Pat's Pics & Videos From Session #4

Pat's Pics and Videos From Session #4

Pat managed to send a handful of pictures and videos from our standard gauge session this week.

He tells us his cell phone then filled up...but we are always happy to receive any other folks' perspective from each session no matter the number of entries.

Pat had to leave the session early to attend a wedding...as it is most definitely that time of the year!

Pat shared the running of the passenger service with John on this day.

In the above image Pat has just arrived Ironwood for a station stop aboard Passenger 2.

Earlier in the AM hours, Pat managed to snap this image of Dilip and our 'other' Pat (Yes, we have Pat 1 and Pat 2 in our fleet of operators) working the team track at Bellamy.

We find Passenger 2, having departed Bell with Wellington Lake just ahead of the locomotive.

Video view of Train 2 running along Watkins Siding.

Spruce station is one of the more scenic ones on the railway seeing passengers board trains and detrain from them at least six times a day.

Railfan Mike snaps a shot of the area on this cool looking morning.

In a rare sight, ore cars are found at the 'once abandoned' and now reopened mine owned by the Spruce Mining Company.

We view Pat's video effort in this lovely area of the land.

Having departed Glen Hammond and run past Nelson Yard, the crew is now on approach to Goodie's Gulch!

Caught in a web of iron (visually but not in reality).

Proceeding on to the big reverse curve at Lilly with the ore train spotted across the valley at Anderson.

Video views out from the Glen.

That's little ole me in the distance holding the fence up as I chat with Gerry (behind folded umbrella).

 I am guiding my train, 302, back along the interchange track to allow the ore train to escape Bell along Track 4.

There's plenty of ore in them 'thar cars!

Hey...there's my mug of tea by the station...I was looking all over for it!  😊

A picture tells a thousand words (but I'll only use a fraction of them for this caption) as we see me guiding my train back into the interchange track while Gerry gets the turnouts to guide the ore train which Phil (beside) me is driving...as Chris railfans the scene...and Doug stays warm behind the windows of the dispatch booth guiding trains across the entire landscape!

(That was only 67 words!)

But...with the (That was only 67 words!) statement we now are at 72 words!)

But what about that last sentence Mike...that makes 87 words!

Stop it Mike...Stop it!!!  😎😘😐😆😅

Let's just watch Pat's video of the scene instead!

Two unit trains pull into their respective yards.

That's Passenger 2 arriving the Glen in the foreground while the ore train arrives Bell on Track 4 in back.

Pat's namesake 'Pat' is working RP&M Train 61 in Glen Hammond while all of this activity takes place around him.

That's Dilip in the tan fleece who is Pat's crewmate on the RP&M run.

Here is Video capturing the activity in the Glen and over at Bell.

Mr. Brennan drives his train over the Brennan Bridge while Henk studies his homework for his big test.

Pat passes the Blockhouse while Henk keeps his nose to the grindstone with his binder in hand.

Fellow Nelson Yardmaster, Robin, reassures Henk that he will pass the test.

And what actually is the subject matter for the test?

Well...it's dealing with "How to deal with all of those train operators vying for space upon arrival to the outskirts of Henk's big yard!"  🙈🙉🙊

Pat's train passes over his Brennan Bridge in this fine video effort.

Train 2  is now underway out from Ironwood.

The headend has reached 'The Plateau' and will soon arrive St. Helens.

Train 2 video in Ironwood.

Thanks for sharing all of these videos and pics with us Pat!

I will add a few more pics and vids to the entry!  😎

Let's check out some other areas of the railway.

This image was taken in the town of Stuart which houses a number of industries.

Here is another look at the interchange track at Bell.

I snapped a different angle than Pat of Henk studying his notes.

John brought out his Mikado to run along the passenger service as a special museum excursion!

Yet another glance at our 'pre-ops' meeting in the outdoor lounge.

Judging by the jacket attire and shorts, this is certainly not a 'black tie' event! 😎

Bernie is in charge of 303 on this day.

Our train, 302, has just arrived and taken the Cedar Rock siding closest to the lawn.

Bernie is spotted running westbound to Wellington Lake, Bell and finally, Firgrove.

Train 303's exit out from Peter's Pond as captured on video.

Chris & I manage to quickly run around our consist before the arrival of the westbound passenger train.

And...here she comes!!!

Passenger 1 enters Peter's Pond where the crew meets Train 302 as spotted on video.

Slowing down for her station stop!

The passengers get some interesting views of tall legged people in running shoes!

Peter's Pond arrival video!

Much later in the session, John runs eastbound Passenger 4 through the same town only in the opposing direction.

Let's view some Passenger 4 video reels.

Chris & I are on the final leg of our three runs; Train 321 from Craig Leigh to Glen Hammond.

Chris's CN unit runs 'long hood forward'.

There's my crewmate Chris working Spruce while Karen & Claire chat it up in the far aisleway.

Video taken down in Spruce aboard 321.

Following the session it is time to socialize as we await the BBQ to fire up for burgers or sausages!

And for me...when I arrived home I was greeted by this friendly visitor.

For some reason, a couple of summers ago milkweed took seed in my front garden and I have chosen to leave it alone to aid the Monarch butterflies.

I see many of these delicate beauties throughout the summer as they come to pay me a visit!

Video proof of the continued existence of the Monarch butterfly.

And...on my way home from Fred's...Lisa & I spotted this 'form of wildlife' jogging along the sidewalk paralleling Pleasant Park Road here in Alta Vista!

Hey...in this video there are no complaints on my part as he and his ancestors were here long before we laid roads and built houses!

And, this handsome lad was here long before many of us as well!

I couldn't resist Freddie!

Thanks for hosting the gang in fun, friendship & food!

Also, thanks again Pat for the great shots and videos!

We are the OVGRS of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Session #4 Standard Gauge Ops As Seen By Chris & Mike

Session #4 Standard Gauge Operations

From the Lens of Chris & Mike

We "threaded the needle" today as a group.

By this I mean that we escaped any downpour of rain during our train operations.

The rain fell throughout the overnight and then thunderstorms were predicted for the afternoon hours here in Ottawa.

Alas...no rain fell during our operating session!

I ran first trick Train 302 with Chris at the top of the morning.

Chris managed to snap this artistic shot of a handsome lad off in the distance.

Now I wonder who that could be!

And...speaking of low angled shots, Chris managed to get down on the ground trackside in Nelson Yard to grab this shot of our second trick train, 312, as it got underway out from the big yard.

In keeping with the low angle viewpoint, we are now aboard our third trick train, number 321 holding in the siding at St. Helens for our meet with Passenger 4 seen in the distance riding atop "The Plateau" heading east.

Chris found me railfanning our own train down in Wellington Lake.

It was at this point my diesel locomotive ran into a 'service interruption' and we replaced the power on our train.

Here we see our train orders for 302, a train bound for Nelson Yard from Firgrove with stops in Bell, Wellington Lake and Cedar Rock.

At the end of the session Chris captured this true 'mug shot' of me - literally!

Thanks for sending along these great photos Chris!

Well...what a weekend this will be...with the summer solstice taking place on the Sunday. 💝

And...Father's Day happening on the Sunday (today)! 💕

And...we can't forget Claire's birthday Sunday (today).

Happy Birthday Claire...our summer solstice girl! 💗

And Mike's street hosting its annual Street Party on the  Saturday following the train running at Fred's!  👌

We find Steve, Seanna & Claire ready to run Trains 301/311/322 on this damp morning.

But our spirits were not dampened as we celebrated Claire's birthday which falls on June 21st...the summer solstice!

Happy Birthday once again Claire!

Happy Birthday video celebration!

Gerry, Pat & Phil ham it up pre-ops.

Warnings were out that due to the overnight rains any wooden surfaces would prove slippery...and they certainly were.

In fact, two lads did slip and fall even after the warnings were announced.

We will have to create 'non-skid' surfaces on all of our wooden areas where folks walk - those leading up into the storage shed and all the crossover walkways.

It seems with every passing summer the weather forecast calls for a "chance" of rain...so we cannot afford to take any chances with safety if it rained overnight but became sunny in the morning when we run the trains.

Paul has trays and trays of cars he must clear and place before the session can begin.

Phil assists George with his setouts at Firgrove.

They verify car numbers against their list.

Here is Phil's new diesel power, his Canadian Pacific Geep.

Yes, he's a Canadian 'through and through'!  👍👍

Phil will be running the ore train on this day with Gerry.

Video of Phil starting his run by pulling the ore loads from the ore track at Firgrove in order to run around the consist to head eastward.

He will also have the task of lifting four other ore cars in Ralph Yard and adding a caboose to his train before departure out from Firgrove.

Our train, 302, gains clearance ahead of the ore train and behind Passenger 2.

302 rolls out on video!

The crew aboard RP&M Train 'Rat 61' have departed Nelson Yard and have arrived Glen Hammond.

Train 61's arrival into the Glen as found in this video.

Moe re-rails a car that someone placed on the tracks quickly without checking if all wheels were truly 'on line'!

Chris & I continue with our work aboard 302.

We are taking the crossovers which will direct us back to Track 3 in Bell after setting out a car at Dutchman's Stores over by the fence line...out of the picture to the right.

Crossover video work.

The interchange track at Bell is rather lengthy but that does not deter Chris & me from pulling the entire string to reach the back three cars we must lift onto our train!

As I drive my locomotive I pass the dispatch cabin where Doug is hard at work at the dispatch board radioing one of the crews out on the line.

Dilip passes by the cabin door and offers up a smile before heading over to the western front of the property to handle his train now underway over to Rat Portage.

Later in the morning he will run another RP&M train that will reach Bell, located behind him in this image.

Video of our work which continues at Bell.

As we work the interchange track at Bell we wait for the ore train to pass from Track 4 before heading back to our train located on Track 3.

Unit trains offer fascinating glimpses into the workings of industries involving a single product.

Ore is on the move in this video effort.

Pat is running Passenger 2 on this day and he is found video taping the movement of his train along the Spruce Sub.

Chris & I have now changed power on our train as we navigate the Bell Sub.

We tunnel beneath Mount St. Helens as the crew aboard 301 works the yard there.

This image showcases the two subdivisions; the Spruce Sub up top and the Bell Sub down below.

Passing trains caught on video on two subs!

Let's check out some of the rolling stock specimens such as this SOO gondola found on a spur track at the Northland ore dock.

The ore has been loaded into the ore freighter vessel and these cars await delivery back to the mines.

You can spot that SOO 'gon' off in the distance.

How about this cool looking milk car up in Craig Leigh?  👍👍

Down in Peter's Pond we spot traffic at the cooperage...aka 'Brewer's Barrels'.

A Canadian Pacific multi-mark is spotted at Comber's Chairs while Golding Grains plays host to two boxcars down at the southern end of Rat Portage.

The yard down in Rat 'proper' seems hardly occupied at the moment!

Brunt's Brewery always has traffic as they brew the best beer in the country!

And our dear friend Ken is the reason for it all!  

We miss you Ken!  💘

Over in the town of Stuart I managed to find this great looking 40 footer!

Yet another great railway spotted in Canada!

Gerry & Phil have reached Ironwood eastbound with their long drag of empty hoppers.

They have just spotted a quartet of them at the mine here.

Let's take a closer view.

There's Phil with Gerry!

Across the valley from Ironwood, Pool Train 33 descends the grade out from Spruce.

On the upper level at Spruce proper we find the crew aboard 301 conducting their work there.

All the while the crew aboard 304 (Grant & Moe) conduct their efforts at the western end of Ironwood.

The entire operations 'dance' in the southwest corner of Fred's property is witnessed in this video.

RP&M Train 72 is departing Bell bound for Rat Portage.

