It's our first train ops session since the new fence materialized at the back of the property.
And what a great backdrop it is for our wonderful diesel locomotives.
On this standard gauge morning.
Malcolm has posted his video montage from the session at the link below.
https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21AMXUq7cx8WtjHiA&cid=4275D0234272929B&id=4275D0234272929B%2128664&parId=4275D0234272929B%2128656&o=OneUp
Malcolm has posted his video montage from the session at the link below.
https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21AMXUq7cx8WtjHiA&cid=4275D0234272929B&id=4275D0234272929B%2128664&parId=4275D0234272929B%2128656&o=OneUp
Looks like some "mu" operations here.
A great looking Canadian Pacific road switcher.
The yard switcher at Ralph Yard in Firgrove.
One of our units working Nelson Yard.
Caught with "disease-all fever" Bob brought this wee little lad out to head up the ore train.
Steve Mackenzie (on the left) with Dave Hatfield (Chris Hatfield's Brother) stand in front of a beautiful aircraft. Steve is one of our regular operators who has had to miss the last few sessions due to an interesting trip he took to Oshkosh, Wisconsin. I'll let Steve tell the story in his own words...
"I haven’t been around much to run trains this year so far mainly because I had the opportunity to travel part of the journey with Dave Hadfield of Y2-K the recently restored Spitfire Mk9 on her 5000 mile odyssey. I truly lifetime adventure we saw her take four of the seven awards given to Canadians at the 2018 EAA Airtventure in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. With 610,000 spectators and over 10,000 aircraft, it was a truly grand scale adventure. In addition to the Spitfire being front and centre we enjoyed a concert by Dave and his brother Chris Hadfield, a night to remember. Dave and I hold the awards including the Reserve Grand Champion Silver Lindy. We were also on the flightline to launch Y2-K for her fly past on Tuesday in honour of the RAF 100 celebration, this video shows her at her best."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnEpu2mb2oI
Steve Mackenzie (on the left) with Dave Hatfield (Chris Hatfield's Brother) stand in front of a beautiful aircraft. Steve is one of our regular operators who has had to miss the last few sessions due to an interesting trip he took to Oshkosh, Wisconsin. I'll let Steve tell the story in his own words...
"I haven’t been around much to run trains this year so far mainly because I had the opportunity to travel part of the journey with Dave Hadfield of Y2-K the recently restored Spitfire Mk9 on her 5000 mile odyssey. I truly lifetime adventure we saw her take four of the seven awards given to Canadians at the 2018 EAA Airtventure in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. With 610,000 spectators and over 10,000 aircraft, it was a truly grand scale adventure. In addition to the Spitfire being front and centre we enjoyed a concert by Dave and his brother Chris Hadfield, a night to remember. Dave and I hold the awards including the Reserve Grand Champion Silver Lindy. We were also on the flightline to launch Y2-K for her fly past on Tuesday in honour of the RAF 100 celebration, this video shows her at her best."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnEpu2mb2oI
Now, back to our August 4th session. We are in pre-ops mode where we spot Bernie and Doug helping to haul the freight cars for sorting.
Johnny Chuff-Chuff has come up from Toronto for the session.
Still more car trays to go.
The crew allocates the cars to their predetermined spots at Bell, Glen Hammond and Nelson Yard.
Neil has brought his grandson, Owen, along for the morning train ops.
Owen certainly proved himself to be a quick study as he was engineer on trains 327, 304 and 314.
Neil's CP road unit.
Neil has brought his grandson, Owen, along for the morning train ops.
Owen certainly proved himself to be a quick study as he was engineer on trains 327, 304 and 314.
Neil's CP road unit.
I am dispatcher on the day! Thanks, Neil, for the previous three photographs.
Pat and Henk at Nelson Yard.
Looking across Peter's Pond we see cars set out at Cedar Rock, Spruce and Ironwood with the fence towering above the lot.
Looks like a rake of stock cars are on the siding in Mount St. Helens.
Doug and Malcolm pre-ops.
The two tracks here are interchange spurs for cars which will be exchanged between the two roads.
Brunt's Brewery in Bell used to tower over the yard. It appears somewhat diminutive in front of that lovely fence.
Cars in Stuart Yard.
Fred offers up his speech pre-ops while Henk pours his coffee. It's great to see Lela and Chris back as well.
The young lad, Owen, listens in on the morning speech as do all of the adults.
Doug, Lawrence and Bob are all ears.
As are Pat, Malcolm, Brian and Garry. The ladies in the background were lovely visitors to the layout.
Bernie holds the Spruce station as he listen in on the conversation.
There's Chris with Moe, Doug and Paul.
Johnny and Doug are keen observers as are Chris and his guest, Evert, seated at the bottom right of the image.
Over in Craig Leigh 301 is made up and ready to depart early in the session.
Bernie's TH&B Geep has the Douglas Yard honours on this day.
Firgrove appears to be a hive of activity at the moment.
"Ah...that's more like it!" says George as he keeps his yard well organized.
The nerve centre of both railroads is here in Nelson Yard.
Henk, in the blue shirt is the yardmaster today. He and his crew keeps the cars earning the revenue here.
Moe signed up for Passenger #2.
We find him eastbound out of Firgrove.
Quickly followed by the ore train.
With Bob at the helm.
Bernie just e-mailed the following 20 images from the session.
He also sent a listing of the captions for the pics. Thanks Bernie!
Here Bernie captured Brian preparing the power for 301 at Craig Leigh.
Looks like a double-header on the head end of 301 ready to depart Craig Leigh.
The 301 conductor, Amigo Bill.
The 301 engineer is ready to roll the first freight out of Craig Leigh on this lovely morning.
Passenger 2 spotted eastbound in Peter's Pond.
Moe is in charge of this train.
Bernie, the affable yard master in Craig Leigh.
Bob backing in empties to the Northland Ore Dock.
And...a crowded house she be!
An artsy low angle shot down the four parallel tracks that make up the ore dock.
Bernie's TH&B GP7.
Craig Leigh switcher bringing a car to the Power House. This move required the switcher to move a row of ore cars to gain access.
A work crew at Northland.
The Craig Leigh switcher has just located a reefer at the Ice House.
Now locating a car at Brunts.
Visitors watching the action at Craig Leigh; Doug, George, Bob and Johnny Chuff-Chuff.
Much later in the session, Paul backs his locomotive on to his return train, Train 319.
Doug, George and Bob have it "made in the shade" at Craig Leigh.
Bernie and Doug have a moment to discuss plans for a new switch at Craig Leigh to eliminate a troublesome S-turn.
Pat visits with a great smile.
Thanks, again, Bernie for the great pics and captions!
The train departing Glen Hammond to the right is 318 just beginning its eastward journey across the line.
Paul (in the distance) is the engineer and Lela (bending down to uncouple a car) is the conductor. Their train has a short amount of work to conduct at Blockhouse before tackling the grade up to Spruce.
Back at the Glen, Neil, Chris and Owen work the sidings before departing in the opposite direction from 318. They are aboard Train 327.
Grandpa Neil shows grandson Owen how to work the throttle.
Neil's CP road switcher is the motive power on Train 327 today.
Over in Bell, 302 has arrived having departed Firgrove earlier.
Paul and our wonderful friend, Johnny Chuff-Chuff, work 302 today.
We catch them drilling the interchange tracks. Note the lovely fence in back of Brunt's Brewery. It certainly adds a fine-looking backdrop to the scene.
Over on the other railroad, the RP&M (Rat Portage & Mattawa) we find Pat and Garry working Golden Grains.
Running in Notch 8, this Canadian National Geep manages the grade out of Pratt's Bottom with hardly a loss of breath.
Our other RP&M crew is found at the Junction.
Lawrence and Malcolm have some work to finish up at Anderson before they depart for Bell.
Up in Bell the RP&M crew work the interchange tracks. When they have completed their moves here they will turn their locomotive for the return trip along RP&M rails.
As soon as the train ops bell rings, the Nelson yard master and his two RP&M crews begin working the yard tracks and local industries in and around Nelson Yard.
This locomotive works the western throat of the yard.
While this locomotive works the industries over the gut.
The yard is busy.
With this locomotive working the eastern throat of the yard.
Rolling stock review. This lovely D&H boxcar will make its way onto the railroad in short order. That stirrup step on the right needs to be readjusted and then she's ready for revenue service. Thanks Neil for the donation!
A Union Pacific 40-footer on the team track in Peter's Pond.
A triple dome tankcar.
A single domed sibling.
A reefer at the Ice House.
Two friends in Stuart Yard at Bell.
Fraternal twins at Firgrove.
A CN 40-footer in Rat Portage.
A brace of tankers up in Cedar Rock.
This overall shot of things shows crews and visitors enjoying the operating session.
A look across the gut reveals three spans that tackle the wide gap.
Checking back in on our passenger train finds Moe at Watkins.
He's sailing clear through Watkins Siding.
Then on into Glen Hammond.
Through the pedestrian crosswalk in the lee of the dispatch booth.
Through Spruce and Ironwood.
Past Ironwood Brick.
Much later in the day back at Glen Hammond.
This diesel...er...steamer...is in charge of ore operations on this standard gauge morning.
Must be a museum excursion of sorts.
At any rate, Bob sure is enjoying running his Mallet.
There's nothing more beautiful than a long unit train.
And Bob's ore train is no exception.
Too much fun!
301 is on a gentle downgrade slope out of Mount St. Helens.
Where Brian and Bill were a few moments earlier.
They've arrived the siding in Ironwood. Paul and Lela are over in Spruce working 318.
The handsome lads.
Later in the morning, Brian has his CP diesel chugging up the hill into Bell.
Along the mainline in Bell.
Paul and Johnny continue to work the interchange tracks at the western end of Bell.
With two tracks forming the interchange, many cars can be exchanged between the two roads.
Paul's diesel uses the mainline to the east of Bell to allow him to drill Stuart Yard.
They have been granted clearance to Watkins Siding.
That's where we find them now.
Speaking of Paul and Lela...
We encounter them working their trailing sidings in Spruce.
With Paul's beautiful FA unit on the point.
Owen is handling himself brilliantly as engineer aboard 327 under Chris's fine tutelage.
They work the tracks in Peter's Pond.
Running their locomotive back to the front of their train.
Chris points out the juxtaposition of the turnouts.
They make their way up to Bell where they encounter the crew of 302 working the interchange tracks.
In short order, they are found heading in the other direction once again through Bell as Train 304.
Neil's CP road unit has been beautifully weathered by Chris.
Back in Craig Leigh, Bernie continues to work.
Over in Firgrove, George brings down some traffic to Bell.
In Nelson Yard the RP&M crews, along with Henk, keep trains on the move.
Crews arrive.
Crews depart.
The sun heats up the scene, but the rail crews maintain their usual cool heads.
Chris (on the right) has brought along his friend, Evert.
Owen was a star engineer.
He's hooked grandpa!
Gail brought Fred some jam.
Bob enjoys a refreshing water.
Evert and Chris oversee the Nelson Yard movements.
Still more visitors arrive the railroad and are duly impressed.
Bob brings the ore train through Glen Hammond.
Malcolm and Bill have a chitchat while Lawrence and Fred make sure everyone is having a great time.
I'm out of the dispatch hut and am enjoying a tasty lunch with a great bunch of train operators.
Another successful session is complete and Fred finds time to get off his feet safe in the knowledge that the railroad held up to all of the rigours of operations just as it does every other week. Thanks Fred!
Have a great week! Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Bernie just e-mailed the following 20 images from the session.
He also sent a listing of the captions for the pics. Thanks Bernie!
Here Bernie captured Brian preparing the power for 301 at Craig Leigh.
Looks like a double-header on the head end of 301 ready to depart Craig Leigh.
The 301 conductor, Amigo Bill.
The 301 engineer is ready to roll the first freight out of Craig Leigh on this lovely morning.
Passenger 2 spotted eastbound in Peter's Pond.
Moe is in charge of this train.
Bernie, the affable yard master in Craig Leigh.
Bob backing in empties to the Northland Ore Dock.
And...a crowded house she be!
An artsy low angle shot down the four parallel tracks that make up the ore dock.
Bernie's TH&B GP7.
Craig Leigh switcher bringing a car to the Power House. This move required the switcher to move a row of ore cars to gain access.
A work crew at Northland.
The Craig Leigh switcher has just located a reefer at the Ice House.
Now locating a car at Brunts.
Visitors watching the action at Craig Leigh; Doug, George, Bob and Johnny Chuff-Chuff.
Much later in the session, Paul backs his locomotive on to his return train, Train 319.
Doug, George and Bob have it "made in the shade" at Craig Leigh.
Bernie and Doug have a moment to discuss plans for a new switch at Craig Leigh to eliminate a troublesome S-turn.
Pat visits with a great smile.
Thanks, again, Bernie for the great pics and captions!
The train departing Glen Hammond to the right is 318 just beginning its eastward journey across the line.
Paul (in the distance) is the engineer and Lela (bending down to uncouple a car) is the conductor. Their train has a short amount of work to conduct at Blockhouse before tackling the grade up to Spruce.
Back at the Glen, Neil, Chris and Owen work the sidings before departing in the opposite direction from 318. They are aboard Train 327.
Grandpa Neil shows grandson Owen how to work the throttle.
Neil's CP road switcher is the motive power on Train 327 today.
Over in Bell, 302 has arrived having departed Firgrove earlier.
Paul and our wonderful friend, Johnny Chuff-Chuff, work 302 today.
We catch them drilling the interchange tracks. Note the lovely fence in back of Brunt's Brewery. It certainly adds a fine-looking backdrop to the scene.
Over on the other railroad, the RP&M (Rat Portage & Mattawa) we find Pat and Garry working Golden Grains.
Running in Notch 8, this Canadian National Geep manages the grade out of Pratt's Bottom with hardly a loss of breath.
Our other RP&M crew is found at the Junction.
Lawrence and Malcolm have some work to finish up at Anderson before they depart for Bell.
Up in Bell the RP&M crew work the interchange tracks. When they have completed their moves here they will turn their locomotive for the return trip along RP&M rails.
As soon as the train ops bell rings, the Nelson yard master and his two RP&M crews begin working the yard tracks and local industries in and around Nelson Yard.
This locomotive works the western throat of the yard.
While this locomotive works the industries over the gut.
The yard is busy.
With this locomotive working the eastern throat of the yard.
Rolling stock review. This lovely D&H boxcar will make its way onto the railroad in short order. That stirrup step on the right needs to be readjusted and then she's ready for revenue service. Thanks Neil for the donation!
A Union Pacific 40-footer on the team track in Peter's Pond.
A triple dome tankcar.
A single domed sibling.
A reefer at the Ice House.
Two friends in Stuart Yard at Bell.
Fraternal twins at Firgrove.
A CN 40-footer in Rat Portage.
A brace of tankers up in Cedar Rock.
This overall shot of things shows crews and visitors enjoying the operating session.
A look across the gut reveals three spans that tackle the wide gap.
Checking back in on our passenger train finds Moe at Watkins.
He's sailing clear through Watkins Siding.
Then on into Glen Hammond.
Through the pedestrian crosswalk in the lee of the dispatch booth.
Through Spruce and Ironwood.
Past Ironwood Brick.
Much later in the day back at Glen Hammond.
This diesel...er...steamer...is in charge of ore operations on this standard gauge morning.
Must be a museum excursion of sorts.
At any rate, Bob sure is enjoying running his Mallet.
There's nothing more beautiful than a long unit train.
And Bob's ore train is no exception.
Too much fun!
301 is on a gentle downgrade slope out of Mount St. Helens.
Where Brian and Bill were a few moments earlier.
They've arrived the siding in Ironwood. Paul and Lela are over in Spruce working 318.
The handsome lads.
Later in the morning, Brian has his CP diesel chugging up the hill into Bell.
Along the mainline in Bell.
Paul and Johnny continue to work the interchange tracks at the western end of Bell.
With two tracks forming the interchange, many cars can be exchanged between the two roads.
Paul's diesel uses the mainline to the east of Bell to allow him to drill Stuart Yard.
They have been granted clearance to Watkins Siding.
That's where we find them now.
Speaking of Paul and Lela...
We encounter them working their trailing sidings in Spruce.
With Paul's beautiful FA unit on the point.
Owen is handling himself brilliantly as engineer aboard 327 under Chris's fine tutelage.
They work the tracks in Peter's Pond.
Running their locomotive back to the front of their train.
Chris points out the juxtaposition of the turnouts.
They make their way up to Bell where they encounter the crew of 302 working the interchange tracks.
In short order, they are found heading in the other direction once again through Bell as Train 304.
Neil's CP road unit has been beautifully weathered by Chris.
Back in Craig Leigh, Bernie continues to work.
Over in Firgrove, George brings down some traffic to Bell.
In Nelson Yard the RP&M crews, along with Henk, keep trains on the move.
Crews arrive.
Crews depart.
The sun heats up the scene, but the rail crews maintain their usual cool heads.
Chris (on the right) has brought along his friend, Evert.
Owen was a star engineer.
He's hooked grandpa!
Gail brought Fred some jam.
Bob enjoys a refreshing water.
Evert and Chris oversee the Nelson Yard movements.
Still more visitors arrive the railroad and are duly impressed.
Bob brings the ore train through Glen Hammond.
Malcolm and Bill have a chitchat while Lawrence and Fred make sure everyone is having a great time.
I'm out of the dispatch hut and am enjoying a tasty lunch with a great bunch of train operators.
Another successful session is complete and Fred finds time to get off his feet safe in the knowledge that the railroad held up to all of the rigours of operations just as it does every other week. Thanks Fred!
Have a great week! Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
While Paul and I concentrated on our own runs, of course we missed a lot of things happening everywhere else on this amazing railroad. These posts help us fill in the blanks.... I love 'em, Mike, thanks!
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