Narrow Gauge Operations - Post Invasion

 

After our fun-filled Annual Invasion of Friends, we were back at it with the regular schedule of train ops on the IPP&W/RP&M this past Saturday morning.  Here we see Bernie in front of Douglas Yard in Craig Leigh enjoying the shade the tall pines offer.

 

 

Henk asked me to run 327 with him, so my locomotive was available.  Bernie asked if he could use it as his steamer is in the shop at the moment.

 

 

A look at Douglas Yard.
 

 

While Bernie works the eastern terminus of the line, Paul signed on as yard master at the western end at Firgrove where Ralph Yard is located.

 

 

Paul has his diesel out on this day making up Train 302.

Malcolm and Steve wait eagerly as Paul completes the assembling of their train.

 

 

Gord and Colin handle traffic at Nelson Yard.  Colin's son, Paul, will be the third crewmate in the yard on this day.

 

 

In Glen Hammond we find the two turns on the staging tracks.

 

 

Lawrence is a master builder and he has brought out these two gorgeous bridges he recently made.

 

 

Doug was given the upper one with the lower one being "up for grabs".

 

 

Here is an earlier shot of the first bridge taken on Wednesday's visit.

 

 

Folks gather around the table pre-ops.

 

 

Trains are selected.

 

 

Paul takes 318 out of Glen Hammond.  His locomotive crosses the gut on the outskirts of the big yard.  The umbrellas are already up and will help operators combat the sun.

 

 

Paul's train has arrived Spruce.

 

 

Lawrence and Pat have 301 in Ironwood while Paul enters Spruce.

 

 

Crews here can discuss moves due to the proximity of the towns.  This works very well on the rare days when we do not have a dispatcher in the booth.

 

 

Fred brings Paul a car from the RIP track.

 

 

Paul's locomotive is a beauty.

 

 

He is now in Mount St. Helens where he meets Passenger #1.

 

 

Garry has Passenger #1 on the station track while Paul begins his switching of the trailing sidings.

 

 

Moments before, Passenger #1 arrived town.

 

 

With Garry at the helm.

 

 

Paul has now arrived Craig Leigh.

 

 

He and Bernie have a chat.

 

 

In short order, Bernie has Paul's return train, 319, ready to head back to Glen Hammond.

 

 

Another gander at Paul's power.

 

 

Back at Nelson Yard, Gord continues to build up and break down trains.

 

 

While Colin and Paul pitch in as well.

 

 

Glen Hammond looks empty at the moment, but on this railroad things can change in a minute.

Malcolm and Steve have 302 in Bell to the right of the photo.

 

 

Another train arriving Nelson Yard.

 

 

The yardmasters are kepy busy.

 

 

Gord will soon head out on the RP&M line for a run.

 

 

A fine locomotive under Gord's control.

 

 

The new house provides a mountainous backdrop to the scene.

 

 

Up in Firgrove, Paul continues to assemble and break down trains.

 

 

While Moe and Henk share a laugh.

 

 

Another look at Bell where Malcolm and Steve drill the interchange tracks.

 

 

Their locomotive at Bell.

 

 

Train #15 arrives Bell.

 

 

Moe will shortly take the Pool Train over to RP&M trackage.

 

 

Where he'll take a break at Rat Portage.

 

 

Paul departs Nelson Yard bound for RP&M territory.

 

 

In Rat Portage.

 

 

With his CP diesel.

 

 

Here's Paul.

 

 

Moe brings the pool train down RP&M trackage.

 

 

Station stop at Pratt's Bottom

 

 

Gord has his RP&M train in Bellamy.

 

 

Paul eventually reaches Bell.

 

 

Back at the diamond.

 

 

Gord's locomotive has just crossed the diamond.

 

 

The dispatch booth.

 

 

Fred looks on beneath the booth with Doug inside and Colin in the foreground.

 

 

A lovely morning for railfanning.

 

 

In Ironwood, Lawrence and Pat have 301 working the industries.

 

 

Doug steps out of the booth to chat with the crew.

 

 

Steve has 302 in Peter's Pond.

 

 

Here's his power.

 

 

Another train in the Pond.

 

 

The tracks look pretty full.

 

 

An artsy shot beneath Mount St. Helens.

 

 

Around "The Corners".

 

 

Henk signed onto 327, the turn from Glen Hammond to Firgrove.

 

 

So, I signed on with him as conductor.

 

 

Here's Henk's beautiful Shay locomotive on the ready track in Glen Hammond.

 

 

We're on our way with our first stop in Peter's Pond.

 

 

We only have facing moves up the branch so all of our cars to be spotted there must be on the front end of the locomotive.

 

 

Due to a scheduled track inspection up the branch, our caboose is in the consist.

 

 

Henk deftly shoves the spots around the bend and into Cedar Rock.

 

 

With our moves complete, we head back down to Peter's Pond and run around our train.

 

 

We have clearance to Bell, so we are on our way.

 

 

Beneath Mount St. Helens.

 

 

Finding daylight.

 

 

In the dappled shade westbound.

 

 

At "The Corners".

 

 

Through Watkins.

 

 

Into Bell where we meet 302.

 

 

We've shared facing spur maneuvers with 302 at Bell and are quickly on our way.

 

 

Henk guides the consist up "The Ledges".

 

 

And...into Firgrove.

 

 

Where yardmaster Paul will take our train and break it down in Ralph Yard.

 

 

Our arrival in Firgrove.

 

 

Henk turns the Shay.

 

 

On the "arm"strong.

 

 

The locomotive is resting in Firgrove awaiting our return train, 328, to be assembled by Paul in the yard at Ralph.

 

  

So Henk takes a breather in the lounge with Lawrence.

 

 

Our return train, Train 328, is assembled and we are once again out on the high iron.

 

 

Coming off "The Ledges" we meet the other Paul with his RP&M train near the interchange tracks at Bell.

 

 

On our approach into Stuart Yard we pass the large Brunt's Brewing facility.

 

 

The mainline is our lead as we switch out Stuart Yard.

 

 

This Shay is a valuable workhorse.

 

 

"Yes, dear,"  Henk tells his lovely wife..."I'll stop by the store for some cheese and treats!"

 

 

We clear the main for a meet with Passenger #1.

 

 

Garry is all smiles as he knows his run is almost done.

 

 

Dispatch clears us to Watkins siding so I hold on the main.

 

 

Henk admonishes me for not taking the siding.

 

 

Aha...dispatch is on my side on this one as we are eastbound and on the IPP&W eastbound trains are superior to westbound ones...so-o-o...I have a little fun and place my train back on the main!  Hehehe!

 

 

As we hold Watkins, Henk visits Fred in the lounge.

 

 

Pat has completed his moves in Peter's Pond.

What's this...Henk moved our train back onto the siding, the little rascal!

Yeah, you've gotta have fun in garden railroading!  Hehehe!

 

 

And, speaking of fun, our train finds daylight near Mount St. Helens where we pierce the twin towers of Mount St. Paul.  We daren't look up!

 

 

Through the canyon.

 

 

And into Peter's Pond. 

 

 

Joy and laughter abound when you crew with Henk!

 

 

Because our sole spot up in Cedar Rock will be at the only trailing siding in town, we must place the tankcar on the front of the locomotive as we head tender first up the branch.

 

 

We have also gathered the single car from Norton's Fishery and brought it along for the ride.

 

 

Ah, our lift will be from the same trailing siding as our spot.

 

 

And...it's this lovely business car.

 

 

So it comes down the hill with us along with the car to be placed back at the Fishery.

 

 

We survey the knowledgeable "Oz of Railroads" and he tells us that the car is to be tucked in front of the caboose in the consist.  Thank you for the tip, Colin!

 

 

We hold at Mercer on the right hand track as it is always right hand running through this siding.

 

 

We take the dieamond and notify dispatch when our train has cleared.

 

 

And...we arrive our destination in Glen Hammond as we take the sweeping curve into town.

Henk, it was a pleasure running 327/328 with you!  Say...I didn't see Bob and the ore train en route...did you?

 

 

Meanwhile, down in Mount St. Helens, Bernie has some work to do with his Craig Leigh shunter.

 

 

This little run offers the Craig Leigh yardmaster a nice diversion from his regular duties at the eastern end of the railroad.

 

 

The main acts as a lead for the switching here.

 

 

I always love checking out the rolling stock on the line.

 

 

There's variety.

 

 

There are billboards.

 

 

There is colour.

 

 

As well as some great insignias.

 

 

Well, I guess it's about time to head back to the lounge for a wee drink of some refreshments!

 

 

Thanks for checking in on another account of another fun session in the garden!

Thanks so much, Fred, for sharing your passion with us.  We'll see you next week!

Mike Hamer. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada