Stories From Session #6 - Part Two
We have already reached the middle of August and we have been blessed with wonderful weather for train running in all of our Saturday morning attempts.
These pics, videos and stories talk about the enjoyment we had this past Saturday morning out in the garden!
It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of railroading when you have the chance to railfan diesels from long ago...and this Soo Line example does not disappoint.
Click on any image to enlarge it. To go back to the default page, click on your "back arrow" at the top left of your page.
Andrew was "caught in the act" of setting up trains early in the morning. We must thank Andrew for loaning his Soo Line locomotive to Pat for use along the RP&M.
Pat and Sid set out gear in Glen Hammond.
Bernie's TH&B "70 series" Geep is pressed into service at Nelson Yard. This unit typically handles the chores in Craig Leigh. Craig Leigh's loss is Nelson Yard's gain!
Up in Firgrove, Passenger 2 is about to take on tourists visiting from all parts of the globe for an excursion along IPP&W rails.
In the shade that Mount St. Helens provides, Moe stacks another bread tray as Lawrence rails the cars on their designated tracks in behind. Steve and Seanna organize the traffic to be placed in Cedar Rock.
We "Rock'n'Roll" to the smile the birthday lad offers. Happy Birthday once again, Marcel! "What'cha get...what'cha get? A new locomotive!!!"
Speaking of new locomotives, this CN rail diesel car is new to us!
Later in the session, the car ran as Passenger 1.
She glows in the Ottawa sunlight!
We couldn't resist grabbing some video action of the RDC.
Remember to click on the white arrow a second time to view the video.
Bob is busy with the setouts for the ore train all around the territory.
An IPP&W crew has placed the ore cars to the siding track for ease of lifting by the ore train.
Threading the needle.
Some video activity.
Bob heads over to the cut of cars that have been set out.
Backing onto the cut of cars.
Pulling forward.
More video of the procession of ore cars.
We are near the windmill siding.
Past Windmill.
Heading out from Ironwood to the Mount.
We check out the video machine.
The train plies the rails eastbound.
There's nothing as nice as the view of a passing unit train.
Our caboose holds on for dear life on the tail end.
Still more video of the ore train.
The Nelson Yard crew seems quite relaxed.
Then, things begin to happen.
The crew of Train 318 requires access to the aisleway to work Blockhouse.
Things get a bit congested as a result...to no fault of the crew of 318. They must conduct their work at Blockhouse, as has always been done.
The yard is "chock-a-block" full.
Bernie was chatting with me following the session. To alleviate the congestion around the Nelson Yard aisleway, there could be two options. The first being that only the brakeman of the crew that arrives Blockhouse enters the aisleway and the engineer would stand on the other side of the throat at Nelson Yard near the dispatch hut to control the train's movements which is close enough for communication with the crew mate.
Or...seeing as Blockhouse is in the vicinity of Nelson Yard, both crew members of the train arriving Blockhouse could stand near the dispatch hut and the Nelson Yard assistant could throw the turnouts...perhaps a less (or more) desirable option, depending which lens you are wearing! (big grin)
Due to the fact that Nelson is a very busy place, it is advisable that all train operators arriving the yard should steer clear of the designated aisleway which should be the exclusive domain of the Nelson Yardmaster and his able assistant. Crews can verify the car numbers in their outgoing consist from the other side (the Glen Hammond side) of Nelson Yard.
Fred has told me that Bud Nelson, the original Nelson Yardmaster, used that long black and white board on a pivot at the entrance to the aisle to ward off intruders! Hehehe!
Again, no judgement on the crew of 318 in these video images. They are conducting their business in the manner that all crews of 318 have done in recent history.
(Perhaps the Nelson Yardmaster will rebuild the gate!)
Folks continue the set-out work.
Pat examines the cars on the tracks in Glen Hammond while Malcolm and Moe will be the crew aboard 318, an eastbound out from the Glen.
Pat has 327 plying westbound in "The Corners".
She's a short manifest freight on this day.
A CNR caboose brings up the rear.
Train 327 captured for a video moment.
The interchange area to the west of Bell before the operations begin.
A triple dome tankcar in Bell.
Cars assigned to Stuart Yard.
The placement of ore cars at Fallentree Mine.
The view from the other end of the track.
"Darth Vader" to the east of Bell.
Moe has his set-out work complete with his train, 318, residing on the far track in the Glen.
Much later in the AM, 318 arrives Northland.
A lovely IPP&W van on the tail.
Malcolm's Conrail diesel is up to the task once again.
Conrail's approach on the video camera.
George, Len and Marcel...seated outside the principal's office.
Pat and Len share a chuckle.
And...what is Seanna up to now? (Big grin!)
Sir Lawrence! (Actually that is my middle name!)
Love the shirt, Lawrence! (Lawrence tells me the museum is closing, sadly.)
The ice track in Craig Leigh.
We've been asking folks to bring out their locomotives even if they are crewing with another person. It's good to have some in reserve.
Now that looks like an interesting box, Pat!
Ah, yes...a centercab!
Love the livery on the Erie Lackawanna.
Now I know why Pat smiles so much!
She's a beauty, Pat!
A relaxed Nelson Yard crew in the shade of the umbrella forest.
Oh, oh! Looks like a fourth member must "pay the piper" on the bench outside the principal's office!
We all enjoy gathering as a group Saturday mornings.
Malcolm will agree with me on that one!
The boys kibbutz about!
As does Bill.
Malcolm doesn't mind it at all and Pat is oblivious to it as his attention is diverted.
Barry has brought along two locomotives from Belleville!
Passenger 2 drifts into Bell with Marcel at the throttle.
Later in the morning, Number 2 makes a quick station stop at Blockhouse.
Blowing the crossing as the train gains speed, the crew will arrive Spruce in no time at all.
Love that transfer van on the tail end of Train 301.
Steve and Seanna work Peter's Pond aboard 302.
Train 302 makes a grand entrance in Nelson Yard.
Well, lookee here, would'ja folks! "Sister Act"...or "Brotherly Love"! The TH&B GP9 runs long hood forward while the GP7 in the background runs short hood forward.
That sure was a surprise meet at Nelson!
It was captured on video for posterity!
Yet another meet in Mount St. Helens. The ore train is passing the crew aboard 318.
Speaking of "Brotherly Love", these two CP diesels enjoy the cool air around Craig Leigh.
The Ironwood Road unit brings RP&M Train 65 up to Bell.
The crew will be in the yard in short order and will handle some of those cars on the interchange track.
327 has reached Bell as well. The crew has run around their train in order to work the interchange tracks.
Yet another look at that gorgeous Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo GP9.
She's a keeper, Steve and Seanna!
302 has terminated and Seanna ensures that their new train, 312, has all its cars in the consist. (While we have every confidence in the Nelson Yard crew, this is standard procedure!)
312 blows the crossing in the morning sun.
Over in Ironwood, 301's crew tends to its duties. Paul and Barry were given the call on this train today.
Paul's handsome CN unit holds the honours on 301.
Malcolm and Moe require access to the yard in Ironwood as 301 departs.
Barry follows his train into the forest and around the big curve as Moe gets the turnout for his train, 318.
Barry is on his way to Spruce.
Ironwood video action!
Earlier, 318 had worked Spruce on this blue sky day.
Earlier (again), Barry checked all of the turnouts as his crew had continued to switch out Ironwood.
Train 301 has made room for the ore train of empties.
Three locomotives!
This must mean something!
Yup, it's a triple play...very exciting!
Catch the triple header on video, will ya!
The Soo Line loco is arriving Nelson with some work to complete at Anderson.
Bell hops!
As does Nelson Yard. The lads are waving..."No More Trains!!!"
Hee hee! Bernie has no need to worry for he has done a masterful job in the big yard with sidekick Bill. (Henk will now have to seek refuge on the unemployment lines!)
With this white beauty it must mean...
...Pat's in Rat!
Indeed he is.
Pat works the yard in Rat Portage...
...and Andrew's locomotive does not disappoint.
Rat Portage video scene.
Seanna and Steve are onto their third trick of the morning, westbound 319 aiming for an arrival in Glen Hammond once they complete their work at Spruce.
With their work finished, they have been cleared by dispatch all the way to Glen Hammond, with assurances that there will be no impediments on the way! (Yeah, sure Mike!)
No more talk about that...let's have fun with a run!
Marcel has his RDC car in a rarely "almost vacant" Ironwood.
As just mentioned, the RP&M and Nelson crews have done a magnificent job on this day.
The yard ran as smooth as silk!
A few final glimpses of these wonderful diesel locomotives.
They have earned their keep for another day.
They have delighted railfans far and near.
Indeed, it's time for a rest!
Our RDC makes Blockhouse.
Our RP&M crew nears home.
We are able to enjoy conversations with guests like David, second from the right.
A most rewarding day, would you say, Andrew?
"Indeed it is!" is his reply.
She's a glint in our eye, Marcel.
We were thrilled to see Tommy Hood out and about!
I'd be remiss if I were to talk about Tommy and not share an image or four of his railroad!
This Canadian Northern unit tiptoes onto the Brian Earl Trestle.
While a brother exits the tunnel nearby.
This beauty navigates the curved bridge near the entrance to the layout.
As always, "Thank you, Fred, for another fine day out in the sunshine (and shade) trackside!
Have a great rest of the week everyone.
This Saturday's session is of a narrow-minded nature.
All the best, Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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