We continue to follow our diesel operations from our 15th session of the season.
It is late August.
We catch up with Garry aboard Passenger #1 in Ironwood.
On the big curve between Ironwood and Spruce.
Meeting 318 at Spruce.
Garry rounds another curved track area on the other side of Spruce.
As he heads downgrade.
With a destination of Glenn Hammond.
My railfan shadow catches manifest freight 301 at the pedestrian crossing.
On its approach to Nelson Yard.
Arriving Nelson.
From Nelson Yard, 301 becomes 311. We catch Chris and Pat up in Cedar Rock.
Earlier, 302 had worked Cedar Rock.
The newly developed area of the railroad.
It's fitting that Lawrence is running this train past the area he created.
He and Paul bring 302 back to Peter's Pond.
They head east from the pond and await clearance into Nelson Yard.
Paul's clipboard indicates the track Henk has offered up for their arrival into the yard.
Lawrence and Paul terminate 302 here.
In short order they will depart aboard Train 312.
Out at Ironwood we catch Steve and John with 318 tucking into the siding.
With Steve's beautiful sergeant striped CN diesel.
Work now complete, it's eastward ho!
Up to Mount St. Helens.
They drill the Mount while Passenger #2 plies the rails into Peter's Pond below.
On the western front, we locate the husband and wife team of Steve and Seanna up at Bell.
Looks like they have completed their work here as they head for the western terminus of Firgrove.
At Firgrove they will turn their locomotive and back onto their new train. Train 327 will terminate and they will return eastbound aboard Train 304.
304 is downgrade at "The Ledges" and will enter Bell in mere moments.
Arriving the station track due to other traffic in the area.
Out of Bell, their next stop en route is Peter's Pond where they will have to go up the branch to Cedar Rock.
Bob has the ore train in Bell.
Past the dispatch hut.
In "The Corners".
Through Peter's Pond and Mercer Siding.
Crossing the diamond at Bellamy.
On the other railroad Lela and Malcolm are found in Rat Portage.
Drilling the back track.
This back track acts as the lead to our new spur which faces the train.
They reach Bell.
Where they meet 304.
Our other RP&M crew is made up of Moe and George hidden in behind Lela and Malcolm.
Moe checks the train orders.
While George handles the locomotive.
From Rat Portage they climb the hill out of Pratt's Bottom.
Arriving Bell they meet 328 downgrade from Firgrove with Pat and Chris as crew.
Let's check out some of the cool folk! Here's Fred!
Bob with his carrying case.
Bernie in our Ottawa Redblacks football team's garb.
Bernie left after lunch for the football game which our home team won!
You must've been a good luck charm, Bernie!
Rolling stock review.
Tandems.
Singles.
Even container traffic.
Speaking of traffic, there's plenty of it above us as well. Fred lives in close proximity to the Ottawa airport.
Nelson Yard is a hive of activity.
With busy bees buzzing all around.
Fred enjoys watching the action from his seat below my hut.
Henk keeps him well entertained.
Me too!
At Craig Leigh, the colours shine even if it is in the shade.
Bernie controls all train movements here.
As does Paul in Firgrove.
Paul gave the passenger crew an assist as he turned the club car.
Garry is most appreciative of Paul's efforts!
We catch up with Garry hauling Passenger #1 "up round the bend" at Lilly.
With the sun glinting off the roof of the first car.
Through the big bridge.
On the outskirts of Nelson Yard.
Into the Glenn.
Station stop at Glenn Hammond.
With his CN locomotive.
Out of the Glenn and into Bellamy.
Keeping a close eye on the traction through the crossing.
Westward bound.
Chris and Pat have 311 in Cedar Rock.
The dappled shade matches the dappled weathering on the unit.
Back down the branch to Peter's Pond.
Watkins Siding.
Chris came up with a brilliant idea while holding in Watkins Siding for Bell to clear up. Part of his work up in Bell was handling the east house track, a facing move. Chris contacted dispatch to see if any other trains were in the vicinity. None were coming through Watkins Siding at the moment so Chris asked permission to use the runaround at the siding to get on the rear of his train in order to place the boxcar on the facing siding. A brilliant use of time and resources in my books!
Yup, Bell can be a very busy place at times.
Chris and Pat haul 311 upgrade at "The Ledges".
Another look at the superb weathering job Chris did on my locomotive.
This train will terminate in Firgrove in short order.
We head over to the east end of Nelson Yard to find Lawrence and Paul aboard their new train, 312.
312 is outbound from Nelson.
Over the gap.
Round the bend at Lilly.
Through Spruce to the right and into Ironwood to the left.
Arriving Ironwood.
Then into Mount St. Helens. Lawrence looks up the line while Paul carries a smile.
Steve and John have 303 in Spruce.
Taking a rest while they work.
They protect themselves as Train 15, the Pool Train arrives town.
Two CN Geeps in differing liveries.
With their work complete in Spruce, 303 departs the scene.
Rounding the bend.
Then downgrade to Blockhouse and Nelson Yard.
Steve and Seanna find themselves at Cedar Rock.
Henk offers them a track in Nelson Yard.
A great looking couple!
The ore train passes Bellamy.
On its approach to Nelson Yard.
Bob is given a clear alley.
As Nelson Yard continues to change its appearance.
The ore train handles the traffic at Fallentree Mine.
Bob watches his footing carefully.
As he lifts some cars from the mine.
The RP&M crew are returning from Bell.
Where they have been given clearance through the diamond.
Moe and Lela have arrived Nelson Yard.
Where they will take another train out on RP&M rails.
The other RP&M crew is up in Bell.
Using the eastern main as a lead.
Moe and Lawrence then head over to the interchange area near the junction.
Lots of work to complete here for them while Malcolm has his RP&M train in Glenn Hammond to the right.
Let's take a gander at how Nelson Yard changes throughout a typical ops session.
The yard tracks fill up with outgoing and incoming trains.
Henk manages the yard with such confidence, you'd think he was a Dutchman!
More crews arrive.
Henk tells the gentlemen, "I am a Dutchman!"
In the sun and in the shade.
Hard work, yet most enjoyable!
Looking across Glenn Hammond to Nelson Yard.
Bernie controls the movement of incoming trains to his yard.
Here, Train 314 is arriving near the end of the session.
While Paul makes up and breaks down trains at the western end of the line.
In Firgrove.
Where RP&M rails slide beneath the town.
Paul turns the gas electric.
On the Armstrong.
In order to take it out for a spin.
Down to Bell.
Like Bernie and Henk in the other yards, Paul's efforts are greatly appreciated by all train crews.
Rolling stock review.
Some great railroad cars make it onto the IPP&W.
Even a beautiful transfer caboose.
The run Paul made from Firgrove to Bell.
To lift a milk car and perhaps a reefer.
From the west house track.
Lela and Chris, our other hubby and wife couple.
Time for lunch.
Post ops.
Lots of stories.
Great friends.
Great drink!
Camaraderie.
Attentive listeners.
Great discussions.
Fine food.
A selfie!
Bernie was responsible for the lovely station at Spruce seen over his left shoulder.
Great friendship.
Lots of laughter.
Peter's Pond.
Indeed, we are tickled "pink" to be able to gather every Saturday for train ops and friendship!
Thanks as always to Fred and all the gang who make each session a memorable experience!
All the best, Mike Hamer. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
