Views from Pat's Perspective
We thank Pat for sending along these many fine images which I will share with you over the next number of posting sessions.
We find Lawrence in Craig Leigh with a tandem of steam locomotives getting their fire ready.
With mask on face, hat on head and jacket on body, Lawrence is a true Boy Scout...prepared for all that will assail on this morning!
Pat has his equipment parked on the south side of the engine house.
We catch his sweeper in motion to the immediate left in the foreground.
Indeed, steam locomotives require an inordinate amount of preparation before their runs.
Lawrence is tweaking things on one of his team members.
We are assured that with his technological prowess all will be ready and working in short order.
Quite the veritable stable of steamers!
All four tracks are required on this day.
It would appear our sweeper train has won the game of dice...
...as she has gained first honours and is on the roll out from the Northland Ore Docks.
With sweeper "sweeping" and drivers "driving" we will follow this train!
Drifting through St. Helens...all tracks are clear.
This train serves two purposes on this day...clearing the line and continuing to create much needed revenue for the railroad.
Click on the white arrow once and then again when it appears over a red circle to watch the action on video.
Departing St. Helens, Pat will have Ironwood in his sights in short order.
Pat's train makes good time on this, the maiden run of the morning.
West of St. Helens, Lawrence encounters the geographical ridge that runs all of the way into Ironwood.
This is a trial run of the plow before the snows of December really hit us hard.
The mine tipple stands sentinel to all advances along the railroad in this eastern sector.
Our sweeper takes to the curve out from Spruce.
Lawrence observes the action with a keen eye.
His train arrives Spruce...
...as Pat's train glides down the slope...
...past Clarke's Gables.
A lovely "going away" shot can be attained from this railfan's viewing area and this train does not disappoint!
While late fall may have robbed us of any splash of colours in nature at this juncture in time, our train says otherwise!
The train is partially hidden by the newly created rockery to the west of Spruce.
Yes, little children may think that it's Donald Duck rounding the bend, but the crew is content to learn that all is well with the plow extra on this morning!
Both locomotives work in collaboration as the train arrives the summit before the precipice at Clarke's Hill.
We catch the motion!
Our sweeper train pulls out of the big curve at Lilly...
...and navigates the Fred Mills Trestle...
...over Brennan Gap.
Let's follow the train's progress here.
We have a "vertical" and a "perpendicular" meet of two work trains...a most unusual sighting for this photographer.
We think this video footage should be played at the end of the posting in the "Bloopers" section!
What survey of the IPP&W/RP&M railroads would be complete without a photo or two of the famed Nelson Yard?
While it may be a moody, late fall day, we find joy in the colour of railroading offered up by two trains.
More action.
In normal times, Nelson Yard is a veritable hive of activity with most yard tracks covered with freight cars of all types.
We don't let these times dampen our spirits at all...we relish in the sight of but a few crews and cars in anticipation of what's to come next year!
Leaving behind a locomotive at Nelson, this train approaches the high trestle from the east.
While the turnout indicates Nelson Yard...
...the crew has decided otherwise...
...and has targeted Glen Hammond as its point of entry.
While the morning mist has yet to dissipate, it offers us a surreal look across three train yards...indeed, a thing of beauty!
The gloominess of November led to the snows of early December...although this image Pat sent does fool us slightly...for it was taken on the 28th day of the 11th month!
In future postings we will catch up once again with the two trains we have been following and we'll investigate the IPP&W and the RP&M in winter conditions.
With the colder temperatures, we Canadians are known to embrace all elements of winter...although many of us do like to seek refuge in the subterranean areas of our homes.
This is where I find sanctuary from the cold and dark of winter...
...as well as sanctuary from...
...that creatively designed...
...honey-do list!
So, how about following one of the trains on my HO scale layout...
...as it rides high over the New England River...
...on the New England River Bridge!
Let's follow the action!
Now that the video aspect of Blogger is up and running again, I'll share another video similar to the three I posted back in November of this same train crossing a different river, the Salmon River which acts as the border between the states of Maine and New Hampshire.
The state of Maine is on the left bank of the river...
...with New Hampshire to the right.
A lone canoeist is visible off in the distance below the stone arch to the right. Beyond the canoeist is where the river winds to the left and disappears into the mist!
The train horn is blowing as the lead engine reaches the crossing at Boundary Road. The crossing guard has left his shanty and is hidden behind the locomotive.
While the structure may be made out of a cereal box and construction paper...it is one of the first models I ever made. It is a direct replica of the two-room schoolhouse in which I taught in a small remote fishing village up near the Labrador. It is dear to my heart and thus remains on the layout!
The train arrives the yard in North Dover as the Holy Spirits Distilleries towers in the distance.
The sign atop the Phillips Furniture Factory implores you to drink Moxie...a favourite beverage of many New Englanders...but I would implore you to not! It tastes like (and has the similar texture to) cough syrup!
The large furniture factory requires two siding spurs and numerous loading/unloading doors.
Another canoe is in evidence although this fisherman pays no heed to the passing train.
Approaching the station at North Dover, we take notice of the tall buildings which climb the ridge out of the natural valley.
Indeed, there is plenty to take in even on an HO scale-sized model railroad in a spare bedroom the size of 11'x13'.
Let's follow the progress of the train as it clears the border, crosses Boundary Road and finds its way into North Dover.
I just thought it would be fun to add in a handful of pics from one of our great moments...our invasion days! These were snapped during the 2007 invasion.
Invaders they are! Hehehe!
Jan and Ric's Presidential Train.
Our dearest invader friends and our great neighbours!
Here's the man himself!
Fred had sent me this cool little story which he says "Pretty much sums up the year 2020!"
Ha ha ha...or should I say "Ho Ho Ho!"
Thanks to Pat for sending along the great pics and videos and to Fred for this cute little ending to our blog posting. In the near future, watch for more posts from my reservoir of images and videos sent in from Pat.
All the best, Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
No comments:
Post a Comment