More Video Views and Snippets From Session #3
Hey folks, seeing as we are in "operations withdrawal" I have some "left over" video footage that did not find space in my earlier blog entries.
If it isn't Covid...it's rain. If it isn't rain...it's poor air quality! Yikes!
Indeed, the past couple of weeks have been frustrating in the fact that our sessions were cancelled due to poor on-line forecasting or poor weather.
No derailments here as 301 navigates the upper level between St. Helens and Ironwood.
Note the branch laying across the entire track width just beneath the pilot of Grant's locomotive. We'll have to christen his steamer the Canadian version of "The General Grant" for nothing nature throws its way can derail its motive to move along the tracks!
Helper service plays a key role in moving 301 across the landscape on this day!
We watch the video proof of the locomotive's ability to remain upright and on the rails!
We are on the verge of the start of operations as Bernie works Douglas Yard.
The caboose track houses two cabeese, both lettered for the IPP&W with the further van simply labelled "The Ironwood Road".
Mike and Bernie discuss labelling of industries in this video as Bernie's loco snags two stock cars from one of the spurs in the yard.
No...we're not in New Zealand with the All Blacks. Black is simply the only shade we see in the railroad equipment in this snippet.
It's "hush hush" as the train rolls by.
While both cars offer interest to this railfan, he does appreciate the bi-colour tones in the CP stock car. The weathering on the Rio Grande is superb, don't you think?!
The video runby.
302 makes an appearance following some subterranean running beneath Mount St. Helens.
The train pierces the cut at Hayes' Falls.
Some lading from far away is found in the mix of the consist...nothing unusual there.
The tail end clears the tunnel and departs the cut.
302 is the main actor in this video footage. Thanks to Felicity and Chris for their assistance!
302 enters Peter's Pond and takes the Cedar Rock siding nearest to the grassy aisleway.
303 works the western (geographical east) spur tracks in the pond.
302 is now fully protected in the hole.
Robin and Pete can be heard offering verbal instructions to each other on the video as their train pushes cars into a stub end track.
George's tiny locomotive doesn't simmer in the morning sun for too long in Ralph Yard for this little one has much work to do breaking down arriving consists and building outgoing ones.
Across the aisle from the yard there exists Rat Portage or simply "Rat" as it is known affectionately to locals.
Pat and Malcolm work Rat 61, their first run of the morning.
Sid observes the proceedings as yard master "extraordinaire" George continues with his work.
Video footage from the western front of the railroad.
A returning RP&M run glides down the slope into Pratt's Bottom.
Atop...an opposing IPP&W train races out from Firgrove.
We are at the railfan location known as "The Ledges".
Caboose up and caboose down!
Two train video fun!
Once more...two trains in one!
312 steps onto the Fred Mills Trestle while the ore train departs the Patrick Brennan Bridge.
Through the iron girders.
Taking on the curve at Lilly.
Some of the facilities found at Lilly.
Double feature train video!
While the interchange area at Bell can be constricted at times...
...this RP&M crew finds the location to be "all theirs"!
Reefer city!
And...a mass of colours it is!
The crew have left the tail end of their train protected on RP&M rails as they drill the industries in the town of Stuart.
Bell video showcasing the RP&M.
Our trusty dispatcher continues to organize meets like the one pictured above between westbound 313 with eastbound 312.
313's power shines beautifully in the morning sunlight.
Passing the Ironwood depot, 313 navigates the curve into Spruce.
Ironwood meet video.
Sticking around Ironwood, this railfan heads to the east of town to capture the approach of the ore train into town.
While the end car may read RGS, she's working for the IPP&W at the moment.
Passing beneath the massive Ironwood Brick facility, the train slows on approach to the yard.
Ore train video work.
It's not too complicated to chart the course for the pool train upon arrival at Craig Leigh.
The train takes the lower leg of the wye to enter either the trackage beside the engine house or the tracks along the ore dock before backing along the upper leg of the wye.
Reversing through Northland.
We glance at the dock.
With a locomotive occupying the track beside the freight shed, the ore dock was the only alternative for the crew. We spot Pat controlling the train in back.
His crew mate Marcel readies a different locomotive for the Passenger #1 job.
