Pat's Pics & Videos From Session #3

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

Session #3 As Seen From Dilip's Point of View

Dilip's Pics & Vids From Session #3

Mike offers Dilip a great big "Thank You" for snapping some images and moving pictures from our third session of the season.

After all...as Dilip says to me, "Mike, because you are always behind the camera, we rarely see any pictures of you on the blog!"

So...here we go with some great looking shots from our dear friend, train ops organizer and fellow operator, Dilip. 

Mother Nature was finally on our side as we gathered in the crew lounge pre-ops.

 We had quite the crowd out on this day; 26 operators and three visitors!

The blue skies meant that we could be dressed in our summer attire of shorts and t-shirts

Video taken by Dilip on the western end of the property.

I was thrilled when Bill Scobie brought back the structure I built for Mark Christopher fully decaled!

That's Mark to the left in the image.

The structure was a rather easy build...but I was nervous adhering the larger decals so I asked our seasoned professional, Mr. Scobie to do the honours!

And...indeed, a fine looking job he did!

Bob has ore on the move out from Spruce toward Ironwood.

The ore cars will reach their destination at the Northland Ore Dock at Craig Leigh later in the AM hours.

Doug & Gerry are found down in the lower Peter's Pond neighbourhood aboard Train 311.

Fred holds court with Bob & Pat.

Dilip found me near Mercer Siding as Pete looks off in the distance.

Pete's train, 302, holds in Mercer Siding awaiting clearance across the junction and into Nelson Yard.

Dilip found me in the dispatch booth controlling all train movements over the two railway lines.

We were blessed with a visit from Joe Derraugh!

Great seeing you out, Joe!

There's Joe with his partner, Renata!

Welcome to you both!

Joe & Renata view the activity around the junction.

Al has the right idea...protecting his skin from the sun.

I'm off to the right railfanning a meet at the junction.

Photographer Dilip has captured photographer Mike!

Al & Chris are found down in Rat Portage aboard RP&M Train 71, the first half of the 71-72 "Turn" up to Bell.

More video work from Dilip - a short one this time!

Paul & Bob are found in the shade at Craig Leigh.

This is a great location on the railway to work seeing as the track is at waist level for ease of switching.

Dara has been having fun with this Mallet he recently purchased.

Of course, he will eventually add the side frames.

There's Dara now...a proud puppy!

More video from Dilip, this time in the eastern sector of the railway.

Dilip caught me railfanning an 'eastbound' at the pedestrian crossing!

My artsy shot of the oncoming train as it passes Blockhouse.

Pat's locomotive holds court over second trick Train 312, heading east to Spruce and locations beyond.

Entering Clarke Canyon.

The tail end clears the crossing as the crew tackles the grade up to their destination.

Here is a video I snagged of the train through the crossing.

Both towns of Spruce and Ironwood are 'alive' with train activity.

Henk & Bill control all activities in and around Nelson Yard!

A look to the east from the west!

The junction trackage at Anderson is in the foreground as we look across the property.

And yet another similar view

Gerry holds the siding at Watkins with IPP&W Train 322 as Passenger 3 arrives Wellington Lake later in the morning.

The passenger train is on the move as Steve is seen in Ironwood to the left.

Thanks so much Dilip for these wonderful images and videos!

Here are some close-up photos of the grain elevator I built for Mark and Bill decaled.

The kit is from Kanamodel Products located in Coquitlam, British Columbia.

Bill did a masterful job with the large decals...adhering them directly on top of the clapboard siding.

Mark wanted the town of 'Colonsay' printed on the grain elevator so Bill had to add each letter in the town name...one letter at a time!

Bill tells me that it was relatively easy to adhere the lettering as the horizontal clapboards offered up a straight line for him to follow.

My research tells me that these Western Canadian Grain Elevators are nicknamed "Prairie Skyscrapers"!

Bill is explaining to Mark & me the technique he used to apply the decals.

Mark is indeed a happy camper!

Now...I have a few more little jobs to do to finish the construction of the building such as adding trim beneath the roof lines and weathering the structure lightly.

Someone special is having a birthday this coming week!

Father Fred turns 85 on Monday, June 15th.

Happy Birthday Freddie!!! 😀😁😍😎😍😁😀

And we thank Stu Moxley for getting the cake for Fred. Yum Yum!!!

I'm in a hurry today as I ran trains in the morning and am going out to the Hard Rock Café this evening to check out The Beatles 'cover band'!

Look for more blog entries throughout the upcoming week!

We are the OVGRS of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada