A New Record On the IPP&W

We believe we have set a new record for the youngest crewmate to run trains on the IPP&W.  Mark just sent me a number of photos to include in our blog, many of which include his young son, Matthew, age 3.

Inspecting the Playmobil Station.  "Hey dad," he calls out, "Don't we have some of these at home?"  Matthew ensures all of the passengers are ready and eager to board the next RP&M train down at Pratt's Bottom.

In Glen Hammond, he and I work the yard before departing for Peter's Pond.

Matthew was kind enough to allow our crew to offer an "assist" to the crew of Train 318 which also required some moves to be made before their departure from the same yard.

Matthew in all his glory!  Down in Peter's Pond, he multitasks as he dictates the moves required for our meet with the opposing passenger train.

Matthew is our van inspector/conductor ensuring all is well with our train movements.  We had earlier arrived Firgrove aboard Train 327 and are now running opposite as Train 304.  We pass our earlier consist.  Thanks to George, the yard master in Firgrove, our new train has been readied in advance for our crew!

Matthew's eyes broaden immensely when he notices this beast of a locomotive at the crossing to the west of Peter's Pond.

Hmmm...two trains at one time...bonus!

Matthew's train departs Peter's Pond.

Mark captures me capturing his train.

Too much fun!  Nah...ya can never have too much fun railroading.  There's always room for more fun to be had!

Mark's beautiful Shay passes through Blockhouse.

Rounding the bend eastward outside of Spruce...luckily still pulling her consist!  Mark tells us he still has to change out the over-sized couplers..

Passing in front of Ironwood Brick.  The Shay eyes the coaling station waiting for her next load of fuel.  She'll have to wait until she arrives the ore dock in Craig Leigh to be given her dinner.  "My that green tank car looks nice!"  Mark is heard to say.

The cow at Scobie's wanted a bit of a better look.  The Shay was happy to oblige.

"Now you see me!"

"Now you don't!"

Thanks, Mark, for sending along this great looking folder of images for the blog!  It was a pleasure crewing with you and our record-breaking Matthew!  Wow...it's hard to believe that just a few short weeks ago this is what the railroad looked like.  Thanks so much to all the hard work put in by our many volunteers in order to get the railroad ready for the first successful operating session of the season!

To see further images taken from the train operating session highlighted here, check out 
https://gardenrailroadottawa.blogspot.com/2019/05/session-1-opening-day.html

All the best!

Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada