With a model railroad show this weekend in nearby Arnprior, we expected a smaller crew on hand for train ops. Indeed there were fewer in attendance than last weekend, but we managed sufficient numbers to man all trains (except the ore run) on this day. In the above image, we gather pre-ops for some social banter. Then we listen in as Colin goes through the weekly safety drill. From left to right, we see Paul, Brian, Colin, Garry and Pat. John is hidden in back behind Brian's shoulder.
Fred and Doug enjoy some of the early morning camaraderie in the shade of the canopy.
As does George in the cool looking floral shirt. I want one!
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Speaking of George. He is a real trooper. He signed on to work Ralph Yard at Firgrove in this, his first session alone at the throttle.
Henk assisted him in the early going. He was a quick study as he continued to assemble outgoing trains and break down incoming ones. He also ran Train 120, the short milk run from Firgrove down to Bell.
George used my Annie on this day as I was busy in the dispatch booth keeping the session running smoothly, as I learned from Doug.
Speaking of troopers, Brian was one as well. This was his first operating session on the railroad and he signed on to run Douglas Yard in Craig Leigh. He used his diesel on this day as there were no more steamers available. We see Brian making up Train 15, the Pool Train.
With the Pool Train assembled, it was on to blocking freight cars for 301 in Douglas Yard.
Love the diesel, Brian! A colourful one for sure.
Well, these three are not newbies! This trio is our seasoned Nelson Yard crew. Now, I must be fair here. This snapshot of them drinking a wee tad of the ale was taken "post" ops, not "pre" ops! I wonder how Nelson Yard would've ended up had it been the other way around! Hehehe!
One of the work horses working the yard.
The other workhorse!
Brian has 301's cars assembled so Garry and John back their engine onto the consist at Douglas Yard.
Dispatch has cleared them to Mount St. Helens, their first of eight stops en-route.
Later, they find their way into Ironwood. It would appear that John is the conductor and Garry the engineer. They'll be kept quite busy in Ironwood with its three facing sidings and two trailing ones.
Garry and John will clear the main shortly for the arrival of Passenger #2 with Lawrence at the helm.
Malcolm has arrived aboard 318 and offers an assist with 301's final move.
"Let's see," Henk murmurs to himself, "I've been away for three weeks. How does this thing work again?"
"Ah, just fine!" Henk reports with a big grin as he drills the spur at Brunt's Brewery.
Henk is running Train 302, one of the two trains that traverse the entire IPP&W mainline. Here we see him arriving Nelson Yard. At this juncture in time, he terminates 302 and departs Nelson Yard with an entirely new consist of freight cars as Train 312.
12 has a move at Blockhouse.
Then, it's on to Spruce where Henk switches out the trailing industries.
Malcolm is happy to bring out his latest acquisition, this White Pass steam locomotive.
He has signed on to Train 318/319, the turn from Glen Hammond to Craig Leigh.
Say, it looks like they've got a new water tower beside the depot in the Glen!
Malcolm departs Glen Hammond for Blockhouse while Gord works the yard shunter.
Indeed, it is always fun to railfan your own train!
Here my rendition of the shot Malcolm got.
Here's Malcolm's actual shot that he sent my way via e-mail!
His locomotive tiptoes into the sun with his train below the eastern yard lead in Nelson.
318 climbs the grade out of Blockhouse destined for Spruce.
Over at Peter's pond we catch up with Paul and Doug aboard the other "turn", Train 327/328 which is the run from Glen Hammond to Firgrove and back.
That's one fine-looking locomotive you've got there, Doug!
They take the branch up to Cedar Rock.
Where they acquire a couple of new crewmates. They are Doug's grandsons, Owen and Connor, with their mom Loren. Both boys felt very much at home with the throttle in their hands.
From Cedar Rock, they made their way down the branch back to Peter's Pond and were soon on their way into Bell after a meet with another train at Watkins. We catch up with them here in Bell.
Where Grandpa Doug helps them with their switching moves when the reach is too long.
Here's Grandpa Doug with Connor, Owen and Loren. It was a thrill for me to listen in as Owen enjoyed reciting the full Periodic Table in proper sequence after our ops session was over. I've also enjoyed watching his video where he recited the value of Pi to over 250 decimal places in front of his assembled school mates! Connor is a super kid as well, wearing that Superman shirt. He is a super train operator! Go Jays Go, mom!
Meanwhile, back in Craig Leigh, we find Pat hauling Train 15 westbound along the outer track. The Pool Train will traverse both railroads.
Pat arrives Ironwood. Traffic is light here as he is the first westbound train to arrive in the early morning hours and no eastbounds have reached this end of the line as yet.
He pulls into the station.
Much later in the session, we catch up with Train 15, now on RP&M trackage. The train is slowing for a station stop at Pratt's Bottom.
Back on IPP&W iron, Pat hauls the Pool Train into Glen Hammond for his second visit to the station on this day. The Pool Train is the only train to do so.
Lawrence is in Bell with Passenger #2. Like Pat, he will arrive Glen Hammond depot two times with the difference being he will be on Passenger #1 for his second visit there.
Mr. Watkins with Passenger #2 downgrade at Watkins!
Lawrence arrives the big curve on the outskirts of Glen Hammond.
Coming into the yard.
Where he meets...guess who? You got it...Pat with the Pool Train!
A meet of passenger equipment can be very colourful indeed!
Later in the session, Gord has his RP&M train in Bellamy.
Like Mr. Watkins at Watkins, we have Mr. Bellamy at Bellamy!
Later, Gord returns across the diamond.
While Paul (in the distance in sunglasses) brings RP&M 67 up to Bell to interchange traffic with the IPP&W.
His CP locomotive is a beauty!
Paul, working the interchange tracks.
Nearing the end of the session, George brings Train 120 down from Firgrove along "The Ledges" into Bell.
Train 120 rounding the bend into Bell.
George works the West House Track.
It's fun checking out my locomotive in action! George, you did a great job manning the yard at Firgrove!
Our good friend, David, and his lovely wife, Heather, enjoyed a lovely visit to the railroad on this fine morning. Heather, you take great pics! (inside joke)
Brian, like George...you did a fabulous job in Craig Leigh!
These little guys are oblivious to all the action, but they sure add to the railroad experience.
As always, thanks so much, Fred, for allowing so many friends to come over each Saturday morning and experience the joy that garden railroading brings to the table! I really enjoyed dispatching the crew on this day. Next week, it will be standard gauge. Have a great week, everyone!
Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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