Our 13th Session of the Season
The lads and lasses gathered in cooler weather to run trains on the 23rd day of October with the weather hovering around "two degrees" in the wee hours of the morning.
As the sun rose, so did the temps...and so did our spirits! Well, we are always in fine spirits when we are running trains at Fred's place!
Today our minds were narrowed with steam locomotives and freight cars of "older appearance" plying the railhead. That's okay too...as we love to recreate history!
My task on this cool morning would be a daunting one. For I must "fill some really big shoes" as I replace Colonel Henk in Nelson Yard! Yikes!
I will have my trusty mates, Bernie and Marcel aboard RP&M trains who will work collaboratively with me to conduct all affairs in and around Nelson Yard in a most professional manner!
While we were shivering at ground level, the occupants standing in the basket of that hot air balloon must've been "double shivering" at the high altitude!
Speaking of "cool things" (or not-so-cool things) check out the activity across the street from Fred!
Pat sent along these next four images. Pat's version of the demolition across the street.
Pat and Henk's Train 311 at Wellington Lake.
Henk and Moe "Fencing" near the "Fence"!
Mike Hamer extraordinaire in Nelson Yard.
(You're too kind with those words, Pat!)
My 2-6-0 #27 holds down the yard switcher role for the session.
Mark has kindly sent along the next twenty or so images. He has also written their captions.
Who's all dressed up as Father Christmas - hat, gloves, scarf and all? Mike has blown in like a brisk autumn wind to be the busy "yardie" at Nelson today. We need that smile and energy, Mike, on a cold October morning - great to see you!
Here is the C-19 loco I will run today for the ore train.
After the ringing of the bell, Mike delivers, well, the "Sermon on the Mike"...err...that is...the weekly safety briefing. Good to hear the reminder about post-frost slippery surfaces. Thanks Mike for keeping us safe and happy!
All's quiet at Spruce...the calm before the storm!
George and Len busy setting out at Firgrove.
Ore train departing Firgrove.
Mike stretching out his "yardie legs" by keeping busy at Nelson. Just a stone's throw away from the dispatcher's hut, Mike...but a world of difference!
Peace out, Mike! See you when we get to Nelson Yard!
...as the ore train rolls on through.
Nice low angle view at Watkin's Siding.
Passing behind the Ironwood Mine - we'll pick up these ore cars later.
Looking very busy down at Peter's Pond, but the ore train manages to squeeze through on the main. Did we have any doubt? Never!
Coffee in one hand, camera in the other...where's your handheld R/C controller, Mike? Or...has your loco developed "artificial intelligence" and is driving itself? :-) heh heh...
Skipper Fred taking in the action as Mark and Bernie's locos "almost" enjoy a cornfield meet over the new trestle!
A bi-level meet with Mike and Bernie looking on.
I wouldn't want to find myself on the sharp end of that stick, Henk! Good to see you crewing on the mainline with Pat this week.
The ore train rounding the corner into Ironwood.
All the pickups complete, we finish up our short-but-sweet run for the day. Looking mighty sharp!
Thanks so much, Mark, for the most amazing shots from the morning!
What follows are links to Mark's videos from the day's action. You will have to "copy and paste" each link into your computer's browser for viewing.
I have taken "snippit" shots from the videos and have used them to introduce each one.
Ore train departing Firgrove.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/47nfr6h3uz886ay/ore_depart.MOV?dl=0
Ore train...
...moving...
...through Bell.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/748c4gbk4qazqmv/Bell.MOV?dl=0
Hide...
...& Seek!
https://www.dropbox.com/s/mys8amuv8wxn3om/HideNseek.MOV?dl=0
Mike...
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ky8oj608117asol/Mike_Nelson.MOV?dl=0
Paul's...
...passenger train...
...over the trestle.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/sjs9eqosbw13abn/PassengerTrestle.MOV?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/682ektdu2tkc9k9/Railfanning.MOV?dl=0
Railfanning again...
...this time...over the trestle.
Rounding the big bend...
https://www.dropbox.com/s/n8iz12krofd12m3/RailfanningTrestle.MOV?dl=0
Coming...
...through...
...Spruce.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/9jfoku3pm03gvg5/Spruce.MOV?dl=0
Full ore train...
...at the...
...end of the line
https://www.dropbox.com/s/lhncap37umhkluy/FullTrain.MOV?dl=0
Thanks Mark for these incredible videos!
Back to my own shots with my old "point and shoot" camera. We catch Robin running a loco light from Craig Leigh.
The power for 327 is busy blocking its train in Glen Hammond with Malcolm in charge.
Bernie is dressed for the morning temps as he works RP&M Train 70.
Passenger 2 approaches the big curve leading into Glen Hammond.
Paul is in the cab on this day.
318 has reached the siding in Ironwood in an easterly direction. Pat and Moe are in charge of the train.
Henk is all smiles following his "duel" with Moe as Pat looks on.
Sid enjoys the kibbitzing that is taking place over in Ironwood from his perch in the aisleway at Spruce.
The dispatcher has awakened. Billy Boy has emerged from his hut!
Passenger 2 will be underway out from the Glen in short order.
Doug has everything under control at the eastern front of the railroad.
The Ironwood Road RS3 is brought into service when a steamer lost power.
Robin runs this steamer proudly along the A/D track in Nelson Yard.
318 skids ahead to Mount St. Helens out from Ironwood...
...while 327 skirts the outer perimeter along the fenceline.
Looks like there's a "lift" in Wellington for Train 327. Malcolm pulls ahead of the turnout to capture the boxcar on the trailing siding.
RP&M 65 greets Bell with a horn blast and with bells ringing.
Marcel is in charge of the Rat Portage and Mattawa assignment.
327's power is sandwiched between two 40 footers to the east of Bell.
Malcolm is all smiles as he plies the western end of the line.
Residents who live nearby the depot in Bellamy hear the squeals of the flanges taking the curve as trains are made up and broken down to the west of Nelson Yard.
The resident cattle in the big red barn pay little attention to the activities trackside.
It's still early in the morning as the yard switcher continues to block traffic for incoming trains.
Video from Bellamy.
The pre-ops meeting is always an enjoyable part of the morning...
...especially when Fred keeps us entertained with great stories...
...which always serve to bring smiles to our faces.
While it may be cold outside, the stories warm our hearts!
Video fun!
You want dense traffic? Well then...hang around the vicinity of Nelson Yard and you'll find lots of it!
This railfan has found Train 318 following its departure from Glen Hammond eastward to Blockhouse and Spruce.
The power has successfully navigated the big curve at Lilly...
...with a colourful consist holding on for dear life!
Action on video near Brennan Gap and Lilly.
Bernie's locomotive is operating in "stealth mode" in anticipation of future numbering and lettering.
The gloves and the Timmy's hot tea are true indicators of the low temps we are experiencing.
The yard switcher continues to assemble the trains in the big yard.
Nelson Yard video footage.
From the western throat of the yard, Bernie has now reached Lilly far to the east.
The Drovers Caboose is sandwiched between some fine looking cars.
More video from the area.
302 continues to work to the east of Bell.
The reefers will be set out shortly.
Robin does the "uncoupling dance" while his train is on the move.
Video of the dance! (Big smile!)
I noticed some fun antics taking place far off in Ironwood.
With the two Pats along with Henk and Moe...well antics would be expected!
"On guard!"
Dueling video footage!
The eastern end of the railroad beckons this railfan.
With a stockcar on the headpin, Train 318 plies the rails between Ironwood and St. Helens.
Moe gets to work in the yard as Pat brings their train along the siding track.
Video action.
We find ourselves up in Cedar Rock.
Robin works 302 up the branch.
Returning down the branch, the train arrives Peter's Pond.
Cedar Rock video work.
It's "show and tell" time...
...and Bill never disappoints!
Mark is all smiles...we wonder why?
Of course...whenever this tandem is around laughter will follow!
See what I mean!
Mark tells us it was his joke they are laughing about!
Bill and Neil...quite the pair!
Len and Lorna...a wonderful pair!
Len's #48 is happiest when hanging around Firgrove!
We find ourselves down in Rat Portage.
Marcel has RP&M Train 71 working the area.
He was here earlier with Trains 65 and 66.
She's a lovely unit, Marcel!
Bernie, Marcel and Moe...post ops.
A trio of railroaders enjoying a sunny but cool morning.
Another Mike has made it out for a visit.
Love the trolley car, Mike!
She's a beauty!
Mark had to leave early so he is packing up the ore cars into their bins. Check out the cool "divider" Lawrence made for the bins!
The first three cars reside in the base.
Then the divider gets in on the action.
It works to separate the two levels.
Wow...great job Lawrence!
Speaking of Lawrence, he is one of our regular Workday Wednesday crew mates along with Fred, Pat Brewer, Bernie and myself.
Bernie sent along these next two photographs showcasing what the little crew of "worker bees" do each Wednesday morning. The above shot is a "Before" shot...
...while this shot is the "After" shot!
Thanks for the two pics, Bernie!
This was the situation we encountered this past Wednesday.
It's "Pine Needle Heaven!!!"
Would you get a load of this!
Yikes!
To add a touch of humour...it's like finding a "hay" in a "needle stack".
Three full garbage pail loads of needles were sent to the curb for pickup on this morning!
Paul, you're my hero!
I love the car!
Thank you so much for bringing it out just for me!
These pics are priceless!
One of my girls came to pick me up at Fred's today. This is my puppy, Lilly, who I name the location of Lilly after. Yes, I know the flower is spelled with a single "L" ..."lily" but I enjoy writing her name instead.
On another note, I was very proud of my nephew, Kyle, who was a "guest star" this past Thursday evening on NBC's "Law and Order SVU". It was the show's 500th episode. He played a significant role in the plot of the story in front of widely watched North American audience! Way to go Kyle!
We close off this blog posting with a "check in" on Sid the Kid! Indeed...post ops...Sid gets into action!
He sets out his CP road unit.
Sid tells me he still has to place the stanchions and railings on the locomotive.
No matter...she's a beauty any way you look at her, Sid!
Video fun!
The beeping noise wasn't coming from the locomotive. Sid kept pressing the button on his throttle. He now knows to simply deep it depressed until he reaches his desired speed and then release his finger from the button. You've done great, Sid!
A bench is an inviting location for good friends to meet.
The lads meet and greet on video!
(I had to cut Sid off at the end as my locomotive began to run away out from Nelson Yard while videoing! Yikes!
Final Note: The Capital Region Model Railway Tour is now uploaded to YouTube. Copy and Paste the link below into your browser should you wish to visit a dozen indoor model railroads from our region, mine included.
http://capitaltrains.ca/
The image above is a snippit taken from one of my videos seen in the virtual tour. The group at CRMRT did an awesome job of adding text to the commentary and even offered a translated French version! Kudos to the entire gang for their hard work on this project!
Thanks for checking in on our session from late in October!
Have a great day everyone!
All the best, Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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