Year In Review - Visit to Barry's and Bonnie's in Belleville

Year in Review - Visit To Barry's and Bonnie's in Belleville

In late August, a group of OVGRS members got in their vehicles and motored up to Belleville to enjoy train operations on Barry's and Bonnie's wonderful garden railroad.

Barry is also an OVGRS member, having been a member of Fred's operations for quite a while.

A few years back, he and Bonnie moved to Belleville, Ontario where Barry "went to town" creating this gorgeous garden railroad.

Barry is all smiles as he welcomes us to his railroad.

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Here is the trackplan.  Trains originate in Ottawa tucked up against the foundation of the house or Belleville toward the top left of the page along the fence line.

Barry always has colourful equipment to please visiting railfans.  These two northeastern related New Haven cars do not disappoint!

Throughout the years we have run steam and diesel locomotives during our visits here.

Marcel and I are found in Orleans where we noticed some crossovers newly installed with work to be done.

Bernie and Marcel brighten up the overcast morning.  They even promised us their smiles would help the sun evaporate the morning fog...and they were right.

Some of the group assembles around the patio table on the lower deck.  From left to right around the circle we find Marcel, Fred, Barry, Johnny and Dave.

Moe. Pat, Jean and Sid relax later in the day!

Jean and Sid brighten up the day with their smiles as well seeing as the sun had made an appearance by mid morning.  It actually turned out to be quite the warm day in Belleville.

We peer down from the upper deck over to Hayes' Fuels.

Looking out to the northwest sector of the railroad.

The veggie garden.

Some railroad hats Barry was giving away.

One of the other lads must have snapped this image of me following Bernie's train.

Some covered hoppers brought to Barry by Fred.

Bonnie always has a treat for the crowd.  This table would continue to develop more goodies throughout the day!

Marcel's locomotive finds itself "at home" right away.

A host of structures are found throughout the railroad.

I am crewing with Marcel in the morning and I will crew with Bernie in the afternoon.  We take the crossovers at Julian Junction with Hayes' Fuels in sight.

We arrive Hayes' Fuels where we will have some setouts and lifts.

Video footage of our approach to Hayes' Fuels.

To engage the video click on the white arrow in the center one time and then again.

Pat, Moe and Marcel are found near Trista Centre.

Marcel and I had to make a coupler adjustment.

Did I say earlier that the sun brought the heat?  Bernie and Paul find refuge beneath one of Barry's many umbrellas.

Pat and Paul check their train orders before departing Belleville.

We have reached Trista Centre.  Barry names some locations after family members.

Here we come!  Love the various tones of yellows!

 Let's check that out on video.

Moe relaxes "Moe"mentarily while Marcel and Pat follow their respective trains.

Our train arrives back at Ottawa.

Entering the yard.

Our tail end follows.

Earlier we made the return journey out from Trista Centre.  We are headed for the Sandra Bypass which will lead us into Cumberland.

At Juliana Junction now heading the other way.  Ever the considerate host, Barry's signs indicate clearly to visitors the place names around the layout.

Through Juliana Junction on video.

Taking the curve at Sandra bypass.

Some video at the bypass.

We exit the bypass on a slow order before entering Cumberland.

Continued video at the bypass.

Yes, it is heating up!  Paul is sandwiched between the two Pats!

The other Paul enjoys his drink of water as Barry smiles for the camera.  (Barry must be used to this heat and humidity!)

A friendly butterfly finds a nice "spur" on which to land!

Is this a set-out or a lift?  Big smile!

The exhaust indicates the locomotive is hard at work.

Beneath the signal tower.

Some UP video action.

Johnny and Dave.

Bonnie and Noelle.

Love the annuals!

Our train races through West Ben.

We round the corner heading for Ottawa.

More video work.

Aha!  Marcel has brought out his new rail diesel car.

And...Mike is thrilled as it is a B&M rail diesel car.

Video of the single unit.

On the Boston and Maine these cars were referred to as Dayliners.

Looking good Marcel!

Marcel checking out one of the switches...perhaps for sound or maybe lighting?

The Dayliner has departed Orleans and will reach Ottawa in short order.

Paul and Pat work the big yard in Belleville.

Drilling the tracks as the Dayliner roams the iron nearby.

Love those cars atop the flatcar.

I am now on board with Bernie.

Our train is being made up in Belleville.

TH&B video footage.

A close-up view of Bernie's great looking GP7.

A colourful C&NW boxcar.

Bernie hauls into Orleans having departed Cumberland.

Into the corner before hitting the big yard in Ottawa.

Our Dayliner is spotted once again.

Heading toward the end of the line.

We've caught that on video.

Back in Belleville.

Barry's railroad is very well designed.

More video tape of our train.

Bernie commandeers our train out of the yard.

Onward toward Shaanenville.

A nice close-up of the locomotive.

We've got that on video.

Hey, a steamer!

Looking out over the lovely patio area.

Still more butterful artistry!

Our departure from Shaanenville.

There's that pic of me again...taking a pic...or perhaps a video.

About to tiptoe onto the trestle.

Aiming for the Mount Kamaron Tunnel on the inside track.

Let's check out Mike's video of the departure out from Shaanenville.

Circling Trista Centre.

Coming around the bend.

Video footage.

Paul and Sid.

Skipper Bernie.

Refreshments required!

Great conversations.

The Moe man!

Enjoying some camaraderie under the big canopy.

We're taking the Sandra Bypass!

Love the Hershey's Chocolate tank car.

Some chocolate video footage.

Another view of the B&M Dayliner.

A meet of two trains in Shaanenville.

Bernie's power.

Love the TH&B livery!

Bernie's keeping hydrated.

Heading for Ottawa out from Orleans.

Beneath the gantry.

Let's check the video out.

A colourful car!

A colourful caboose!

More of Barry's smaller structures.

Once again rounding the bend at Trista Centre.

We'll be comin' round the bend when we come.

Love the steamer!

It must be Pat's as she's in stealth livery.

Let's catch the video of her in action.

Our steamer takes the crossovers.

Bernie poses in the heat of the afternoon.

Another view of our train rounding the bend onward to Ottawa.

The lads in action.

Pat is reading his car numbers as Paul looks on in behind.

Conductor Pat.

Moe and Paul.

Pat in front of Cumberland.

The other Pat looks on.

Our butterfly friend once again.

She's a beauty!

Some butterfly video.

The boys in Cumberland.

The Canadian Pacific in Orleans.

Union Pacific on the roll!

Johnny looks on.

Passing through Cumberland.

A look down the back aisleway.

Multiple crews running multiple trains.

Barry gets to run for a while with Marcel.

Relaxing at the end of the session.

Indeed, it's been a hot one!

Uncle Fred enjoys the shade!

A look down below from above!

Paul, Marcel and Pat enjoy a chuckle.

Sid and Moe do as well.

Barry keeps us all entertained.

Some storage images.

Handy carrying cases.

The back of Marcel's vehicle as we pack up for home.  It has been a very rewarding day at Barry's and Bonnie's home in Belleville.  

We all appreciate the efforts of Barry and Bonnie for putting together such a wonderful day for us!

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