Barry and Bonnie Birkett welcomed a large group from Ottawa to their home in Belleville, Ontario for a great day of train operations. We ran diesels throughout the day and the colour in the liveries of the engines certainly match the colours in Barry and Bonnie's gardens!
Yes, we encountered a short intermission in train ops when the rain began to fall partway through the day, but the raindrops served to brighten the colours of all the freight equipment.
The rain did not spoil the day, lasting only a half hour or so and it was back to operations...and what bliss to have eight crews out on the high iron simultaneously!
Barry's man-made structures marry so well with the natural elements found all around the property.
Colourful rolling stock.
And...colourful people! Here Barry is offering his pre-ops explanation of how the day will proceed.
With avid listeners tuning in.
The crew sign-up list. Just to let you know, this is Part One of our experience at Barry's railroad.
To learn the network, in part one we will follow the train Bernie and I crewed. It ran the gamut of the railroad. Of course, we'll showcase other operators as well. More images will be shared in Part Two.
John and Fred enjoy camaraderie.
An overall view from the elevated balcony.
Barry, enjoying the clear blue skies and the sunshine of the morning.
Two crews busy at the area of the layout named for Barry and Bonnie's new home, Belleville.
To see some great video footage taken by Malcolm, visit the link below.
A lovely patio shaded by a pergola.
Let's navigate the layout aboard Train 811, the run from Belleville to Boyce.
Bernie is at the helm with his TH&B locomotive. The TH&B caboose belongs to Barry, but I know Bernie sure would love to find one just like this little puppy.
We've departed the staging area at Bryce and have run past the wye. Crossing the bridge we will pass Quinte West and arrive the yard at Belleville.
Arriving Belleville.
I check our switchlist to learn that we will have four pick-ups at Belleville plus a fifth at a nearby industry named in honour of our good friend, Trevor Tattersoll, who passed away this year.
Barry has placed large, easy to reference labels regarding town and industry names.
Trevor's tribute.
A visiting railfan captures the action on video.
We haul our train across the long bridge area.
Bernie enjoys a drink after he brings the train to a stop to await clearance into the next town.
That's a great looking unit, Bernie!
Paul Anderson is ahead of us aboard Train 871.
While we wait for 871 to complete the work ahead, we take a gander across the aisle to find Doug Matheson and Paul Norton aboard Train 801 at Orleans.
They've reached Cumberland where Paul seeks shade under the umbrella tree!
More visitors enjoying the trains.
And the socializing.
Out in the garden.
A view from the top.
Paul works Shaaneville while Malcolm finds some downtime to railfan.
If you look closely you can see Malcolm's view of things in his I-phone.
The train traverses the back track at this location. Barry has taken the advice of Doug, Chris and others who indicated last year that he should name (or number) the sidings where cars are to be spotted or lifted, thus increasing the challenge. In the past, operators simply lifted or spotted a couple of cars each time they arrived town with no car designations in place. Great improvement Barry!
Malcolm has Train 821 bypass Shaaneville to await Bernie and my arrival. We had been waiting longer in the hole, so we will have priority heading into the town.
Visitors enjoy Henk's tales as he switches out Cumberland.
John and Moe inspect the rolling stock as Henk offers a joke Bernie's way.
Paul's consist has this interesting flatcar.
As he works the sidings in Shaaneville.
And...Picton industries.
Track level view at Shaaneville taken by Malcolm before the session began.
Bernie and I will have a single drop here and three lifts. As mentioned, Bernie has assigned names or numbers to the sidings making the switching more realistic and interesting. In fact, one of the pickups we will have to make will be at Bonnie's Foods, an industry named for Barry's lovely wife. What a great way to earn "Hubby points" I say!
Bernie and I will have a single drop here and three lifts. As mentioned, Bernie has assigned names or numbers to the sidings making the switching more realistic and interesting. In fact, one of the pickups we will have to make will be at Bonnie's Foods, an industry named for Barry's lovely wife. What a great way to earn "Hubby points" I say!
Track level view at Picton Industries.
The other side of the Picton Industries peninsula.
With our work complete in Shaaneville, we continue on our journey.
Through the trestle.
Into darkness.
Into daylight. Note the second track Barry has added in order to double track the tunnel.
Arriving Kamaron.
We look ahead of us to see Paul heading away with Pat (kneeling) heading toward us eventually.
Henk whispers to Paul..."You know, Paul...I think we should all put our houses up for sale and make a move down to these parts!"
John and Fred relax and share stories beneath the pergola.
Note the lovely paths in the garden.
I turn around to catch a view of Moe aboard Train 841 departing Cumberland.
Through the pathway on the S-curve.
Along the grasslands.
Under the shade and around the bend.
On the siding.
Doug and Paul join Fred and John.
Henk shares a laugh with my crewmate, Bernie.
We've arrived Kamaron and have run around our train to work the facing sidings.
We have three drops and two pickups to handle including a lift at Matheson's Transfer.
We have three drops and two pickups to handle including a lift at Matheson's Transfer.
Paul is on his way back and he bypasses Kamaron on the new bypass track. The new bypass increases efficiency on the railroad.
Our two trains.
Bernie and I work the trailing sidings now.
A pause in the action and I turn around to see Lawrence and Malcolm back in Shaaneville on the right. They had to await our completion of work before they could back their train in there. That's Moe on the left and Garry in the distance working Cumberland.
Steve and Barry share a discussion.
We have to wait for Hayes Fuels and Trista Centre to clear up so Bernie smiles at the camera for me.
Then it's into Hayes Fuels.
A picture Malcolm snapped earlier in the session.
This location is referenced as "Hayes Bypass" on our train orders. Our orders tell us to "Hold at Hayes Bypass until Trista Centre is available."
I take a gander over at Trista Centre where I find Pat's New York Central switcher holding court outside of the flour mill.
A handsome little unit.
An equally handsome big factory!
As we await clearance into Trista Centre, I take a relaxing break on the swing.
Fred and Paul share a laugh.
As does Bernie.
"Now, if only I could take this yellow beauty home with me!" Bernie imagines.
A look down on the patio area finds Paul, Bernie and Fred having a chat.
While I take a glance over at Trista Centre.
Our train meets Train 861 at the bypass.
A closer examination of the meet.
Around the bend between Hayes Fuels and Trista Centre.
Through the pedestrian crosswalk.
Arriving Trista Centre.
With some colourful equipment in the yard.
The large flour mill.
A bucolic farm scene.
Earlier, trains 861 and 871 held the rails in this location.
Fred observes the action.
Bernie waits while Paul finishes up a move.
Drilling the flour mill.
Another glance back at the farm.
A meeting of the minds. Once 871 departs, we will conduct our moves here, two drops and a pickup.
Passing the lovebirds in the garden.
Through the other crosswalk.
Rounding the big curve on the outskirts of Trista Centre.
Through Juliana Junction.
Diverging from the action.
Rounding the bend along double tracked rails.
A break in the action finds Moe and Henk at the discussion table as Garry walks on by.
Steve and Doug.
Garry.
Bonnie and Moe discuss common BBQ interests.
Fred is the quality control manager for the food preparation.
Paul relaxes.
While Bernie offers a wave from below.
Bernie and I board the train once again and bring her into Cumberland. We sail through Cumberland seeing as there is no work ordered for us here.
A railfan's perspective at Cumberland.
We've brought our train into Orleans where we have one setout.
Bernie steps out onto the beautiful bridge combination between Orleans and West Ben.
A beauty on a beauty.
Beauty (on the bridge) and the beast (standing with camera in hand). Hehehe!
The next span located between Quinte West and West Ben.
Almost home.
We've dropped one more car in West Ben.
Then we enter the yard.
Lunch time! I only snapped a shot of the BBQ, but rest assured, there were other sandwiches with a multitude of amazing salads on the side. Bonnie, you're the best!
Chow time!
With sufficient seating.
For the entire crew!
Rolling stock review. A Santa Fe boxcar at Tatters-All siding.
A lovely triple dome tankcar.
Love the consignment aboard this flatcar!
I've been doing a lot of "Reading" over the summer, Mr. Hamer!
A fave of mine...a car from New England!
Another interesting flatcar load.
A colourful tankcar.
Hershey's Chocolate...I never say no!
One of Barry's many diesels.
Bernie, Paul, Barry and John taking momentary shelter from the rain.
And...a lovely garden it is!
Dale and Barry share a chat. Thanks, Barry and Bonnie for hosting a great day in Belleville.
Remember, this is only Part One. In Part Two you will see many pics of the other lads' trains.
Check in later!
If you are interested in seeing pics from last year's session at Barry's when the group headed down from Ottawa, check these links below.
All the best, Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario Canada
It's a real pleasure to see this thoroughly enjoyable rerun of the great morning we all had on Wednesday, Mike! Thanks so much for posting it. I'm looking forward to part two.... And to all you fine fellas from OVGRS, it was really good to see you again. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteHi John! It was really great seeing you once again as well. Our only regret is that you and Barry don't live closer to Ottawa as it would be awesome to spend time with you both on a weekly basis! Everybody really enjoyed the experience at Barry's and Bonnie's wonderful home!
ReplyDelete