The first Saturday in August saw a number of regulars away at conventions and on holidays, but that's okay as we had a large number of visitors checking out the railroad to help boost the numbers. Lela and Chris are switching out Peter's Pond while a group of gents look on.
Pat is checking out his new steam locomotive while another crew of visitors oversee his actions.
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To revert back to the default format, click outside the image.
Seanna, Steve and Bernie listen in on the pre-ops safety speech given by Colin.
The visiting lads pose for a "Fab Four" snapshot.
The sign-up list indicates not enough locomotives to run all of the trains as we can see the turn from Glen Hammond to Craig Leigh is annulled on this day. That's me, the dispatcher, at the top of the list, followed by the yardmasters, then the train crews.
Let's check out Train 327 before its run. Chris and Lela will crew this train today. They'll have some switching work right here in Glen Hammond before they head out on the big road.
Here's engineer Chris.
Here's conductor Lela.
I catch up with them at Watkins. They have already handled Peter's Pond and the Cedar Rock branch by the time I am able to snap this shot from my perch in the dispatch booth. Lela is setting the switch back to the main for the opposing train to exit. This was a "sawby" meet with 302.
Lela and Chris are cleared into Bell.
Where they have some facing moves to complete at the interchange with the RP&M.
Upon completion of those moves, I clear them to Firgrove where their train terminates.
At Firgrove, they will turn the locomotive and return to Glen Hammond as Train 328. You will be able to follow that train in a future post.
Let's check in on another freight train, Train 301. Seanna is one of the crewmates.
As is her husband, Steve, who is holding his water bottle after kibitzing with Bernie at Craig Leigh.
They have completed their moves at Mount St. Helens and are arriving Ironwood.
Yes, this is the same image as the one six back of Lela throwing the turnout back to the main for her opposing train. Indeed, this is a busy garden railroad with multiple crews handling trains simultaneously.
The weather this Saturday morning has cooled somewhat from the temps we have experienced throughout the week, but it is still warm enough to require crews to stay hydrated. That's a good gulp, Steve!
Or...perhaps Steve was taking a short gander at the airplane overhead. Fred's property is directly below the flight path into Ottawa's major airport.
Seanna reaches across and throws a turnout using one of the "distant" mechanisms designed for improved operator access.
With their moves complete in Ironwood, the crew proceeds into Spruce.
Then downgrade with a final destination of Nelson Yard.
Through the trestle first.
Oh yes, speaking of interesting visitors to the railroad, this "railfan" was located in Spruce while Seanna and Steve were working this location along the line.
Seanna (to the right) has pulled into Nelson Yard where her train terminates. She and Steve will continue in their westward direction aboard Train 311 which Colin, the Nelson yardmaster, has assembled for them. You'll be able to follow that train in an upcoming post.
Train 15 is the Pool train. Moe frequently signs up for this run. Looks like it will be a relaxing day for this operator.
Train 15 enjoying the coolness in the shade at Mount St. Helens.
"Do I really want to get up?" Moe asks himself.
Train 15 meets Passenger #2 in Glen Hammond.
Mere moments earlier, Moe had arrived the Glen and performed his station stop.
He pulled ahead for Steve to bring Passenger #2 into the station.
Following a station stop at Peter's Pond, Train 15 is now climbing the grade into Bell.
Crossing over to RP&M trackage.
Mike scratches his head in amazement at how talented these operators are.
Steve has signed up for Passenger #2.
He boards his train at Firgrove.
In short order he arrives Bell.
Then into Peter's Pond where he meets an opposing freight.
He rounds the big curve to the west of Glen Robertson.
In this already posted image, Steve brings his train into the station after meeting Train 15.
Then it's an upgrade approach to Spruce. Steve will then make station stops at Ironwood and Mount St. Helens before arriving the terminal in Craig Leigh.
Pat has signed on to run Train 302. This train will run the length of the IPP&W in an eastward direction.
Pat has 302 in Bell.
Where he has some switching moves to complete. I snag this shot outside the door of my dispatch booth.
Pat holds the main at Watkins where he will meet 327. As you learned earlier, a sawby move will be performed.
Then it's in to Peter's Pond where he meets Steve, now aboard Passenger #1.
Pat's train terminates in Nelson Yard. Once again, Colin, the yardmaster, has his consist ready where he will continue eastbound aboard Train 312 which will be showcased later.
Bob arrived a little after the session began.
Here we see him setting out one of his two locomotives which will handle the ore train.
With his train ready to head out of Firgrove, Bob awaits clearance from dispatch to proceed.
With clearance granted, Bob finds his way into Bell.
Where he meets Lela and Chris aboard 327.
Bob's headend locomotive.
Here is Bob's tailend locomotive. We find the ore train at Mercer Siding. Bob asks permission to take his headend locomotive over to RP&M trackage where he will have some lifts to handle in Rat Portage.
With permission granted, we spot Bob's locomotive on the RP&M.
Where Pat offers an assist in lifting some ore loads for him at Rat Portage.
Bob returns to the junction.
Then he backs down on to his train at Mercer.
We find Bob and the ore train in Nelson Yard.
We're now nearing the end of the session.
I'm running my locomotive light from Glen Hammond where it finished its run. My destination is Craig Leigh where I will be able to drive it into my carrying case.
I spot one of our visitors to the railroad and hand him my throttle. Neil guides the locomotive out of Mount St. Helens to its destination near the engine house in Craig Leigh.
About to enter its "home away from home".
Thanks, Neil. It was fun railfanning my steamer under your command!
Speaking of carrying cases.
Each one is unique as we spot Pat's beside the engine house.
I love Bernie's case. It reminds me of a Buddy Guy spotted Fender Stratocaster guitar.
Here's Buddy Guy's famous guitar.
When I arrive home from a session, I back my locomotive on to one of the three display tracks I have set up on a round table in my crew lounge.
When visitors come to see my HO layout, they always marvel at the sheer size of these beasts of beauty! I love it!
George, it was such a thrill seeing you out at the session with a group of your friends!
It was fun watching our regular operators handing the throttles and train lists to our guests so they could get in on the action. Colin manages to keep a couple of lads sufficiently busy and entertained!
To a person, each of the visitors seemed to enjoy themselves immensely.
I had a blast dispatching the railroad.
Fred thoroughly enjoyed hosting so many on a bright and sunny Saturday morning. Nothing could be better, I say. Check in later on for my second installment of pictures and stories from this fun day where we will continue viewing some of the runs profiled in this installment and where I will take you on a tour of the three main yards of the railroad and along the RP&M. Thanks, Fred, for allowing us to bring this phenomenal railroad to life each week!
Have a great day everyone!
Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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