The earlier trip up to Bell found the train numbered as RP&M 71.

Train 72 descends the grade and will soon tunnel beneath Firgrove.

RP&M video work.

We spot this lovely maroon & cream Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Geep.

This EMD GP7 is part of the small, distinct roster of locomotives that plied the rails for the TH&B.

And today we find this puppy plying the rails of the IPP&W!

Video of Bernie's lovely diesel locomotive.

Claire, Seanna & Steve are found working at Spruce.

They are drilling the far tracks at Bravo Lumber.

Their Algoma Central unit helps to beautify the landscape!

Video of 301 drilling the facing sidings at Spruce early in the AM hours.

In a most unusual scene, I am assisting the ore train with its set-outs at Spruce.

Ore at Spruce you wonder?

Since the mine at Fallentree is out of commission at the moment, the railway has reopened a smaller underutilized mine that once existed at Spruce.

It still has its share of ore deposits, but not on the scale of the facilities at the Fallentree Mine or Ironwood Brick.

This little change of plans offered the crew aboard the ore train a little bit more work along their route.

They are currently riding westbound where the mine track at this location is of the facing nature...thus our assistance aboard our train 312!

Rare ore video at Spruce!

We return their van to their train.

Video of the van retrieval.

Ore is on the move out from Spruce.

We continue with our switching in the town.

It's a long reach but Chris manages to uncouple the cars.

Video of our efforts at Spruce.

No, Chris is not cheating when he shoves the cars onto the locomotive.

I had already moved the locomotive up to the string of cars but they did not connect to the coupler successfully on the diesel as I changed direction...thus the assistance from Chris!  😁😎😁

Ore moves downhill at Clarke Grade.

Off in the distance at the fence line we spot Train 314 in care of the Bernie Man!

Final video segment in and around Spruce.

Henk gets paid a visit by these lovely ladies who drop off his Father's Day present.

That's Henk's oldest daughter, Manda, on the right and her partner, Chantelle in the middle.

It's the latest edition of Trains magazine!

There...that's better!

And...what a morning we all enjoyed!

Here we find Steve & Seanna's dear friend, Karen...helping Claire to celebrate her birthday!  💖😀😁😎😁😀💖

And thanks to my great partner in crime on both the WDWD sessions and running the trains on this fine day...

...Mr. Chris!

Then it was time for burgers...oh...they're almost all gone!!!

Now we know why!

Here is yet another craftsman structure I built for my dear friend, David Gardner.

The structure is from Steam Era Structures titled Opansky's Organ Works.

David was a renowned musician in the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra and the NAC orchestra.

He actually owned an organ just like the one spotted on the loading dock.

Now that David's layout must be taken down I was offered back the many structures I had built for him. but as mentioned in an earlier blog entry, I only chose three due to lack of room on my shelves.

When I arrived home from Fred's we began setting up for our annual Wingate Drive street party.

This image was captured on my boulevard in front of my home.

It's great to see lots of young families moving in on the street these days!

Once Lisa & I were the babies on the street...now we are the elders!  Yikes!

We have a pot luck table that seems to extend forever as well as BBQ'd burgers & dogs!

No Lilly not your kind of dog!

Although she'd grab a BBQ'd version if she could!  😄😘😄😛😏

Okay...

...not very nutritious...

...but hey, it's a party after all!

There was even a craft table where the children could make these cool looking lanterns using one of those fake candles you can buy in bunches at the Dollar Store.

How cool is that!

There was even a candy counting table where you had to guess the number of candies in each container.

Yum yum!

But alas...too sweet for me!

Alison offers up a smile as the scavenger hunt parade gets underway.

Scavenger hunt video.

I had to go on a 'scavenger hunt' to dig up this image of our very own party animal - Father Fred...or as he likes to call himself...Father Fweddie!

Thanks for hosting us in the backyard once again Fred!

And thanks to Chris for sending along the images found at the top of this entry.

We are the Ottawa Valley Garden Railway Society located in the beautiful capital city of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada