It's a September Sweep
We continue with views from our train running session in late September.
Mallet 1791 coasts onto the Fred Mills Bridge on the outskirts of Nelson Yard.
Earlier she was found rounding the giant curve into Glenn Hammond.
The bell is ringing as she enters the yard.
We notice Bob off in the distance as he throttles down through the Glenn.
The big steamer is found in the same image as a big diesel.
Bob crawls through Glenn Hammond and will bypass Nelson Yard in short order.
Video of Bob's Mallet Exiting Spruce
In the video, Bob's train rounds the bend in front of descending Clarke Hill. Note the boxcar with a truck on the ground near the end of the consist. We were wondering if it was a result of either a long consist or perhaps plastic wheelsets.
Back to the present we gain an even greater admiration for this beast of a locomotive in this close-up view.
A lone E8 climbs the ridge at Watkins bound for Bell.
Our Mallet is exposed once again as it comes out from hiding behind the Fallentree Mine complex.
Camera shutters can be heard as a multitude of train geeks gather near Brennan's Gap.
The camera buffs are having a field day with this steam engine.
Through the girders...
...and on toward Lilly.
We wave goodbye...but not for long!
More modern day locomotives congregate in Nelson Yard.
The ground vibrates as the Mallet encounters the curve...
...and heads eastward toward Blockhouse and Spruce.
One beauty!
Make that two!
Having crossed the Patrick Brennan Bridge the crew arrives the Blockhouse turnout.
The rockery offers a dramatic backdrop for this beautiful train!
Through the pedestrian crossing.
Hey, check out this Springfield Terminal SD45 high hood!
We wonder where it could possibly have come from!
Vintage Video
We check in on some footage of Bob's train from one of our annual invasion of friends weekends in the past. His Springfield Terminal SD45 high nose in Guilford colours is hauling freight out from Mount St. Helens westward to Ironwood.
We find Moe's E8 going through its test trials.
Note the French spelling for CN - Canadien National.
This appears on the "port" side of the diesel unit. The starboard side has CN in English - Canadian National.
Note the French spelling for CN - Canadien National.
This appears on the "port" side of the diesel unit. The starboard side has CN in English - Canadian National.
She seems to be passing with flying colours.
Such an elegant paint scheme.
A colourful diesel locomotive against a colour backdrop of Lily of the Valley.
She takes the grade well...
...and Moe is pleased with her progress.
Another fine looking train ascends the grade on the curve at Lilly.
Hey...that's Bernie off in the distance running his TH&B train!
He's running long hood forward on this day!
She a lovely locomotive...
...all weathered up!
Bernie takes to the RP&M.
Reaching the junction of the two railroads...
...Bernie will arrive Bell in short order.
A meet of two trains on IPP&W iron.
We say "So long!" to Bernie...
...as we encounter yet another westbound freight.
She's hugging the property line...
...all dressed up in yellow!
With nowhere to go!
What do you mean, Hamer, she's heading to Bell!
So she is!
Stuart Yard, usually a hive of activity, sits empty on this day.
Our Union Pacific train passes below the large Brunt's Brewing complex.
The crew navigates the interchange...
...and bears right onto RP&M trackage.
It is downhill all the way...
...coasting into Pratt's Bottom.
Seeking daylight in short order.
She reaches Ferndale...
...nestled in among the pines...
...and takes on the big horseshoe curve...
...leading into Rat Portage.
More Video Fun
We leave you today with this fine image of two young lads enjoying a runby of, not one, but two trains!
Now, let's watch it in real time from Terry's Youtube channel.
Scroll over the link below and right click to access the short video!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfKI6A16nB4
Thank you for checking in on this portion of the action from one Saturday morning in September!
Stay safe everyone! Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
