Sunday, August 23, 2020

Experimental Train Ops On This Saturday Morning - A Visit to Bob's O-Scale Layout

Experimental Train Ops on Saturday, August 22nd
Plus the added feature of a fabulous visit to Bob's O-Scale Layout


"We're coming at ya!" both crews call out as this railfan captures a colourful meet during our "experimental" train ops session Saturday, August 22nd.


Marcel and I agreed to arrive the railroad early in order to set out hundreds of cars around the railroad's towns and major classification yards.


This enabled us to operate trains in a more prototypical manner than simply running them around the railroad as we had been doing so far this season.


While we didn't have train orders and switch lists, crews were invited to create their own en route.


Bernie and Marcel admire the work completed at Ironwood.


One crew is switching out the sidings while the ore train passes by on the main.


Check out this White Pass and Yukon beauty!


This must mean...


...the Mark and Olie must be in the neighbourhood.


"What a wonderful day in the neighbourhood!" we sing as we spot Mark and Olie in Spruce.


Here's our cover shot for the posting...Extra 3607 meets the ore train.


Speaking of colour...check out this lash-up!  Wow!
This must mean that Bob has arrived!


I recognize Grant's steam locomotive in "The Corners".


Two trains at different elevations in a single picture.


Paul pulls into Spruce with his eastbound CP drag as UP Extra 3607 holds the siding.


This railfan loves train meets...


...as do many others!


This photo attests to the need for that new passing siding Bernie designed for Ironwood.  Yes...


...we spot three trains in a single image!


And...that makes Bernie a happy lad and a proud papa to the idea!


Marcel takes in the shade offered up in Cedar Rock as our train departs Spruce with ambitions of reaching Nelson Yard.


The Santa Fe caboose hop will be hot on our tail!


We find Grant in Cedar Rock...


...conducting a fair amount of switching!


While this looks like a "busy" image of many people...all are social distancing and wearing their masks!


Lawrence is also a great brainchild for many of the developments throughout the railroad.  His contributions are many and varied and greatly appreciated!


Grant slides down the hill from Cedar Rock to Peter's Pond.


Mark has his sights set on Mount St. Helens...


...while Andrew keeps busy in Nelson Yard.


Andrew has his hand on the pulse of train movements in the big yard...


...where he welcomes our train with a big smile...


...and an open Arrival/Departure track!


While the generations may differ, their crews remain the best in the land!


Our caboose hop is on a trajectory to Glen Hammond...


...as our steamer rolls downgrade near Blockhouse.


The umbrellas offer quite the amount of shade...


...as Andrew conducts his business in the yard.


It's so great seeing Bob out on this Saturday morning!


Andrew has nearly completed the make-up of our train...


...with a single car remaining for our consist, the boxcar beyond the gondola and the flatcar.


Our train is a "red chip" one on this day.


Marcel will come around to the end of the block of cars we have just brought into the yard and we will place the yellow transfer van onto the back of our new cut of cars Andrew has organized for us.


Bob rounds the bend at Lilly...


...and trails Grant down the hill.


We are almost ready to depart as soon as we change tracks...


...and place our caboose on to that "red chip" train of ours.


Looking good, Marcel!


We are now out from Nelson Yard in search of Peter's Pond.


Marcel offers Olie a tap on the shoes as his train runs through Mercer Siding.


Here's Uncle Fred...


...and little old me.  (Thanks, Jean, for the great looking mask!)



Here's our good friend Bob searching for pictures of his O-Scale empire for me as I am currently building the O-scale machine shop diorama.



In these Covid times I have been asking the group to send me images of any train related activities they have been partaking in...


...and Bob sent these amazing photos right in the middle of our experimental train running session...for which I am greatly appreciated!



Of course, these first three images showcase his Union Pacific "Big Boy" #4014.  I've read where 25 of these behemoths were built exclusively for the UP railroad.  Say, Marcel...this hefty lad should give your beautiful UP diesel a run for its money!  Hee hee!



Bob often brings out his large scale Santa Fe unit to run at Fred's and we saw it today!



You've gotta love that Warbonnet scheme...which I believe would be the most recognizable livery in the history of the diesel engine!



Looks like "The Green Lantern" to me, Bob!



We remember the slooped nose of this puppy, don't we!



Wow!  Bob!  What an amazing room!  It must feel like Christmas every single day of the year when you are in these environs!  Love those chopper, by the way!



Manufacturing abounds...



...as do leisure activities.  Man, check out those beautiful automobiles!



That's a great looking unit train in the background, Bob!



Is that Snoopy and the Red Baron in those biplanes?



Trains here, trains there...trains, trains...everywhere...and lovin' it!



Looks like some industrial incident here.



Fabulous lighting of the Big Boy, Bob.
Thanks a ton, Bob, for sending along these fabulous images of your railroading when you are not running the ore train at Fred's!


With this caboose safely framed in the image, it tells us that it is time to end this posting.  Look for many more posts in the near future where our next one will focus on Train Extra 3607 and the many switching moves the crew made en route from Craig Leigh to Nelson Yard and on through to Firgrove!

Have a wonderful day everyone!
Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

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