A Second Glance at Saturday's Train Ops
As per usual, I try to get out two accounts from the weekly train sessions.
A near full contingent of operators descended upon Fred's backyard and, as if by some magical force, trains sprouted out from everywhere.
The true magic began as soon as the first locomotive fired up and began to snort and hiss!
We love this grand puppy brought out by the Watson Shops.
How about this beauty from Culham Enterprises.
Even a modern locomotive makes an appearance from the Mantha Diesel Works.
The Brewer Locomotive Company released this model a number of years back.
Let's see these beasts of beauty in action!
Before we do, we examine some of the rolling stock.
The bread trays empty as the yards fill up.
Blockhouse blooms in yellow.
A companion car is found in Ralph Yard.
A unique specimen pops its head up in Stuart Yard.
An eyecatcher is found on the ready track in Douglas Yard.
Bernie goes to town working the many classification tracks in Nelson Yard.
Fred and Steve search out radios for the session.
Marcel and George await the pre-ops rendezvous.
Doug is already working the island at Lilly as Bernie ambles past.
She looks good on the trestle, Doug!
I've been coming here for years and only noticed the giant quartz specimen near Blockhouse this week!
Lads acting as lounge lizards!
Passenger 2 is eastbound early in the session.
Breezing downward towards Wellington Lake.
Malcolm has 327 in Peter's Pond moments following the commencement of the day's running.
It's the "Fab Four" on the caboose track in Craig Leigh.
Trains are being assembled at the eastern throat of Nelson Yard.
Doug has car movements well underway.
The outer track is the Glen Hammond approach.
Pat and Pete command 318 from Glen Hammond.
With some blocking of traffic to do still, they will be given clearance by dispatch to head east to Blockhouse in short order.
Paul and Pat have 302 arriving Bell on the aisle track, Track 4.
318 has arrived Blockhouse.
Pat and Pete follow the new procedure for working this area. As the Nelson Yard crew are "hard at work", Pat does not interfere with their aisleway and Pete remains outside the area.
The lads are still able to communicate with efficiency.
327 discovers Watkins Siding.
Malcolm is "on hold" momentarily until Bell clears.
318 will be finished with their efforts at Blockhouse. While they are still working, they have already been granted clearance up to Spruce.
Neil enjoys the cooler temps in the shade as his train, 301, has already arrived Mount St. Helens.
RP&M and IPP&W crews share an exchange of pleasantries as both crews make an effort to stay out of each other's hair...and they do a great job of it!
Malcolm, Steve and Seanna co-exist at the interchange area with ease and acumen.
Wow! Would'ja lookee here! With that giant Yellowstone leaning into the curve to the west of the Glen, we know that ore is on the move.
Bob has arrived the Glen and will lift the ore cars deposited by the Nelson Yard crew earlier in the morning.
Bell is hopping at the moment.
Multiple train crews are able to work around each other here.
Doug works the area around Rat Portage aboard Rat 70.
George pulls train 20 down the grade out from Firgrove.
Rat 70 in front of the depot in the Glen.
Trains, trains everywhere...and we love it!
Fred takes in the activities.
Locomotive #14 facing east in the yard tells me Train 304 has arrived from the west.
Malcolm will then continue his journey aboard Train 314.
318 hits the pedestrian crossing out from Blockhouse.
Through the crossing.
Into the great beyond.
Past the ghost station at Spruce.
Over to the east, we catch Moe and Neil earlier in the morning with 301.
Spruce comes alive with activity.
Pat follows his train through the turnout at the western end of the yard.
Passenger 2 nears the end of its run with a station stop in Mount St. Helen's remaining.
Paul keeps sentinel over Craig Leigh.
Fred and Lawrence share time in the lounge.
The Firgrove power keeps on working.
Big power materializes before our very eyes.
A relaxed duo!
302 drifts into Bell.
Pat's stealth locomotive.
They will have work to conduct at the tailing interchange tracks.
Video action in Bell with 302.
Passenger 2 arrives the Pond.
Malcolm has 327 protected along the main line.
Peter's Pond in video.
318 makes up its train.
Pete is at the throttle.
Pat conducts the proceedings.
Glen Hammond views on video tape.
George gets down to the tasks in Ralph Yard.
Bob pulls out the loaded ore cars from the dock in Firgrove.
Looking good, Bob!
Firgrove video footage.
Bob gets about turning his locomotive.
He spins the turntable.
Coming around.
Almost there.
Ready to roll.
The rear wheels of the locomotive's tender did not follow along the track while exiting the turntable due to the fact the alignment only works when the operator slides the protecting guide over on the left side of the table only.
Bob had set the guides on both sides...which normally you should do. By slipping the guide on the righthand side at the far end of the turntable, the stresses changed the angle slightly enough to cause the lack of alignment.
This little issue of realignment should be addressed on a workday Wednesday at some point.
Turntable video.
Train 318 is spotted in Spruce.
A trio of UP cars offer up a colourful backdrop.
Nice locomotive you've got there, Pat!
Spruce video work.
Steve and Seanna climb the grade out from Pratt's Bottom.
Their diminutive loco carries the load nicely.
A going away shot!
Cool video segment.
Paul has Train 31 down in Mount St. Helens.
When he is done here, he will return aboard the "hop" with Train 30.
"Craig Leigh - St. Helens Hop" video happenings.
Paul in action.
Shuttling cars around Craig Leigh.
Through the bend.
A stock car on the locomotive.
Video of Paul's work.
Actually, Malcolm's steamer is from a different railroad!
Seanna and Steve in Nelson Yard.
They are standing on the appropriate side of the yard.
Bernie's a happy camper!
Who's that in behind Bernie?
None other than...Billy Boy!
Video at Nelson Yard.
Pete and Pat work the area in and around Spruce.
Passenger 2 has terminated in Craig Leigh and Marcel has his second trick of the day arriving Ironwood, the Pool Train.
Pool Train 15 takes the pedestrian crossing on approach to Blockhouse.
Pat surveys his orders, then surveys the landscape in and around "The Pond".
This is what catches his attention...skipper Bob with the ore train.
Pat takes his turn rubbing elbows (or other body parts) with the Nelson Yard crew as he works Blockhouse! (just kiddin')
Neil and Moe have found their car and siding targets way up at the end of the Cedar Rock Branch.
Sid is all smiles...and why shouldn't he be. He is out by the railroad!
As always, we thank Father Fred for hosting us on another lovely Saturday morning in the summer of 2021.
Have a great day and stay safe everyone!
Happy Railroading to all! Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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