Thanks to Bernie for taking the pictures for this posting and providing the commentary of our Ottawa friends visiting our Finger Lakes hosts.
Thanks, as well, to Steve who contributed a bunch of pics which you will see at the end of the posting.
To view the images in larger format, simply click on the image.
Click outside the image to return to the default page.
To see a report on Day One of the Invasion when we ran Narrow Gauge in Ottawa, visit:
To see the report on Day Two's Standard Gauge session in Ottawa, visit:
The blog is yours, Bernie. Here's the story in Bernie's words.
Under threatening skies, 7 OVGRS members, Fred, George, Paul,
Pat, Steve, Doug and Bernie, John from Burlington and Ken from Phillie descended
on the FLLS near Clyde, New York for a day of operations. The gods were smiling
on us as we dodged storm clouds and thunder and enjoyed a mostly sunny day
operating the FLLS’s three different gauge railways.
Ken, Fred and Tom watch Roger preparing the controls
for the 4 ¾ NYC Alco which will run on the 4¾ inch gauge track. A wonderful NYC Alco RS-3 and Susquehanna Geep,
both with amazing sound and pulling power, let us ride through the trees on 2400
feet of track. Most of us had a turn driving one of the locomotives, although
the Alco was the favourite.
Paul’s CPR GP-30 and Bernie’s THB GP-7 heading
for Marengo yard after touring the layout.
The Gauge 1 is similar to our OVGRS and consists of an upper
and lower continuous loop. After Paul and Bernie ran their locomotives around a
few times to get the lay of the land, our host Roger prepared passenger
operation for us. It consisted of local passenger runs requiring switching in
and out reefers, express and passenger cars using a card system, at the various
stations. The loops consist of long runs
and part of the fun or frustration was trying to figure out how to get to your
train.
John and Paul riding a 7 ¼ inch gauge, diesel
powered train, yet another gauge railroad on the property. The track plan features a yard, passing sidings, bridges and operating signals over approximately one mile of track. Normally this is where the live steamers
operate, although some live steam also operates on the 4 ¾ inch track. The group offered us rides on a gas-powered locomotive on this day.
The track plan.
Jim in the background uses the lift to take
another 4 ¾ inch locomotive out of the storage shed. Fred watches the action as
Roger completes the prep of the Alco.
Beautiful 4 ¾ inch Alco. The Alco sound is
unbelievable.
Marengo Yard.
A beautiful spot with Spencer’s Bridge in the
foreground and New hope Mill.
Gauge 1 storage shed.
Bernie’s THB GP-7 in front of new Hope Mill at
Bridges.
The little town of Ogneram, the reverse spelling of Marengo.
Roger taking the Alco for a spin.
Bernie’s THB GP-7 at Ogneram.
Bernie’s THB
GP-7 on Spencer’s Bridge.
Jim moves the 4 ¾ inch gauge Susquehanna Geep to
the yard. Ken follows.
Ken ready to take the Susquehanna Geep for a
spin.
John and Steve watch Paul back his GP-30 onto a
passenger train in Marengo Yard.
Pat at the ready with his camera.
Doug and Roger at the 4 ¾ inch yard.
Jim prepared a Gauge 1 Southern Alco for Steve.
Steve is bringing the locomotive over to Marengo yard.
Paul’s GP-30 heading for Marengo yard after a
tour of the Gauge 1 layout.
Steve taking a photo of his borrowed Southern Geep
on the lower loop at Ogneram. Paul in
the background is on the upper loop.
Beautiful Gauge 1 Southern Alco RS-2.
The locomotives arriving in the yard. Many of
the switches in the yard are air operated. Roger is on his way to the shed to
get some passenger cars for operations.
Pat, Steve, Jim and Tom take a rest in the
shade.
Alco and EMD beside each other in the yard.
Ken's “Annie” has backed onto his train while Bernie’s “Connie” heads down the yard to pick up his train.
The Connie heads over spencer’s Bridge with a
five car passenger train.
Steve holding on as Doug has the controls of the
NYC Alco as they head out onto the 2400 feet of 4 ¾ inch track.
Lots of action as Roger watches Paul taking his
passenger train on the lower loop with Doug and Steve heading into the woods.
The Connie heads into Ogneram with its passenger
train. There is some switching to do here as we will pick up a reefer.
Bernie’s passenger train on the trestle. Two express cars have been added to
the train in this previously viewed photograph.
More switching completed. This train dropped a reefer and picked up an
express.
Ken brings his train into the yard. He will park
it as it is time for lunch.
Lunch time.
Roger, Susie, Sue and Jim. Susie rustled up some
pulled pork sandwiches and salads with brownies for dessert. Thanks Susie,
simply delicious.
The lovely 4 ¾ inch Susquehanna Geep.
Rick and Steve sitting by the 4 ¾ inch yard
awaiting the return of one of the diesels.
Fred and George at the lift for the 4 ¾ inch
locomotives.
The storage shed for the 4 ¾ inch trains.
Roger using the Southern Geep to switch cars for
Bernie’s train at Marengo yard. A novel way of determining which car to switch
is by rolling a dice. I had a “1” on the roll that meant I had to take one of
the baggage cars off the train.
Pat in charge of the lovely NYC Alco RS-3. The
sound system in this locomotive truly replicates that Alco sound that we all
love. If you are not careful, the locomotive can also rocket along.
Wayne and Ed joined us on the Gauge 1 operations.
They are switching Marengo yard with an audience watching on. One is under
pressure to perform with this peanut gallery watching.
The Connie taking on water. This is a mandatory
stop for steam engines.
Doug joins the Gauge 1 operations with a
handsome D&H Alco.
Ed, Wayne and Doug strategizing their moves at
the crossing.
A local passenger enters The Bridges. An express
car will be dropped off here
Rick and Roger at the turntable for the 4 ¾ inch
locomotives.
Bernie about to take the NYC Alco for a spin.
One can easily get hooked on this scale.
Leaving the yard and about to pass under the truss
bridge, which after a big loop, Bernie will be travelling over.
About to enter the 20 foot truss bridge.
Rick and Roger operate the lift to put the Alco
to rest.
And that completes an absolutely wonderful day of
operations at the Finger Lakes Live Steamers. It was nothing short of an amazing day with our American
hosts providing a great day of hospitality and sunshine. Jim and Roger deserve a special
thanks for their efforts as does John on the 7 ¼ inch gauge layout. Also thanks to Susie who cooked us up a wonderful lunch.
Thanks for checking in!
Bernie Goodman, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
These last few pics were sent our way by Steve.
Love the colours on this D&H road switcher.
A handsome steamer! Must be Ken's.
Bernie following his train.
Two roads side by side.
Pat enjoys the ride.
Into the woods!
Time for a drink.
Two handsome lads!
Thanks, Jim and crew, for the invite!
What a tremendous day with trains and great hosts!
Thanks to Bernie for the pics and the narrative and thanks to Steve for the additional photos!
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