Second Section For Session #15
In the first entry from this session we witnessed the "on-time" arrival of both passenger trains at their prescribed meeting place in Glen Hammond.
VIA Rail could learn a thing or two about passenger operations from the OVGRS group! Heh heh!
We also went to the Gatineau Air Show with appreciation to Steve and Dave Hadfield for their sharing of images and videos.
We kick in this blog entry with the first twelve images showcasing twelve of the steamers which saw action on this day - starting with Pat's Canadian Northern beauty.
Garry's behemoth hauls paying passengers eastward at Bell.
Doug's blue beauty toils aboard 301 in the early hours of the morning.
George's diminutive locomotive has found its way down to Bell from Firgrove.
Ralph's colourful unit pulls a short ore drag through Bell hot on the tails of the passenger train.
Mike's Annie is working well in the trustworthy hands of Robin aboard Passenger 1 where he meets his counterpart, Passenger 2 in the Glen.
Chris's Prince Edward Island Railroad steam locomotive makes gains westbound in St. Helens aboard Train 313.
This little lovely is at Stuart running along the RP&M ladder.
Seanna & Steve work the other Rat Portage and Mattawa train along Track 4 in Bell.
Doug's Northland Railroad #4 keeps traffic moving in Nelson Yard.
Paul's RGS unit ensures all is well in Douglas Yard and in and around Craig Leigh.
Doug's other steamer resides on the engine house track in case it is needed.
Our rolling stock review takes us to the house track in behind the depot in Glen Hammond where we locate this little puppy.
The interchange track at Bell is chock full.
MT's adorn the Northland Ore Dock.
The long sidings in St. Helens see a variety of traffic.
Cattle await for the car doors to line up with their ramp.
The Norton Fishery siding sees some reefer traffic while two other cars reside on the team track in lower Peter's Pond.
The Culham Coal Trestle rises above the tracks leading up the Cedar Rock Branch.
Nelson Yard continues to hold trains which have been built by the crew there.
Dilip joins us for a visit! Thanks for putting the entire session together, Dilip!
Another view near the trestle shows the large crusher facility in Cedar Rock.
We are on the Spruce Sub where we catch Passenger 2 nearing the end of its run on the plateau between Ironwood and St. Helens.
Across the valley the eastbound ore train of loads takes the big curve into Spruce.
As we watch Passenger 2 climb the grade into St. Helens in this video segment, we listen in on the chatter between Passenger 1 and dispatch (me).
I have cleared Number 1 out from Peter's Pond westbound to Wellington Lake with orders to hold east of town as an IPP&W wayfreight is finishing up its switching at the resort location.
Note the "vertical meet" of the two passenger trains - an over/under if you will!
Passenger 1 proceeds on to Wellington Lake.
There is lots of chatter on this video between dispatch and a number of distant trains.
Viewed from above we witness two trains on two different subdivisions.
Passenger 1 is traveling across the Bell Sub westbound while the ore train is making up ground eastbound on the Spruce Sub.
Passenger 1 is rolling gently through the verdant landscape on a slow order restriction due to traffic ahead.
Aha! 303 has already completed its trailing maneuver at Wellington and is now on its way up to Bell.
Perfect timing that is!
Let's check this video review of the many situations that make railroading fun!
Craig Leigh Yardmaster assistant, Sid Selver, observes the drivers on this Canadian National beauty as she begins her backup move along the inner leg of the wye.
Chief Yardmaster, Paul, inspects the train during its reverse move.
Even though both lads are far apart in this image, they formed a formidable team at the eastern end of the line!
Sid's smile tells it all!
Reversal video at Craig Leigh.
Our passenger train proudly displays its colours as it takes the bypass track at Douglas Yard.
Big Brother meets Little Brother!
Near the end of the line.
More back-up thrills on video!
Note those fine structures along the walls in Craig Leigh.
The buildings were made by Doug and his crew with the "Jigstones" method.
Following the termination of Passenger 1, this engine will power the Pool Train.
Gorgeous video of a gorgeous train!
Garry called me over to the end of the line.
He was totally surprised to see how deftly he was able to stop his reversing passenger consist with a millimeter to spare at the track bumper...all this considering the fact that his steam locomotive had considerable momentum programmed into it! Bravo Garry!
Somewhere...in a galaxy...far, far away...
...we spot Passenger 1 demonstrating its wares...
...in a very busy location known to railroaders as Bell Junction.
Three trains are able to work around themselves here if they put their minds to it in a collaborative manner.
With a halo above his head...why...is it...no it can't be...but it must be...the second coming of the Messiah!
And...he carries with him one of his apostles!
No, no...it's just Pat & Pat or "Pat to the Power of Two" or "Pat Squared".
Messiah Pat is wondering how three trains arrived at the same time..."Where's that dang dispatcher now!" he wonders.
Well...here he is...the "Lord of All Train Moves" along the IPP&W and the RP&M railways - little ole me!
Pete gets a kick out of our antics in behind me! 😇😇😇
Let's watch the antics on this live video for 100 Huntley Street's next televised episode!
Mark and Steve are working the Bell-NY Turn 71-72 up in Stuart.
Robin observes the action as he takes his three minute station stop with Passenger 1.
Here is the power on Train 71. The crew will become Train 72 when they complete their setouts and turn their locomotive in order to conduct their lifts before heading back along RP&M rails to Nelson Yard.
We spot Passenger 1 on the mainline with 302's power hustling down Track 4.
Video action at Stuart.
301 grabs this railfan's attention upon its entry into Nelson Yard.
Doug's blue, red and black steam locomotive adds further tones to the already colourful yard.
And the yard has its colourful cast of masters - Bill Scobie and Doug Matheson!
Our new member, Bill Nickel runs the locomotive as he is sandwiched between two Dougs - Matheson and Culham!
The locomotive clears the yard throat in preparation for a backup move onto its new train the yard crew has assembled for them. They have arrived with 301 and will depart aboard 311.
301's entry into Nelson Yard as seen on this video.
It's a rare sight to see this little chap working the big yard!
Bill backs his locomotive onto his new consist.
He's ready to launch 311 out from Nelson Yard bound for Peter's Pond and points west.
The crew arrived off the Spruce Subdivision of the railroad and now they will be heading onto the Bell Sub.
Their exit out from Nelson Yard as taken on video.
Over by Watkins Siding we find yet another meet of two trains.
302 is eastbound going away from the camera and 303 is westbound coming our way.
The interchange track at Bell sure looks like a popular place to hang out if you are a freight car.
71 continues its work at Stuart.
More meet videos!
303 is now cleared into the yard at Bell along Track 3.
The two powers meet!
303 slows to a stop adjacent to 71.
Bell is like an everchanging weather forecast - unpredictable - even with the best laid plans of mice and men!
Bell is working out just fine in this video though!
302 finds the Cedar Rock Siding down in Peter's Pond without hesitation.
For their train orders will see them run up the Cedar Rock Branch.
It is for this very reason that Peter's Pond generates so much interest for railfans far and near.
Bill & Doug have also reached the Pond where they work the sidings in the lower part of town.
Peter's Pond is the star of the show in this video.
Checking out a few stills in the early morning light we find that "Eight is Enough" on the Northland Interchange track. (Doug...you will require two bread trays to take these cars home in our imaginary world of interchange between your railroad and ours in Fred's backyard.)
The hold over track on the ore dock finds two gons paying a short visit.
Ah...the team of my youth!
And Gerry's too!
In the early morning sun - with three fellows in the land...no Gordon Lightfoot here! We find Ralph, Doug & Bill ready to run trains with enthusiasm!
Pauls's RGS steamer will hold down the chores in Craig Leigh and Douglas Yard on this day.
Heading back to the beginning of the morning we catch Pat, Robin & Chris listening in on the pre-ops safety drill.
A host of operators have found their way to the crew lounge.
Father Fred reviews the morning's activities as he and the group listen in on one of Bill's epistles which bring a smile to all. (Bill is out of the picture to the right.)
My camera caught up with Passenger 2 making its first station stop out from Firgrove on the morning.
The main line has been kept clear and acts as the station track for the passenger crew.
302's power has completed its work at Bell and runs through Watkins Siding along the property line.
Ore and gons rest beneath the massive Fallentree Mine. These loads will be delivered to the Northland Ore Dock way to the east.
Steve & Seanna work Rat 61 at Nelson Yard as Gerry switches out Glen Hammond (to the left) before departing east aboard 304.
301's crew drills Mount St. Helens acting as a mixed train on this day.
This image taken from inside my dispatch booth shows Gerry in the Glen with 304 and Pete & Pat in Bell with 302.
Their two trains will not meet as they are both eastbounds which travel on the two different subdivisions.
Along with Pete & Pat at Bell we find George working the station track having delivered and lifted traffic off the sidings along the main.
There is George's locomotive aboard Train 40.
Nelson Yardmaster Bill makes moose antlers for Mike to enjoy! 👍😏👍
Train 40 has completed its work at the House Track and Bernicky Freight Forwarders and, having turned his locomotive, returns to Firgrove as Train 41.
The ore train threads the needle up in Bell with easterly ambitions.
Yup...Ralph has had a clear alley to move along through Bell in hot pursuit of 302 and Passenger 2.
Ralph, no worries about Passenger 2...for he's far to the east at Bellamy!
Indeed, with "three minute" station stops assigned to both passenger trains and with a similar number of depots on each subdivision, they should be arriving their predestined meeting place around the same time in the morning.
And...as we have seen on video before - they do!
Now that's organized scheduling being realized!
Lovely!
Garry & Robin have thoroughly enjoyed their passenger runs as it is fun being the superior train on your subdivision!
Having conquered the Bell Sub, Garry attacks the Spruce Subdivision with eagerness and with a sense of mission!
He also enjoys playing the role of railfan! Great going Garry & Robin!
Doug and Bill are kept busy in Ironwood as they work the east end of town at the moment.
While...in behind them Number 2 achieves the summit of Clarke Grade and rounds the big bend into Spruce.
On the Bell Sub, Train 1 has reached the station track in the sub's namesake town.
With a bevy of traffic in this location, the way is cleared for Number 1 and the train will be heading west to Firgrove momentarily.
Mike enjoys railfanning his own locomotive in the care of Robin on this day.
Bill & Doug find the Bell Sub aboard 311 and work the lower Peter's Pond neighbourhood as 302 resides on the Cedar Rock siding below them at their feet.
Pete and Pat crew 302 while Bill drives his locomotive along the tracks Doug has set up for him.
Dilip, to the right, enjoys viewing the action.
Indeed, it's a flock of operators working Peter's Pond. Chris, in the white cap over by the shed, is aboard Train 313 which will be arriving St. Helens along the property line any moment.
We love the colours in Doug's steam locomotive...
...and we look forward to learning which railroad Doug will decide upon for her lettering.
You saw Chris a moment ago walking towards St. Helens. Here is his engineer, Gerry, watching his train trail off in the distance (out of sight) from Craig Leigh.
Sid and Ralph handle the loads at Northland. Once the second string reaches the end of the dock Ralph will run the empties westward across the line.
The meet as viewed trackside in Peter's Pond.
Lovely!
The crew is working the Fishery and Team Track.
More video work from down in "The Pond".
Doug Matheson's small steamer works with pride in Nelson Yard.
She's got some decent pulling power!
Video of her hard at work.
Pat has driven his steamer onto the turntable in Firgrove having arrived with 303.
He is in the process of turning her.
Pointing east, she will now take on the task of running 314 to Nelson Yard.
Felicity and George ensure the route is lined properly.
Turntable happenings on video.
Steve & Seanna crew RP&M 73 later in the session.
This is the run up to Bell where they will work the town of Stuart.
RP&M video moves.
We head back up to Stuart where we find our other RP&M crew with Steve and Mark working the industries there.
The interchange track at Bell is filled with a bevy of cars.
Another look the other way at Bell.
Stuart and Bell video work.
We finish off this entry with more still photographs. Here we see Sid looking on as Gerry and Chris toil in Spruce aboard 313.
At the same time Doug and Bill drill the many sidings in Ironwood aboard 301.
She sure is one hard-working engine, Doug!
Wonderful.
Talking about hard-working engines we spot this RGS specimen up in Craig Leigh.
Our RGS locomotive is driven by none other than our Craig Leigh yardmaster, Paul.
Bob films Ralph with the ore train in Ironwood. It would appear that Ralph is lifting the empty ore cars having pulled the other traffic which was in the way out onto the main momentarily.
Felicity and Pat have Train 314 drifting down the Watkins Siding track.
Much later in the morning Doug and Bill are found on their third trick of the day heading east at Bell.
Their power has arrived on Track 4.
Doug acts as conductor with Bill holding the throttle as engineer.
Pete and Pat are found up in Cedar Rock as our passenger train reaches Spruce to the right.
Two other crews are spotted further off...Chris with 313 leaving St. Helens and the ore train video work taking place at Ironwood.
Our two passenger operators hold an impromptu conference at Spruce.
The ore train as been cut at the plateau between St. Helens and Ironwood.
Moments earlier the train departed "The Mount".
Here's a railfan view of the ore train.
Another check back in Firgrove finds Pat and Felicity ready to rumble aboard 314.
Seanna and Steve are ready to depart Nelson Yard for our bridge route along the RP&M.
Pat and Pete have considerable work to accomplish up in Cedar Rock.
No problem as they are an experienced crew!
Pat takes a moment out from his work to conduct a runby inspection of the Pool Train in Spruce.
We have a meet at Mercer Siding between 302 and the ore train.
Lovely!
With the session complete, the lads wait for the sausages to cook!
Fred continues to hold court in the crew lounge.
Steve waves farewell to an operator who must depart early as Gerry and Doug await lunch.
Two Bills are at the table with Paul!
Cool shirt Bill!
And...you're a really cool yardmaster!
Here is Terry in his garage with his newly developing layout.
And, once again...here is a link to a great video he made illustrating his train operations on a small large scale layout! Brilliant!
Copy and paste this link into your computer's browser to view the short video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4K1V_iGpMg
I'm proud of my daughter, Karen, who is a high school teacher here in Ottawa. With her younger sister, Alison, who works at Rideau Hall, the two girls helped organize a field trip for a number of schools in the Ottawa region enabling many of our youth to visit Rideau Hall on this very special National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Our wonderful Governor General, Mary Simon, hosted an intergenerational discussion with many indigenous leaders in the community speaking of the importance of learning about residential schools.
The youth gained a deeper understanding of reconciliation and how art can inspire greater reflection on these important national issues. These young men and women listen intently during the round table discussion with leaders from the indigenous community. The students prepared a number of fascinating questions which impressed the panel.
Under the direction of an indigenous artist the young students created interesting mobiles which you see hanging in the background inspired by the work of art you see hanging on the wall.
The tent room acted as the perfect forum for this indigenous dancer to share his passion with the youth in attendance. It was nice for our family and for the families of the students to see a clip on the CTV national news of the event.
Karen is on the left with Alison on the right. Photo taken many years ago following Alison attaining her Masters degree which Karen already had!
The Rio Grande endcar tells us this blog entry is coming to a close.
Thanks Fred for hosting a fabulous session with all trains having been run!
I still have plenty of pics and vids from the session that will be posted in future weeks, most likely sometime during the off-season.
Thanks to everyone for checking in!
Our OVGRS family up here in our nation's capital!
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
