2021 Year In Review - Session #5 Narrow Gauge

2021 Year In Review - Session #5 Narrow Gauge

This posting focuses on extra images, videos and stories from our session back on August 7th of this past year.

The session in question was our fifth of the season, one of the narrow gauge variety.  

As our good friend Malcolm has pointed out to me, the equipment is of narrow gauge vintage although it plies standard gauge rails.

Garden Railroading News magazine's first issue for this year is now available for all to see.  You are able to visit the magazine at the link below.  This is a magazine "for" garden railroaders "by" garden railroaders and they do a superb job in sharing so many concepts each issue.  Many thanks to editor Carla Brand Breitner for sending this photo of this issue's cover my way!

Simply copy and paste the link below into your computer's browser.

https://www.grnews.org/

These next four images were sent to us from Fred.  He dug them up from long ago.  The captions are his.  "Early days, actually hauling ballast from Craigleigh….back when we attempted to ballast all of the track…Gord B, Peter B, Doug Mc, Stu M, Fred, and Peter’s son."

"Original Peter’s Pond Station…."

"Early days at Nelson Yard…." - note the Bell at...well...Bell!

"Early construction of Firgrove  2009"

Thanks, Fred, for sending along those great "way back" images!  Now onto Session #5 which was a narrow gauge session.  Later in the month I'll share with you images, videos and stories from Session #6.

Remember, you can enlarge the images by clicking on them and you can return to the default look of the page by clicking outside the image.  Also, any "snippits" taken from video will not have the same clarity as the other images.  The snippets always lead into a video.

Session #5

As always, skipper George and his sidekick, Len, handled the chores at the western end of the railway in Firgrove.  We spot George's 2-6-0 on the far track in Ralph Yard.

The Hamer Manufacturing facility down in Rat Portage is seeing some colourful business at the moment.

This lovely IPP&W caboose rests all alone on the western side of Firgrove.

The ore cars are loaded and ready to rumble in short order.

This snippit photo captured from video shows Marcel having arrived Nelson Yard carrying ore.  Henk and Bill look on as he gets underway to points east.

Nothing like the look of a unit train and this ore drag does not disappoint!

Video footage of Marcel's departure.

Remember, for each video you must click on the white arrow in the center of the image two times to commence the video. 

We capture the Algonquin & Ottawa locomotive dealing with traffic up in Spruce aboard Train 318.  Lawrence and Doug had departed Glen Hammond earlier in the morning.  Their goal is to reach Craig Leigh following some set-out and lifts in Ironwood and Mount St. Helens after they have finished here.

At times a first generation diesel will make an appearance in our Narrow Gauge sessions.  Again,thanks to our good friend, Malcolm, I want to point out that while the session is narrow gauge, we run on standard gauge trackage as the tracks exist permanently, of course.  Other than Marcel's diesel all other equipment is of the narrow gauge variety.

Mike's paint and tape job seems to be holding up as the safety stripes remind us that trains could be running nearby at any moment.

Marcel gets a "lift" from Steve and Seanna aboard 301 (they pulled his ore cars from Ironwood Brick) and is now able to place his ore cars aboard his train.

The 7935 is up to the task.

Let's check out the video footage, shall we!

Earlier in the day, Passenger 2 was ready at the station in Firgrove.  With the "All Aboard" order announced, the train will be underway momentarily.

The Nelson Yard duo assist the ore train upon its arrival to their central location.

Mr. Scobie is in care of the proceedings here.

More action from the ore train's appearance in Ironwood.  We spot Seanna getting the eastern turnout for Marcel after having assisted him with his lifts here.

Marcel backs on to his usual consist.

Video action in Ironwood.

Marcel has pulled the four lifts and will back them onto his train.

With the brakes released, the ore train is underway to the Northland Ore Dock with a highball through Mount St. Helens.

Let's check out the video.

Indeed Ironwood does see plenty of action as Doug and Lawrence bring westbound 303 into town.

Lawrence's Algonquin & Ottawa is assigned to trains 318/303/313 on this day.

We check back to Nelson Yard where Bill is kept busy with the ore train.

Fast forward and our ore cars are all "loads" as they approach the wye near the entrance to the greater vicinity of Craig Leigh.

Having passed Northland, the crew takes the far track and comes to a halt.  They will then use another leg of the wye to back onto the Northland Ore Dock.

Some video of the action.

Judging by the hues in the photos, August 7th must've been a cloudy day.  We spot Pat getting a turnout in Glen Hammond just outside my dispatcher's booth.  He is working the RP&M on this day.

RP&M teams always assist the Nelson Yardmasters and we catch one crew doing so below the side window of the dispatch hut.

An affable pair they make, don't they!

Malcolm works the eastern front of Bell aboard RP&M 65-66, the run from Nelson Yard to Bell and back.

He must have a set-out here or perhaps a lift.

Let's check the video tape on this one.

We are back at the eastern end of Nelson Yard with the RP&M.

The train activity heats up as the morning wears on.  Check out that beautiful Lawrence Watkins Trestle off in the distance near the Blockhouse.

Yes, train running involves waiting at times.  That's what meets offer up...one crew having to wait for another.  Moe and Bernie aboard 304 are holding the siding at Watkins in anticipation of Train 311.  While eastbounds are superior to westbounds, situational issues may arise seeing dispatch offer a westbound train seniority.  This is the case here.  (The crew aboard 311 were held up due to spending time assisting the ore train and dispatch wanted to return them the favour here which also allowed for a "balancing act" on behalf of the operations.)

Earlier, Moe had eased 304 downgrade to Bell from Firgrove.  We spot him near the interchange tracks.

Malcolm's RP&M train is working the interchange as Moe arrives.  Indeed, yet another "meet" is held, this time in a town location rather than a remote siding.

Moe and Bernie arrive Bell on video.

An "overall" view of the western sector of the railroad sees train crews "here and there" and "all over"!

Robin is trundling down the IPP&W out from Blockhouse with Train 312, his second "trick" of the day along with crewmate Paul Norton, out of the picture.

Pat and Sid have reached Mount St. Helens aboard Train 15, the Pool Train.

Sid is conductor on the day!

Train 15 takes the curve between St. Helens and Ironwood.

The tail end.

All this captured on video camera.

Green is the colour predominant in this image along with the darker hues of this locomotive occupying Track 3 at Bell.

With the crew on Track 3 and facing east this must be Train 328, Steve and Seanna's third trick of the day.  How can I tell that it's not another eastbound wayfreight in Bell?  Simple...check out the character aboard the locomotive!  Big grin!

We have a meet of two top priority trains, the ore bulk carrier and Pool Train 15.

In this instance, the passenger train is superior and is granted a runby to the station.  Marcel has protected his train in advance of the meet.

The meet as found on video from Mike.

Say, let's check back in on that crew at Nelson Yard.  The Carleton Woods & Prescott steamer continues its chores of breaking down arriving trains and making up those that will go out from their yard.

The Fallentree Mine spurs are seen in the background as our Nelson crew continue with their efforts.

Special note from Mike:  Speaking of Fallentree Mine...this image, brought out from the archives, showcases the "Real Deal".  Fortunately the tree fell when no one was nearby.  It clipped the edge of Fred's bungalow and just missed the two trestles.  Yikes!  Thus the origin of the mine's name! 

Dwarfed by the "dwarf" pine, the Pool Train has crossed the junction aiming for the depot at Rat Portage.

Following it's station stop at Rat Portage, the train may stop at Ferndale and Pratt's Bottom if any passengers appear on their station platforms having requested the train on this day.  These locations are whistle stops.  The crew may have been informed previously of the stops or a signal or flag would be shown to indicate to the crew that a stop is imminent.  The next large station the crew will encounter beyond Rat Portage will be at Bell.

We capture some video of the action.

Who's got a doggie bag?  Just kidding!  Yardmaster Henk directs which turnout must be thrown.

Paul and Robin switch out the sidings at Spruce aboard 312.

The appearance of these two diesel pups belies the fact that the session is Narrow Gauge.  That's okay, though, as these early generation diesels did work alongside steam locomotives for a short while.

Mercer Siding is one of our two remote sidings that offer dispatch the opportunity to arrange meets out on the "high iron".  The other distant siding is located at Watkins.

Siding video footage.

Encamped beneath the pines, the crew of 313 spend part of their third trick at the far end of the Cedar Rock Branch.  The remainder of their train is protected on the main back in Peter's Pond allowing other traffic to run around their consist.

Pool Train 15 is nearing the end of its journey across both railroads.  We find Pat in charge as he awaits clearance up to Craig Leigh.  He and Sid will finish their morning's runs taking Passenger 1 out from Craig Leigh westward to Firgrove.

Another image of Lawrence and Doug up in Cedar Rock.  With no runaround tracks at the end of the branch, the crew must determine their moves back down in Peter's Pond.  Yes, depending on the situation in dealing with both facing and trailing sidings up this way, the crew may very well "push and pull" traffic up the branch resulting in a "locomotive sandwich" with the engine sandwiched between cars on both ends as it traverses the branch!

While eastbounds are typically superior to westbounds, in this instance the westbound is granted priority in this meet as the "class" of the train is of greater importance than the direction of traffic.  Thus the passenger train wins the battle here!  Once Pool Train 15 clears the far turnout, 302 will seek access into Nelson Yard.  Before it departs for Nelson Yard, the crew must also seek clearance from dispatch for the signal aspect to turn from red to green offering free reign through the junction.

The green grass must've been mowed by Bernie the previous Wednesday.  Looking good, Bernie!

Video coverage of the meet.

With the forested area found in the eastern end of the railroad, this railfan captures the action at Spruce and Cedar Rock.  Train 312 is found to the left while 313 travails up in Cedar Rock to the right.

Paul looks on as Robin deals with a coupler issue.

The somewhat grainy photograph indicates that there will be a video coming soon of the meet here at Watkins Siding.  Moe and Bernie have a seat as they await the approach of Seanna's train passing through Wellington Lake at the moment. 

Westbound 311 under steam power meets eastbound counterpart 304 under diesel drive.

Steve sets the turnouts for entry into the big yard at Bell.

The meet as video sees it.

With 311 out of the way, the turnout is set and 304 throttles ahead toward Peter's Pond.

311 is passing through Wellington Lake named for our Firgrove yardmaster, George Wellington.

More video work at this location.

A lovely steam specimen resides outside the engine house in Craig Leigh.

Moe and Bernie have dropped 304 at Nelson Yard and have picked up 314 on its sojourn to the east.

A brew...for the crew!

Marcel's endcab in the wet noodle scheme.

Train 303 tackles the grade through Blockhouse.

Love the look on our yardmaster's handsome face!

Activity on video tape.

Another endcab works the eastern throat of Nelson Yard.

Classification is the key here!

Let's study the video reel here!

The sun has come out from behind a cloud making for rising temperatures for our crew in Spruce.

Steve and Seanna have their train, 328, in the hole at Watkins Siding as 313 flies by on the main.

Fred keeps Henk and Marcel suitably entertained at the crew lounge table...

...while the trains keep their crews suitably entertained out on the line.

Paul follows the movement of his train across Brennan Gap.

Looking good, Paul!

Let's examine the video footage.

With Bernie scratching his head and Moe looking "down" we wonder what is going on at Spruce.

Nothing's going on!  They're just doing their jobs!

It's a colourful consist...

...to go along with...

...a colourful crew!

Another case of the old meeting the new!

Passenger 1 is on the station track as the wayfreight passes on the secondary main.

Let's catch that on video!

Train 15 is cleared to Spruce.

A lovely combine.

Video review.

Another overall image in the east end.

313 is found on the eastern yard lead at Bell.

We credit Chris for the idea of extending this lead down to Watkins Siding.

Meanwhile, down in Rat Portage...

...we find both RP&M crews.

They are able to creatively evade the main for meets with the Pool Train.

Some video action in Rat Portage.

The Comber Chair Factory has its siding full on this day.

A look from a different angle.

Pat checks his orders.

Those safety stripes sure stand out nicely...in my books!

Colour in Spruce.

Indeed, Spruce is a hotbed on this morning.

Let's check out the video.

Black-eyed Susans at Lilly...

...complement the Lilies.

Some bi-coloured Lilies in the "Rust Garden".

A happy group of campers...

...hang out and share stories...

...and laughter too!

Here comes Bob!

Marcel and Bob.

Marcel, Bob and Pat.

Robin too!

The gang sure has fun.

They sure do.

Remember this image from our last posting which Lawrence took at Fred's?  It is of the converted "sanitizer" convention car Lawrence creatively amended.  We also thank Mark for working with great diligence in getting a handful of these cars for the group.

Well, Pat and Fred headed over to George's railroad on Sunday where Pat snapped a few more photos of this exceptional car!

She rides beautifully within the consist of her train.

Note how Fred has placed the specially designed holder beneath the car to protect the trucks when he goes to push down on the pump.

Indeed, the special holder takes all the force of the downward motion and the trucks and wheels feel nothing at all!

Lawrence has done us proud!

Indeed, if the Olympics were to  include "train operations" in their agenda...

...the IPP&W would stand firmly on the center pedestal of the podium!

Thanks for checking in on our fifth session from the past season!

All the best, Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada