say, Steve!" Pat begins, "Why don't we double head our two CP steam locomotives on both passenger trains, number 2 and 1?"

"Just what I was thinking!" Steve responds.

Just one problem.  Steve has to traverse the entire line in order to meet up with Pat at the western terminus.  That's okay as the session has yet to begin so the entire road is his...for the moment.

A few moments earlier, Pat mentioned something to me about a new branchline installed on the railroad.  I figured that I had better check this out as I should know and understand every inch (or cm) of track as dispatcher on this day.

Pat's called me over to the wye in Craig Leigh.

"Mike!  There's the new "branch" line!"

Yup, you've gotta have an "open mind" when you hang out with these lads and lasses who often have warped senses of humour.  Love ya, Pat!

The bell has been rung so everyone meets in the crew lounge for the "pre-ops" preamble.

Lela and Seanna try to keep warm in the sunshine.

Fred has a few words of wisdom to deliver to the lads who seem to be interested in all the tasty refreshments available in the lounge!

Ladies and gentlemen, let the session begin!

Colin boards his Canadian Pacific road switcher and begins his day at Nelson Yard.

I take my position in the dispatch booth.  I can see that all cars have been set out.

Henk gets aboard his CP diesel as Colin passes behind him.

Eastbound 318 is ready at Glen Hammond as is westbound 327.  Both crews will have work to do in the Glen before they depart for further destinations.

My view through the window in the dispatch booth shows the action beginning to heat up nicely.

Colin heads into the spurs at Mackenzie Lumber just outside of Nelson Yard.

He will pull these cars into the yard where they will be marshalled to their respective trains and locations.

This IPP&W coach, Shawinigan Falls, brings up the rear of Train 15, the Pool Train.

Here is Moe, the engineer aboard the pool train.

Moe will be aboard this gorgeous CP road switcher.

Back at Glen Hammond, we spot 318 continuing to make up its train.  Soon, the crew will be on the roll out of the Glen and bypass the tracks leading into Nelson Yard.

Passenger 2 uses the tracks along "The Ledges" as a switching lead.  The crew continues to make up their train at Firgrove as they have a car or two to add to the consist.

Henk works the west end of Nelson Yard aboard this CP diesel.

He works in concert with Gord who is at the east end.  Together they create four trains and spot traffic to industries local to the yard.

Colin pulls his traffic across the gut outside of Nelson Yard.

Chris continues to make up his train in Glen Hammond with Lela, out of sight, controlling the moves.

Yes, the eastern throat of the yard can become very busy very quickly!
Chairs can be pulled up at this location just below the dispatcher's booth where an observer could be kept interested in the "comings and goings" pretty much throughout the entire session from this well-placed vantage point.

The RP&M drover caboose looks like the meat in a sandwich even though it is safely tucked into a small, yet accommodating, space near the yard throat.

Lela is finishing up her moves aboard 318 while Steve and Seanna still have work to do with 327 at Glen Hammond.

327's power, this B&O road switcher, sure looks great running short hood forward.

This shot across the two yards indicates how well the crews work together in close proximity to one another at Nelson Yard.

327 is on the roll westward out of the Glen.  The crew will cross the diamond at Bellamy in short order.  Their final destination will be Firgrove which is just visible to the left far off in the background along the edge of the property.  This train will have plenty of work to do at Peter's Pond, Cedar Rock and Bell before they reach the western end of the line.  At Firgrove, the crew will turn its power and return to Glen Hammond as Train 328.

301 has already departed Craig Leigh when we spot Train 15, the Pool Train skirting Douglas Yard.

Train 15 rounds the bend and passes the turnout for the siding at Northland.

301 has already arrived Mount St. Helens and has protected itself in the siding as the pool train approaches the station track with Moe at the helm.

Back at Glen Hammond, 318 departs on the outer track while the Nelson Yard crew uses their inner lead track to classify trains.

327 has arrived Peter's Pond.  Blue seems to be the mood on this "still chilly" morning!  Brrrr.

The pool train has arrived Ironwood.  In the background, Chris and Lela work the industries in Spruce while keeping the station track clear for the imminent arrival of Train 15.

Trains continue to be made up in Nelson Yard as Henk and Colin team up for a while.

Remember Steve and Pat's plan?  Well it seems their scheme is about to get underway as Steve's locomotive has arrived Firgrove and has been turned on the table.  She has nestled herself in behind Pat's locomotive as the two engineers will handle the double header with the deftness of  orchestra conductors!  This will prove to be an operational challenge for the crew as the two locomotives will be working together to travel at the same speed while being controlled independently.

A gorgeous railfan shot of Passenger 2 rounding the bend on her approach into Bell.

302 follows Passenger 2 out of Firgrove.

327 has met the Pool Train in Spruce and has been cleared into Ironwood.  This great looking switcher is spotted rounding the big curve just west of Ironwood.

My view from the booth shows 302 on Track 4 in Bell while Passenger 2 slowly departs the station.

Again...the title of this post!

You can't deny the fact that this shot is a railfan's delight, though!

Indeed, Steve is all smiles aboard his CP steamer while Paul handles his CN Pacific.

Paul's crewmate, Lawrence, conducts the train movements aboard 302.

The double header "special" rounds the bend at "The Corners". 

They will arrive Peter's Pond in short order...or will they?

Meanwhile, Steve and Seanna work the industries at Cedar Rock located at the end of the branch out of Peter's Pond.  Henk enjoys a break from the action at Nelson Yard and heads over this way to see how other crews are making out.

Pat pulls up his pants after having to check on his train below Mount St. Helens.
Seanna brings here locomotive down the hill from Cedar Rock back to Peter's Pond.

Ah, yes...Pat and Steve have arrived Peter's Pond and take the station track after their short service interruption below Mount St. Helens.

Out of Peter's Pond, they meet the Pool Train at Mercer.

A meet between two passenger trains is a "must have" shot in this railfan's book!

Chris and Lela terminated Train 318 at Craig Leigh.  They are now on their return run, Train 319, running cab forward as they take the siding at Mount St. Helens.

Pat and Steve have their train stopped at Craig Leigh.

Paul works 301 at Ironwood.

Lawrence walks by the dispatch booth as "yours truly" sticks his head outside for some fresh, yet brisk, morning air!

You can't help but smile when you are running trains!

Paul and Lawrence are very content running 302 on this fine October day!

Another look at Chris and Lela's power.

What's this!  Mark is running a "block" while Moe sneaks a car under his arm!

Aha!  We know the reason why.  There was a service interruption with the Pool Train below Mount St. Helens.  In short order, Moe will have his train assembled again.

Another view of Passenger 2 during its station stop in the Glen.

Paul's power aboard 301 spotted at the eastern end of Ironwood.

Hmmm!  Bell seems to be a little congested at this point in time.

The crew of 327, Steve and Seanna, work the industries in Bell while Henk has arrived Bell Junction with his RP&M Train, number 67.

Train 2 pierces the trestle near Lily.

The Pool Train has arrived the station track in Bell.  He will have some work to complete before heading onto RP&M trackage.  327 rests on Track 3 in the foreground.

Gord works RP&M Train 65 in Glen Hammond.

Once again...the RP&M's version of a tank car!

"Say, Moe!" Henk directs, "I think if we create a hole in the fence over there, then the railroad can expand into the neighbour's yard!  What do you think?"

Moe shakes his head, "That Henk, he's always got crazy ideas!"

Bell certainly is abuzz at this moment with 327 sharing space with the Pool Train and RP&M 67.

The trio of crews work things out and the Pool Train finally finds RP&M trackage.  It's clear sailing for the moment as Moe drifts downgrade into Pratt's Bottom.  Shortly, he will meet another RP&M train, number 65, at Rat Portage.  I have been privileged to run with the fine crews along the RP&M over time and I must say that their railroad runs like a Swiss watch!

Passenger 2 has arrived Spruce.  Colin heads over to check things out.

The double header grabs the attention of Fred as well.

Fred takes a seat in the sun and checks out the drivers to see if the two lads are running in sync.  They certainly are...for the time being!

Paul's train is tucked into the siding at Ironwood protected against the oncoming passenger train.

This will be the last shot of the double header before my camera battery gives out on me.

Meanwhile, 302 is captured passing the twin depots at Bellamy and Belson after completing their work at Peter's Pond.

302 has arrived Nelson Yard.  They will uncouple from their train, pick up the cars two tracks over and depart as Train 312.

Paul and Lawrence work the only trailing industry at Cedar Rock with their steamer while Bernie poses for the camera.

Looks like some crews are taking a break.  Indeed they are as we have a slight service interruption in the background at Ironwood.  It seems that one of the two double headed engines didn't cooperate with the other.  The situation took some ten tense minutes or so to iron out.

From a dispatcher's perspective, this delay threw a monkey wrench into the operations as I had successfully cleared all trains to their furthest destinations possible.  With the now dead train at Ironwood blocking the main, freight trains at distances of one and two towns down the line had to hold where they were until the situation was resolved due to the fact we also had a freight train working the tracks in Ironwood as well. 

Fortunately the situation with the trailing passenger locomotive finally worked itself out and the train eventually plied the rails into Spruce.  Otherwise, crews would have had to wait for the other freights to complete their moves in their subsequent towns before moving on or  they would have had to figure out innovative ways to "tuck" their trains into the yards of these towns for meets with their freight brethren.  Thanks to the freight crews and to Moe aboard the Pool Train for their patience.  This dispatcher really appreciated it!

Henk breaks the tension caused by the service interruption by popping his head into the dispatch booth and offering up a quick "one-liner".  I'm still busting a gut laughing!

Things are rather calm at the western end of the line as Bill and Mark celebrate another great day of train running at Firgrove.

This shot showcases three crews running trains simultaneously.  That's Lela to the right and Paul in the middle working eastern locations with Paul and Lawrence in the distance to the left working in Cedar Rock, a western location along the line.

311 takes the turnouts on its approach into the yard at Firgrove.
Indeed, we had some long trains in the mix on this day.  This lead to interesting challenges for the crews during meets along the line especially with the added size of some of those gorgeous steamers further lengthening the trains.  Tons of fun for everyone!

I offer up my own "one liner" to Henk.  Indeed, the humour among all the lads is always fun!

We take a quick peek at this RP&M transfer caboose as we say good-bye to yet another posting of all the fun we share on this great railroad up this way in Ottawa!
Thanks, as always, to Fred for opening up the railroad for us all to enjoy and to Doug and Lawrence, who both go the distance to organize the sessions.
Have a great train day everyone!
Mike Hamer - Ottawa, Ontario, Canada