Today is Wednesday so that means...it's a work session on the IPP&W.
We spot Fred in Mount St. Helens.
Oops...wrong end.
Ah! That's better! Here's Fred...sorry 'bout that!
While Fred works the ballast near the curve, Bernie works beneath Mount St. Helens by pushing the fence aside for a short while.
Here are two handsome lads.
Bernie...yer mug is turning red and going out of focus!
Now you can see why!
So I get in on the action.
This is too much fun!
Yup, new ballast should hold the track in place beneath the Mount.
This section still requires brushing.
Looking better, for sure. Hmmm...we'll have to check that track alignment halfway down.
Meanwhile, after testing the track with a train. we located an issue with the straight section of track leading into the curve. It has a vertical kink in it as Lawrence indicates to Fred.
So an old brass section is used to ameliorate the situation.
Fred is meticulous.
Lining the rails up perfectly.
Making sure the ballast is just right.
How relaxing! Not!
Those tiny little screws holding the rail joiners sure are finicky.
So I give it a try.
You're right, Fred...this is a son of a gun operation trying to get those little screws in!
Garry aligns the cars.
For another test.
My CN road switcher holds the honours.
Looking good.
Later, we add some freight cars to the mix.
We use the yard tracks at Bell as a runaround.
Downgrade at Watkins Siding.
Over the new ballast.
And...around the bend.
Back in Peter's Pond we run around once more for another test trial.
Garry is my sidekick.
And...it's Garry who comes up with a solution to the tracks near Watkins which have been canting more severely over the last little while. "Why not lift the supports and add some shim?" Garry says. Great idea Garry, and now the track is much more level!
Lawrence Watkins, the man who the siding is named after.
Ah...that's better...Fred back upright!
Bernie finishes the morning up with the old whipper-snipper.
Love the lamps, Fred.
They sure look nice.
As do the cows and the ramps Lawrence has made and brought out.
Love the pond.
The lads inside are still excited about the young "chicklets" in bikinis who have been hanging out by the shores of the pond in recent days.
So...I went looking for them upon Steve and Mike's advice.
But alas...they must've dove underwater when they spotted my camera! Just my luck!
Looking forward to Saturday morning's session, ladies and gents!
Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario,Canada
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