Final Views From August First
We finish off our posts from this past week's train running session from the first Saturday in August with some pics included from our "Workday Wednesday" and Mike's O-scale machine shop project.
Hovering over the entrance to Nelson Yard and Glen Hammond, Train Extra #27 finds its way in a westerly direction on a lovely first morning in August.
Earlier the train was spotted gliding down the slope between Spruce and Blockhouse.
She's nestled along the edge of the cliff face.
The drivers hasten as the engineer tackles the first leg of the incline up to Lilly.
In a previous scene, Number 27 crosses the deck girder over the gut.
With another successful ascent of the grade...
...the train banks into the curve...
...at Lilly.
The crew locates the daylight once again...
...and slows down for the large span...
...across the same divide.
A true railfan's delight!
Into the shade...
...with the ascent conquered...
...anticipating a station stop in the Glen.
An ardent railfan managed to capture the train as it slows on its approach into Glen Hammond.
Through the Glen...
...with the goal of reaching RP&M iron.
Nearing Rat Portage.
At Rat Portage, number 27 discovers a local wayfreight hot on its tail.
Through Rat...
...past the depot site...
...and...out into the "Great Wide Open"...(Thanks Tom Petty for that one!)
Ferndale is a small whistle stop.
The dappled shade is appreciated by the crew...
...as the train advances down the line...
...into the tunnel beneath Firgrove.
After setting off a few passengers at Pratt's Bottom (who would want to detrain here?) the 2-6-0 is up to the task of taking on the incline up to Bell.
At the interchange...
...and on into Bell.
Past the large industry...
...with a short station stop.
Then it's "tally ho" eastward...
...through Watkins (named after our industrious Lawrence Watkins)...
...and on into "The Corners".
We meet another freight down in Peter's Pond.
Typically it would be right hand running through the siding at Mercer, but we've got other intentions on this day!
Finding the Glen, Blockhouse, Spruce and Ironwood...
...we tackle the uphill climb into Mount St. Helens...
...and terminate in Craig Leigh!
I have managed to snag a shot of a few brown-eyed girls back in Lilly.
Later in the week when I arrived Fred's on the Workday Wednesday, I found Lawrence's gorgeous road switcher in B&O colours on the crew lounge table.
He was showing Bernie the "guts and the glory" of his design for RC operations of his engine.
Lawrence built the apparatus from a series of computer components...one of his hobbies.
Bernie is interested to learn the steps of the process.
His engineer...
...and a close-up of the trucks.
A big smile from Bernie...
...and one from each of Fred and Mike!
The clock has turned over from the AM to the PM...
...so it's time to go!
Before I sign off, I'd like to share a bit more progress on the machine shop. These pics in different lighting conditions showcase some of the detail parts that I have been painting and weathering...such as the hearth, benches and cabinets above.
A work table...
...along with a variety of tools.
Mustn't forget to weather that anvil.
Note the universal miller on the right in the front row.
I will have to turn it around so that its cone pulley will be parallel to the eventual main drive shaft.
It sure is fun tackling such an intricate project!
These lillies, hostas and sedum bid us farewell until the next time.
And we end the day with the biggest smile of all! Thanks, Fred, for the great camaraderie we experience each week. Tomorrow's forecast is for sun all day...so we'll be railfanning a few trains trackside along the rustic rails of the IPP&W and RP&M. Until next time...
All the best, Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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