Standard Gauge Session - September 17th 2016

 

The morning of September 17th arrived without the rain that had been expected so train ops were underway.  I had to miss the session as I played guitar at a funeral for member of a colleague's family.  In the photo above, we see Paul, Seanna, Steve and Lawrence at the main table pre-ops.

Thanks to Malcolm for sending me all of these pics from the session.

 

 

Looks like Malcolm is aboard 302 as he starts his run out of Ralph Yard in Firgrove.
The link below will take you to Malcolm's video footage from the session.

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipOA1yDYXo5YkP4EiTILzh0nVdMgVhV-lLB1GBJ2hGM8kvnq_ItnGuuTdWQ38tp5lA?key=UlFBTEVBS2ZRNHotZzIya0Y5eG5TTnhFeTRxcU5R

 

 

Malcolm tells me that his train and train 327 performed a double sawby at Watkins Siding.  Now that's something worth attending.  Too bad I missed it!

 

 

It would appear that Steve and Seanna have Train 15 in Spruce.

 

 

Henk switches out the spur tracks in Mount St. Helens aboard Train 301.

 

 

Our good friend, Joel, has come out on this morning to review the schematic of the track plan he had made for Fred a couple of years ago before Cedar Rock was an established branchline on the railroad.  We all owe Joel a great big "Thank You" for his efforts in creating the track plan we have on the back of our clipboards.

 

 
Malcolm has pulled out of Mercer and is spotted at Bellamy Crossing.
 

 

He is pulling his train into the yard at Nelson  Fred looks on from his chair beneath the dispatch booth while Brian follows his train.  Doug is in the dispatch booth.

 

 
Paul works the industries at Belson as an RP&M crewmate.
 

 
His train at Bellamy.
 

 
Henk has pulled 301 into Spruce.
 

 

Looks like livestock is certainly on the move on this day!

 

 
Henk overseeing things at Spruce.
 

 
Doug looks on as Brian checks the movement of his train up into Spruce from Blockhouse.
 

 
318 meets 301 at Spruce.
 

 

Indeed, lots of discussion taking place here, or is it a new line dance the lads are rehearsing?

 

 
Speaking of lads, here's a young one becoming initiated into the garden railroad world.
 

 
Earlier, Henk had 301 in Ironwood.
 

 
Fred enjoys watching the action.
 

 

As Henk and Brian both work the mainline at Spruce.

 

 
Looks like Lawrence is working Douglas Yard in Craig Leigh.  Love the shirt, Lawrence!
 

 
Malcolm indicated that Lawrence took out a "tourist train" on this day.
 

 
Love the switcher, Lawrence.
 

 

Steve and Seanna's engine hauling freight across the diamond.

 

 
That's a nice switcher guys!
 

 
Nicely weathered too!
 

 
Seanna awaits her switcher to be turned at the western end of Nelson Yard while Paul is spotted off in the distance at Bell.
 

 

Steve looks on as the other Paul turns his switch engine.

 

 
Seanna pulls out of Nelson Yard westbound.
 

 
327 terminates in Firgrove.  Paul will turn his locomotive on the Armstrong and head back to Glen Hammond as Train 328.
 

 
Doug chats it up with a colleague east of Nelson.
 

 

301 begins its upgrade challenge to Nelson Yard at Blockhouse.

 

 
301 terminates at Nelson Yard.  Henk will continue westerly as 311.
 

 
He takes a break while awaiting instructions from Colin.
 

 
Steve and Seanna are downgrade at Blockhouse.
 

 

A meet in Spruce.

 

 
Joel draws out a rough diagram of Cedar Rock as he will make the amendments to the schematic plan.
 

 
Well, would ya lookie here!  Isn't it a party!  In fact, it's always a party when we run trains at Fred's!  Happy Birthday to the neighbour out back!
 

 
A great shot of 302 at Spruce.
 

 

The party-goers check in on the action.

 

 
And Henk does not disappoint!
 

 
Now, that's a lengthy string of cars at Mount St. Helens.
 

 
Table Talk post-ops.
 

 

With Moe helping to keep our tummies full!

Again, thanks to Malcolm for sending the picks and info from the session.

Have a great week everyone.

Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada