Session 18 - Steam is Supreme

Incredible to believe.

But we're already at Session 18 of the season.

As the pictures attest - steam is supreme!

Steam "is" supreme - and looking pretty mean!

Seanna's mom, Helen, paid a visit up to Ottawa from her home in the southern states.

Steve sneaks his head into the pic from behind.

Lela and Pat enjoying pre-ops tmie.

Bill "Sn3" Scobie!

Chris, the roaring, Lyon

Steve to the power of two!

Uncle Fred and Paul.

George is dwarfed by the big house.

And its twin sister.

Bernie in Craig Leigh.

Another great looking steamer working Douglas.

Bob brought out this structure.

Which dominates the throat of the ore dock nicely.

Speaking of the Northland Ore Dock...she sure is pretty!

Pre-ops fun.

Loads of laughter.

George is Nelson Yardmaster on this day.

An RP&M crew works the yard.

Not too much traffic as yet.

Meanwhile, over in Firgrove, Moe works Ralph Yard while Bob readies the ore train.

For our posting this week, we will follow Train 327, the run Pat and I crewed.  As Pat and I traverse the railroad, I will share images that I snapped en route in real time or real order.

The main acts as a lead while Pat and I switch out Glenn Hammond before departing.

Trains originating at the midpoint of the railroad (Glenn Hammond) usually have to switch out the yard before departing.  Trains originating at the two extremities of the line (Craig Leigh and Firgrove) are made up by the yardmasters there.  The crews simply board their trains and depart.

All's well in our world of railroading.

Pat has determined that all of our setouts and lifts are complete.  He has contacted dispatch and we are cleared to Peter's Pond.

I turn around to notice that Seanna and Helen have Passenger 2 rounding the bend into Bell.

Over at the western throat of Nelson Yard an RP&M crew have their train using the main there to drill the yard tracks.

Passenger 2 is a colourful beauty on this day.

Quickly followed by 302 out of Ralph Yard.

With skipper Bill crewing alongside Steve Mackenzie.

I snap two more quick images of the action at Bell.  In fact, this shot was taken moments earlier before our departure from Glenn Hammond as I spot Pat in the distance talking with the dispatcher.  Note Passenger 2 slowing down for a station stop while Bill keeps an eye on 302 (out of sight of the camera).

We're away as we pass on the other side of the station at Bellamy I take a gander across the length of Nelson Yard.  In the distance, Fred observes the action from his perch below the dispatch booth as George and Brian switch out the far end of the yard.

327 has been given clearance through the diamond and Pat keeps an eagle eye on the axles.

Locomotive #27 runs Train 327 on this day!  How's that for numbers.

As we cross the diamond I once again notice Bob and Moe over in Ralph Yard at Firgrove.

Right hand running at Mercer.

And...into Peter's Pond.

And a beautiful pond she be's!

Looks like we're going to take the reefer up to Cedar Rock with us.

Along with a hopper in tow.

Checking over my right shoulder I spot a train on the roll beneath Mount St. Helens.

It's Bob with the ore train!  Of course, Pat has protected our train back in Peter's Pond so no worry on this engineer's part!

Doug looks on as Pat determines our moves.

Aha!  We're taking the lead in order to back in to the crusher!

It's my maiden run on this section of track.

Thanks must go out to Lawrence and Fred for their ingenuity in the planning of this new extension to the Cedar Rock Branch.

Lawrence has repainted the crusher as well.

Pat has our moves all laid out as we note Paul and Lela across the aisle working Spruce aboard Train 301.

Lela throws a turnout while Lawrence and Chris work Ironwood in the distance  with 318.

Passenger 2 arrives the Pond.

Two lovely ladies with two fine gentlemen.

We meet Passenger 2 as we descend the branch.

We've run ahead of the passenger train (out of sight to the right) as we knew they had just arrived and required time at the station.

We work the tail end of our train while Passenger 2 blows its whistle.

We wave goodbye to the crew.

They depart eastward ho!
 

I turn around again to find Lawrence working Mount St. Helens aboard Train 318.

With conductor Chris.

Eventually we are cleared out of the Pond directly to Bell with orders to meet Train 302 at Watkins Siding.  

Steve and Bill aboard 302.

We await the run from Firgrove to complete a move.

With Moe at the helm.

Then it's our turn into Bell.  We've been assigned Track 3.

As Moe works Track 4.

The two crews work cooperatively in close proximity.

Turning around, Passenger 2 is found in Bellamy.

Their next stop will be Glenn Hammond in short order.

Moe turns the gas electric.

While Passenger 2 rolls into the Glenn.

We say goodbye to Moe as he departs Bell for Firgrove.

Then I notice an RP&M train on the roll out of Glenn Hammond.

It's Brian aboard Rat 70, the turn to Rat Portage.

While a lone locomotive lays over in Nelson Yard.

An overall view of the big yard across from the little one.

Steve is enjoying himself in the dispatch booth.

He steps outside for improved radio communication.

Oh, oh, oh!  We're in Bell at the moment and look and see who's arrived!

It's skipper Henk with an infectious smile!

With two good looking lads.

Putting their minds together.

The jobs get done.

And we are soon on the high iron out from Bell.

Along "The Ledges".

With a glance back at Nelson Yard we see George and Bill.

The sun shines on Pat as 327 handles the grade with ease.

We find Moe up in Ralph Yard.

As we work in behind at Firgrove.

Turning our locomotive.

Basking in the sun.

Moe has our train already assembled in behind him.

Pat and I will switch duties for our second leg of the morning.

You'll have to check in later for 100 more images from that run showcasing the folks we meet along the way.

I notice something amiss.  It seems like Irma has stretched her outer bands all the way to Rat Portage.

Rolling stock review.

A good looker.

Empties are just as nice as loads.

We check out Paul's motorcycle shirt celebrating Canada's 150th.

Steve's Algoma Central Logo.

Two refreshing lads!

I'm sandwiched between Bernie and Doug post-ops.

Check in later for our second leg of our train where 327 becomes 304.

Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada