Train Running on the 12th of September
It is always exciting when we can gather to run trains in the great outdoors and the first couple of weeks in September have offered up splendid Saturday morning weather.
When I arrived Fred's, Doug had already had his narrow gauge train underway out from Firgrove. The image above shows the train parked alongside the engine house in Craig Leigh following Doug's run eastward over the line.
Earlier, we caught his train somewhat silhouetted as it navigated the big curve out from Spruce.
Paul was busy setting out standard gauge cars when Doug arrived town.
This "going away" shot exemplifies the beauty of a short train...no matter the number of cars in the consist, she is still a train!
The newly installed stone beautifies the layout in the region between Ironwood and Mount St. Helens. We marvel at Bernie's dedication and handiwork in this regard.
Simcoe & Southern Ontario locomotive #7 has drawn the honours on the eastbound train the September morning.
She finds no difficulty in ascending the hill up to Mount St. Helens.
Taking the station track, the bell is ringing as the train slows for a stop.
On final approach to Craig Leigh.
Photography can be difficult not due to the train running...rather the extreme sunlight encountered while standing in the darkness of the shade.
Doug has enjoyed his run immensely.
With a westbound ready to depart, Doug clears the wye...
...and tucks his train along the single track which resides beside the Craig Leigh engine house.
This low angle shot allows us to marvel at the beauty of this engine.
The full length of Doug's train is captured in this close-up image.
It would appear that Doug continues to hold the upper hand as the crew aboard the Canadian Pacific diesel hold for Doug's train to turn on the wye.
Lots of beautiful equipment is found outside the engine house.
It is always fun capturing a shot with steamers and diesels sharing the trackage.
This lovely car was spotted on the Northland Ore Dock.
The "Strathcona" will no doubt run today.
We spy Doug's train movements from the other side of the train...
...as he backs down the other leg of the wye.
"Wye?" we ask.
"Because!" Doug responds.
Moe arrives to check out the scene.
Doug is ready to depart...
...while the CP crew awaits its orders.
S&SO Train Extra 7 is on the roll...
...followed shortly by...
...Paul aboard his Canadian Pacific GP30.
In the meantime, I have chosen to run in the opposing direction out from Firgrove. My CN road unit is sitting in Ralph Yard awaiting me!
Some of the cars available for the eastward run.
"Coffee, sir?" the attendant offers.
"No time!" I respond, "Gotta board my train!"
Bill, you look chipper as ever!
These are the cars I begin my run with...stockcar CP 277040.
40' boxcar TVR 502.
Chemical car HOKX 41318.
Tank car UTLX 25013.
Hopper car IPP&W 110.
40' boxcar D&H 18194.
I assemble my train in Ralph Yard before proceeding out on the main in order to back down the yard tracks in Firgrove in search of my caboose.
Got her!
Within minutes CN Extra 7831 is found rolling downgrade at "The Ledges" bound for Bell.
Railfans flock to this area of the railroad where the natural vegetation offers up a verdant backdrop for their photo shots.
The train slows for its approach to the interchange. The two tracks in the foreground are the interchange tracks shared by both railroads. The third track is the RP&M main and I am on the IPP&W main.
The sun offers up a morning haze for photographers.
Looking away from the sun, things are clearer. We spot the gas electric off in the distance entering the outskirts of Nelson Yard and Glen Hammond.
My train arrives Bell and encounters a "Friendly Giant" working the interchange. Why, it's Lawrence!
Robin sails over the mainline as his short consist enters Glen Hammond.
There is a station stop here for his train...
...but...alas...
...no station!
Oh well...better get a move on to the next town!
I take Track 4 in Bell.
I will be setting out this CP Rail 40' boxcar to the interchange tracks...
...along with this UTLX tankcar.
The bell is blaring as my train reverses.
We wave to the crew aboard the steam locomotive.
We have gained permission to occupy the west ladder in Stuart Yard in order to conduct our switching.
We reverse into the interchange area...
...with one of our setouts on the end of the cut.
We take note of the B&M hopper car as it is one of our designated lifts.
With our moves near completion and the hopper car picked up we are ready to reassemble our consist.
The gas electric arrives Bell from Rat Portage along RP&M railhead.
The station track is lined up for the tandem...
...and the two cars pass us with room to spare.
Station stop in Bell.
Then eastward she breezes.
With us to follow at a prescribed distance.
Sayonara!
It would appear that the Simcoe and Southern Ontario train has followed the gas electric up from out of Pratt's Bottom!
(That does sound bad!)
Train Number 7 takes Track 3 in Bell.
With our train on the move, S&SO #7 has Bell all to herself!
We are lined up on the siding track out from Bell as we await our clearance to follow the short passenger consist.
Check in later for more in this series!
All the best, Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Transition era action galore today!
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