Canopy Raising at Fred's Today

Canopy Raising and Structures Placement

Today a large contingent of folks gathered at Fred's to raise the canopy, conduct a general clean-up and to spread out the structures around the railroad.

With so many volunteers we had folks working in all three of these departments simultaneously.

Father Fred was "pleased as punch" with the turnout of people and what we were able to accomplish.

The canopy has been lifted up over top the framework as Pat, Chris Fred & Sid discuss the strategy for joining it to the frame.

We have moved the tables that normally remain here in the lounge to offer up total access to the job.

Ralph drove up to Ottawa from his home in Cornwall to help out.

Pat & Sid are all smiles.

Chris tells us that the three degree temperature in the early morning hours sure makes that step ladder freeze up the hands!

Bill & Fred in consultation with each other.

There's some smiles!

Off in the distance Henk & Moe hold the rakes while Doug supervises their efforts.

And...they look up!

Here I am stripping...well, not exactly.  Ralph is handing me up the tie strips used to attach the canopy to its frame.  We place them in the grommets loosely at first and then align the canopy before final tightening and snipping of the extraneous ends.

Ralph holds my ladder to ensure I will live to see another day!

"Paper towel, anyone?" Billy Boy asks.

Yup, the lounge is being prepared for the season!

Watch out!

Seanna's got her gun out!

She points it at hubby.  We wonder what he has done wrong lately?  Big smile!

Steve does look a tad guilty, doesn't he!

I must be guilty of something as well - seeing as Bernie points the trigger my way!  Yikes!

Is this some kind of mating dance this pair is conducting to attract the female of the species?  

                 

We think not...as it only has seemed to attract another male who is a passer-by!

This beast is conducting some sort of grooming activity - perhaps again, to attract the female of the species.

He seems to have competition from two other males within his territory.

Chris, Doug & Bill gather near Mercer Siding.

A cup of coffee manages to warm Chris up.

Bill & Doug have spent the morning working on the various structures.  Here we see the roof of the new Glen Hammond depot after a first spray coat of green applied by Bill.

There is lots of leaf debris on the property after the winter's snow melt.

Henk ensures the clean-up gets well underway.

Bill & Doug with Chris at Mercer Siding once more.

Seanna & Steve begin folding the tarp that protected the plywood which protected the structures hidden atop the benchwork in Craig Leigh.

Great folding job!

Looking good!

Bernie is labeling the plywood boards so that we will know where each one goes when we pack up in the fall at the end of our train running season.

Smart idea, Bernie!

A look back at the canopy as the lads begin to snip the extra lengths of the tie strips.

Time to distribute the various structures around the layout.  I'm wearing my hat & scarf as it is still a wee bit chilly before noon!

Sid & Bill share some grins for us!

Grant has arrived and lends Ralph a hand with the large structure destined for Lilly.

Moe & Steve handle the stone structures up in Craig Leigh.

Their better sides!

Oops!  I was wrong!  Now we see their better sides!

Steve & Bernie visit the brewery!  Ken Brunt is smiling down upon us!

Steve & Seanna Watson set out the Watson Electric facility!

So aptly named as these two are electrical geniuses!

How do we remember where all the structures go?  We don't!  Heh heh.  Why...we trust in Bernie who has brought his laptop along with him that holds images of all the structures.

Bernie has taken the time to label each image with its location name.

That Bernie of ours is a clever lad!

This is one of our more detailed structures which stays indoors when we are not running the railroad.  Most structures are able to stay outdoors for the entire train running season.

I'm up on the step ladder adjusting the lamps so I snap a picture of Fred & Sid.

There's a smile from all the lads with Henk sitting in the background.

The Aylmer, Quebec lads look up!

No, they're not "dark" characters...they are simply "in the dark" at the moment.

Chris joins Henk on the patio for a bit of a break.

There I am - the light of the world!  Big grin!

Oh oh...my light is dimming!

Pat assists Ralph with the "patio lanterns".

Hey Pat, we should write a song and call it "Patio Lanterns" and I'm sure it would be a big hit!  Heh heh.  Musicians and music fans will get the jest of that statement.

Time for a snooze, Bill?

Certainly time to relax.

And...time for friendly conversation.

In the annex to Fred's office we find Doug painting the base for one of the jigstones structures.

I finally get to meet the new Glen Hammond station in person!

After seeing it in these blog pages throughout the winter with the images the lads sent my way, I feel like I am meeting a celebrity for the first time!

Bill gets ready to use the hot glue gun to adhere the sign to the side of the structure.

There are three signs, one at each end of the building and one up front.

Lovely!

Looks great, Bill & Doug!

A closer view.

The sign on the front.

It's "Hot Glue-Gun" Bill hard at work!

Doug & Pat look on.

Ralph & Fred share smiles.

Thanks to all our OVGRS friends who were able to make it out on this glorious morning to get the crew lounge readied for operations.

We will meet again Saturday morning at 9:00 AM weather permitting to continue with the clean-up of the property and to examine in closer detail what needs to be done with the trackwork in the southeast corner of the property.

All the best from the OVGRS Workday Wednesday crew!

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada