Second Section for Session #2
This entry acts as the second section for our recent Standard Gauge session.
We enjoyed hosting a few newcomers to the operating session and they dug right in with other crew mates to make for a successful morning.
The following images and videos showcase the enjoyment experienced by all involved.
Train 71 hauls out of the big yard bound for Anderson and Rat Portage.
Ore reaches Ironwood in this triple meet shot.
Paul and Steve work Firgrove as Seanna has arrived with 303. Paul turns her locomotive and she will head back east with 314.
The lads take a seat in the gallery to view the action as 311 handles traffic at Wellington Lake.
John and Mark crew 311 as Steve works 312 in behind at Ironwood, the town named for its Ironwood trees that had grown there in the past.
Doug's Northland Railroad F-unit is spotted in Nelson Yard.
Train 324 finds respite in the shade at Cedar Rock. Seanna is on her third run of the morning.
IPP&W 321 finds the plateau just out from St. Helens on its westbound run. This is Steve's third and final trick of the morning as well.
The buoys on the bulkhead flat came from Lawrence's fine workshop! Indeed we receive pleasant reminders of what he meant to us as the trains run through the landscape of our two railroad.
Jean & Sid know how to have fun!
Earlier, 314 had found its way tunneling beneath St. Helens on the Bell Sub.
The crew passes the hosta garden.
Video of 314's travels west.
We come across an earlier meet in "The Pond" where Seanna and Ron await Steve's arrival before departing west.
The caption tells it all.
The meet is captured on video.
RP&M 72 is returning to RP&M rails having worked Stuart & Bell.
They are downgrade into Pratt's Bottom!
We find some video footage of the crew's run down the slope.
Ore meets the Craig Leigh hop.
Bernie has brought some traffic down from Craig Leigh into St. Helens aboard Train 31.
Bernie is witness to ore traffic as the video progresses.
The interchange track in Craig Leigh allows the Ironwood & Peter's Pond Western to exchange traffic with the Northland Railroad.
A string of tanker cars await pickup later in the day.
Sid drives into Craig Leigh with a full load of ore cars destined for the Northland Ore Dock.
The video shows Sid's arrival into town.
Sid and Bernie share a chat as Bernie lines up the route for ore to reach the dock.
Earlier in the day 301 was asked to assist the ore train. This slowed their westward progression somewhat, but they now manage to get down to their own business working the industries at Ironwood.
John poses for the cameraman!
Mark plans out his strategies for attacking their many spots and lifts at this location.
IPP&W Train 302 meets RP&M 71 up in Bell near the start of the day. Both crews have been working the territory here. 302 is now ready to depart once the turnout is clear.
An earlier glance at Bell.
The ore train breezes through Spruce.
RP&M 72 has returned to Rat Portage where Bruce acts as conductor.
Two RP&M crews share the duties down in Rat as Dilip is ready to head back to the big yard.
Bruce continues with his switching once Dilip has departed the scene.
Seanna hauls 303 into Bell.
Her power is a borrowed CN Geep from Garry. Thanks Garry for the loan of the power on the morning. Also, thanks to Seanna & Steve for agreeing to split their crew in order to have all trains a-runnin' on this day!
Bell is frequented by many a train throughout a session!
Video of Seanna's train at Bell.
With her work complete, Seanna climbs out from Bell on the big curve to the west.
Her locomotive is up to the task ascending the grade at "The Ledges".
Her train as spotted by our resident videographer!
As 303 climbs the grade, across the valley a steam locomotive is found hauling Train 33, the Pool Train out from Bellamy.
Seanna is all smiles!
Upon arrival at Firgrove, Train 303 terminates. The crew's diesel will be turned on the turntable and Seanna will head back east in care of Train 314.
Some nice video from the valley!
302 is cleared through Mercer Siding.
The crew's destination is Nelson Yard.
A CP van brings up the markers on Steve's train.
Video through the junction.
Entering the western yard throat.
Indeed the big yard at Nelson can be a busy place!
Nelson Yard video tracks.
Ralph Yard in Firgrove can be a busy place at certain times in the day.
