Happy New Year!!!
These first three images were sent in by Bernie. He visited Fred with a bottle of Laphroig 10 on the 24th of December.
"Neil Lowes dropped by and offered up this railroad themed "paint by numbers" set to Skipper Fred. That's one fine looking image Fred will have to paint! We can't wait to see it done when spring arrives in the garden!"
"Of surprise to me was the new house going up across the street from Fred's place."
"Peter's Pond filled in with attention required in the spring of the year once the snow melts away."
Thanks for those three images, Bernie!
We recall these wintry shots sent in from Pat.
With last night's snowfall, the white stuff will even be deeper.
We wonder if the sweeper will do...
...or perhaps the plow is required!
So-o-o...as 2020 quickly recedes in our rear view mirrors...
...we look forward to better things in 2021...
...such as an anticipated "shot in the arm"...
...or make that two shots...
...in order to allow us...
...to get back to doing...
...what we do best...
...and that's...
...running trains in the great outdoors!
With great friends like Chris and George!
Not to forget...father and son pairings which fill us with joy as Chris (centre) has brought along his son Jonah (right) to run trains while Bill stands nearby.
While we salvaged what we could from this past year, I thought it would be fun to look back over the railroad in the recent years while taking a tour of the line with limericks acting as our captions! So...here we go. Each limerick will be in its own unique colour to add flavour...followed by a bit of commentary in this gold default colour. Let's begin, shall we!
Known to all as the IPP&W.
The RP&M too...
Will bring joy to you...
...and we're definitely not here to cuddle you!
"Say Mike!" these two lads call out..."That first limerick just made us want to dance and forget all about the craziness of 2020!
Passengers board their trains with such glee,
At the eastern terminal known as Craig Leigh.
They witness the action...
With nary a distraction...
Eager to get underway happily!
"Hey Mike," Steve concurs, "I'd love to take a passenger trip along the IPP&W and RP&M when I return back to Canada from the Finger Lakes region!"
"I'm aboard with you, Steve!" Seanna announces.
The engine house is where you will find,
A manner of folk who really don't mind.
A great discussion or two...
And locomotives of every which kind!
Indeed, a visit to the engine house will yield some fine looking locomotive specimens.
Or...a rare sighting of two Canadian National road switchers in two differing paint schemes.
Yes, on a good day, variety is the "spice of life" around the engine house in Craig Leigh.
Whether you "roll" or whether you "rock,"
At our world class Northland Ore Dock!
We all agree that the railfan action is superb in this locale .
Bernie stands nearby the ore dock shortly after he put many man-hours into its construction with skipper Fred a couple of summers ago
Moe joins him to run a train out from the newly installed dock.
"The Northland Ore Dock has certainly offered greater flexibility for the operators in Craig Leigh!" these lads all attest.
Lawrence would agree with the lads!
(Even though he is in the picture with them!)
Douglas Yard is easy to find,
If you've reached Craig Leigh while on time.
Takes very good care...
And...speaking of our Craig Leigh yard master! Here he is...Mr. Bernie.
"And we appreciate Bernie's efforts in Craig Leigh each week!" seconds Brian.
And we remember our dear friend, Trevor, who acted as Craig Leigh yard master for many a year.
On the railroad we're sisters and brothers,
As every good turn leads to another.
That's "wye" when we turn trains...
A new direction is gained...
And there are never any "givens and druthers!"
...three operators played "Ring Around the Rosie" at the wye...just because they could!
"Reading all of these limericks makes me proud to be a part of this Ottawa based group!" Moe states proudly.
St. Helens offers some allowances,
For those who prefer switching challenges.
With just trailing tracks...
It offers some slack...
For our eastbound crews in the balance.
"I don't worry too much about St. Helens, Mike, because I'm usually running the ore train!" Bob indicates.
Between St. Helens and Ironwood we delight,
In a beautifully forested site.
Known to locals as "The Ridge"...
It really acts as a "bridge"...
Indeed, while trains in each location along the line may very well see what is taking place in the next town...
...they still must request clearance from dispatch to proceed out on the line.
Ironwood, yes...good old Ironwood,
A place often misunderstood.
We offer great tidings...
Of a new passing siding...
For crews to get "out of the woods!"
Note the new and improved Ironwood in this image with the station track and two lengthy sidings now installed. We thank Bernie for the design and Bill for his suggestions.
The work on Ironwood progressed on the Workday Wednesdays...
...as well as other days of the week to end up with this finished product.
"That new passing siding in Ironwood will be of a great help for we three dispatchers, Mike!" Bill smiles.
A senior crew drank the wrong juice,
Before taking their train into Spruce.
It was ale...and not pale...
But it had been on sale...
And now their train's out on the loose!
The image above showcases the new trackage installed this past summer at Spruce.
"It was fun getting up to Ottawa this summer and running trains through the newly developed areas in Spruce and Ironwood!" Marcel announces with a great big smile.
Out from Spruce, things get easier still,
As crews begin their descent of Clarke Hill.
There's not been a day...
That a train got away...
And we don't think that there ever will!
Bill and Mark listen in on the limericks as they concentrate on train movements far to the west of Clarke Hill.
They count the cars that all those trains bring.
With the odd mishap...
Cars re-rail and the crews feel no sting!
If our locos are equipped with sound, we blow the crossings and the pedestrians know to not walk over top of the trains. They await our clearing of the crossing before they walk by.
"Those are sound safety principles," Colin reassures us.
"That location certainly is a wonderful railfan spot," Tom agrees.
Listening to the refrain...
It never will get in a rut!
While this image showcases a caboose hop, passenger trains must stop at the station at Blockhouse.
A most scenic place on the line,
Where the trains look "So mighty fine!"
They cross Brennan's Gap...
Railfans flock to this site all the time!
While out railfanning with a friend,
At Lilly where we find a huge bend.
Then came into sight...
This diesel turned us on end!
"That bend at Lilly is a hot railfan spot," these two lads call out with a grin, "and that Union Pacific in Armour Yellow really stands out!"
For the prime spot, railfans do wrestle,
When they stand beside the Fred Mills Trestle.
Snapping images of trains...
As we chant train refrains...
While we raise a glass of fine drink in our vessels.
This location remains the most photographed area on the entire railroad.
As does Ollie!
Gene too!
An area that is a "must see!"
Near where Blockhouse always guards thee.
For there came a time...
Where once stood a tremendous, tall tree!
We thank George for creating this fine structure. Check out the sign!
George follows Lawrence, Doug and many others who have made fine structures for the railroad.
Imagine that tall coniferous tree used to stand near this location!
Lovely!
The middle trestle was becoming quite old,
Showing its age, or so it's been told.
So a new span now stands in so bold!
As the timbers began to show their age the railroad management showed concern.
Would train crews hesitate to cross the chasm?
The finishing touches should be completed by the spring of 2021.
She's one gorgeous piece of modelling! Fred did a masterful job on the span and Lawrence built all of the bents which will be put place in short order. Brian gave the group his pin nailer which came in handy to hold the ties in place. George made up a set of rail gauges to help Fred hand lay the rail. Chris E. and Doug M. cut most of the ties and lumber for the trestle. A true team effort!
Navigating this area is hard,
The tracks do display...
But, depending on the situations with trains out on the line...things can "ramp up" in a hurry!
You will often find variety in the motive power in and around Nelson Yard.
We have been studying the "eastern" throat to the yard.
The track where the CP diesel is working is the line that runs into Glen Hammond.
Colin, to the right, had been the "go to" yard master at Nelson for a number of years. His vast experience working on the real railroads in Britain made him a mentor to many and his advice is greatly appreciated.
This train has just departed Nelson Yard and works the adjacent spurs.
From my dispatcher's window I take warning,
East and westbound trains wait in the morning.
For clearance to go...
In Glen Hammond, things never get boring!
Indeed, Glen Hammond is where two trains start off to begin an operating session. This road switcher in Southern colours will depart the Glen in an easterly direction bound for Craig Leigh. The train with the yellow van still has a bit of work to complete before departing the Glen westerly to Firgrove. At the same time, trains leave Craig Leigh and Firgrove along with RP&M trains ready to depart shortly. Indeed, meets will occur at strategic locations along the line.
We spot a CN crew working Nelson Yard as the Southern locomotive heads out from Glen Hammond. I have referred to the trains by their livery when in reality they would be IPP&W and, possibly RP&M runs.
Diesels of all colours frequent the small yard in Glen Hammond.
...the stations of Bellamy remain a passenger stop to this day.
A most important location in the fray.
Crews will feel compunction...
When they've cleared the junction...
Indeed, it is the greatest pet peeve of we three dispatchers...crews requesting clearance through the junction yet failing to respond once clear! Indeed, a number of "brownie points" have been awarded throughout the years!
While I have known and understood what a "brownie point" is, I wanted to investigate the origin of this term. While a number of possible origins were found, this one came from
Wikipedia, "brownie points"
"proposed etymology is that the term derives from the name of a 19th-century American railroad superintendent, George R. Brown who, in 1886, devised what was then an innovative system of merits and demerits for railroad employees on the Fall Brook Railway in New York state. Accounts of his system were published in railroad journals, and adopted by many leading U.S. railroads. American railroad employees soon began referring colloquially to "brownie points", and at some point, the term entered the general vocabulary."
"We love the brownies, but not the points!" Paul chuckles.
There's a place on the road that's so clean,
Where the grass always seems to stay green
At Mercer trains meet...
Where the crews get to greet...
Yes, we are all part of the team!
While trains often meet each other in the many towns along the line, there are two locations where the distance between towns is so great that a passing siding was required. Here we are at Mercer Siding where the general rule of thumb is "right hand running" but, as these images demonstrate, there are always exceptions to the rule dependent upon situational awareness.
"We are thankful for these strategically placed sidings," Paul indicates with a grin after recently running by the other major siding area at Watkins before he entered Bell.
There's a place where you may just be conned,
Located just up from Peter's Pond
You may just get a shock...
Arriving at Cedar Rock...
That you've got your maneuvers all wrong!
While I shared pictures of Peter's Pond, I spoke of Cedar Rock, who's branch diverges from the mainline in Peter's Pond. Operators must determine their moves carefully before heading up the branch as there is no runaround track up in Cedar Rock.
"I bet my little coal hauler would make it's way up the Cedar Rock Branch!" Johnny tells us as Noelle listens in.
"Listening to this conversation with regards to Cedar Rock," Robin thinks to himself, "I can't wait to get up there to learn of the challenge myself!"
And, indeed Robin did...in fact, Peter's Pond/Cedar Rock was the next destination for his train following the departure out from Bell and on through Watkins Siding and Wellington Lake. We catch him with his crewmate, Malcolm. Say, since the last limerick dealt with both Peter's Pond and Cedar Rock...how about another dedicated to the place at the end of the branch!
A place on the railroad you'll find,
That can really mess up your mind.
You thought it was trailing, but now it is facing...
You're all out of sorts and your mind'll be racing...
Cedar Rock is "One of a Kind!"
Yes, the inclusion of Cedar Rock into the rail operations increased the challenges for all but it also increased the joy!
"We do love the challenges Cedar Rock brings to the game!" Chris smiles while seated at Cedar Rock.
An area we now like to call,
By the likely name of "Hayes' Falls".
Where occurred such a rumble...
When the gentleman tumbled...
"Safety First!" now we all heed the call.
Since the incident in question, we have now cleared up the passage for trains in this area.
A nice tunnel "entrance/exit" now exists.
And...for operators above in St. Helens, Andrew added some throw bars to reach the easterly turnout to ease the burden for the train crews!
We find Pat, George and Doug in Bell where Doug (nearest to the viewer) leans over to George and asks, "I wonder which operator tried to climb over the rocks at that location?"
There exists on the railroad a black hole,
Not so good for the railroader's soul.
It eats up the trains...
In sun or in rain...
Where the trains go has never been told!
Indeed, the crew has been thinking about the "subterranean" track beneath St. Helens for a long while...
...until this summer when Bernie got the idea to do something about it...
...and he figured out a way to accomplish the task...
...without tearing the entire upper St. Helens infrastructure apart.
And...what a tremendous job the crew did!
Marcel's UP diesel acted as "guinea pig" being the first locomotive to run over the newly laid track! Bravo...trains once again find daylight on each run beneath "The Mount"!
And...we thank Bernie for taking the initiative here!
There's a place where trains pass quietly,
In stealth, they're low down you can see.
"The Corners" it's called...
And we are enthralled...
By the sights over there we do see!
"Now that's a very cool fact!" Mike tells Doug as they sit on "The Ridge" with "The Corners" falling back behind the visible track.
Passengers board their trains by the hordes,
To get to the beaches adored.
It's at Wellington Lake...
Where resort goers take...
Time off from the work they abhor.
Wellington Lake is one of the newer locations along the route.
It's siding spur track offers room for three freight cars which bring in supplies for the resort (located beyond the fence).
Trains from both directions can switch out the spur as the depot is located close to Watkins Siding should any eastbounds require the runaround track there.
Here's George...Mr. Wellington himself!
Say George, we'd love to visit Wellington Lake someday when we're not kept busy keeping the railroad running!
There is a fine place you can't beat,
Where crews wave a hand as they greet.
No, they're not hiding...
They're just tucked in the siding...
At Watkins...a good place to meet!
And meet the trains do!
The image above shows the earlier version of Watkins Siding with no wooden fence and a relatively shorter siding track.
Seanna and Steve pose in front of the newly developed area at Watkins Siding...
...named in honour of our very own Lawrence Watkins!
Of all the places, our crews, they can tell,
Where they know congestion may swell.
Come the middle of a session...
As crews make progression...
They seem to congregate up in Bell!
Indeed, the Rail Ops program creates "balance" in the operations...
...but as crews proceed through the morning, some transit times speed up while some slow down...
...resulting in unintended triple or even quadruple meets at times! Yikes!
"We'll have to do something up in Bell," thought Henk, "especially near the Interchange where the two railroads meet.
Henk offered up the idea of creating a crossover just to the west of the yard ladder (out of sight behind the locomotive to the right) to allow both railroad crews to work the area independent of each other.
You can see the crossover between the two tankcars and the train entering the yard.
The yellow arrow shows the location of the crossover track.
The following images were taken before the crossover was installed.
Because the interchange is the area where crews from both railroads meet, our next limerick deals with the friendship and camaraderie found between the two railroad's crews.
Are you one of "us" or of "them"?
The "IPP&W" or the "RP&M"?
No matter the fit...
It matters no single bit...
We're equal...united, my friend!
Indeed, with the growth and expansion of traffic on both railroads, the importance of the design and development of the Interchange increases over time.
A train heads down the RP&M line...
...as two of the interchange tracks appear to be quite full.
"That newly installed crossover track sure was a brilliant idea, Henk!" Doug offers up.
Very tall do grow the hedges,
The location of "The Ledges" begins to the east of Firgrove and continues all the way to the interchange area at Bell.
"I love to see my ore train stretched out in all its fine glory at this prime location along the route!" Bob indicates with pride.
Where 311 arrives for a rest.
Indeed, Firgrove is the western terminus for the IPP&W.
Is Ralph Yard which is run tidily!
Bill and his son, Mark, were our Firgrove/Ralph Yard yardmasters for many a year and their contributions have been greatly appreciated by all.
And you thought we were all done once we reached Firgrove! No-sir-ree! We can't overlook the RP&M! So let's head back to the interchange and head over to RP&M rails.
You know you're descending the line,
...near the lowest point along the RP&M line.
I believe Pratt's Bottom was named on the RP&M by our good friend Colin Churcher. Research tells us that there is such a location in the UK located beyond London's urban sprawl. Indeed, this little village frequents many a list of "most unusual place names."
A "bottom" in this context means a valley or hollow and the Pratts were a noble family once seated in the area. In 1965 it was transferred to Greater London to form part of the London Borough of Bromley.
The place he is referring to is the dispatch hut and the creative term Henk came up with was...well, you can fill in the blanks! Hehehe!
Doug prefers to call the hut, "Matheson's Madhouse" due to the crazy antics this very capable dispatcher must put up with from some of the crews far out on the line! (Big grin!)
Bill would rather dub the dispatch hut "Scobie's Schoolhouse" seeing as he feels like a headmaster having to train those delinquent crews who forgot to radio dispatch once they are through the junction crossing! (Another big smile!)
As for me, I have dubbed the dispatch booth, "Hamer's Haven" as it is my favourite hiding place from some of the crazy comings and goings that take place out on the railroad.
(Again...another big grin!)
Whether you hit a home run or you bunt,
Our crews are all "tops" and not runts.
To escape the backyard...
For the RP&M will take you "out front".
We catch Mark snapping a picture of his train as it passes out front between Rat Portage and Pratt's Bottom with a quick "whistle stop" at Ferndale just before the tunnel entrance.
"Yes, it's fun running along RP&M rails where you are far away from all of the hustle and bustle!" Mark says with a big smile.
Rat Portage can say, "We're one up!"
For we've claimed the Lord Stanley's Cup!
Back in 1907...
Yes, the Kenora Thistles won the Stanley Cup that year. As I have written before in another posting some time ago, Kenora derives its name from the first two letters of Keewatin, Keewatin's sister town nearby, Norman and Rat Portage, the name given to the town because of the migration of muskrats between the lake and the Winnipeg River.
KE + NO + RA = KENORA.
Three men who we rarely do see,
Stuck in their hut...always at the ready.
With radio in hand...
They are at the command...
...of the railroad, our "Dispatch Trinity"!
I must add that it's as much fun dispatching as it is running the trains!
Our dispatch board displays the railroad in a linear fashion.
Skipper Fred loves the shade offered by the dispatch hut.
An old friend who to us is now gone,
But our memories will live on and on.
Our pond will always be treasured...
In the highest of measure...
As the Peter's Pond Light carries on.
A true beauty our pond was.
It brought colour to our railroad world.
Along with the trains and our dear friends, it made us smile.
The fish enjoyed when we came to run trains.
We say, so long old friend...you will always live on in our hearts...and in the seasons to follow we will always find joy and comfort being with friends we care so much about as we sit on the new patio that will commemorate your existence.
"Indeed, we will remember our pond for years to come!" Neil states with a sense of pride and wonder.
We gather from neighbouring nations,
We call this our friendly invasion!
My shirt's logo for our division of the NMRA is totally symbolic of our "Annual Invasion of Friends" experience held each year!
The gathering of folks from near and far is one of the great highlights of our train running season.
Along with their engineers, they bring fresh colour to the line.
Love that Southern road switcher.
We thank Barry for hosting us during the Invasion as well.
Is when we gather with Bonnie and Barry.
It turns us all into daytrippers!
The crew lounge, the darling old crew lounge,
Commonly known as the "me and you" lounge.
We gather and meet...
In the "savory food and good brew" lounge!
Yes, as Paul indicates to Fred, we often share a wee little drink in the lounge...following train running that is!
Yes, raise a cheer for great tasting beer!
Friendship abounds.
There's laughter in the air.
Wonderful smiles!
Good eats.
We're one big family.
Who love to gather.
And share fun stories.
And eat more yummy food.
Great conversation.
So, as we nearr the end of our blog entry, we have one final limerick to share.
There's no greater man, it is said,
Who brings joy to us all; he's our bread.
Not the Holy Ghost...
But he's one heckuva host...
None other than our Father Fred!
So...on behalf of our skipper...
...Father Fred...
"Happy New Year all!" he calls out over the radio.
Thanks for checking in on this special blog edition. May 2021 be the year where we turn everything around and get back to as normal as can be!
All the best, Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
What a GREAT organization!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIn total agreement, Johnny...in total agreement!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! Mike