Session #1 Second Section

 Session #1 Second Section

It's always great to receive pictures from other participants in the session.

I would like to take this time to thank Bernie, Pat and Malcolm for sending images along which you will see in this blog posting.

Also, thanks go out to Mark who frequently sends along pics and videos.  He has let me know that we will see some of his work at a later time.

Mike has snuck out of the dispatch booth to assist on Train 314 on its approach into Bell after working the yard in Firgrove and acting as company camera man!  Yikes...he's a busy lad on this day...serving four distinct roles!  Thanks to Bernie for snapping this photo and the next four ones as well.

Remember, you can enlarge the images by clicking on them and shrink them by clicking outside them,

Pete has Train 311 also in bell along with his crewmate, Bernie.  To compound matters, Lawrence has already hauled RP&M 71/82 into Bell and is working the exchange tracks as Sid watches on.

With three trains already working Bell, Steve and Malcolm hold their consist back at Watkins Siding.  This clever crew uses the runaround tracks at Watkins to sneak up into Bell and deposit some cars to the facing sidings, staying out of the way of the three other crews.  Magnificent that is!  They are crewing Train 323, their third trick of the morning.

Some more views of the hive of activity found in this location at this time.

I spot Doug in this shot.  This must mean Pool Train 33 has arrived Bell as well!

Thanks for these awesome photographs, Bernie!

These next batch of photos come from Pat.  Bill has Nelson Yard under total control...almost lockdown, he is that good!  Pictured directly behind Bill is Moe with RP&M Train 61/72 seen departing Nelson Yard for Rat Portage and beyond.  In the far corner we find Neil and his son, Petya working 302 at the interchange in Bell along with Mark and sons with the ore train passing through.

These youngsters already know how to handle a throttle!

They are also learning the appropriate railroad language when contacting dispatch.

The ore train is eastbound taking on Clarke Grade before meeting 301 in Spruce.

In a different view at a different time in the morning its the ore train again this time hauling MT's upgrade at Lilly.

They have navigated the Fred Mills Trestle...

...and are spotted bypassing Nelson Yard.

Aha...they have finally reached Nelson.

A rare sight...empty tracks in Nelson Yard...as opposed to full ones in Glen Hammond and Bell.

Bernie and Pete are spotted in Bell.  If they are westbound they are aboard 311 and if they are eastbound they are aboard 322.

There's a wave from Bernie...and looking at their locomotive it would appear that, indeed, they are aboard eastbound 322, their third trick of the morning.

What have we here...a momentary "service interruption".

Back on track!

Sid, Lawrence and Bill in the lounge.

The lad beside Fred is Bernie's son, Davis.  He now resides in Scotland.

It's always fun hanging around the crew lounge following train ops.

Little old me with my locomotive, "Ironwood & New England #27" so numbered as my birthday lands on the 27th of May!  

Thanks for these great images, Pat!

Pat also sent along a handful of pics from the Arnprior Train Show.  We find George and Steve running George's Large Scale setup.

They are within the borders of the ice hockey rink.

Len proudly displays our new OVGRS shirts with logo.

A steamer rushes by on the track in front of the buildings.

Len's CP RS3 takes a turn doing so...

...as does Steve's trolley car.

Earlier in the morning, we find Malcolm and Steve working Ironwood eastbound aboard Train 304.

Passenger 32 arrives the station track as 304 has cleared the main.

Bernie and Pete have completed their work at Spruce and await clearance to Nelson Yard.  Neil and Petya are spotted off in the distance handling Cedar Rock...or...perhaps Cedar Rock is handling them!  Just kidding lads!

The ore train takes to the curve out from Spruce.

Both Ironwood and Spruce can become congested with traffic, but with an affable dispatcher, things work out well for all crews!  Hehehe!

Aha!  While not truly a train "meet", these two trains meet each other in close proximity vertically!

Fred observes the action.

The ore train has been cleared to Spruce on a slow order, with instructions to keep a "visual" out for the rear passenger car.

Vertical meet video reels!

Moe hauls the Nelson Yard/Bell Turn out from Pratt's Bottom on approach to Bell.

The tail end showcases our favourite end car, the Drover's Caboose!

Our passengers are on their way to Ironwood from Spruce.

Rounding the big curve through the forest.

Video action!

Earlier, Bernie and Pete handled Spruce with acumen.

Another gander at the ore train.

The lads are doing okay!

We catch Mark conducting a ballet stance as he readies himself for a video of his train!

While Doug brings the passenger run forward toward Mercer Siding as Sid looks on.

Some video footage of the area.

Following a minor service interruption, the passengers are underway once more.

While this is really a "pass" of one train over another, it is still considered a "meet".

Check out the size differential of the two "powers that be"!

Mercer video angles.

Doug adjusts his locomotive in Douglas Yard.

The other Doug, Doug Matheson, brings his train into Douglas Yard...so named after him!

Doug's gorgeous power on this day!

Douglas Yard is full to the brim...

...but Doug Culham handles all of the chores with ease!

Our passenger run has been cleared from Spruce all the way to Glen Hammond, one of the longer lengths of "clearance" along the line.  Of course there will a short stop at Blockhouse.

Reaching the pedestrian crossing, Fred is heard to say, "No I won't block the crossing!"

Let's check that out on video, shall we!

On the Saturday evening Mike, Pete, Adrienne & Gerry made music for the gathered crowd at Fred's.  

The band had originally set up all of their electronics, electric guitars, amplifiers, sound system and then the rains came putting a kybosh to those plans.  When the rains withdrew, the band settled for an acoustic evening which was actually more intimate!

Thanks, Malcolm and Ruth for these two pics!  Thanks, Fred, for hosting us and your many friends and neighbours.

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