A Look at Session #3 From the Viewpoint of Pat Brennan
Hi folks! Pat sent along this next batch of pics and vids from our most recent session.
We had nearly 30 folks in attendance on a fine Saturday morning in June.
It was exciting for Pat & Phil to be able to run their newly purchased Pontiac & Pacific steam locomotives.
We are at the engine house location in Craig Leigh looking down the parallel trackage of the Northland Ore Dock which angles off to the right.
Engines of all varieties and in all states of repair and development hang out in this neighbourhood including Dara's Mallet with red trimmings.
Train 302 takes to the junction on its final approach into Nelson Yard.
We spot an eastbound passenger run hugging the fence after holding its station stop in St. Helens.
The crew has their green and now takes on the task of climbing the steep grade up into Craig Leigh.
Judging by the juxtaposition of Pat Brewer's locomotive and its location in St. Helens I am able to discern this train as being the third trick run for this crew; Train 321 heading back west to its eventual destination of Glen Hammond.
This would mean that the passenger train it had just met here in St. Helens would have to be the eastbound Passenger 4.
The time would be later in the morning of course...near to the end of the session.
Pat's fine video work here in St. Helens.
Earlier Pat found Bill & Henk holding court in Nelson Yard.
Can you tell which one is the Jester? 👀😎👀
I am the roving dispatcher/company photographer on this day and I find Al in his cool summer hat working RP&M train 71/72, the Nelson Yard/Bell Turn.
Pete is found at the eastern sector of Bell switching out the interchange track aboard first trick Train 302.
The later second trick Train 312 departs Ironwood for St. Helens.
Pat's crewmate is none other than...you guessed it...Pat!
Ironwood departure video from Pat.
Judging by who is crewing this train and the direction and location of the crew traveling aboard, this must be westbound second trick Train 313.
Indeed, Malcolm & Mark make up the crew as Bill prepares for their entry into the big yard any moment now.
Doug is seated in the shade watching Seanna & Robin discuss their next moves out from the big yard.
Video captured on the 'Long Reach' where no sidings exist for the entire distance between Spruce and Nelson Yard.
John's beautiful locomotive #419 is in care of the 'Pool Train' on this day which Phil & Pat have now dubbed the "Jacuzzi Train'! 👍👍
And...here is Phil in the red t-shirt alongside me snapping further images and videos of the proceedings.
Video of Pool Train 33 on approach to Spruce.
Pete uncouples his set-outs here at Ironwood Brick.
Ironwood Brick video work by Pat.
The crew aboard IPP&W 313, M&M (Mark & Malcolm) are found in Spruce while Steve is far up the Cedar Rock Branch to the right.
Video showcasing the peninsula at Spruce in the shade.
Here we find Steve with Seanna & Robin along the Cedar Rock Branch.
Train 42 is the return leg of the Train 41/42 'hop' down from Craig Leigh to St. Helens and back.
Douglas Yardmaster Paul handles this run along with many other chores throughout any give session.
Short hop video finds.
Train 312 is found switching out the trailing sidings in Spruce.
More video adventures at Spruce.
We have a relief locomotive tailing the train that it will take command of in short order.
It seems to be a low cow catcher on the front of this locomotive.
Pat's explanation is heard in this video.
Moments earlier we spot Pete inspecting the front end of the locomotive.
Video of the inspection.
It would appear that the crew aboard 312 have four set-outs up the branch!
There's Pete!
Cedar Rock Branch climb video.
Passenger 3 has escaped Craig Leigh's gravitational pull and reaches out west toward St. Helens.
Train 3 meets Train 312 here in the Mount.
Video meet in the Mount!
312 has found its way home to Craig Leigh.
Craig Leigh video of the crew's approach into the eastern terminal area of the railway.
Indeed, it is later in the AM hours, where we find Pete hauling his second trick train, 312, into Douglas Yard at Craig Leigh.
312 is captured by crew mate Pat on video at the eastern end of the IPP&W line.
Here's Doug!
Fred, Chris & Al enjoy conversation in the shade the lounge offers.
Pat & Pete work the siding spurs in St. Helens.
Bob ran the ore train on this day, as per usual! 👍👍
Paul held down the Douglas Yardmaster duties on this fine morning.
And...on this fine evening I attended a "Fab Four" concert at the Hard Rock Café until a thunderstorm took the power out halfway through the performance.
I am surprised that the venue has no back-up generators that could kick in when something of this nature occurs...as other venues in the city do have generators.
Well, they had generators for the main casino areas where all of their money is made!
Go figure!
Copy and paste the link below into your computer's browser to check out this video from the concert.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LqX8ugZ-ehLRERQ8GtunXsUe1xAdYJtY/view
I was very proud of my daughter, Alison, who was the Master of Ceremonies for Governor General Mary Simon's farewell party at Rideau Hall last week.
Alison was presented with a special award for Leadership as she is the Manager of Visitors Services at Rideau Hall.
At times, Alison has flown with the GG and her husband, Whit Fraser, across the country on various excursions.
A large part of her job is to head up the guide program at this very special place of honour.
Guided tours are free and can be arranged with ease.
Here is Alison on the right with two other colleagues.
And...there she is (somewhere) with a few more colleagues!
It's a "Where's Waldo"...can you spot Alison? 😎😁😎
And, can you spot Pat in this picture? Heh heh!
Thanks so much Pat for sharing all of your photos and videos from Saturday's session with the group!
Greatly appreciated.
And...it's a great big "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" to Father Fred who turns 85 on this fine day, June 15th, 2026.
Fred tells us that he has made it a plan to live forever!
So-o-o...look for many more blog entries in the days, weeks, months & years to come!
We are the OVGRS of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
