Last Day in July Train Session
We just completed our fourth successful session of the season with 19 operators present and some visitors. Good old Mother Nature has been on our side thus far!
Ssshhhh...Mike...don't disturb the sun gods! (Big grin!)
Standard Gauge operations serve up a multitude of diesel locomotives from the many manufacturers. This is Sid's Canadian Pacific U25.
Marcel's Union Pacific made another appearance in care of the ore train.
Lawrence's U Boat painted in Algonquin and Ottawa colours mirrors the blue skies we experienced on this day.
It is doubtful anyone would not fall in love with this Canadian Road, the Algoma Central. We thank Steve and Seanna for bringing this fellow out with his friend on the front walkway!
Pat teases us with that lovely New York Central scheme...as did Henk in Nelson Yard!
CP Action Red grabs this railfan's attention immediately. Thanks to Len for allowing it to ride the rails between Firgrove and Bell all morning long!
We also thank George for bringing out his Ottawa Central unit. Alas, we didn't see it running as George graciously allowed Len to enjoy the fruits of his latest diesel purchase as the two manned Firgrove together as well as trains 20 and 21.
My CN road switcher was pressed into service on the passenger run although this image shows it from a previous session hauling freight.
Alas, it required rescuing by the Ironwood Rd. RS3...also photographed on a previous day in July.
It's always a joy to see Doug's Canadian Pacific Geep in the beautiful maroon and grey scheme with the gold pinstriping.
We can't forget Bernie's TH&B Geep which likes to stick around home in Craig Leigh...although Bernie allows it out to play a little bit down in St. Helens!
Finally, Pat brought out a museum excursion locomotive to assist the Nelson Yardmaster. She's a "Black Beauty" Pat!
During the pre-ops set-up, I got down to work on the new safety handrail in Mount St. Helens. Seeing as you can't paint aluminum, I felt the electrical tape would work well to have the handrail match the safety board. This is "high visibility" and will remind operators that there is a "step up" here.
I thank Lawrence for his advice and assistance in this matter.
Even in the dappled shade of Mount St. Helens, both the step and the handrail are highly visible and act as a warning that there is a lip in this location.
Bill, Doug and Moe relax as the pre-ops meeting gets underway.
From left to right, Pat, Robin, Marcel, Seanna, Steve and Lawrence listen in on the latest news regarding the railroad.
Father Fred delivers the Sunday morning sermon on a Saturday as Pat and Paul have their hands in prayer formation. Bernie is like many of us from years past...standing at the back of church with his hands in his pocket! (Big grin!)
Altar boys Henk, George and Len are "all ears" in the service...err...meeting. (Couldn't resist!)
Sid and Paul offer up smiles before the action starts.
Bill offers up a little cartoon.
That's a great one, Bill!
Mr. Rio Grande Southern himself!
Let's hear the man of the hour on video, shall we!
Aha! A train is underway! This is 327 held at Mercer Siding after being cleared into Peter's Pond from Glen Hammond. The train holds for Passenger 2.
Resplendent in the olive green and gold scheme, this Alco product is a favourite of railfans across the country and in the Northeastern states.
CN cousins exchange greetings at Mercer.
Passenger 2 is eastbound to Glen Hammond.
With the meet complete, 327 throttles up and heads west to Peter's Pond where the crew will take the Cedar Rock Branch.
Meeting and greeting on video.
Mere moments earlier, 327's crew was making up their train in Glen Hammond.
Moe and Paul concentrate on their moves while Bill observes the arrival of Doug's train, 302, in Bell to the right.
Off to the left Henk and Pat are keeping things moving around Nelson Yard.
Indeed, it is a veritable hive of activity.
My dispatch booth allows me to observe the comings and goings in all three yards just mentioned...that is...when I'm actually in the booth!
Lawrence works Rat 70. He will soon head over to RP&M rails.
Pardon the shaking video, but it does offer the impression of the busy nature of the early session movements.
Four crews are spotted in Firgrove at 10:00 AM, just before the session gets underway.
Passenger 2 is the first train out of the gate.
We follow him making his way downgrade at Watkins.
Wellington Lake comes into view as the train slows for a station stop.
Passenger activity swells during the summer months in Wellington as the nearby resort is a hotspot in the region. Robin has all things under control on his train.
Passenger 2 is captured on videotape.
301 has arrived Mount St. Helens.
Thanks to Pat Brewer for offering to take my place aboard 301 as I was "dispatched" into the dispatch booth for the morning! Also thanks to Doug Culham for offering to give up his crewmate on the day.
The residents of Mount St. Helens have always enjoyed a strong affiliation with the crews of 301.
For this is the first train they hear each day blowing the road crossings between Craig Leigh and their small town.
Many a worker who has slept through the alarm clock owes the crews of 301 a debt of gratitude for saving their biscuits!
Video captured of today's 301 having run around their train to switch out the yard.
Passenger 2 has been followed by the ore train in quick succession as Bell wakes up on this last day in July.
There's nothing more beautiful in railroading than a unit train snaking its way down a yard ladder.
Our ore train does not disappoint.
We spot a meet of three trains.
302 is on Track 4 to the right. The ore train has been diverted onto track 3 for the "run through" while Train 20 is working the main on the station track.
Low angle shot.
Closer still.
A fully loaded train!
We bid au revoir to Marcel.
Have fun checking this all out on video.
RP&M train 68 is found on Track 3 in Bell.
The locomotive has already been turned.
Lawrence arrived Bell aboard RP&M 67.
5807 makes a striking appearance on this day.
The engine works Rat 70 earlier in the morning.
In front of the Glen Hammond depot.
318 works blockhouse down below.
Video action.
We recall from this previously posted image that 302 began its day here in Firgrove.
Doug tailed Passenger 2 down to Bell where we catch him working the interchange.
He has run out to his train and works Track 3 and Stuart Yard.
8520 is a handsome unit.
302 backs into Stuart Yard.
As mentioned earlier, Bell bustles with train activity.
Doug and his sidekick, Bill, captured on video camera.
The crew of 313, on their third run of the morning, finds solace in the siding down in Peter's Pond as they await their turn to run up the Cedar Rock Branch. Currently the crew of 311 descends the branch.
313's power squeezes into the rockery at Hayes' Falls as it drills the Peter's Pond siding.
In short order the pedestrian crossing will be clear of traffic.
This scene illustrates clearly the vast amount of train action found in the area where Glen Hammond and Nelson Yard tracks converge.
We catch up with the crew of 318 on their first run of the day departing the Glen.
Engine 168 is quickly becoming a railfan favourite.
Camera's click steadily as railfans rejoice the return of this wonderful livery to IPP&W rails.
Video footage of 318.
Train 65, an RP&M train that originated in Nelson Yard has arrived Track 4 in Bell.
Paul's Geep is in command.
Love the transfer caboose.
Track 3 will act as the runaround access for the train.
We examine video along the length of the train.
Down in Craig Leigh Passenger 2 has arrived.
The locomotive has been removed from the train and the Craig Leigh power takes over.
The consist is backed down the bypass track at Douglas Yard.
Bernie is in the cab.
The shove continues and the consist will arrive the terminal in short order.
Passengers on the move on video.
Trains arrive and depart hourly in Nelson Yard.
Yardmaster Henk is in charge of the train movements entering and exiting the yard. His trusty assistant Pat moves cars to their dedicated tracks.
The ore train has recently arrived...
...while 312 is about to depart.
312 on the road down to Blockhouse and Spruce.
Nelson Yard workers captured on video.
Let's catch up with the crew in Firgrove.
While I wasn't able to get many images (just a couple of videos) in this location, these two lads kept trains and traffic rolling beautifully on the west end of the line.
Len works Ralph Yard while George assists Paul in behind with 304, Paul and Moe's second run on the day.
George aligns the turnouts for the yard throat...
...and 304 will be underway.
Len's gorgeous CP road switcher is put into service at Ralph Yard.
Firgrove video fun.
It was great seeing Grant come over for a visit.
It was a joy for me railfanning Steve and Seanna's trains on the morning. Thanks to you both for giving the ore train an assist in Ironwood!
Marcel shared with me this image of his RDC at the RLD Open House down in the States.
I've cropped the image to get a closer look. She's a keeper, Marcel!
To view a great video of the RLD Hobbies Open House in Albion, Illinois, copy and paste this link into your computer's browser.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o48qiAhe8t8
Photo in black and white only as the image was taken in the mid 1950's. (Big grin!)
So...thanks for checking in on the blog.
We always remember "safety first". I must thank Barry for the suggestion of placing a railing in this area of the railroad. A special "hello" to both Barry Birkett and Doug Hayes.
And...of course...where would we be without our fearless leader, Mr. Fred of the Mills clan! He is honoured with the Olympic Gold Medal as a top ambassador to the hobby!
A second blog appearance will be anticipated later in the week!
Take care everyone. Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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