Final Session in July
On the final day in July we had 21 operators run the system.
While the forecast called for sunny weather we actually ran trains under a grey sky which kept all operators cool.
I ran the RP&M so most images for this week's blog entry is of the western sector of the railroad where the RP&M territory is located.
Diesels rule the day on our standard gauge sessions and Chris's CN Geep does not disappoint.
Chris tells us the unit was originally a CP one! Great paint job, Chris!
I've brought out my CN road switcher for a go!
Marcel has his Santa Fe unit readied on Passenger 32 in the early morning hours.
I've also brought along my D&H unit as I know the CN will run for one assignment only due to limited battery power.
Bernie arrives early to conduct the setouts pre-ops.
Garry hands over a car to Andrew as Ralph looks on.
Andrew is all smiles. It's great to have you back with us, Andrew, following your recent trip to Poland and The Ukraine.
Ralph and Garry check car numbers in search of the car's destined track.
Nelson Yard fills up rather quickly.
Glen Hammond acts as a staging yard for two trains, 304 and 303. The other two tracks are the east and west interchange track.
A lower angle view of the cars in Nelson Yard.
These two boxcars are spotted off in Lilly.
In Ralph Yard we have found an anomoly.
Someone has tagged this Southern boxcar.
Doug tells us that we operate in a period before graffiti started appearing on the cars.
Fred's aghast at something either Pat, Bill or Chris said! Big grin!
Marcel and Ralph in conversation.
Douglas Yard in Craig Leigh fills up quickly as well.
The ice track hosts a foursome on this day.
301 is on the ready track and will commence with its westbound journey following the pre-ops meeting.
Our new tracks down in Peter's Pond host a number of cars as well.
A trio of heavyweights hang out in front of the the new shed off in the background.
My crewmate, Robin, is all smiles as we are about to commence operations.
My locomotive hauls a cut of cars out from one of the far tracks in Nelson Yard.
Tom has joined us for this session. I must've snapped the photograph the instant he blinked!
Fred delivers his "Message of the Day" to the assembled crowd. Or, could it be that Fred is aghast at the thought of someone tagging a car while it is located on IPP&W or RP&M rails! Yikes!
The lads are attentive.
Indeed, they are happy campers!
Why...it's standing room only!
The first train out today is Passenger 32 under the guidance of Marcel.
Passenger 32 is followed in quick succession by Train 302 in care of Grant, Sid and George.
Meanwhile, out from Glen Hammond we spot the crew of 303, a westbound that will meet the two previously mentioned trains en route. We spot Gerry and Chris on the move with their train.
Dispatcher Doug in Dispatcher Doug's Dispatcher's Hut!
How's that for a tongue twister folks!
Seanna guides the ore train safely into Nelson Yard. She will pick up more cars from the Fallentree Mine.
Rat 62 has reached Rat Portage and begins its assigned tasks in short order.
The Golding Grains facility is switched out...
...as is Hamer Manufacturing. Note how the train has adopted a new locomotive for the assignment.
Robin brings the consist along the main where it will be joined by some of the lifts taken from the yard.
Later, we are aboard the Nelson Yard - Bell Turn. We have five setouts at the interchange, but alas, all tracks are full. Curiously, we also have five lifts - all from the interchange as well...so there is no need to spot our cars in Stuart Yard!
We meet the crew aboard 311 here.
In this video snippet we find the passenger train on target for Bell.
Mike has managed to video the train on its downgrade slide into Bell.
Henk and Pat are having a ball with 304.
They have just departed from Glen Hammond and will end their train in Craig Leigh.
They lean into the curve at Lilly.
Past the flagstop.
We have video proof of the train's passage!
Henk is laughing because he was teasing the Nelson Yard masters that he wanted clearance into Nelson Yard (when he wasn't even going that way). As soon as he asked for the clearance, Mike pulled a Henk and shouted loudly, "No!!!"
George has built up 302 as Steve looks on.
Steve must wait until 302 departs before he can tackle the ore cars on their designated siding.
Sid's locomotive is on the point of 302.
He's a proud puppy!
He's taking his train for a walk!
Let's have a gander on video!
It's long hood forward for this CN diesel.
She's carrying 303's consist behind her coupler.
303 exits the Glen and runs by the siding spur track at Bellamy.
303's departure as witnessed on video tape.
Steve navigates Bell with the ore train...
...as Passenger 32 arrives the station in Glen Hammond.
A video of the two trains on the move.
With our work complete at Lilly, Glen Hammond and Bellamy, Rat 62 is cleared through the junction.
On the other bank of the valley the ore train glides through Lilly.
More video footage of two trains on the roll.
We've changed locomotives and D&H 7316 takes over down in Rat Portage.
You cannot dispute the beauty of this livery in the railroad world!
We turn our locomotive on the Rat turntable.
"Almost there," Mike calls out to Robin.
Video of those moves.
Time for a spin!
That's better!
Now we back onto our train and radio for clearance back through the junction.
Let's watch that on video!
Robin hauls out of Rat Portage.
We crawl through the turnouts.
We sashay down the rails toward home.
More video action here.
It's interesting to listen in on the radio conversation between the crew and dispatch.
Later we are found in Bell once more aboard the Nelson Yard - Bell Turn, Trains 71 and 82.
Blue on Blue!
No heartache on heartache because the two trains work independent of each other!
Let's follow the ebb and flow on video!
Thanks to Henk's ingenuity a couple of seasons ago, we now have a double ladder and a new crossover onto RP&M rails which allows for the two trains to work and stay out of each other's way!
Much later in the morning we railfan Ironwood where we find Train 324 toiling about in the neighbourhood.
Gerry and Chris have no problems here.
They are cleared off to Mount St. Helens.
Train 324 stars in this video of their progress in the eastern sector of the railroad.
Back to some still photos showcasing the action in and around Nelson Yard.
The two trains at Bell.
The team track and Norton Fishery in Peter's Pond.
Wow...look at all those cars...and all the people!
324's crew in Ironwood.
Hey Mike...how about a few pictures from the Bakery in Upper Canada Village!
Yum, yum!
I'm starving!
The baker...but where's the candlestick maker.
Perhaps that's him!
Looking back at the flour mill from the other side of the millpond.
We find ourselves in the carpenter's shop!
Check out all his tools!
Yes, he is commissioned to produce burial caskets among many other items required in those days!
Very nice!
Hehehe! Here's our cabinet maker now!
Creating chess pieces.
They look lovely!
A closer view.
In action on the lathe.
A look back at the tools throughout the building.
Love this cabinet in the cabinet maker's shop!
Cool video of the cabinet maker in action.
A second video look at his work.
Back to Fred's is where we find Grant in another of his cool "way out" summer shirts with their cars and floral patterns!
Speaking of floral patterns...
...Mike's bi-coloured day lillies are in bloom as are the hosta plants.
As always we appreciate all that Fred does for us!
We enjoyed a truly remarkable train operating session.
Look for the "second section" to come later in the week!
All the best, Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
