Pre-Season Fun
While today was not a Wednesday, it worked out to be a "Workday Saturday".
Pat was out cleaning track and pulling weeds while Father Fred extended the cable to reach the turnout Grant had worked on earlier in the week at the wye in Craig Leigh.
A number of other lads arrived and ran some trains to test out the track and the lay of the land.
Lawrence brought out the turntable he built over the off season.
Click on images to enlarge and click outside images to return to this look of the page.
It will be located in Rat Portage in front of the Golding Grains facility.
This will allow the RP&M crews to turn their locomotives on new trains 62 and 81.
Pat kept busy whipper-snipping around the grounds...a true Workday Wednesday Worker...even on a Saturday!
Steve and Fred kibitzing around.
Fred and David enjoying the shade in front of Peter's Pond.
Hi Grant!
Grant and Fred are found in discussion as Fred extends the cable in the area where Grant had worked on the wye earlier in the week.
Grant extended the turnout to allow for better flow along this leg of the wye.
Fred knows what he is doing...and we truly appreciate his efforts!
Steve surprises Fred with his stealth appearance on his climb up the grade out from St. Helens.
Everything works just fine!
Some snippit shots from video footage finds Grant running one of the two locomotives he brought out on this day.
She's a real looker, Grant!
Let's check out that video shall we!
Remember, to engage the video you must click on the white arrow two times slowly.
Grant's two engines resting at the Northland Ore Dock.
Steve's streetcar readies for its run.
Hey...these two have transited Craig Leigh to make their way to the easternmost section of the line!
Grant's RailPro throttle.
David in Douglas Yard.
David pulls his train out from Craig Leigh.
Love those billboard reefers.
On the move on video!
Descending the ladder at Douglas Yard.
Beginning its westward trek across the line.
Some more video of the train.
Through Northland.
Yet another billboard reefer.
David is captured on video.
On approach to the depot in Mount St. Helens.
In the dappled shade on a warm morning.
Mount St. Helens video footage.
We view Grant's two locomotives once again...found chatting with each other in Craig Leigh.
One is awaiting a crew call to begin its wessterly run.
Through Mount St. Helens.
Here's Steve with his gorgeous streetcar.
Heading on to the new trackwork constructed by Grant.
Some streetcar video reels.
Heading into Ironwood in short order.
Beside Ironwood Brick.
Let's check it out on video once again.
Grant starting up his locomotive on the Northland Ore Dock.
Tucked in beside the engine house.
This White Pass & Yukon steamer is a joy to behold.
Underway through Northland.
We've got ourselves a pool train.
Pool Train departure as witnessed by Mike's video camera.
Our wayfreight rounds the bend out from Spruce.
While...our streetcar makes its way through Spruce.
And...over in the distance, the pool train descends the grade out from Mount St. Helens.
Video action of all three trains!
An "over and under" meet.
Grant arrives Spruce.
Let's check out the video.
Yet another "over and under" meet.
Streetcar in the shade...la la la la la!
As captured on video.
Steve is the proud owner of this little beauty!
Through Watkins Siding.
Back on the main line.
Grant arrives Peter's Pond...
...and David does so moments later.
David and Grant in the sun.
On approach to the Fred Mills Trestle.
And...through!
Trestle video talk!
At the terminal on a beautiful Saturday morning. Love the patina on the terminal building roof!
Into Spruce.
Fred, Steve & Lawrence enjoy the shade in the lounge.
As does "Pat Squared"!!!
Ah, David's found the right spot.
So has Mike!
"Time to head out into the fields!" Mike thinks to himself as Grant partakes in the shade of the canopy.
And...we have some very exciting news to announce. Mick Spilsbury from Garden Railroading News magazine just this morning posted this "teaser" image of the upcoming issue on the GRNews Facebook page announcing that the May/June issue of the magazine will be coming out this week.
Check out the cover shot...look familiar? It is an image sent to me by Pat Brennan of his steam locomotive transiting Brennan Gap through the Fred Mills Trestle with the Lawrence Watkins trestle standing by in all its glory!
The corresponding article on "Operations Logistics in Ottawa" was co-written by Mike and Doug.
Indeed, we are proud to showcase our amazing railroad up here in the nation's capital.
Thanks for offering up the railroad for this "pre-season" run, Fred!
Hope to see many of you at our inaugural session next Saturday!
All the best, Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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