Session #3 July 24th

July 24th Operating Session #3

We had a full contingent with us for our third session of the season.  All trains were run including the ore train.

Fred asked me to remind the gang of the protocol dealing with the ore train throughout the session should your assignment be involved in any manner with its workings.

It was a joy to see it running once again.  This meant that 22 trains would be on the schedule should time allow. 

Our first image announcing this posting indicates that the session is of the narrow gauge variety with this lovely steam locomotive threading the needle at Bell.

It is fitting that we enjoy our train running experience during the time of the Olympic Games...whose motto is "Higher, Faster, Stronger, Together" as when we gather as train operators we gather "together" to create a fine atmosphere of brotherhood and sisterhood among great friends.

Did we mention the ore train?  Oh yes, we did!

In a westward facing performance, Pool Train 15 marks the grade at Watkins Siding.  Yes, all three passenger runs were completed on the day.

Pre-ops set-up includes pulling the cars from the sheds and placing them to their allocated track or siding.

Here's Chris.  It was great seeing you out, Chris!

Bill keeps Henk entertained (or is it the other way around) in Nelson Yard.

Bernie's trying to catch a fly, but all he got was his "set-out" orders for the cars.

It was great seeing Bill out for the first time this season!

Cool shirt, Bill.

We'll "gobble up" Bill's message!

Lilly is verdant in the summertime!

Still more trays of cars to come out from the sheds.

Good on ya, Paul!  Great to see you out and about as well.

George is as cool as a cucumber in Firgrove.

Henk orchestrates the set-outs in Nelson Yard.

Indeed, it will be a busy morning!

Hey, Barry's arrived from Belleville!

Paul M., Chris, Doug and Moe in conference.

Doug and Paul N. in conversation.

Thanks to those who brought out the Timbits for the group!

The pre-ops meeting.

Jean, Doug and Sid listen in attentively.

Marcel glances down at his train orders.  With the meeting coming to a close, the lads and lasses will disperse in short order.

A lovely new car on the railroad!

We catch up with the ore train arriving Ironwood.

The train is diverted over to the passing siding.

The reason for this is that the crew of 301 has placed the block of ore cars on the mainline rather than the siding.

This was a brilliant "situational" call on the part of 301's crew knowing that Passenger 2 wouldn't be in Ironwood for some time to come and they could have the ore cars occupy the main for the interim.  By doing this maneuver, 301 was able to continue switching out Ironwood using the newly installed siding along with the existing siding as flexibility.

Video footage of the arrival of the ore train.

(Remember to click on the white arrow in the center of the image two times to start the videos.)

Doug offers an assist with the turnout for the ore crew.

The ore train's locomotive backs onto the cut of five cars.

Pulling ahead, the train backs slowly onto the far siding.

More video footage of the meet.

On the train.

Still more video action in Ironwood.

The lines are attached...

...and it's time to pull out of Ironwood.

The crew of the ore train wishes to thank 301's crew for their patience and sacrifice of time, for of course, whenever a crew enters a new location they wish to begin their own work immediately.  This situation demonstrates the camaraderie found in railroading.

Final video footage of this wonderful meeting of two trains.

301 continues with its work in Ironwood.

Dealing with some facing moves.

Doug has everything under control as Passenger 2 enters the scene.

Again, here is where the flexibility of the new track comes in handy.

301 is able to work the spurs here without interfering with the mainline.

Ironwood takes on a look of business being done!

Let's check out the video!

Let's examine the pre-ops set-up for the ore train.  It begins its run in Firgrove.  The cars reside on the ore dock just out from the throat at Ralph Yard.

A bracket of cars resides on one or two of the tracks beneath the Fallentree Mine.  The Nelson Yard crew must retrieve these cars for the ore train to pick up in Nelson Yard.

A quintet is found at Ironwood Brick up the ramp at the eastern end of town.  One of the local IPP&W crews lifts these cars from the siding and typically places them to the eastern end of the passing siding.  Of course, as we have witnessed, situational placement of the ore cars on the main can be determined in conjunction with dispatch with the knowledge of no other trains requiring entry into Ironwood.

