The dawn breaks...
Annie awakes...
She stretches out of bed...
Finds daylight...
And readies herself for her daily chores.
She's not alone.
For, across the vast IPP&W her brothers and sisters also find the "Rising Sun."
It's just another ordinary Saturday.
Where her kin will be the workhorses.
Delivering the goods across the road.
And working the yards.
With new friends.
Who have not been around for some time.
So...let the day begin.
If you thought you had just seen all of the cast of characters for the day, you are sorely mistaken...for Brian and I ensured lading from the eastern end of the line made it across the road aboard Train 301.
Remember, you can enlarge the images by clicking on them and you can return to the default look of the page by clicking outside them.
Remember, you can enlarge the images by clicking on them and you can return to the default look of the page by clicking outside them.
Chris and Malcolm followed similar orders, only in the reverse direction aboard 302.
Lela and Lawrence crewed 318, a train which began its day's work at the halfway point in Glen Hammond heading eastbound as its first task.
Their counterpart, Train 327, under the watchful eyes of Steve and Seanna headed westbound out of Glen Hammond as its first run of the day.
Garry took the helm of the Pool Train which would see him touch the rails of both railroad lines, the IPP&W and the RP&M.
As is his want, Bob manned the ore train.
Moe and Pat, wondering if it's a bird or a plane, crewed RP&M trains on the day starting with Rat 70.
Paul on the left...
...and Henk (standing)...crewed the other RP&M train beginning with Train 65, a turn up to Bell with 66 being its return journey back to the big yard.
Speaking of yards, here's Bernie! He works Douglas Yard in Craig Leigh and is in care of all sidings in and around the large eastern terminus of the line.
Here's Paul, doing the same in Ralph Yard at Firgrove, the western terminus of the railroad.
Finally...Mr. Bill Sn3 Scobie...managing all of the chores at the massive Nelson Yard near to the midpoint of the line.
It's wonderful having bit actors as well who come to visit. We always enjoy a visit from Phil who is being entertained by a great story from our skipper....Fred.
Two Dougs...or is it "Doug Squared?" The hirsute gentleman is a visitor who finds great joy in flying remote controlled aircraft and the "ball cap" Doug is our great dispatcher of the railroad.
My good buddy, Bill, a newly minted Ottawa citizen, enjoys the action at the junction of Nelson Yard and Glen Hammond.
The sun continues on its upward arched trajectory as passengers find their seats aboard the line's passenger service in Firgrove.
They are westbound out of Bell and are presently through Watkins Siding.
A station stop at Peter's Pond.
Later, battling the hill between Blockhouse and Spruce.
Much later, the passenger train departs Glen Hammond.
Into Bellamy.
We didn't snag any pics from RP&M rails but rest assured Garry plied both lines.
The ore train is eastbound at Watkins Siding.
Onward to Peter's Pond.
Switching out Fallen Tree Mine outside of Nelson Yard.
That locomotive is a beauty, Bob!
A gorgeous scene.
The ore train in the big yard.
At Ironwood.
Bob has run around his train.
He will be switching out Ironwood Brick to the east of town in short order.
Henk crews with Paul (out of the picture)
on this day while Bill checks over his yard instructions.
Handling Nelson Yard is a big assignment, but Bill has things in order.
Henk checks in on Bill.
Paul (in the shades and white brimmed hat in the background) along with Henk have brought their RP&M train up to the interchange in Bell. They meet 327 in Stuart Yard. Moe and Pat (both in red) man the other RP&M train in Glen Hammond to the right.
Paul`s beautiful locomotive.
Paul and Henk arrive safely back in Nelson Yard.
All RP&M crews are now in the yard.
Bill ensures all trains are made up and broken down as per instructions.
As always, a crowd of railfans can be seen around Nelson Yard.
And...at Glen Hammond.
The appearance of the big yard seems to change by the minute.
Steve and Seanna are working the Cedar Rock branch aboard 327.
Their locomotive.
Down in Peter`s Pond.
Later in Bell.
Off in the distance rounding the big curve up to their destination of Firgrove while Brian departs Nelson Yard in care of Train 311.
We spot 318 rounding the curve eastbound into Spruce.
With Lawrence and Lela as crew...now in Ironwood. That`s Bill walking towards the camera.
301 has graciously given 318 the siding in Ironwood.
Lela and Lawrence work the trailing sidings in Mount St. Helens.
Chris has arrived Peter`s Pond.
With crew mate Malcolm aboard their train, 302.
