Session #5 Narrow Gauge Operations
This morning 22 members of the group gathered to run trains on the seventh day of August.
Safety standards were reviewed and everyone enjoyed the session immensely!
White Pass locomotive #14 tells us that steamers were the engine of choice on this fine morning.
Locomotive #3 handles the chores in Ralph Yard.
Oh-oh! We have a diesel intruder in the mix!
And another! It's an invasion!
A third one!!! Egads!!! It must be an entire army!!!
No problem lads and lasses...we love those end cab early generation diesel units.
Setting up pre-ops, I snap this shot from inside my dispatch booth.
From left to right we find Lawrence, Doug, Bernie and Moe in deep discussions as to the most desired Beany Baby to invest in. (Just kiddin' lads!)
Malcolm is the first to utilize the newly developed "entry track" to allow your locomotive to escape the carrying case for the layout.
Nice carrying case, Mal!
Free at last!
The smaller yard in Glen Hammond. This is the location where two trains originate in the early morning hours. The power you see is on Train 318, the eastbound IPP&W manifest. The caboose brings up the rear of westbound 327 which will reach Firgrove later in the morning.
Mike got busy with the electrical tape! He's a clever lad, using a small piece of tape as a "spacer guide" for the work to be done.
Mike had spray painted the rail with a yellow spray can back on Wednesday.
We spot some of the cars set out in Rat Portage.
Other cars are hidden nicely in Firgrove.
The assembly of railroaders gather in the crew lounge.
There is always some interesting news to be heard.
Pat, Bernie and Malcolm make up but a fraction of the operators on this morning.
Paul finds a chair beneath the tarp.
Here's Fred. We are proud to mention that safety made up the bulk of the conversation.
The first train on the move is Passenger 2 spotted running east downgrade at "The Ledges".
Number 2 slows its progress as it approaches the big curve at Bell.
Conductor Sid observes his train's entrance into Bell.
Meanwhile, below the railfan's camera, we spot RP&M 65 working the facing track at Anderson.
Passenger #2 as captured on video by Mike.
The IPP&W is a proven and glamorous system in our books and meets are the order of the day.
No, this is not an unintended "cornfield meet". The crew of 318 in the distance has graciously backed out of the siding to offer access to the crew of westbound 301.
301 makes progress down the siding track as Doug sets the turnout for his train.
With 301 safely tucked into the hole, 318 will now have passage rights down the main.
Meet video!
302 has gained clearance to depart Firgrove for Bell.
The train marks the second departure out from Firgrove.
Earlier, Passenger 2 had plied these same rails.
Video of 302 bound for Bell.
Indeed, it is a veritable parade of trains down the slope at "The Ledges" with the ore train marking the third to ride these rails.
Leaning into the curve near the interchange.
Approaching Bell.
Taking the main.
Video action!
The comings and goings that take place weekly are often a mystery to those who do not visit this line often.
For the location is "off the beaten track" so to speak...and yes, pardon the pun.
Malcolm has all his ducks lined up in a row and completes his assignment with precision.
And...speaking of precision...this pair "covers all the bases" in Firgrove and at Ralph Yard. That would be George and Len.
Mystery video of a remote location.
The dynamic duo aboard 304...Curly and Moe...make that Bernie and Moe!
Larry, Curly and Moe...errr...make that Pat, Bernie and Moe!
Hard to tell which trio is better looking! (Just kiddin' lads!)
It's like an anthill at Nelson Yard!
The "Two Pats" work in Glen Hammond.
Pat Brewer (on the left) runs RP&M Train 67 while Pat Brennan switches out the track behind the depot aboard Pool Train 15.
Two Pats video action.
The constantly changing look...
...of Nelson Yard.
The island at Lilly is attached to the peninsula at Blockhouse via three spans.
A video look of the activities in and around Nelson Yard.
The affable yardmaster with his more affable assistant, Bill Sn3 Scobie...hehehe! Just pulling your leg, Henk!
Doug Culham follows the efforts of his train in Glen Hammond.
Indeed...always evolving!
Pat has kept the trains on the roll as the Craig Leigh yardmaster.
So, Fred sent me indoors for cream for the coffee and this is what I found in the fridge.
Much more interesting than cream, I say!
Now...that's a dynamic duo!
Still more views of where the action is heavy.
Quite the crowd!
Hey, there's our good buddy, Bernie!
Marcel has completed the runs of the ore train and is carefully caressing the cars in his arm while in the process of putting them away for another week.
Motion at Nelson on video.
Steve and Seanna have observed the safety striping and pylons as they work 301 at Mount St. Helens.
They have run around their train to attack the facing spurs.
No problem for this very capable husband and wife crew!
Back in Rat Portage we find both RP&M crews. Pat is running Train 68 back home from Bell.
Malcolm is aboard Rat 71 working the tracks around the Comber Facility.
The crews exchange pleasantries as they go about their business.
It's a long, yet rewarding day along the Rat Portage & Mattawa.
Video review of the action!
Bernie and Moe have their third shift, IPP&W Train 314, saying goodbye to Nelson Yard...
...and hello to the Fred Mills Trestle.
Reaching the island at Lilly.
With the big curve ahead...
...they will soon bypass the industries...
...located at Lilly.
Then, it will be downgrade into Blockhouse.
Let's watch the video of the run-by.
Safety markers in Mount St. Helens.
With the newly painted railing from Wednesday's work session...
...Mike goes to town creating the striping from electrical tape.
Again, a single portion of tape acts as a spacer.
Job done!
Looking good!
Passenger trains amass at the eastern terminus.
Lunch time!
And...time for a bheer...as Bill says it!
But it's coffee for Bernie!
Moe separates the burgers...
...as Paul lends a hand.
Sid and Jean enjoy themselves in the lounge.
Some more "lounge lizards" are spotted...the handsome pair...aka...Lawrence and Bernie...two of our great Workday Wednesday crewmates.
Robin offers a "thumbs up" on yet another fine Saturday morning of train running!
Doug's shirt showcases the insignia for Watson's Mill in Manotick.
The mill in the fall.
Looks like Doug has his arms full!
As does Bob!
Say, it's great to see you out and about, Bob! Bob has told us he will be able to run the ore train next Saturday! I'd better get my school principal's voice on in the dispatch hut! (Just kidding ya, Bob!)
Our two ore train experts!
After dispatching the IPP&W/RP&M in the morning...
...the family headed out to Hartwell Locks to meet a visitor from Ottawa.
The locks have always fascinated me...
...and so do large vessels of transportation. And...speaking of big...the Kawartha Voyageur has once again blessed the Nation's Capital with a visit. Tomorrow morning it will begin its five day tour back to Kingston via the Rideau Canal system. If you have a spare $2 500.00 (per person), you can enjoy the tour too!
Finally, speaking of riches and wealth...our OVGRS gang is enriched with the wealth of our many friendships developed and nurtured each week at "our skipper's" home!
Thanks, Fred, for hosting a great train operating session this morning!
All the best, Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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