08 08 Train Fun!
Yes, Fun on August the 8th
On the morning of the 8th day of the 8th month...
...a group of railroaders gathered...
...at Skipper Fred's place...
...to do none other than...
...run a few trains...
...and socialize safely!
Upon my arrival...
...the first train out in the morning...
...was this gorgeous Rio Grande Central train...
...plying the rails of the IPP&W...
...with engineman Paul at the helm.
Hey...it's Jim Davis! So good to see you out, Jim!
Paul enters the environs to the east of Spruce...
...as Jim observes the action.
Paul takes the main...
...and heads through town...
...with a train that would be totally suitable...
...as the "Santa Claus Special"...
...all decked out...
...in brilliant red.
Paul follows his train round the turn...
...and into the shade...
...and back into the sun...
...as he prepares to toboggan down the slope...
...using gravity as an aid.
We will catch up with Paul's train in a later posting.
Jim is wearing his First Air cap as his son works in the aviation industry.
We welcome Bernie...
...as I slide over to Craig Leigh.
It must be the "Yellow BIrd Special" on this day...
...as two trains prepare for departure...
...in yellow dress...
...on such a sunshiny day!
Mark begins assembling his passenger train...
...as Marcel waits patiently in front of the engine house.
In short order...
...Marcel will be given the keys to the rails...
...but Mark is ready first...
...as he opens the throttle...
...on a slow order...
...out of the yard.
She's a real beauty, Mark!
Did I just print "beauty mark?"
I guess I did.
Now Mr. Union Pacific...thank you for your patience...your turn is up!
Marcel will couple onto this mixed freight to begin the day.
He leaves his transfer caboose behind...
...and proceeds to...
...collect his consist.
A quick inspection as the process unfolds...
...and he will back onto the tail end...
...waiting patiently...
...yes, patiently...
...et, voila! We have our train made up.
The crew is granted clearance out from Craig Leigh...
...and it's downhill from here!
Meanwhile, back in Douglas Yard, Jim saddles over to Lawrence to see what's up.
Lawrence has brought along his road switcher.
By now...
...it's my turn at the plate...
...as Bernie watches on...
...where he manages to snag a picture of me...
...with my Canadian National road switcher...
...hauling a unit tanker train...
...with the first two cars of empties...
...followed by a few loads...
...as we reach Ironwood.
We miss the shade by a fraction of distance and time...
...but that's okay...
...as we find some respite beneath the pines!
On into Spruce...
...where the umbrellas will offer assistance...
...as our tail end finds the forest.
Later in the morning...
...Bernie runs a TH&B extra...
...out from Craig Leigh...
...where it is located in Spruce.
We appreciate the sweeping curve...
...with the three parallel industry spurs in the center.
Here's George and Paul.
Neil makes an appearance...
...as does Barry! Can you see their smiles?
Barry brings along the local magazine from his neck of the woods with an article that highlights our dear friend, Dave.
Marcel and Jim.
My Lisa has done some grocery shopping for Fred...
...as we thank Fred for offering up his place for a group of rabid railroaders!
Check in over the next few days for more pics from this amazing session of train running par excellence!
All the best, Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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