A loaded ore car. 

Empties reside at the Northland Ore Dock in Craig Leigh. 

When the loaded ore train arrives the dock, it swaps out the loads for empties.  The crew then departs westbound across the railroad where it deposits groups of empties back in Ironwood, Nelson Yard and Firgrove.

The ore train plies the iron through the interchange.

The tail end is about to clear the junction as 327 awaits clearance through this area to Peter's Pond.

On approach to Nelson Yard.

Junction crossing video footage.

At the same moment, the Nelson Yard crew backs the loaded ore cars into the yard and onto the ore train.

Nelson Yard power.

Marcel and Henk monitor the progress of the cut of ore cars coming into the yard.

Almost there!

Let's check the video out.

With clearance from dispatch, the ore train departs the yard.

The train has effectively doubled in length.

The tail end will soon clear the throat.

Video review of the process.

 The lighting changes as we head over to the eastern sector of the railroad.  We locate Doug and Barry aboard 318 in Spruce. 

 In behind them, Pat and Bernie work the spur tracks at the end of the line up in Cedar Rock to the right.

 Aisleways are wide enough for crew comfort.

Earlier, 318 was delayed out from Glen Hammond due to locomotive issues.  A replacement arrived from the IPP&W shops and the crew was finally underway.   For viewers from afar, the yard to the right is Nelson Yard.  Glen Hammond is the central yard in the image while Bell is found far off to the left along the fence line of the property.

Pressed into service, this Ironwood Road RS3 tiptoes onto the Fred Mills Trestle eastbound (geographical west at the moment) en route to Blockhouse and Spruce.

Meanwhile over on the Lawrence Watkins Trestle we see an RP&M crew working the nearby spurs.

Lilly is ablaze in green on this gorgeous July morning.

While the plants are spelled with a single "l" "Lily" I've always referenced the area as "two ll's"  "Lilly" in honour of my puppy dog, Lilly!

Here is Lilly with me at Ottawa's Experimental Farm...just a "stone's throw" from Fred's home!

The crew of 318 eye the big bend at Lilly. 

Video of 318's progress through the trestle.

318 has ascended the grade up from Blockhouse and navigates the curve to the west of Spruce.

Passengers on the station platform hold their noses as the appropriately placed stockcar (directly behind the locomotive) ambles past.

Entry into Spruce.

Doug and Barry will have quite a bit of work to complete here as the crew of 301 work Ironwood off to the left.

Spruce entry video.

Over in Craig Leigh we spot Paul, the yardmaster on this day, running train 31 down to Mount St. Helens.

He is running a stockcar and a reefer westward on the short hop.

The Pabst car is like a bright light in the darkness of the rest of the train!

They slip down the grade.

Thanks, Paul, for taking over the yard.  This has allowed Bernie the opportunity to ride the rails!  We've caught you on video!

We find 304 having arrived Bell with Robin and Pat.  Moe is off in the distance working the "Nelson Yard-Bell Turn", train 65-66.

Threading the needle.

Hitting the sweet spot along Track 3.

It's a boxcar canyon!

Earlier in the day, the team crewed 327 found here working the siding at Bellamy (out of sight to the left).

327 ascends the grade at Watkins having met 302 in the opposing direction.

Pat's power!

She's a beauty, Pat.

The train makes entry into Bell as Bernie ambles by the dispatch hut.

Watkins video of Train 327.

Yellow twins of the Union Pacific stick together on the Blockhouse Spur.

Another new delight for the railroad, this colourful M.A.H.X. reefer brightening up the siding in Glen Hammond.

Pat's all smiles following another great session!

Bill's farewell wave tells us this blog entry is coming to a close.

As always, we thank Father Fred (holding confession with his former neighbour from across the street) for hosting a full contingent of railroaders during a lovely July morning in 2021!

Indeed it has been a "gold medal" morning!

Still more postings to come this week!

Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario,Canada