Video work of the crew backing their train at Craig Leigh.
We come across continued images of the back up move.
The Pool Train enjoys a colourful consist on this day.
A closer look.
Arriving the terminal area.
Continued video evidence of the movements of the Pool Train.
So-o-o...with a poor forecast for Session #4, it was decided that cancellation would be best.
It rained buckets throughout the night before our session was to take place and the ground was soaked. Here is the blue sky which was evident above my home in the late morning Saturday...
...but...I heard from a friend who lives in the eastern outskirts of Ottawa that they received pockets of rainfall throughout the morning.
Same news from a band mate who lives in the southern "burbs" of our fair city...
...so the calling off of the session was still a wise choice based on what Fred and I knew at the time the night before.
Even before the recent marine tragedy with the crew heading down to visit the Titanic site, our family had signed up for a visit to the Canadian Geographical Society's "Deepsea Challenger" exhibit.
Later on the Saturday we headed to the museum which is situated directly beside Rideau Falls.
And...here is an image I snapped of the falls.
When Champlain first navigate the Ottawa River, the falls looked like a giant "curtain".
The word in French for "curtain" is "Rideau"...thus the naming of the falls and the river supplying its water.
A slightly different view with the interprovincial bridge seen in the background.
A lovely emblem on the side of the building.
A tour boat navigates the Ottawa River in the distance.
The restaurant known as "The Tavern on the Falls" has recently created a secondary seating area out front the building.
I presume that this "overflow" area is used when the main restaurant overlooking the Ottawa River is full.
The big sign for the restaurant.
After entering the main building and heading down the stairs...as we descend...so do the many informative circular signs offering information the deeper we go.
Downstairs.
You can enlarge the image by clicking on it to read James Cameron's early inspiration for learning about Oceanography.
Here she is...yes...the very "Deepsea Challenger" that took James Cameron to the deepest part of any ocean on earth...the Mariana Trench.
The capsule descends in this "pointed" vertical fashion to ensure a speedy, yet safe descent.
Enlarge the image to view the text in larger font.
James Cameron was seated inside this diving bell that was placed inside the Deepsea Challenger.
One more informative plaque. No need to enlarge this image as the notes are listed in the image below.
There the man is...spending a total of eight hours in this cramped position for the dive!
Another view of the smaller capsule.
Just like being placed back in your mother's womb!
Celebration up top following the dive.
This is the bottom section of the capsule where the weights are located.
Cameron had to release the weights in order to surface from 10800 meters down at the bottom of the trench.
Incredible design and craftsmanship.
An examination of the thrusters.
The top of the capsule.
Ditto from the other side.
A look from the other side of the overall capsule.
Again...enlarge the image to read the chart.
The chart tells us that the Twilight Zone runs from the surface down to depth of 1000m
The Midnight Zone continues down to 4000m. The only light found in this zone comes from bioluminescent creatures who make their own light.
The deepest diving whales reach a depth of 2500m and the resting place for the Titanic is at 3800m.
The Abyss runs from 4000m to the extreme bottom of the ocean. The chart tells us, again, that the Deepsea Challenger's vertical orientation allows it to dive rapidly through the water. Still, it took more than two hours to travel almost 11 kilometers down to the sea floor.
On James Cameron's dive, the deep's extreme pressure broke some of the sub's propellers and the mechanical arm. Unable to move forward, Cameron was forced to return to the surface.
The dive was still successful; more than 60 new species have already been identified from the samples James took from the bottom.
The snailfish was the deepest living creature spotted at 8336m.
James spent three hours exploring the sea floor, collecting samples and recording 3D images.
His dive took place March 26, 2012
A video with French subtitles was playing throughout the exhibit.
We head back to the top of our morning from Session #3.
We listen carefully to Father Fred as he reviews the safety situation with regard to heat and walkability around the railroad.
Sunglasses are the alternative item of the day to be worn.
On behalf of Father Fred, these two locos give thanks for being allowed to get the rust out from their winter sojourn as they run around the railroad!
Thanks for checking in on yet another blog entry from Session #3.
It seems like that session happened a real long time ago!
Cheers, Mike and the entire OVGRS crew
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
