Session #5 Second Section

Thanks to Bernie for the next twenty images.  Bernie is the Craig Leigh Yardmaster.  Because I was running with the RP&M team Saturday, I had the odd rare moment to steal away and snap a pic or too at this "other end" of the line.  So-o-o, thanks, Bernie, for these images.  In the above photo, Mark is pulling the Pool Train, Train 15, away from the terminal in Craig Leigh.  This train is pooled between the two railroads, The IPP&W and the RP&M.  It will see iron from both roads on its run.

We catch Bernie, the man himself, switching the new Eastern Oil siding in Craig Leigh.

This is the "second section" of images from our Train Operating session held on June 29th.
To see the first section of images and stories visit the link below

https://gardenrailroadottawa.blogspot.com/2019/06/session-5-narrow-gauge-june-29.html

Afterwards, Bernie heads over to the Northland Ore Dock where he will switch out the coke facility with its two cars on the siding in the foreground.

Bob rerails an ore car as the Cookie Monster looks on.  The big blue guy (Bob...or the Cookie Monster) finds this exchange to be of the funny variety!

Train #1 us made up and has obtained clearance to depart Craig Leigh under the watchful eye of engineer Brian.

Bernie railfans this beautiful train as it bypasses Douglas Yard in Craig Leigh.

Bob has arrived Craig Leigh and is in the process of backing his train onto the ore dock.

Bob's unique steam locomotive originally brought into timber service holds the honours on the ore train most days.

Bob aligns his turnouts as he backs the train through the yard's switch leads.

Bernie has brought Train 30 down to Mount St. Helens where he switches out the local industries.

The action is heavy at both Ironwood and Spruce with more onlookers than train operators.  It's great to see the youngsters so interested in the train operations.

These young ones even provide suggestions to the crews aboard the trains!  Awesome!

Bernie captured this "artsy" shot of Steve, Malcolm and Chris between the pines!

Paul finally arrives Craig Leigh with 318 after a long journey through field and stream, hills and dales...and through the woods along the right of way on the IPP&W railroad.

Thanks for the great photos and stories, Bernie!

The next dozen images were sent in by Mark.
Here he is with Train 15, the Pool Train, ready to depart Craig Leigh.

The pool train bypasses Douglas Yard.

Arriving Ironwood westbound.

Entering Spruce.  Mark notes that it was a hot day so the Shay crew was running with the roof vent up most of the time.

Through the big trestle on the outskirts of Nelson Yard and Glen Hammond.

Station stop at Bellamy.

Now on RP&M rails in Rat Portage.

Passing the station in Rat.

Around the big bend out front of the property.

Picking up passengers in Pratt's Bottom.

Upgrade to Bell.

Station stop in Bell.

Meeting 302 in Peter's Pond.

Meeting Passenger 1 at Mercer.

Indeed, a meeting of many minds!

Through the junction tracks.
Thanks so much, Mark, for the great images.

In our "first section" we followed the ore train eastbound at this location along the line.

We now catch the same train westbound with Bob at the throttle.

Passing Blockhouse.

Steve descends the grade out of Firgrove with Train 304.

Looking good, Steve!

Quiet the charming little engine that can!

Andrew railfans the action in Glen Hammond as Mark pulls the pool train into the depot.

301 climbs the grade up to Lilly on its approach to Nelson Yard from Spruce.

301 will become 311 in short order.

We catch an RP&M train returning back to Nelson Yard...

...with its bright red Drover Caboose on the tail end.

With the western throat to the yard now clear, 311 is set to depart.

The crew will work Peter's Pond and Bell before terminating at Firgrove.

Westbound 311 meets eastbound 302 at Mercer.

302 is now able to enter the yard where the train will terminate.

302's crew will board 312 to continue its eastward trip to Craig Leigh.

Steve and Malcolm crew 304 up in Bell.

Lawrence and I crew RP&M 67 out of Nelson Yard for Bell.  We had to hold at Nelson for some time as trains 301 and 302 had traffic for us.  We're running late, but we will catch up in no time as RP&M rails are not as busy as IPP&W ones.

Our first order of business is to pick up a boxcar at Lyon Supply.  We have just crossed the junction and radioed dispatch to notify him that the junction is clear once again.

Due to our late departure, we actually encounter our other RP&M train mates in Rat Portage aboard RP&M 71.  Their red Drover Caboose is seen off in the distance.

We move our train over to the siding while Moe and Pat are ready to depart shortly with their train now on the main.  

RP&M trains 67 and 71 hold their meet in Rat.

With our work completed in Rat Portage we struggle up the hill out of Pratt's Bottom.

We approach the limits at Bell on a slow order as we have traffic in Bell to navigate.

It's the Firgrove Yardmaster bringing his short hop down to Bell with headend switching required.

Manny is in control of the throttle.

Our train has arrived Bell and we've placed our caboose on the stub track second from the right.  Lawrence turns our locomotive on the turntable seen to the right.  328 arrives Bell from Firgrove to the left.  Last year's track improvements at this busy interchange now allow for multiple meets to be held with crews from both railroads allowed to work independent of each other.  Thanks to Henk for the suggestion of a second set of switches to be installed to make this all happen.  This second set of turnouts also offer another bonus...we have a short "runaround" area at the west end of Bell now.  Before, trains had to run the entire length of Stuart Yard in Bell to run around their trains.  Bravo to the maintenance department for figuring this all out!

Busy Bell!

I have been called over to snap a few pics of the crew aboard 312.

Apparently they are using a novel approach to address the situation of cars being set out at the facing Windmill siding.

Ask the lads about their new approach when you see them next week!  (Big grin!)

Oops!

Our usual dispatcher, Doug, is being entertained to the "Nth" degree over this way!

There is a lot of action at Spruce as well.  We see Chris and Paul Anderson with Train 303.   Paul Norton, in white, is working Ironwood.  Malcolm and Steve are under the umbrella tree awaiting clearance into Ironwood aboard 314.  Their caboose is barely noticed at the bottom of the image.

Pat Brewer has 328 on Track 3 in Bell.

The Firgrove shuttle down to Bell seems to be getting ready to return to their home up in Firgrove.

George is granted clearance so Manny notches the throttle and they slowly pull out of Bell.

Andrew checks his list as he considers his next moves aboard 328.

I notice my RP&M mate has his locomotive on the yard lead to the east of Bell.

His goal...these two reefers on the new siding named in Henk's honour.

Taking the crossovers, Lawrence heads to the spur switch.

Got 'em!

Lawrence backs down the main.

He takes the crossovers once again.

He stops momentarily to realign all crossover turnouts to their mains.

He travels down Track 4 at Bell.

With their train now made up, Lawrence and I begin our journey home along RP&M rails as Train 68.

The trackage below Firgrove.

Through the tunnels...we should appear momentarily.

Alas, we do not appear...Lawrence heads out to the front property to check on the track conditions...

...where he is immediately engulfed in ferns!

A gathering of railroad faithful meet at Nelson Yard.

Doug enjoys the camaraderie of the morning session.

Pat Brewer and Andrew drill the interchange tracks at Bell.

Pat Brennan enjoys a seat of honour in the shade by the big yard.

Meanwhile...back in Craig Leigh...

...Bernie aligns the route...

...for Train 319...

...the final run of the day for the crew.

Made in the shade!

319 glides downgrade from Craig Leigh into Mount St. Helens.

While Chris and Paul work Train 313 up in Cedar Rock.

With ardent railfans looking on.

Steve and Malcolm...

...in Ironwood...

...with 314.

Malcolm reviews his orders...

...and the crew determines their next moves.

328 at Watkins.

328 holds the siding at Watkins for a meet with 313 while the crew of 319 work Ironwood once again.

Lots of trains running simultaneously...

...is what a visitor will see...

...when he/she comes out for some railroading fun at one of our sessions!

Bill and Pat will attest to the great fun we have each time we gather!

As will Lawrence, Doug and Len.

Lots of great discussions to be had.

Lots of smiles.

Lots to talk about.

And...

...great meals too!

So, as we wave goodbye to the passengers aboard the train, we say, "Here's to next Saturday...when we will meet again to run trains of the standard gauge variety!"

Fred and Len both tell us to enjoy Canada Day tomorrow as well as the rest of your week!  
Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada