In Part One of our "Diesel September" blog entry we followed Passenger 2 from Firgrove eastward to Craig Leigh with me joining in as Neil's crewmate. In Part Two we will follow the progress of Pool Train 15 as it heads westward bound. It will take a slightly different route than Passenger 2. As the name suggests, it is a pool train and it will traverse the iron of both railroads on the system.
Some interesting passengers are spotted.
What's this! They've climbed aboard without a train ticket!
Ardent railfans "flock" trackside to get a look at the interesting birds.
We travel the outer track at Douglas Yard.
Where we spot another crew working the train we had just brought in.
Barry gets a chuckle as he notices our rooftop duo.
As they enjoy the ride.
"I didn't encourage them aboard the train!" spleads Pat.
A quick gander at the ore dock in Craig Leigh.
We arrive the station track in Mount St. Helens to find the crew aboard 318 working the trailing sidings.
With their colourful transfer caboose.
Lela and Steve rely on the expertise of a seasoned operator to throw the turnouts for them.
We're out of Mount St. Helens in open country. Our travellers have waddled over to the refrigerator car to cool down a bit as we will be departing shady environs momentarily.
I look back to spot Bill and Paul working Peter's Pond on Train 311.
While George and Henk arrive Spruce with 312.
Lawrence is at his namesake "Watkins" siding with crewmate Seanna with Train 304. They have completed their work in Bell and are holding the main in anticipation of clearance into the Pond.
Pool Train 15 meets 312 in Ironwood.
We make Spruce in no time.
Out of Spruce we will travel downgrade.
Many a visitor come to check out the action on the railroad.
And what a sight to behold at times!
Paul and Bill have 311 up in Cedar Rock.
Train 15 rounds the bend with brakes applied for the downhill grade.
Doug enjoys the camaraderie of the morning.
Rounding the bend at Lilly.
Threading the needle.
A moment earlier, our dynamic duo decided to play a game of tag jumping from car to car. "Catch me if you can!"
Slowing to a station stop at Glenn Hammond.
Garry's CN diesel continues to make up and break down trains in Nelson Yard.
Looks like the pool train has work in the Glenn.
Indeed, Garry is a busy yardmaster.
Nearby, we spot a short hop on the RP&M.
We depart the Glenn as Chris arrives Bell with that RP&M train.
Rounding the big curve into Bellamy.
Slowing for a station stop.
RP&M train near the interchange at Bell.
We're through the diamond.
And...into the Pond.
We meet a cheerful Bill and Paul.
They've protected their train for their meet with us.
We say goodbye to 311. "Thanks, boys, for the cheerful hello!"
304 continues to hold the main at Watkins Siding as we bypass them.
Neil, Steve and Paul keep watchful eyes on their respective equipment.
Lela looks over her moves in Ironwood as we head around 304 with 311 in hot pursuit.
Watkins Siding is a necessity as trains meet here on a regular basis and it is a long way between towns at this point in the railroad.
Bill chats up dispatch as we arrive the station track at Bell.
I wonder if this pair will jump off here?
Looks like that RP&M crew is busy in Bell.
Pat with throttle in hand is confident as Chris is a master operator.
Three trains...one town...and it works wonders!
Bill and Paul study their moves as we ready our train for departure.
Nice to see another passenger train in Bell.
With a blow of the horn, we are underway.
Nope...they're still with us!
Two new structures on the railroad! Kevin Kelly and I am surprised that someone would want to build their houses so close to a major railroad line! Hehehe!
We head downgrade on RP&M rails.
With a quick stop at Pratt's Bottom we get underway beneath Firgrove.
Out on the front lawn.
"Where are the ice floes?"
Arriving Rat Portage.
With our two elevated passengers. (We thought the tunnel might have sent them flying...but we forgot...penguins don't fly...they just win Stanley Cups!)
The new station sign.
Good old Hamer Mfg. in the background! Big grin!
I hear a diesel growling as it ascends the grade at "The Ledges". It's 311 arriving Firgrove.
Brian uncouples a car at Belson while the young railfan looks on and Steve follows his train somewhere near Lilly.
The short hop returns to Firgrove from Bell.
Moe handles the throttle deftly across the diamond.
We've been cleared across the diamond ourselves and find our train at Bellamy.
Into Glenn Hammond.
A facing move for the pool train at the house track.
Lela and Steve depart Nelson Yard aboard 313 and head west.
Paul is all smiles.
As are "All Things Great and Small!"
Departing the Glenn we bypass Nelson Yard.
With a clearance to Blockhouse.
313 on the diamond.
Doug enjoys the respite from dispatching as Steve handles those chores on this day.
The other Steve's lovely locomotive traverses the pedestrian crossing and will have one more grade crossing to face before entering Peter's Pond.
Garry's unit continues to work Nelson Yard.
Here's Garry with a big smile on his face as Neil follows his train.
Tarin 15 is battling the grade into Spruce.
Seanna and Lawrence work Ironwood with Train 314.
A short train in Spruce holds the siding awaiting our approach.
"I think I can, I think I can!"
But Barry and Doug aren't too sure!
No problem at all. The pool train is through Spruce and have already arrived Ironwood.
With those two frisky birds still stealing a ride. Sure beats flying! Oh yeah, penguins can't...I know..."
Neil brings Train 15 into the station in the Mount.
Later, arriving Craig Leigh.
We will slow to a stop.
As the crew in Craig Leigh will take a hold of our train for us.
With that beautiful TH&B Geep.
They'll push the train into the terminal building at the end of the line.
And we will wye our locomotive for its final run aboard Passenger 1.
Barry and Bernie will make sure this all occurs without a hitch.
We say "goodbye" to our dynamic duo. They sure have enjoyed the ride!
While Barry and Bernie get another chuckle from these two "littlest hobos".
Thanks to Steve and Seanna for the loan of their beautiful diesel locomotive on the passenger runs!
All the best, Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario. Canada
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