Dilip's Videos From Session #13

Dilip's Video Work From Session #13

By all accounts Session #13 was a huge success.

The crew numbered in the twenties even with a few having to bow out at the last minute.

These pics are 'snipped' from their corresponding videos taken by Dilip.

Thanks for sending these along our way Dilip!

 Conductor Keith is about to radio dispatch for clearance through the junction.

He & Dilip have completed their switching at the team track in Bellamy.

Video of their efforts at Bellamy as they begin their journey westward.

Andrew graciously stepped up to cover the Craig Leigh Yardmaster's role on the day as all three members who typically run Craig Leigh were unavailable...a very rare occurence indeed!

Had he not done so, we would have had the crews aboard trains departing Craig Leigh stage their trains by hand in order to remain on schedule - something we typically do not want to have done.

But there have been some instances where the (0-5-0) switcher has been used in the past with absenteeism at this eastern terminal of the railway.

Had we simply asked the crews to stage their outgoing trains from Craig Leigh it would not have meant that they would have been deprived of work - seeing as Yardmaster Paul always has their trains staged and ready to depart anyway.

By asking the crews to make up their outgoing trains "with" their locomotives would have taken an enormous amount of time out of their schedule and the entire rail operations would have become unbalanced.

We still wanted the experiment with the Ironwood Switcher to continue for another week as we determine if it should be adopted or not...thus those two extra operators were initially kept in that role.

It will be a role that will only appear if we have sufficient numbers and from here on in we may place folks in Craig Leigh with Paul in order to have more operators familiar with the role.

Thanks again Andrew for stepping up to the plate to perform a role you may very well have been unfamiliar with!  👍👍

And to all of our operators...0-5-0 switching is considered a no-no out on the line and in the yards.

As Father Fred says..."Use Your Locomotives"!  😎😎👍👍😎😎

And...that's it for my soapbox speech on the subject of 0-5-0 switching!  🙈🙉🙊

In this video Andrew has reached St. Helens on the short hop down from Craig Leigh aboard Train 31.  

This is a 'turn' and he will soon be heading back up the short distance to Craig Leigh aboard Train 30.

Passenger two approaches the depot in Spruce.

Claire is safely tucked in on the siding Train #2 departs Spruce bound for Ironwood.

While over in Wellington Lake we have a slight 'service interruption' with loaded ore cars that have become uncoupled.

Fred will look at these cars on the RIP track inside his boardroom at some point in time.

Dilip's video of a great deal of action in and around Spruce.

Chris & Olivia have blocked Train 302 in preparation for their run up the Cedar Rock Branch.

The tail end of Train 303 is seen blocking their path up to the branch so the crew of that train will pull forward now to allow 302 access to the track they require.

303 now pulls forward with its headend near the depot.

Peter's Pond activities are captured on video.

Pat and his "IS" counterpart (Ironwood Switcher) make use of two locomotives to work Ironwood.

To the left we see Chris & Olivia aboard 302 working Cedar Rock.

To the right we see Bill running Passenger 1 through 'The Corners'.

Trains 301 and 304 are now in Ironwood.

We see the power on 301 and the van on 304.

Our other Pat has things under control as Claire (aboard 304) observes the movements of the Ironwood Switcher.

Garry is in the background to the left along the fence line.

The power for 304 sits alongside one of the two IS switchers.

Video of all of the action taking place in Ironwood!

Craig & Joanne work with Jeff on an RP&M run which has reached Rat Portage.

Video taken down in Rat Portage.

Train 303 is safely tucked in on Track 3 at Bell as Passenger 2 idles by at the station.

We have a colourful array of equipment in this particular scene.

Indeed, Gerry is all "revved up" in the Red of CN (ball cap) and our Ottawa Senators.

Keith is navigating Train 303 to the right.

To the left Fred is seated in the lee of the dispatch cabin and Henk is in the crew lounge way off in the distance.

We check out the video action at Bell.

This previously shown image portrays the ore train limping westward carrying its disabled cars...much like an ant does for a fallen comrade as it carries its friend on its back returning to the anthill.

And...this previously aired video is proof of the matter!

Second trick Train 314 is found up in Cedar Rock.

Keith is at the controls as Jonah and little one enjoy a seat in the shade.

If you wish to visit the expansive Watson Electric facility during the annual "Doors Open Cedar Rock" festivities...you may very well take a trip along the gorgeous Cedar Rock Branch Line!

Cedar Rock Branch video looks.

We are in Spruce where we spot some of the latest developments of the track work.

The two hopper cars are residing nearby a newly installed turnout at this location.

Chris throws the turnout.

Indeed, it is 'busy times' in both Spruce and Ironwood to the left...as well way off in Lilly in the distance!

Video proof of the action at Spruce.

Thanks so much, Dilip, for these great videos and for your pictures that appeared in an earlier blog posting!

Greatly appreciated!

Our good friend, Mark Shumelda, sent along these two railfanning images he snapped while visiting Winchester.

Here is Mark's email my way:

Hi Mike, I can’t sign up for this Saturday as we are moving our two eldest daughters to Queen’s, one to first-year residence and the oldest to her house with roommates. 😀 Like you away in Nova Scotia at the moment, every Saturday I always think about the group and am with you all in spirit, even if I can rarely come in person.

Here are a few photos I took recently in Winchester while there for an errand. I’ve driven past the Parrish & Heimbecker Grain Elevator many a time, as Winchester is the closest Ontario Drive Test centre to us and those of my kids who are old enough have all gotten their drivers license at Winchester. 😀 

Mark goes on to say:

But this is the first time I’ve seen grain cars there (presumably because it’s harvest time). And it was neat to see the little “shop switcher” move the grain cars around in units of two for pickup and drop off along the dedicated siding of the aptly named CP Winchester Sub. Perhaps you can add to your next blog post? This really reminded me of the famous (or infamous 😂 as the case may be) Ironwood Switcher. It was like a real life example! The switching layout of the grain terminal also provided me with inspiration of how to plan realistic industrial sidings for future layout projects.

Thanks so much Mark for the two images and the wonderfully detailed story.

Congrats to your children who are growing up and getting their car licenses and going off to university!  👍👍👌👌👍👍

As for me...I will be performing with Corinne this evening from 5:00 - 8:00 in this idyllic setting along the Ottawa River at the Westboro Beach Club.

And...along with this gorgeous image of the sun setting over the Aylmer, Quebec off in the distance to the left, we bid you farewell for this blog entry.

Once again, a great big note of thanks to both Dilip and to Mark for sending along 'copy' for the OVGRS blog!

Yes, we are proud to say that we are members of this illustrious group up here in our nation's capital!

New Crossing Now Installed in Craig Leigh

New Crossing Now Installed in Craig Leigh

Hi folks, Bernie sent me the following message last night.

I went over to Fred's to get my tool box that I left Wednesday. 

 I got the crossing track and switch to see what we were up against for our next WDWD. 

Just then, Fred arrived back from breakfast at Arnprior. 

He came over to take a look. 

I had nothing to do and the weather was nice, so we decided to give it ago. 

Fred was very happy to be involved. 

Test fit of crossing section of track and new switch.

Fred is seen removing the throw from the existing turnout.

He is starting with the removal of the nails from the ties.

We brought the cart over to cut the track.

We see Fred filing a saw cut he has already made.

Fred is using a hammer to persuade a stubborn rail joiner to move.

Nailing down the new track.

Fred is now installing the new ties where he & Bernie had to remove some to get the rail joiners in place.

The test train is on the main.

This is a view of the finished product from the north.

And...we have a view from the south.

Bernie tells us that everything worked out very well.

We have ourselves a very happy Father Fred!

Here is a photograph from a newly minted photographer (Father Fred) who has snapped this fine looking image of a fine looking man...Bernie of the Good Man clan!

Bernie tells me that he is hiding blood from various cuts...as blood thinners like to escape through little nicks!!!

Hey...great work lads!

You have saved the WDWD crew a tough assignment.

Kudos to you both for taking on this task that we thought may have had to wait until the 'off season'!

Bravo!

Bernie & Fred are "Fixer Up Friday Crew" of the OVGRS up here in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Workday Wednesday Happenings

Workday Wednesday Happenings

This morning a half dozen folks descended on Fred's backyard.

I arrived at 6:45 as I had to drop my daughter off at the high school where she teaches which is located slightly north of Fred's place.

Along with general clean-up, some other track issues were dealt with.

It isn't even 7:00 AM and Father Fred already has the coffee brewing and tea steeping!

This is what I encountered when I headed outdoors and over to Craig Leigh...pine cones by the gazillions!

And...here was the situation atop the rails in Douglas Yard.

Father Fred made it outdoors on this damp morning.

He shared with me the notion that the lads discussed last week of using this crossover here along the north leg of the wye at Craig Leigh to allow the ore train to make use of the freight arrival 'main' rather than the departure 'main' in order to back its long consist onto the Northland Ore Dock.

Later on Bernie and I checked it out with a turnout.

By having the ore train make use of the further track it allows the yardmaster here to continue to make up trains on the near track.

Doug arrived rather early as well.

He brought Fred this lantern as a gift.

Doug tells me that it displays the initials of the Canada Atlantic Railway circa 1905.

He was not certain as to its authenticity.

Fred certainly has quite the collection of lanterns in various sizes, shapes and colours.

Another one found indoors.

And...another one.

Along with a couple more in a more modern appearance.

Still one more!

How about a handful of them!!!  😀😁😃😄😉

Bill & Doug got down to business creating two more 'cable throws' to allow folks on this side of Glen Hammond to handle the switches on the other side of the dispatch cabin which lead into the station trackage.

Great work fellas!

The addition of these new choke cables will help greatly with operations in and around Glen Hammond.

Don't mess around with a man carrying a ...???  😎😜😎

Doug, Bernie & Bill...the Kingston Trio!

Err...make that the OVGRS trio!

Doug gets down to the business of screwing the attachment for the throws into the fascia board.

A closer view.

Pat gave the lawn a good haircut.

Chris assisted in myriad maintenance duties handling items for Fred when they needed transport from the crew lounge table.

Chris often assists Fred on non-OVGRS days when needed which is greatly appreciated.

Mark gives a wave "hello"!

Say Mark...ya got the wrong scale there in yer arms!  😍

Mark played the role of the "tin man" lubricating all of the choke cables.

We do take time out from the hard work to engage in the odd chat or two!

Here's a cool T-shirt...

...and here's a cool cucumber!

IPMS stands for the "International Plastic Modellers' Society of Canada".

As for me, I offered to run the ore cars around the railway seeing as the crew running the ore train during last week's session encountered so much trouble with them.

I'm on the role taking the southern leg of the wye at Craig Leigh as I depart town.

Underway video!

The wheels are tracking nicely through the straight trackage.

Video of the tracking of the wheels between St. Helens & Ironwood.

A slight 'dip' in the track coupled with a slight variation in coupler height between the locomotive and the first ore car resulted in the train separating at this location.

It is for these reasons we 'test out' the trains on the WDWD when there is a need.

Separation video.

Fred has determined that the empty ore cars require weights to be placed inside their basin to assist in the tracking.

Metal wheels are required for each ore car that runs on the plastic wheels, but at twenty dollars a pop, Fred is reluctant to spend the money...something that we can discuss as a group in the near future.

Successful navigation video but with some wobbling through the frog of the turnout.

In this video you will note that three of the cars in the consist wobble slightly through the turnout leading into Spruce from Ironwood.

This could mean that the wheels sets are ever-so-slightly out of gauge.

All is well in this video footage.

Video of the train entering Nelson Yard.

The headend passes the engine house at Nelson Yard.

Exit video from Nelson Yard.

Heading onto RP&M rails we spot the train passing the depot down in Rat Portage.

The cars track very well through the two turnouts experienced in this video effort.

We're "back out front" in this video.

Passing by the station stop at Pratt's Bottom via video.

Snaking through Stuart with no problems at all.

Indeed...no problems at all in this video.

Following a 'skirmish' beneath St. Helens due to a single pebble between the tracks it was time to pack it in for the morning...as we see the homecoming on this video.

Bernie had blown the debris off the top of St. Helens and this may very well have disturbed a pebble down below.

This is no fault of Bernie's as we have to clear the debris up top and below underneath St. Helens...which had been done before.

Here I am many moons ago playing my beloved Fender Stratocaster...which I will be playing tomorrow night at Westboro Beach Club and Tuesday night at OVAR when my band plays for OVAR's 65th Anniversary.

For the OVAR evening, I have created a Power Point presentation to be shown as the band plays train related songs!

I hope to see many of you there!

And...as always...thanks to Father Fred for allowing us to come over on Wednesdays to work on the railroad.

Lots was accomplished on this day with still so much left to do.

That's the way it is for we railroaders!

We are the WDWD crew of the OVGRS based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Hey...let's check out the origin of a few words!

Ottawa: comes from the Algonquin word "adawe" which means 'to trade' as the settlement of Bytown (early Ottawa) was located along the trading route of the Ottawa River.

Ontario: comes from the Iroquois word "kanadario" which means 'great lake', 'beautiful lake' and also 'sparkling water'.

Canada: comes from the Iroquois word 'kanata' which means "village" or "settlement"

Hey...a great big note of gratitude to the people of Rochester, New York whose city council still wishes to call Lake Ontario by its original 'native' name of Lake Ontario...just as it has been called even before both our countries existed!  👍👍👌👌👍👍

Also a great note of appreciation for our American railway friends who continue to let us know how much they love and appreciate Canada for the sovereign nation it is as they continue to hold us in great esteem!