Garden Railroading: Second Look at Session #9

This Past Season's Session #9

This blog entry covers some unpublished pics and videos from Session #9 from last season.

Session #9 was of the Narrow Gauge variety.

The trains ran on the 5th day in August, 2023.

Lettered for the Uintah Railway we find this behemoth having arrived Spruce with switching underway.

The Uintah Basin lies is in the northeast corner of Utah.

Before the inclusion of a new house track in Spruce, the closest of the three siding tracks to the station serves the purpose for the time being.

The new trackage will be addressed in short order for a subsequent operating session.

The Rio Grande locomotive has tucked into the western yard lead at Nelson Yard to afford an opening for the PEI Railway steamer access into the big yard on its return trip from Rat Portage.

Neil studies the various industries and structures in the foreground while Felicity works the yard down in Rat Portage.

Neil took on the project of photographing all of the structures on the railroad which was greatly appreciated.

Felicity's locomotive shoves a cut of cars on to the overflow track at Rat. Henk is her partner on the day.

The team track here suffices when cars require temporary placement.

Bernie and Kris work Train 312 at Ironwood as they conduct a run-by inspection of the ore train.

Bob's power hauls the ore on this day.

The facilities at Ironwood Brick offer up a canyon-style backdrop for the train.

Ore makes an appearance in this video effort.

Pool Train 33 ascends the grade to the west of Spruce.

The locomotive leans into the curve on approach to town.

The crew bypasses the station to stop in at the office.

Video views of Train 33.

Mercer entertains us with meets of multiple varieties.

Here we find two IPP&W crews sharing the spotlight under the morning sun.

This is Train 31 with the crew on its second trick of the day.

The "going away" crew would be traveling aboard Train 313 if all schedules are relatively on time.

Mercer video views.

Our crew in Ironwood are ready for departure following a meet with Train 33.

Kris and Bernie have their turnout aligned as they will follow the Pool Train into Mount St. Helens keeping a safe distance behind.

Ironwood meet as captured on video.

Train 33 departs St. Helens following a brief station stop.

It's a "vertical" meet of two trains.

The upper train is running east along the Spruce Subdivision while its lower counterpart is traveling east on the Bell Sub.

Vertical video meet.

The pool train arrives Craig Leigh and tucks into the overflow track in order to clear the next turnout at the wye.

Why the wye! Simple, to turn the passenger train to allow it to back into the terminal here at Craig Leigh. Seanna has all things under control.

Her crew mate and partner, Steve, aligns the turnout on the easternmost leg of the wye.

The crew is in reverse mode through the Northland Interchange.

They take the Douglas Yard bypass track.

Reverse video mode.

They finally reach the terminal area.

Almost there!

Their train is now parked on the far track. The cars in front will be those readied for Passenger 1, the final run of the day.

Steve and Seanna have teamed up for the Pool Train run but now one of them will head over to Firgrove to run Passenger 2 simultaneously with Passenger 1.

Craig Leigh terminal as witnessed on video.

We run over to Firgrove to find Henk & Felicity aboard their RP&M train. They must hold the main as Pool Train 33 will make an appearance in short order.

Sid chats with George as Steve & Seanna run the Pool Train down RP&M rails earlier in the morning.

This is the view before the session begins...and when the session is over. Our rolling stock is stored in the bread trays.

A look at Henk's stealth locomotive working for the RP&M on this day.

Having departed the Bell Sub for RP&M rails, Train 33 has diverted around the RP&M crew in Rat Portage on a heading for the junction, Bellamy and Glen Hammond before running along the Spruce Sub.

Colorful cars at a colourful industry named for Pat Brewer.

The eastern entrance to Peter's Pond is actually located geographically west.

Two crews are able to work around each other in Peter's Pond.

This crew working Norton Fishery and the Team Track has taken the far siding while the crew that heads up to Cedar Rock has taken the recommended near siding. This allows for the dance to occur naturally.

Peter's Pond video.

Two engines - two crews!

Lovely!

Indeed, this system works very well!

More video in "The Pond".

While I am the dispatcher on the day, I have brought my locomotive out to loan to a crew who required one.

The green foliage offers up a nice backdrop to the right of the image.

More video work in Peter's Pond.

312 works St. Helens.

Bernie's locomotive is yet to be dressed up with lettering.

Bernie and Kris discuss their moves.

St. Helens video footage.

With their work complete, our westbound crew now departs Peter's Pond.

Taking the curve at Hayes' Falls.

Another "over & under" meet!

That meet as captured on video!

You may have noticed with most of the steam locomotives seen on this day - it's as if the management of the IPP&W and RP&M live by the motto, "You can have it in any colour as long as it's black!" Heh heh!

Actually these two railroads are witness to a few colourful and gorgeous steamers who break the rules - and we love it!

Aha! Yet another meet!

Passenger 1 meets 312 at St. Helens.

Oh, it seems that both Steve and Seanna have teamed up aboard Passenger 1...so on this day we did not have two crews run the two passenger trains (1 & 2) at the same time.

Video montage at St. Helens.

We check in at the center of the railroad to find Garry having everything under control at Nelson Yard.

The view from my window in the dispatch hut. To the left we have an RP&M crew and an IPP&W crew in Bell while Paul works Nelson Yard as fellow yardmaster along with Garry.

Doug and Bill our found at the end of the Cedar Rock Branch working the Watson Electric facility.

At an earlier time in the day we see Train 33 departing St. Helens for Craig Leigh.

A quick glance at the western end of Peter's Pond (geographically east).

Here is where the Pool Train arrived Craig Leigh before reversing along the legs of the wye.

The engine house tracks offer up some interesting equipment to study.

The Pool Train is spotted in the process of its back-up move.

Bob, Doug C. & Paul check out a locomotive hiding behind the far side of the engine house.

Bernie radios the yardmaster in Craig Leigh in anticipation of a green aspect on the signal he requires to move east.

He and Kris must hold first for the meet with the Pool Train.

Pool Train 33 now departs St. Helens.

Bernie & Kris are captured on video in "The Mount".

Chris has engine #22 on target for Rat Portage.

He has taken the trackage through the junction and is now on RP&M rails.

His tail end clears the junction.

RP&M video.

An eastbound is cleared at Mercer to enter the junction.

On the move.

Mercer video scenes.

Seeing as the crew takes the turnout to Bellamy and the Glen, this must be Train 322 terminating in Glen Hammond following its third trick of the morning.

Through Bellamy.

Leaning into the big curve to the west of Glen Hammond.

Video of Train 322 on final approach.

321 reaches Bellamy and takes to the far siding from the yard for a meet.

The crew will hold momentarily as its eastbound counterpart 324 finishes up work here.

This newly added siding in recent years has allowed for greater flexibility for dispatch with the train ops in Ironwood.

Ironwood video of 321 & 324.

Another glance at Passenger 1 in St. Helens on its final run of the day.

The crew rides high above the ridge between St. Helens and Ironwood.

The lovely depot at Spruce has entertained and been witness to many passing trains on this day.

Number 1 approaches the depot in Ironwood as Bill works Wellington Lake in the distance.

Earlier, 324 had worked the facilities at Spruce.

Another glance at the hive of activity in and around a nearly cleared out Nelson Yard.

Crews abound as the session nears its close.

Many interesting discussions are held when train crews meet as is the case here at Bell where both railroads co-exist.

Garry is packing it in following another successful session.

He will back his locomotive into its carrying case.

You and Paul did a great job in Nelson Yard, Garry!

The crew in Spruce must clear the main for the meet with Passenger 1.

Train #1 traces over the big curve between Ironwood & Spruce.

Yup...the main is now cleared.

Glen Hammond is the terminating point for Trains 321 and 322.

Train 323 will end its run up in Firgrove in a few moments time. It is rounding the bend at Stuart just west of Bell.

Gerry would like to remind us that the April OVAR meeting will be coming up shortly (Tuesday, April 9th). Renowned Canadian photographer Bill Linley will be offering us a presentation entitled, "Ottawa in the 1970's". Contact Fred if you wish to attend.