Paul and Steve have things under control here on this day.
Seanna returns to Bell in an easterly direction aboard 314.
Doug and Bill work the western end of Nelson Yard at the moment.
Train 71 announces its return as it blows the crossing.
Marcel and Bruce have enjoyed their run immensely.
Ore empties pull out from Ironwood as the train passes through on its westerly run.
The big yard can hold many a train car.
Cedar Rock always finds itself in dappled shade.
Well, this lad is definitely not a shady character...he is a valued member of the OVGRS and a WDWD contributor! Thanks for your efforts Robin.
We catch a glimpse of 301 arriving Nelson having taken the turnout that will see them enter the yard.
Sun strikes the flanks of John's gorgeous CP Rail diesel.
The crew slows to a stop as they await turnouts to be thrown to align them into the yard on the appropriate track.
Video showing their arrival at Nelson Yard.
Pool Train 33 has reached deep into RP&M territory and now finds itself at the junction of the two railroads.
RP&M Train 73 has held the junction in anticipation of 33's passage. I had earlier cleared 73 into Rat Portage, but after learning of the progression and location of Pool Train 33 along the remote and distant RP&M rails, I chose to hold 73 here at the junction for the meet instead.
Junction video.
Train 73 can now make headways across the joint tracks.
73 may have work at Lyon Supply where we see a trio of cars spotted.
Dilip is happy to learn that he will have Rat Portage all to himself on this journey!
Continued video work through the junction.
Ore heads west at Lilly.
The train spans the canyon on its approach to Nelson Yard. Depending if Nelson is busy, there would be room for the ore train in Glen Hammond.
Ore video crossing the gap.
CN meets CP.
311 has just arrived Peter's Pond and they take the Cedar Rock siding. Following the meet, and following the imminent arrival of the ore train, 314 (on the far siding) will then depart east to Nelson Yard.
Because their train is slightly longer than the siding, some "dance moves" will have to take place for the two trains to remain clear as the ore train will proceed through at any moment.
Video of the action down in Peter's Pond.
Mark and John have reached Bell aboard 311.
Train 323 shares the neighbourhood with them.
We spot an unidentified train working downgrade having navigated the sweeping curve out from Lilly. Next stop for the crew...Spruce.
Aha...we can now identify the train as 324 with Seanna driving the Canadian National Geep on her third trick of the morning!
Judging by the orientation of the CP diesel, this must be Train 322 working Cedar Rock with John and Mark on their third and final assignment of the morning.
A quick glance at the three tracks in St. Helens.
Marcel & Steve prepare the lunch for the lads and lasses.
Yum yum!
All is well in the world!
Yet another of Bill's fabulous Narrow Gauge T-shirts on his narrow gauge body! Heh heh!
Seanna's T-shirt showcases the classic Chessie System Cat.
Two happy couples.
Indeed laughter abounds whenever we gather at Fred's.
A look at the Brewer's Barrels facility with a few more cars that arrived from Lawrence's collection.
We've already seen this great image of Robin's smile!
But we hadn't really seen his cap!
Ditto for the Bernie man!
We've seen this great cap before!
How about Marcel.
Love the half CN half CP caboose Marcel!
And...we can't forget Father Fred!
Check out his CN cap...simplicity at its best.
Hey Halifax hosted the Canada Sail Grand Prix recently. The founder of the team, Fred Pye was in Lisa's and my close circle of high school and CEGEP friends when I first started dating Lisa.
Fred founded the team in 2022, but I believe he sold the team in 2023. Indeed, these are gorgeous looking vessels!
Well, that's all for now. Gotta get my Fender Strat out to prepare some tunes for my next gig!
Before that, I'll be spending time this Saturday morning at our next "train gig" weather permitting that is!
On behalf of Father Fred, I wish to thank you for checking in on the latest session of the OVGRS.
Look out for another blog entry at some point highlighting the happenings of the WDWD crew from this past Wednesday when a ton of rail maintenance was conducted by Bernie, Pat, Chris & Fred!
All the best, the OVGRS of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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