My train, now numbered 311, has been waiting in the hole at Mercer Siding. Malcolm prepares to video the meet between our two trains.
318 makes it`s appearance.
For the meet with 311.
It`s always `right hand running`through Mercer.
Much later I find Chris with his train, 312, at Mount St. Helens.
Malcolm is engineer on the run.
My crew mate on the morning is Brian.
With his beautiful locomotive.
Bernie, the Craig Leigh yardmaster has our train made up and 301 is ready to take on its morning`s chores.
Running around our train to service the facing sidings at Mount St. Helens.
Departing the mount.
Along the scenic ledge between St. Helens and Ironwood.
Our previously witnessed meet with 318.
We have taken the siding in Spruce as we await the arrival of the passenger train with Garry at the helm.
Garry and my affable crew mate, Brian.
With the meet complete, it`s onward toward Nelson Yard for 301.
Railfan shot of 301.
Arriving Nelson Yard. We will change trains and become 311.
The previously viewed meet of our new Train, 311, with 302 at Mercer. Malcolm is shooting video of the meet.
We arrive Peter`s Pond.
Brian brings our lading up the grade along the Cedar Rock branch.
Servicing the two new trailing sidings.
These two sidings add immensely to the switching challenges at the end of the branchline.
With our work complete at Cedar Rock, Brian and I depart Peter`s Pond with Bell being our next destination en route.
We take Track 3 at Bell.
Where we meet Steve and Seanna working 304.
Both crews assist each other with their `facing`moves expediting both trains. Here is where the joy of train ops really is evident.
Brian navigates the busy Stuart Yard while guiding his locomotive down the main line. Brian, it was a pleasure operating with you!
311 climbs the grade at the location I have dubbed `The Ledges.`
A `going away`shot of our train.
At Firgrove, Brian and I exchange locomotives for the third leg of our run.
My little orphan Annie had been residing quietly in the engine house awaiting her assignment. But alas, my camera battery ran out. Suffice it to say, Brian and I enjoyed the third leg of the journey as much as we did the first two!
Let`s check in on our yard masters.
We spot Bernie cleaning up after having assembled our train for us at Douglas Yard.
Bernie controls all activities in and around the eastern end of the railroad.
We catch him making a short run down to Mount St. Helens.
With a consist of two tank cars.
He`s on his return journey back to Douglas Yard in Craig Leigh.
Meanwhile, over in Firgrove...
...the passenger train and the ore train are readied.
Paul handles the chores here at the western sector of the line.
A picture of Ralph Yard.
A busy location.
At the midpoint of the line we check in on Nelson Yard.
Bill (to the right) instructs his RP&M crews as to the make-up of the yard.
Trains come and go, are broken down and made up in a non-stop manner throughout the session.
Bill, Henk and Pat are enjoying the activities.
While Doug (our visitor to the right) looks on.
Pre-ops, Dispatcher Doug holds court...
...with Chris...
...myself, Moe and Doug.
Doug and Chris get a laugh from Doug.
Love the shade provider, Bill!
My friend, another Bill.
Doug is all a smile! Why wouldn`t he be...he`s around trains!
Some freight cars hanging out in Rat Portage.
And...at Mount St. Helens.
Post-ops we gather round the table. My lovely wife, Lisa, has arrived and is enjoying the socializing.
Skipper BIll waves `Hello!`
Lots of food and drink is consumed.
Skipper Bill says `Hello` again!
Peter`s Pond.
As my title to this posting references, this weekend is Canada Day Weekend with July 1st falling on the Sunday.
Lisa and I ventured downtown in oppressive heat to enjoy lunch in Major`s Hill Park with friends.
Walking over to the park I found this late 1940`s gem on the grounds of City Hall near the Memorial for Fire Fighters.
Walking by the canal, many expensive vessels are docked near the downtown area.
The old train station.
Chateau Laurier, our CN railroad hotel from the time when trains actually paralleled the canal on their way downtown.
The final series of locks that allow boats to venture from the Rideau Canal into the Ottawa River.
The bridge in the background used to carry the trains travelling westward from Ottawa.
Two faithful servants of the crown performing their duties.
Aha! I get to railfan a train in the downtown area of Ottawa!
The Snowbirds make a noon hour appearance over Parliament Hill flying in a westward direction.
And with that little Canada Day detour, we must say thanks again to Fred for a glorious Saturday morning experience in the garden on the day before we celebrate our nation`s birthday!
Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
No comments:
Post a Comment