Invasion of Friends 2016 Narrow Gauge at Fred's - Part One

Invasion Day Two

We have returned to Ottawa for Day Two of our Annual Invasion.

Day Two of "The Invasion of Friends" found the gang back in Ottawa Friday after many visited Barry in  Belleville the day before.
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Today's ops would be Narrow Gauge.

Here we see Jim bringing his steamer tandem and caboose through the big trestle outside of Nelson Yard.  He is on his way to Firgrove where he will take over Train 302 with his lovely wife, Sue.

The gang meets around the table while Fred checks the master car list before the session begins.  Garry and Henk hover over his shoulders checking for car numbers as well.

The crew sign-up list.

I've always loved this Dogfish Head reefer.

And...what do I find on the main table...

A six pack of them!  Thanks to Bruce for bringing them out!

Let's do a quick tour around the railroad, shall we?

We spot Yardmaster Ken in Craig Leigh.

Bruce has brought out his locomotive and he awaits his train to be made up by Ken and his assistant, Paul.

Three steamers at the Northland area of Craig Leigh.

Steve is at the terminus in Craig Leigh where he will begin his journey aboard Train #15, the Pool Train.

He has some special orders for his train on this day.

Ken and Paul work Douglas Yard in Craig Leigh while Steve has Train #15 underway.

She looks beautiful in the dappled shade of the yard.

Train #15 has arrived its first town en-route.  This is Mount St. Helens.

Jean and Bruce arrived Mount St. Helens shortly after the departure of the Pool Train.

Later they find themselves in the next destination along the line, Ironwood.

They take the curve which heads into Spruce.

Earlier, Train #15 had met Train 318 in Spruce.

Steve departs the station in Spruce while Don and John  work the sidings aboard 318.

Earlier, Don and John had a stop at Blockhouse.

Now, they are on their way to Spruce.

Another Steve listens in on the radio while Ken offers the young lad, Mason, his throttle.  Garry, to the left,  works the South tracks at Nelson Yard.

Henk has expressed his opinion on something and the entire Nelson Yard erupts in laughter.

Pat and Pat have 327 is in the hole at Mercer.

Meanwhile Jean and Lela enjoy a moment of relaxation with Peter's Pond in behind them.

And...a lovely pond it is!

327 has arrived Peter's Pond.

Where they will have work to do up in Cedar Rock.

Cedar Rock is a branchline that originates in Peter's Pond.

The two Pats work Cedar Rock while Bob, to the right, has his train at Spruce.

Ken and Sue, aboard 302 are holding fast at Watkins Siding.

Later, Bruce and Jean are spotted climbing the grade out of Watkins Siding bound for Bell.

At Glen Hammond, the westbound Pool Train #15 meets eastbound Passenger #2.  Steve runs the Pool Train while the husband and wife tandem of the other Steve and Seanna run Passenger #2.

Earlier, Sue and Jim departed Firgrove aboard Train 302.  We find them in Bell.

Railfans congregate around Bell for a special event.

What could it be?

Aha!  A three-way meeting of the minds!

Of course, our very able and capable dispatcher, Doug, orchestrated such a meet with great precision.

We arrive the end of the line at Firgrove where we see Ralph Yard in the foreground.

Earlier in the morning we see Bernie, in red, making up 302 for Jim who is walking by.

Glen Hammond is the smaller yard located beside Nelson Yard.  It can be a busy location at time with passenger meets as well as meets between trains from both railroads, the IPP&W and the RP&M.

Speaking of the RP&M, we spot one of their trains about to cross the diamond at Bellamy.

They arrive Belson.

Once permission is granted, they come into Nelson Yard on a slow approach.

Earlier in the day, John is all smiles standing in front of Glen Hammond.

Chris has a mischievous look on his face while his lovely wife, Lela, looks on from behind.

Stories abound around the main table under the canopy.

Sue and Jim are enjoying the camaraderie a great deal.

Passenger #2 crosses the diamond at Bellamy.

Seanna railfans her train as well as a few others!

A meet of the two passenger trains in Glen Hammond.

Another meet at the other end of the Glen.

Henk's daughter and grandkids visit the session.

What's this we have...a birthday cake!!!

Happy birthday, Mason!

Now...blow out those candles!

The main table is a busy location with many of the train orders available as seen in this earlier shot.

Mason decides to give train running a go with Thomas the Tank.

Lots of fun!

He's a very capable operator.

Even though he has chocolate on his face!

Jan chats with Fred while Don takes a seat in the shade of the canopy.

Ken shuts his eyes in amusement as Ric shares a story.

Paul does too!

While Fred and Seanna hold court with John listening in the background.  Stay tuned for more pics from Barry's Thursday session, the Friday narrow gauge session as well as pics from the standard gauge one held on Saturday!

To see more pictures of this session, check out:
http://gardenrailroadottawa.blogspot.ca/2016/07/invasion-of-friends-2016-narrow-gauge_21.html

All the best  Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada