Work Session - Spring 2018

Work Session - Spring 2018

On Wednesdays a small group of OVGRS members gather for maintenance purposes.

This includes making changes to the track plan when deemed necessary.

This past week we gathered near the junction area.

Before we can begin train ops for the 2018 season, a number of maintenance duties must be undertaken along the IPP&W.

The largest area of concern for the work crew is the area around the diamond at Bellamy Crossing.  Due to the complex trackwork in the vicinity of the crossing, a level roadbed is a must.

Offering potential headaches is the approaching grade from Mercer Siding up to the crossing.  Care must be taken in order to eliminate any vertical kinks in the roadbed as the crew must marry the grade to the level area at the crossing.

Track foreman, Fred, offers a few sage suggestions to the work crew...who are an able bunch in and of themselves.

As the old mantra goes..."Measure twice, cut once"...in this situation..."Discuss a great deal, then deliver".

Henk observes Garry as he says his prayers.

Then Henk joins in with a kneel on the pews.

Two creative minds will arrange for the cut to be made at "just the right spot" in order to best utilize the leftover piece of lumber!

Henk sent along a few shots of the demolition progress.

Yup, some new lumber will be necessary.

Thanks to the hard work of Garry, Lawrence, Fred, Henk, Pat, Steve and Seanna, the new trackage is taking shape.

Lots of things to align.

Some old rotted lumber.

Seanna works on the signalling as Fred conducts the trackwork.

Gene, Jeff and I occupied ourselves by placing the various structures "out and about" along the main line.

We also hammered down the town signs.

And leveled out the areas where structures would stand.

Dave (our talented garden railroad friend from Picton) came up to check in on the fun.
That's Dave seated on the left along with Lee in the middle and Jeff standing.

He proudly shared with us an article on his spectacular layout which appeared in a local magazine. 

Dave and little old me!

Congrats on the publication, Dave!

Our visitor, Jeff, from Virginia...up here working for the United States embassy.

Looking forward to seeing you out at some of our sessions, Jeff!

The ever-handsome, Lawrence...caught in a moment of rare relaxation from his toolbox.

One of the two houses which began life last year across the back fence...looking good.

We note that the fish survived the winter!

From the command table, we look across the railroad to Bell off in the distance.

Where we note two new turnouts have been laid.

Which will allow RP&M trains to approach Bell with minimal disruption to IPP&W operations.

The new turnouts come in off RP&M rails as noted by the bottom arrow. RP&M trains now are able to parallel the Stuart Yard ladder in Bell without having to use the IPP&W ladder to conduct their work.

Henk sent this image of the overall look of the new turnouts.

The two railroads can pretty much work independently of each other (while in close proximity to one another), a change which will help "smooth" out the operations at this very busy junction.  

Henk suggested that all industrial operations at Bell now be carried out by the IPP&W crews allowing the RP&M trains to simply arrive Bell Junction and swap interchange cars from the interchange track.  

Doug indicated how this change could be carried out in RailOps..."in the location file, mark each siding in Bell (except of course the Interchange) as IPP&W only.  Yes, the both railroads must be able to drill the interchange track due to the fact that it is...well...an interchange track!  Hehehe.

Doug so aptly noted when the conversation came up..."These changes would of course simplify the work of RP&M crews in Bell.  Presumably these RP&M trains will still carry a combine and need to make a station stop before turning the loco (and maybe the combine as well."  So there will be a short time period when the RP&M trains ply the IPP&W rails here to reach the station.

As Fred reminded the dispatch crew and RailOps folks...Henk is not in any way against allowing RP&M crews (Locomotives) assisting the IPP&W crews in switching, if asked.

I am so impressed with the strong sense of camaraderie I witness every time I operate with the folks of the IPP&W/RP&M and when discussions come up around improving the operations of the railroad as a whole.  Different ideas materialize and everyone hears everyone out in a respectful manner.  Indeed, an exemplary sense of teamwork abounds!

It was great coming out to lend a hand, Fred. 

 I must add that many others have already put in a great deal of time on the Wednesday mornings to help get the railroad and environs ready for this season's operations!  Until then!  

Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada