Session #6 Standard Gauge - July 6th 2019

The ops for July 6 were standard gauge operations.  Bernie sent me the next 40 or so images as lensed from his camera based out of Craig Leigh.

Some great looking standard gauge equipment is found all over the layout.  This Central Vermont beauty is residing in Cedar Rock at the moment.  Bernie particularly shot this image as it was a car he hadn't noticed on the railroad until this time.

These lovelies adorn the tracks in Mount St. Helens.  Seeing as Bernie is “anchored” in the eastern fringe of the railroad in his role as Craig Leigh yardmaster, most of his pics are taken from this region of the line.

To see Bernie's images in larger format, click on the image.  To return to the default look of the page, click outside the picture.

Bernie found little old me with Len looking over the yard at Ironwood pre-ops.

Our roving videographer, Malcolm has taken some great footage of the session...mostly at the western end of the line and along the RP&M railroad.  Check it out by "right clicking" the link below with your mouse to go directly to the link.

https://1drv.ms/v/s!ApuSckIj0HVCgtYdt_LWy5NEkUyNTg

As per usual, the gang meets around the big table under the canopy.

We listen in on the pre-ops discussion.  The gents in the penalty box are Moe, Paul and Lawrence while Steve (in the distance) and Malcolm (to the right) listen attentively.

Pat, me and Fred under the canopy.

The other Pat and the other Paul in the shade.

Bernie snags a picture of me taking a picture of he!

Let the operations begin!  Brian starts out with Train 15, the Pool Train stationed in Craig Leigh.

He has been granted clearance out of Craig Leigh and is rounding the bend where he will glide past Douglas Yard.

Train 15 is in the background at Douglas Yard while 301 awaits clearance to follow.

Passing Douglas Yard, Train 15 crosses over to the inner siding track at Norhtland to navigate the traffic the yard master has set up for Train 301.  Garry, the lad to the left, will  crew outbound 301 in short order.

Bernie, the Craig Leigh yard master has 301 made up.  The crew has backed their CN Geep onto the consist and await clearance out of the yard.

Granted their clearance, Train 301 is spotted trailing the Pool Train out of Craig Leigh.

Paul is Garry's crew mate at the throttle of 301.

 It appears they have some work to conduct at Northland before hitting the high iron picking up the set outs left by the Craig Leigh yard master.

Much later, we find the crew in Spruce on their westward journey.

We drop in on Bill and Mark in Peter's Pond aboard Train 302.

Much later in the session we catch up with them working their eastbound IPP&W Train 312 at Spruce running short hood forward. 

Bill is conductor while Mark runs the throttle as they work their facing sidings at this location.

312 arrives Northland.

Having terminated their second run aboard Train 312, the lads board Train 319 for their final leg of the journey back to Glen Hammond.

Out from Douglas Yard, Bill cuts his locomotive from the consist and instructs Mark to move ahead to pick up the set outs at Northland. 

Clearing the switch in mere moments, Bill will throw the turnout with the aid of the choke cable which controls this leg of the wye.

 The set outs are lifted by their road switcher.  They back onto their train and will be westbound out of Craig Leigh in no time at all.

 Garry and Fred check out some of the newer sections of track added at Watkins Siding.

Our good friend, Stu, has brought along another friend to check out the railroad.  It was great seeing you Stu!

Lawrence has arrived Craig Leigh with Passenger 2.  He is wyeing this beauty in order to back into the Craig Leigh terminal.

The CEO, Father Fred, is interested to see how the passenger coaches handled their run following recent modifications.  Lawrence indicates that they performed very well.  Thanks to Gilbert Lacroix for providing custom parts.  Thanks also to Fred for the time he put into the modifications of the Budds and the Heavyweights.

With Passenger 2 put to bed, Lawrence begins assembling Passenger 1.

He picks up a heavyweight...

...and a fifth Budd car to add to Passenger 1.

The terminal area in Craig Leigh can get fairly busy at times.

Paul and Len are in Ironwood with their eastbound train, 318.

They have just arrived Craig Leigh with Train 318 from Glen Hammond.  Paul has turned his locomotive on the wye...

...and is spotted backing onto his new train, 303.

303 has been cleared to Mount St. Helens.  You can see their lights in the distance downgrade from Craig Leigh just beyond the signal.

They take the siding for a meet with Train 15.

Train 15 has received permission to come in to Craig Leigh yard limits.

Brian wyes his train in order to back it into the depot at the terminus.

He crawls out on the far leg of the wye.

Then backs his train past Northland with a destination at the terminal building here in Craig Leigh.  

It brings such great joy to all of us to see Fred enjoying the railroad running like a Swiss Watch each time we gather to operate on Saturday mornings.

Thanks, Bernie, for the great images from your camera.  
Check in over the next few days for more pics and images from the session!
Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada