Year in Review - Session #6 From Last Season
As we enter the home stretch in our shortest month of the year when snowstorms and other types of "storms" have brewed around our nation's capital, we feel it time to share yet another "Year in Review" blog posting.
This entry takes a look back at Session #6, a standard gauge session held on August 14th.
Twenty operators descended upon Fred's expansive property to enjoy running consists pulled by a variety of diesel types. Let's take a look, shall we!
We catch another TH&B Geep roaming the rails of the IPP&W on this "diesel day"!
This CN rail diesel car resides on the outside track in Craig Leigh.
With headlights leading the way, this bright red/orange face is highly visible to pedestrians and motorists along the route.
The imposing terminal at Craig Leigh dwarfs this little puppy.
The sun's rays bask the trackage in and around the terminal.
Andrew sets out cars pre-ops as Paul checks the list of locations.
Fred peers over the master list as Andrew and Lawrence bring him more cars for Fred to determine their designated locations.
Our "master" with the master list.
Pre-ops time is the moment when all hands are on deck setting out equipment and double-checking lists.
Conrail 2236, a GP30 diesel locomotive will haul 318 out from Glen Hammond on this day.
The verdant backdrop complements the Dupont initiated Conrail Blue tone in the engine.
An interesting geological formation greets the crew of 318 as the train is on final approach to Spruce.
Conrail 2236 as witnessed on video.
The lads are very relaxed in Nelson Yard...for the moment that is! Wait until the bell is rung and the session begins!
A rainbow of colours greets this railfan who is peering across the two yards at Glen Hammond and Nelson.
Passenger 2 departed Firgrove earlier in the morning and will arrive Glen Hammond in short order. A brief station stop will take place here in the "Pond" and one at Bellamy before then.
Passengers glance out their windows to find a small depot at Peter's Pond.
We capture the arrival of Passenger 2 on video tape.
301 awaits clearance out from Douglas Yard for Nelson Yard.
What's this?
She's a beauty, Pat!
Resting on the track at Cedar Rock.
Let's glance back a few moments. We catch some of the lads listening in on the pre-ops discussion led by Father Fred.
Skipper Bill interjects with some humour which we always appreciate.
Fred tells us he can predict the future. He tells us that we will enjoy a great session of train running.
Editor's note: Nostradamus was correct...everyone did enjoy the session immensely!
Following a few predictions and laughter, we always get serious as we hold a brief safety discussion.
Back to the train running. Passenger 2 approaches Ironwood from the west.
The train snuggles up to the depot along the station track while a crew works the sidings in the distance.
Let's watch the video of the approaching passenger train.
This rail diesel car under Canadian Pacific ownership is on loan to the IPP&W where it works the environs to the western end of the line including an occasional brief sojourn down to Bell. The unit is found to the east of Bell having worked the back tracks.
Sandwiched between two freight cars, the crew aboard 318 continue with their tasks in Ironwood.
318 has reached St. Helens where they are protected for a meet with the ore train.
302 makes its way through the rock canyon after exiting the tunnel below the Mount.
We encounter a meet between 302 and 327 in Peter's Pond.
Let's catch up with that action as filmed on video.
327 has been cleared to Wellington Lake and crawls out onto the main.
Their caboose will clear the pedestrian crossing in short order.
Video film of that action.
The crew has successfully navigated the tunnel and are found westbound in "The Corners".
Video footage in "The Corners".
Meanwhile, on a higher elevation, we find 318 eastbound a short distance away.
318 encounters 301 in Mount St. Helens.
318 on video.
Having kindly keeping the passing siding open for 318, 301 is now able to proceed further west.
They pass in the shadow of the large Ironwood Brick mine with 327 seen off in the distance at Wellington Lake.
Still more video action!
The tail end of 301 arrives the scene...
...while the headend reaches Ironwood.
A video review.
The ore train is on approach as well.
With some 25 trains running in a typical session, countless meets must be arranged by dispatch throughout the morning.
A video encounter of the ore train meeting 301.
Love that CN North America scheme!
Ore cars dominate the scene.
Let catch that on video as well.
The ore train departs town.
It's a busy morning for this railfan.
Video footage!
Canadian Pacific diesels dominate the scene at Douglas Yard.
The icing track is home to these reefers.
We are at the junction where we find Rat 70 on its return from Rat Portage.
Pat is servicing the trailing tracks at Anderson.
Pat as captured on video.
302 makes its arrival into Nelson Yard.
The crew will switch consists...
...and will be on their way as Train 312.
312 has reached Spruce where a meet with the ore train was orchestrated.
Steve and Seanna crew 312 on this day.
Let's check 'em out on video!
With no work required in Ironwood, dispatch has arranged this triple meet.
312 threads the needle here as two other freight trains hold for them.
Triple meet video footage!
After completing his assignment aboard Rat 70, Pat is now aboard RP&M Train 67 up to Bell. He will return as Train 68.
The tail end of two trains from two railroads meet at the junction.
RP&M 67 video footage.
Train 303 makes the eastern throat of Nelson Yard as Pool Train 15 navigates the outer track out from the Glen.
With Train 15 heading east (geographical west) through the Fred Mills Trestle, 303 terminates in Nelson Yard.
Video action at Nelson.
The ore train is always fun to railfan as it plies the rails in both directions throughout the morning.
The ore train has reached Watkins Siding, named after our good friend Lawrence Watkins.
Taking Track 4 at Bell.
Some more fun video work.
Through Bell, the ore train takes the western ladder and will find itself atop RP&M rails in short order.
Passing the interchange tracks at Bell, the ore train will hustle downgrade to Pratt's Bottom and Ferndale before arriving in Rat Portage.
The ore train stars on video once again.
Bell is busy as per usual.
The ore train slips downgrade...
...heading south (geographical north).
Still more great looking video action.
Train 15 stops at the lovely depot in Spruce.
Two brethren locomotives meet here, one in CN colours, the other in CP garments.
The meet as capture on video from this ardent railfan.
Two trains heading in the opposite directions.
That's 301 traveling down Clarke Grade.
Video of the action.
We check in on Nelson Yard.
301 climbs the grade at Blockhouse while way off in the distance we catch an eastbound train at Mercer Siding.
Here's Bernie, the Nelson Yardmaster on this fine day!
More video of the scenes.
Hamer Manufacturing witnesses the RP&M train getting underway for Bell.
The train will advance into the tunnel portal and find itself on the outside of the property.
Let's watch on video.
Pat has 304 reaching for Watkins Siding.
This train finds some comfort in the shade at Ironwood.
Train 313 advances through the pedestrian crossing to the east of Peter's Pond. A shadowing figure snaps the image!
Our Rail Diesel Car finds Mount St. Helens with the red aspect reflecting off its roof!
"All Aboard!"
Did you get video of that?
Reaching Spruce, the train slows for a quick station stop.
Looking great on video!
Still more action in the big yard.
That RP&M train seen earlier is about to head out on the high iron for Bell.
Having reached the interchange, the crew exchanges traffic with the IPP&W.
The umbrellas offer respite from the hot sun.
Bernie follows the progress of an incoming train from the east.
I take a gander over the yard in Glen Hammond.
Steve and Seanna have terminated Train 319 here.
An RP&M train returns to the junction.
The crew heads into Nelson Yard as another train approaches Bellamy.
Train 20 is spotted downgrade at "The Ledges".
The crew will work Bell and return to Firgrove as Train 21.
Final video of the day.
Time for lunch as cooked up by Moe and Paul!
Thanks for checking in folks!
As always, we thank our skipper, Fred, for his hospitality.
All the best, Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
