July 8 Session - Following Canada Day Rainout

 

Following our Canada Day "rainout" last week, we were back in gear for this Saturday's Train Ops.

Thanks to Doug and Malcolm for sending a group of photos which I've interspersed with ones I took.

 

 

Standard Gauge was the order on the day for our seventh gathering of the season.

 

 

With plentiful diesel delights.

 

 

In all sorts of liveries.

 

And engine manufacturers.

 

 

Even some on loan.

 

 

Let's begin our look at the session in Ralph Yard.
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To view video Malcolm took from the session check out the link below
https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21AHIBvy%2DYL6CL5sg&v=photos&id=4275D0234272929B%2111315&cid=4275D0234272929B

 

 

Paul is the yardmaster on this day.

 

 

With his lovely Canadian Pacific unit working the terminal at Firgrove.

 

 

#8202 is a GP30.

 

 

Ralph Yard is the name given to the classification area at Firgrove.

 

 

A low angle view.

 

 

Pat worked Firgrove with Paul.  Here we see him making the short hop down to Bell.

I guess you could call it the "Bell Hop"!

 

 

With this lovely RP&M gas electric!  Very nice, Pat!

 

 

The hop offers Pat some switching moves at Bell.

 

 

He must navigate the entire length of Stuart Yard to perform his moves.

 

 

Pat has completed his work here.  He has turned the locomotive and is ready to run upgrade on his return trip to Firgrove.

 

A look back in Firgrove and we spot the passenger cars being readied for its run.

 

 

Pat controls his train in Firgrove while the ore train idles on the siding.  Indeed, plenty of varied activity is witnessed at the western end of the line!

 

 

At the eastern end of the railroad, we find Bernie working as yardmaster in Craig Leigh.

 

 

Steve was crewed with Bernie on this fine morning.

 

 

Looks like Bernie is assembling Train 15, the Pool Train for Pat to take out later in the morning.

 

 

Steve works Douglas Yard in Craig Leigh.

 

 

His CN diesel is easy to detect.

 

 

With those great sergeant stripes!

 

 

Bernie's TH&B Geep fits in beautifully against the fence with the great weathering job Chris did on the unit.

 

 

Yup, smiles abound at the eastern end of the line!

 

 

Here is the hotspot on the railroad, Nelson Yard.

 

 

It is the busiest of locations and demands tremendous attention.  As usual, yardmaster Colin with sidekicks Paul, Garry and Brian have everything under control as the session gets underway.

 

 

George brought out this beautiful mine complex now dubbed Treacle Mine located in close proximity to Nelson Yard. 

 

Great job, George...and, on behalf of the others, thanks so much for the contribution to the railroad.

I particularly enjoy this view down the tracks at Nelson.

 

Paul's locomotive works the western entrance to the yard.

 

 

And later at the eastern sector.

 

 

Garry, on the left and Brian, on the right, will soon head out onto RP&M rails with their two runs up to Rat Portage and further on to Bell.

 

 

Before heading out, Garry completes the yardwork at the western end under the wise supervision of Colin.

 

 

The track heading out from Bellamy acts as a yard lead.

 

 

With no trains arriving imminently, the crews go about their work.

 

 

I'm always amazed at how Colin manages to keep the yard "spick and span".  I've run this yard a couple of times and I tell you, it is busy!

 

 

Colin chats it up with Doug (standing) and Fred (seated).

 

 

It's fun to snap a few shots of this bustling facility from outside my dispatcher's hut as the colour of the equipment along with the ever changing momentum in the yard leads to diversity in photography.

 

 

 Colin directs George as he brings his train into the yard.  We must congratulate Colin on receiving  OVAR's HL McEwen Award for his many (and lengthy) contributions to this great hobby of ours. 

To check out Ottawa Valley Associated Railroaders, click on this link www.ovar.ca 

 

 

The first train we'll check in on will be the ore train.

Bob has his locomotive readied at Firgrove and will shortly be heading down to Bell.

 

 

Here's Bob at the eastern end of Bell.

 

 

Downgrade through Watkins Siding.

 

 

Having travelled by Peter's Pond, he arrives Glenn Hammond where he meets an RP&M train with Brian at the helm.

 

 

The ore train in the Glenn.

 

 

Then it's upgrade to Spruce.

 

 

Taking the big curve at Spruce.

 

 

The Ore Train meets 301 at Spruce.  Moe and George are safely tucked in the siding for the meet.

 

 

The crew of 318 pull the ore cars for Bob at Ironwood.  This was kind of Lela and Paul as they had already completed their work here and had asked for clearance to Mount St. Helen's and now they would be delayed.  Indeed, the camaraderie amongst the crews does not go unnoticed.

 

 

Thanks, Lela and Paul!

 

 

Bob's locomotive in Craig Leigh following the run.

 

 

Malcolm managed to capture the ore train heading up into Bell along RP&M trackage.

 

Remember those passenger cars up in Firgrove?  Well, Pat has them on the move.  Passenger 2 is about to arrive Bell at any moment.

 

Rounding the big curve into Bell Junction.

 

 

All smiles as usual.

 

 

Downgrade through Watkins Siding.

 

 

Arriving Glenn Hammond, he meets Brian and his RP&M train.

 

 

Seen bypassing Nelson Yard after passing through Glenn Hammond.

 

 

Oops, a locomotive switch is required as the CP unit encountered a "service interruption".

 

Nice shot of Train 15 in Ironwood.

 

 

Let's check in on Brian aboard his RP&M train in Glenn Hammond.  He awaits the meet with the ore train before proceeding out on the mainline.

 

The team track at Bellamy will be one of the industries Brian will work on his run.

 

 

Here's Brian with a later RP&M train departing Nelson Yard.

 

 

Brian is a good conductor, throwing the turnout back to IPP&W rails.

 

 

On the outskirts of Bell.  His train is Train 67/68, the Bell Turn.

 

 

At Bell he meets two other trains, Train 15 on the station track and 311 on Track 3.

 

 

Bell can be a quiet area or a very busy one depending on the time of day.

The good thing about meets here is that crews can assist each other with facing moves.

 

 

A gander out my dispatch window shows Brian in Nelson Yard with Garry off in the distance aboard a different RP&M train, train 65/66, the other Bell Turn.

 

 

Upon arrival at Bell, Garry checks his work.

In the background, Pat has brought the short IPP&W hop down from Firgrove.  He will await a train or two for some traffic to take back to Firgrove.

 

 

Garry drills the far track at the eastern end of Bell.

 

 

Then it's down into Rat Portage on RP&M rails where he is passed by Train 15, the Pool Train.

 

 

Arrival back at Nelson Yard.

 

 

Some of Garry's traffic may very well go out on later IPP&W trains.

 

 

We check in on Moe and George aboard 301 at Mount St. Helens.

Here, all of their moves will be facing maneuvers.

 

 

Departing out from Mount St. Helens, Moe throws the turnout back to the station track.

 

 

Long hood forward into Ironwood.

 

 

George checks his orders to see what work is required here.  Note how they have stopped short of the turnout at the east end of Ironwood.  They most likely are determining if any work is required at Ironwood Brick, the trailing siding at that end of town.

 

 

Then it's westbound into Spruce where they meet Lela and Paul aboard 318.

 

 

George and Moe protect their train in the siding for a meet with the ore train.

 

 

George points out the moves he wants to make.

 

 

While Moe handles the locomotive.

 

 

After terminating in Nelson Yard, George and Moe arrive Peter's Pond aboard their newly numbered train, Train 311.

 

 

Following Peter's Pond, it's up into Bell for the crew.  Dispatch brings them in on Track 3 as Brian works his RP&M train on Track 4.  Note the Pool Train in at the station.

 

 

This "overall" shot shows Moe and George at Bell with Pat aboard the Pool Train and Lela checking her lists at Nelson Yard.

 

 

311 works the end of Bell just outside the dispatch hut door.

 

 

Later, 311 arrives Firgrove.  Moe and George have completed two of their three trains

 

 

They later meet Lela and Paul back in Bell, this time eastbound aboard Train 328 seen in the distance.  Lela and Paul are now Train 313 on the final leg of their journey as well.

 

 

Aha!  There's Malcolm railfanning his train.  Your locomotive matches the shirt, Malcolm!

 

 

Malcolm and Lawrence have Train 302 downgrade at the location I have affectionately dubbed, "The Ledges".  It is located between Firgrove and Bell.

 

 

Love the tailend!

 

 

302 comes into Stuart Yard and takes Track 4 in order to handle traffic at the interchange tracks branching off from 4's rails.  They meet Train 327 on Track 3.

 

 

As noted, Malcolm and Lawrence work the interchange tracks in the background while Chris and Neil check their orders here.

 

 

301 is ready to head out.

 

Downgrade at Watkins Siding named after Lawrence himself.

Paul does some great looking yoga moves while 302 passes beneath him!

302 arrives Peter's Pond.

Lawrence is quick to get to work.

 

They have completed their work at Peter's Pond and are about to depart as 304 arrives in the same direction.  Now I call that choreography!

 

 

Rounding the bend incognito at Lilly.

 

 

302 arrives Nelson Yard where Colin and Paul have their next train prepared on time.

 

 

Malcolm navigates the curve out of Nelson Yard, now in command of Train 312 eastbound for Spruce, Ironwood, Mount St. Helens and Craig Leigh.

 

 

From my perch in the dispatch hut I capture this shot of 312 passing Blockhouse while the Nelson Yard crew work above.

 

 

312 meets 15 at Spruce.

 

 

Lawrence takes a well-deserved rest as the crew works the trailing sidings at Spruce.

 

 

A low angle shot of their meet with Train 15.

Lawrence tends to some weeding in preparation for the invasion next weekend.

 

The beautiful depot at Spruce is brought out once again for another season!

 

 

Arriving Ironwood.

 

 

A wave from Malcolm tells me all is well in Ironwood.

 

 

They use the main to run around their train possibly to handle the spur at Ironwood Brick in the distance.  Note Train 15 rounding the bend at "The Corners" and heading up to Watkins Siding to the right.

 

 

Malcolm and Lawrence have a few trailing jobs to do at Mount St. Helens.

 

 

Their locomotive is pointing the other way.  This tells me they have already arrived Craig Leigh, turned and are on the final leg of their journey aboard their newly numbered train, 319.

 

 

Running around their train to complete the work at Mount St. Helens.

 

 

Lots to do in Ironwood on their return trip back to Glenn Hammond.

 

 

We've seen Lela and Paul throughout this accounting of the session, but we haven't followed their train as such.  We've only encountered them in meets.

 

 

They are in Spruce aboard Train 318, the first leg of their morning journey.

 

 

Paul has brought his engine around to the rear of the train.

 

 

With their work done, they await the arrival of 301 in this shot shared earlier when we followed 301's journey.

 

 

I sneak out of the dispatch hut to have a friendly chat with these two able operators.

 

 

Later in the morning, I catch Lela and Paul back in Spruce travelling in the opposing direction now as Train 303.  Lela's husband, Chris is admiring their train as he stands behind his lovely wife.

 

 

While Fred's neighbour, Tony, relaxes in the lounge chair.

 

 

Husband meets wife as Chris aboard 314 passes Lela aboard 303.

 

 

While Neil looks on.

 

 

Paul brings 303 up the hill at Blockhouse while Lela walks around the peninsula heading for Nelson Yard, the destination of their train.

 

 

Lela and Paul are now on their final leg of the journey aboard 313.

 

 

Into Peter's Pond.

 

 

313 is on the right at Watkins Siding where they traverse behind Chris who works Ironwood with Neil aboard 314.  To the left you can spot the tail end of Train 319 belonging to Malcolm and Lawrence.  All three trains are on their third run of the morning.

 

 

313 at Watkins.

 

 

Up into Bell where they take Track 3.

They meet Moe and George aboard 328, another crew on its final leg of the morning.

Now, I call that great operating on the part of the rail ops planners, crews, yard masters and dispatch!  Hehehe!

 

 

Let's check in on Chris and Neil...no, not the hockey player, Chris Neil!

We see Neil checking his train consist at Glenn Hammond at the beginning of the session.

Neil, along with Chris, will crew 327.

 

 

327 has been cleared into Peter's Pond.

 

 

Arriving Peter's Pond with a railfan in the mix!  Hehehe!

 

Here's the actual photograph Malcolm captured!

 

Neil and Chris discuss the placement of their cars in relation to their locomotive before heading up to Cedar Rock at the end of the branchline which veers off the mainline at this location.

 

 

They have work to conduct along the branch at Cedar Rock.

 

 

We follow them up to Bell where they meet 302.

 

 

Malcolm and Lawrence finish up their moves and will head out shortly leaving Chris and Neil the yard to themselves.

 

 

Much later on, the crew is on its second leg of the journey aboard Train 304 travelling in the opposite direction where they meet Lawrence and Malcolm once again.

 

 

A minor service interruption near the crossing at Bellamy.  A number of cars derailed at this location.  We'll have to check the turnout at our next work session.

 

 

Chris and Neil in Spruce aboard their third section, Train 314.

 

 

Discussing moves.

 

 

Cab forward into Ironwood.

 

 

Where they meet Malcolm with Train 319.

 

 

Fred surveys the action in his seat beneath the dispatch window.

 

 

Mighty Man Moe!

 

 

Pre-ops Fred and Lawrence address the paper work.

 

 

Me with a grin in the dispatch booth.

 

 

My board on the morning showing the location and direction of trains.

 

 

Chatting with Lela pre-ops.

 

 

Bob makes adjustments to his locomotive post-ops.

 

 

Around the table.

 

 

Throughout the morning.

 

 

Lots of camaraderie.

 

 

Two of these fine gents, the two outer ones serenade the inner two.

 

 

Doug and Henk.

 

 

Tony, Bill, Fred and Doug.

 

 

Yours truly getting a drink at the lemonade stand.

 

 

All smiles after another successful session.

Some rolling stock reviews.
A line of cars in Mount St. Helens.

 

A tank car in Nelson Yard.

 

 

  Ah yes, the B&M!

 

 

The D&H.

 

 

A nice looking stock car.

 

 

A colourful boxcar.

 

A final view out my dispatcher's window.

 

 

Last Saturday we were rained out, but not on the holiday Monday.

 

 

So I hopped across the bridge into Gatineau, Quebec to find this wonderful garden display.

 

 

Yup, full size too!

 

 

The exhibition is free with over 30 sculpted items with the train being but one.

It is located at Parc Jacques Cartier and the display runs until the middle of October.
It is called MosaiCanada...an amalgam of the words Mosaic and Canada, our fine nation which celebrated its' 150th birthday this past weekend!

 

 

Well, I almost drove out to Fred's place in this interesting item.

 

 

A friend was visiting my neighbour when I spotted it in his driveway.

 

 

Couldn't resist a few shots!

 

 

Thanks for checking in on our diesel session.

 

This coming Friday and Saturday it's our annual "American Invasion of Friends" so get those locomotives re-charged for Narrow Gauge on Friday and Standard Gauge on Saturday!

 

Until then, have a great week everyone!

Thanks again to Doug and Malcolm for sending a bunch of photos which ended up in this posting!

 

Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada