Of Trains, Fallen Trees and Musical Friends

Of Trains, Fallen Trees and Musical Friends

Hey folks, while we did not run an ops session this past Saturday due to a number of folks busy with the NMRA meeting and the HOTrak set-up, a number of us were still able to gather at Fred's.

The weather was nice and we were able to sit around the table and cover all of the events of the world including local news as well.

We managed to solve some of the world's problems, but not all of the them!

Earlier in the morning Pat had run a train with a handful of cars.

(Remember, click on any image to enlarge it and click outside the image to reduce it to the default look of the page.)

He's descended Clarke Grade and is blowing the pedestrian crossing.

Same location...different vantage point.

On into Blockhouse...

...with his train trailing through the crossing.

Mr. Brennan drives his train over Brennan Gap.

Taking the curve at Lilly.

On the eastern outskirts of Nelson Yard.

Bypassing Nelson for Glen Hammond.

On into Glen Hammond.

Running through Mercer Siding.

Pat and Bill then drove over to Tommy Hoods where a massive cleanup was underway.

The devastation on Tom's property was enormous.

Fortunately nobody was injured in the terrifying storm of late May in Ontario.

The paved streets have the appearance of dirt roads with all the tree bark and litter scattered about.

Pat and Bill paid a visit indoors with Tom and his wife.  Their daughter was there with them to offer support.

Just incredible!

Tom's neighbourhood took the brunt of one of the many micro-bursts or down bursts.

Bill finds a safer place.

Lisa and I drove over to my school where I taught for 26 of my 40 year career.  The trees in the park across the street took a beating.  This was a lovely forested playground for the children...no longer.

This massive willow tree on the corner of the school property is lost forever...as are many trees we have planted on the property to honour our children who had passed away over the years.  (Our school was blessed to have a very special classroom with children in wheelchairs who were integrated into the school day so beautifully.  Sadly, over the years, some of them passed away due to the fragile nature of their conditions.)

I snapped this shot of a house the street over from my school.  We are driving down Rosebella between Banks Street and Albion Road.

Back to Fred's.  On the previous "Workday Wednesday" Pat was found oiling the choke cables.

Great job, Pat!  It's amazing how the oil works its way down through the cables and loosens them to the perfect degree for our needs.

Lawrence, once again, working on the new turntable in Rat Portage!

This Saturday, Lawrence will run Rat 62, the turn that will take him to Rat Portage where he will be able to turn his locomotive for the return run.  He will be the first operator to use the turntable.

Here we find Lawrence creating the "guide" for the turntable.

Coming along nicely, Lawrence!

Almost done.

Once the turntable guide was in place, Lawrence realized that he had to shave some of the timbers beneath the turntable to level things nicely.

During the off-season, Lawrence managed to create this wonderful structure located in Bell.

I'm not certain of the name of the industry...

...but it may very well have something to do with our good friend, Henk!

The entire structure is made from dominoes!

Lawrence is such a creative thinker...and....doer!

Here's Marcel and Lawrence this past Saturday!

Steve and George.

Steve's trolley car.

Neil has arrived with the OVGRS golf shirts.

Nice!

I like the colour choices.

Thank you, Neil, once again for all of your hard work in this endeavour!

White is very clean looking!

Lots of orders.

Another look at that white one!

The shirts are in Fred's house waiting for you to pick yours up next time you make it out to Fred's place.

Thanks, Neil!

Fred says, "Hardy harr-harr!"

Henk has a surprise for little old me!

Why...it's a birthday cake!

That's very special of you Henk.  It was a joy sharing it with the gang!

As I mentioned in an e-mail, Paul McCartney must have been thinking of me when he wrote the song, "When I'm 64!"  Hehehe!  I used to think it was called, "When I'm six foot four!"  (Wishful thinking!!!)

Fred and Henk enjoying the sunshine.

Marcel and Steve...both in blue and orange!

Marcel's new shirt looks good on him.

As does Steve's from another source!

Fred, Henk and Lawrence having a blast!

So-o-o.  Thinking of how Fred lives alone...and knowing that I was going to host a musical session at my place...I asked Fred if he wanted a bunch of my musical friends to come over to his house for a "jam" instead.  Fred said, "Sure!"  Steve McKenzie was still at Fred's when I asked so Fred invited Steve and his wife Judie along.  I also phoned Jean and Sid as Fred had been asking after them...and they came out.  It was just a fun jam with my good friend, singer Adrienne Morey.  Her voice sounds just like Patsy Cline's.

Another musical friend of mine has worked in the hobby shops for years, Gerry Berrigan.  While he is an excellent guitar player, he is also equally adept on the bass!

And, of course...from Wolfville, Nova Scotia...musician and railroader...

...Pete Conroy.

Fred really enjoyed the music...

...as did Steve, Judie, Sid and Jean (who snapped the images you see above.)

Another time we hold a jam (perhaps sometime later this week or into the weekend...we'll let you know so you can enjoy the camaraderie as well.)  

  This image of me was taken at my friend's country estate down in Metcalfe.  Cathy is her name and she is a wonderful singer as well as being a police constable.

As I share these next few pictures, I will include a review that appeared in the Ottawa Citizen written by staff music critic Lynn "I listen to everything" Saxberg.  Her review will appear just below the captions of the next few images.

Here's a shot of Pete from last summer playing in the moonlight at another friend's farm.

Lynn Saxberg wrote in the Ottawa Citizen...

Ottawa’s famous impresario Fred “IPP&W” Mills has done it again.  Forget Wembley Stadium in London.  Forget the Hollywood Bowl in California.  Mills has managed to create an incredibly inviting atmosphere at this, Ottawa’s latest musical venue which he opened up this past weekend known as the Starwood Arena.  With an incredible seating capacity of 50 000 (G scale people that is), local musical listeners couldn’t wait to snap up tickets for the opening concert put on by “Adrienne & the Crossbucks” and what great looking bucks they are! Adrienne “Train Meet” Morey tells us she is thrilled to be the first act to open up the new venue.  And...wouldn’t you know it, the Starwood Arena has already been christened with a wonderful nickname which will last for years...it is now simply known as “The Patio”.

Glen Campbell's 12-string "Hamer" guitar.

Lynn Saxberg continues...

Four superfans of “The Crossbucks” won a local radio contest and were in attendance at the band’s afternoon sound check before their big concert held later in the evening.  Superfan Steve McKenzie was rushed into service rescuing the band’s bass player, Gerry “Brakeman” Berrigan.  “While I know his nickname is Brakeman, but I never thought I’d witness him “break” his neck!”  Mr. Mckenzie rushed the stage just in time to rescue Gerry and his newly purchased bass guitar from hitting the patio stones.  Lesson learned there...no sitting on your bass amp, Gerry.

Glen Campbell playing "The William Tell Overture" with the Cleveland Philharmonic on his Hamer guitar.

While the band sang some big hits, something else, it seemed, ended up being a bigger hit.  The muffins!  Steve’s lovely wife, Judie, is renowned in the Ottawa area for her baking skills, a true artist in the kitchen!  The band couldn’t wait to finish off the show so they could feast on these tasty delictables!  (Yes, some were rescued and saved for Mr. Mills – they’re in the fridge Fred!)  When the band continues its tour dates in New York City, Miami and later across the pond in London and Paris, Judie has been invited along as the band’s caterer.  Her baking business will skyrocket when other musicians who will headline the tour with “The Crossbucks” get a taste of those muffins.  Pete “Coupler” Conroy has already warned her, “Don’t let Elton get a nibble or there’ll be none left for the rest of the entertainers on the bill!”

Mike, in his university years playing his 12-string on his parent's front doorstep.

Super fan couple, Jean Hogan and Sid Selver drove miles and miles to attend the sound check from their home in Embrun.  “I phoned in to the radio station wanting to win two of the four tickets to the sound check...for you see...I have known the lead guitarist, Mike “Hotbox” Hamer ever since he was a young student still in elementary school.  He is the younger brother of my best friend, Marty Hamer, who sadly passed away recently.  I attended Marty’s “sweet sixteen” birthday party where Mike and his twin brother, Jim, were allowed to stay up later than their bedtime.  Two of our musical friends played the music at the party, one on acoustic guitar and the other on the accordion.  I believe that was a seminal moment in Mike’s life...where his musical journey began, wanting to take up the guitar.  His twin brother became a well-known drummer too!”

Adrienne performing with Mike's band at The Lone Star on St. Laurent Blvd.

As with all concerts that “Adrienne & the Crossbucks” play, at least one crazed fan rushes the stage...either some lustful lad wanting to land a kiss on Adrienne’s face or some lush of a lady wanting to simply touch the feet of those handsome lads backing her up.  On this day, the stage was rushed, but it wasn’t for any of these reasons.  Octogenarian Fred “IPP&W” Mills still has the legs to rush up to “The Crew Lounge Bell” when someone called out “More cowbell”.  This triggered the band to start playing “Honky Tonk Woman” by the Rolling Stones”.

Still at The Lone Star.

Part way through the rehearsal, sensual sax player, Pete Conroy’s wife, Audrey arrived.  She’s obviously heard the band play many a show, but she still enjoys watching that handsome hubby of hers “make magic” on the saxophone.   

Gerry on his Fender Stratocaster out at the farm where we rehearse.

The band has released so many songs that have gone to Number One over the years that they can’t play all of them at their concerts or their shows will morph from a one nighter to an entire weekend ala Woodstock.  Hits not heard at the sound check include “Take the Last Train to Firgrove”,  “The Craig Leigh Cannonball” and their greatest hit, “The City of Glen Hammond” with it catch-phrase chorus always being sung by the audience as a whole...”Good morning Nepean, how are ya?  Don’t you know me, I’m your Canadian son.  I’m the train they call the City of Glen Hammond...I’ll be gone 500 miles before the concert’s done!”

Mike, Adrienne and another musician friend, Mark.

I had a chance to speak with impresario Fred “IPP&W” Mills following the sound check.  He had a tear in his eye.  “Every time Adrienne “Train Meet” Morey covers one of “her” songs, I close my eyes and I feel Patsy Cline in my midst!  It never fails to amaze me how Patsy’s lyrics and memories stand the test of time.

Pete at a performance with Mike and the lads in Gatineau at the Wheelchair Association Fundraiser.

The band’s other lead singer was not in attendance on this day, Mark “Piggyback” Peters.  This allowed Mike “Hotbox” Hamer to head up to the mic and cover a few tunes.  While not really a singer, he held himself well...keeping to the melody as Adrienne sang the harmony to Ian and Sylvia’s Four Strong Winds but a few inches away from his face as they shared the same microphone.

Mark and Pete in Chris Lyon's basement once the railroad was pulled up before Chris's move to the Maritimes.

When the band’s tour ends, the lads will be able to get back to their day jobs, some in retirement, some looking forward to running the trains along the high iron of IPP&W/RP&M railroads.  Adrienne will get back to her role singing at the local church in Ottawa and Fred will continue to look for more bands to help fill up the 50 000 seat capacity at “The Patio”.

Chris playing guitar with us in his basement.

For those interested in play lists, here are the songs the band covered in their sound check at the Starwood Arena.

 

Off their first album titled “Ironwood Express”

 

Side A

Back In Baby’s Arms

Crazy

Baker Street

Dream a Little Dream

 

Side B

Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying

500 Miles

Here, There and Everywhere

Ferry Cross the Mersey

Pete and Adrienne at a Barn Dance party in Vars.

Offer their second album titled “Return to Nelson Yard”

 

Side A

I Fall to Pieces

I’ll Follow the Sun

Fly Me To the Moon

Leaving On a Jet Plane

 

Side B

Moondance

Four Strong Winds

Paper Moon

Rock Around the Clock

Mark at the mic with Adrienne and Gerry in the background.

Off their most recent album titled, “In the Hole at Mercer Siding”

 

Side A

I Shall Be Released

She’s Got You

Summertime

If You Could Read My Mind

 

Side B

Walking After Midnight

Yesterday

Kansas City

Wheat Kings

Mike and Pete in concert.

Of course, as mentioned earlier, the band had to play “Honky Tonk Woman” when Fred encouraged Adrienne to bring out the cowbell and then he rang the loudest bell of all!  This got the whole entire crowd into a “rocked up” frenzy!

 

All in all, I must admit this was the greatest band to “ever” play at “The Patio”  (it was the only one as well).  Thank you!

 

Lynn “I Listen to Everything” Saxberg

We thank Lynn for her great review.  In the above image we see Chris and me with Blair Buchanen on bass in the background.  

This is a true story...when Blair was 17 years old he was asked by an older musician to join his band.  Blair's mother said, "You're not joining any band with that scruffy character!"  Had Blair been 18 years of age he may have run off and joined the group, but he heeded his mother's wishes.  The fellow who led the band was...Ronnie Hawkins!  Had Blair gone ahead, he may very well have become the bass player for another great band led by Ronnie Hawkins' backing band...Robbie Robertson & The Band! 

Mike's puppy Lilly guards Mike's guitars when Mike is at Fred's running trains.

Even Mike's special "Hamer" gjuitar!

Mike and Derek!  Good buds!

Derek now lives in Barrhaven...retired from the rock'n'roll industry.  

He was the drummer for the South African band "Johnny Clegg & Juluka" later known simply as "Zavuka", the Zulu word for "sweat".

Derek is third from the right with John second from the right.

Sadly, the world lost Johnny Clegg to pancreatic cancer, the same cancer that took my sister and Alex Trebek in the last two years.

I got to meet Johnny a couple of times through my friend, Derek whenever Johnny came to Ottawa to perform.  At the concerts during the encore, Johnny would go to the microphone and say, "Ottawa, I hear you stole my drummer!  Derek, get down here on stage and help us play our closing number, "Scatterlings of Africa!"  Derek would jump up from his seat beside Lisa and me and head on stage...a very special moment for two musical brothers.  

(If you ever watched the movie "Rainman" with Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise, you would have heard that encore song playing in the background as Tom Cruise sailed along the highway delivering a "high end" sports car to a customer.)

Nelson Mandela listened to Johnny's music when he was imprisoned all those years.  The band was special to Nelson Mandela as it was an inter-racial band whose music helped tear down the walls of apartheid.  

Nelson Mandela asked Johnny and Derek to play at his inauguration as President of South Africa...a very special moment for both!

Indeed, music serves to unite a sometimes divided planet.

Thanks to all for taking the time to read through this diverse posting from the week and the weekend that was!

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