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

Day Three of the Invasion

Day Three of "The Invasion of Friends" finds us on the IPP&W/RP&M running Standard Gauge operations with all those colourful looking diesels. 

 This pair of TH&B geeps do not disappoint.  Thanks to Barry and Bernie for bringing these out.

This pairing of New York Central switchers belonging to Sue and Jim from New York are equally as impressive.

A lovely Canadian Pacific geep.

Bob's CN unit.

Bruce and Jean run this little Southern belle!

Steve M. brought out his CN geep.

Not sure who brought this gorgeous centre cab out, but I know I like it!

Pre-ops organization takes place around the big table.

From left to right, we see Barry, Bob, Don, Doug and Fred.

Jean looks on while Steve carries a car over to its designated industry.

The lads and lasses are attentive...

...to Fred's introductory speech.

Let's take a tour of the entire line starting from the western terminus of Firgrove.

Jim has run his locomotives across the line and is in the process of turning them.

On the "Armstrong".

Bernie is yardmaster in Firgrove.

The yard in front of them is known as Ralph Yard.

Bernie is busy making up a train for Malcolm later in the session.

Between Firgrove and Bell is a location I have dubbed "The Ledges".  Later in the day we spot Doug bringing 301 up The Ledges from Bell to Firgrove.

Bell can be a pretty busy location at the best of times.

Early in the morning we spot Gaetan and Barry working the eastern sector at Bell.

At some point in the session, Bruce and Jean bring Passenger #2 into Bell.

Looks like Jim and Sue are drilling the eastern end of Bell with their New York Central switcher tandem.  Love the transfer caboose as well.

Looks like Steve's locomotive on Train 318 between Peter's Pond and Bell at another location I have nicknamed "The Corners".

In Peter's Pond, Bruce and Jean enjoy a station stop aboard Passenger #2.

318 earlier on at Peter's Pond.

Paul is working the yard at the pond.

Then he takes the Cedar Rock branch upgrade.

At Cedar Rock, Don and Paul will have a bit of switching to complete.

That's okay as they are in the dappled shade on this sunny day.

Passenger #2 has passed through Mercer Siding and has taken the Bellamy crossing before heading into the Bellamy depot and Glen Hammond.

Much later in the day, they are aboard Passenger #1 in the opposing direction.  Looks like there has been a service interruption as we have a momentary "parade" of trains near the diamond.

John looks over the yard at Glen Hammond and the massive Nelson Yard while Don and Paul work the interchange tracks at Bell in the background.

Ken and Jan have signed on at Nelson while Gaetan works his locomotive.  In the background, Steve and John review their train orders before departing Glen Hammond aboard the turn to Craig Leigh known as train 318/319.

The other Steve and Seanna have arrived Nelson Yard where Jan and Ric are hard at work.

It's fascinating to come back to the yard every so often for railfanning due to the fact the yard traffic changes throughout the session.

Passenger #2 meets 318 at Glen Hammond.

Bruce is about to radio dispatch requesting clearance through to Blockhouse and Spruce.

Nicole casts a "Magic Spell" of safety over the crew of 327/328 as their turn departs Nelson Yard bound for Firgrove.

They tiptoe across the trestle.

Later, 302 does the same.

Bruce and Jean have also signed up to run 318/319 in the other session of the day.

They are found at Blockhouse.

 The Nelson Crew switch out the industries near Blockhouse.

Locomotive #19 arrives Spruce.

Moments earlier they rounded the bend.

Where the saw the peak of the new depot.

Beyond Spruce we arrive Ironwood.

Jim and Sue have things well in control.

Bruce and Jean arrive the scene as well.

While Bruce and Malcolm railfan the meet.

Passenger #1 is found in Ironwood where it finds 301protected in the hole.  A railfan's delight...two road switchers!

Between Ironwood and Mount St. Helens, trains must climb a short grade.

Doug, Henk and Barry share a laugh as Doug uncouples his drops.

The shade at this location offers respite for the operators from the heat of the sun.

John railfans the railroad as 301 arrives Mount St. Helens.

The eastern terminus of the railroad is Craig Leigh.

We spot a quartet of cabeese on the van track in Douglas Yard at Craig Leigh.

Fred continues to entertain more visitors to the railroad.

He is truly one of the great ambassadors of the hobby.

The two Dougs find a seat near the tracks at Lilly.

Fred enjoys the camaraderie of another guest to the railroad.

Jean and Paul relax in the shade at the main table below the canopy while the train action continues in the background.  To view more pics from this session, visit "Part Two" at:
http://gardenrailroadottawa.blogspot.ca/2016/07/invasion-of-friends-2016-standard-gauge_21.html

All the best,

Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada