Our annual "Invasion of Friends" reached Fred's place in Ottawa for train ops on Friday, July 19th and Saturday, July 20th. The image above was taken on Day Two.
It is the obligatory group photo which we hadn't taken for the last couple of years! Yikes!
Back Row (Left to Right)
Neil, Robin, Paul, Brian, Malcolm, Pat, Fred, Steve, Andrew, George, Lawrence, Barry, Doug, David, Gaetan, John
Front Row (Left to Right)
Nicole, Ric, Steve, Seanna, Ken, Bill, Bernie
I'm behind the lens but I will appear in a later group photo at the end.
Thanks go out to all of our regulars who assisted on Day One when we hadn't taken a group photo.
To enlarge the photo, simply click on it. To return to the default look of the page, simply click outside the photo.
Standard gauge operations were on order for Day One. David brought along his fabulous scratchbuilt BL2 which resides on the engine house track beside Steve's Ontario Northland unit and my D&H GP38.
The engineers are in the cabs and we are ready to rumble!
Remember that you can enlarge the images by clicking on them and you can return to the default look of the page by clicking outside the image.
I will be posting more pics of the invasion throughout the following days. My home computer is in for repair and I am working on my school laptop which is a much slower process, so check in every so often to catch up on the events of the invasion! I will be posting pics intermittently. All the best, Mike.
Here's David "delivering the baby!" (Big grin!)
David created the roof out of wood which he married to plastic sides.
The chassis is off a standard GP7 or 9, David tells us.
He did a phenomenal job sanding and rounding the rooftop.
The entire locomotive is remarkable.
This is what I love about our annual "Invasion of Friends". We get to see equipment we never would otherwise in our regular operating group.
Lovely work, David!
To see video footage from Day One of the Invasion of Friends which Malcolm took, click on the link below or copy and paste the link into your computer's browser.
https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21AAVIxaUCSAFQGBc&cid=4275D0234272929B&id=4275D0234272929B%2144125&parId=4275D0234272929B%2144124&o=OneUp
To see video footage from Day One of the Invasion of Friends which Malcolm took, click on the link below or copy and paste the link into your computer's browser.
https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21AAVIxaUCSAFQGBc&cid=4275D0234272929B&id=4275D0234272929B%2144125&parId=4275D0234272929B%2144124&o=OneUp
Steve, the owner of the Ontario Northland unit to the right, looks on while Ken and Barry hold a conversation in back. Steve custom painted his unit.
David and Ric enjoy a laugh or two.
Our regular dispatcher, Doug, visits with Ken and Barry. Barry hosted our visitors on the Wednesday at his home in Belleville, Ontario where he has a spectacular layout.
The lads enjoy some camaraderie before the session begins. We are at the engine house in Craig Leigh at the moment.
Ric holds court with Seanna and Steve.
I grab a picture of David grabbing a picture!
Ken manages to keep David in stitches without breaking a smile himself!
The bell has been rung and it is time to gather around the table.
Fred offers up our ever important safety speech pre-ops. That's Lela seated beside him and John, Paul and Lawrence in back.
Bob, Chris and Mark listen in attentively.
Malcolm is seated with Ric,David, Barry, Pat, Steve and Seanna in back.
Time for the fun to begin!
That's Glen Hammond to the left...
...and Nelson Yard to its right. Trains originating at these locations traverse to the eastern and western extremities of the railroad.
In the east at Craig Leigh, westbounds originate and eastbounds terminate. Ric is our Craig Leigh Yard Master on the day.
Ken and Bill kibitz in Craig Leigh.
Firgrove is the western terminus of the railroad. Eastbounds originate here and westbounds terminate, of course. Chris, in the center, will be the Firgrove Yard Master this day. Mark is preparing his locomotive for his eastbound run while Lawrence offers assistance as a volunteer for the morning.
Mark routes the turnout.
Chris's newly detailed, painted and weathered switch engine handles the chores in Firgrove.
Mark's new acquisition, his CP road switcher. He will be hauling the ore train today.
What's this? Two Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo locomotives in the same image! Brilliant!
The near unit is working Glen Hammond with the distant one works Nelson Yard.
Suddenly, the radio comes to life in my dispatch tower.
"Dispatcher, Train 302 in Firgrove requesting clearance into Bell."
"302, you are cleared to Bell. Come in on Track Four."
302 is now underway, the first train out on the high iron on this beautiful morning.
Downgrade between Firgrove and Bell at "The Ledges."
Bob is in the cab of 302.
302 arrives the outskirts of Bell and navigates the turnouts to reach Track 4.
That's one lovely locomotive, Bob!
Descending the ladder.
Arriving Track 4 which will give the crew access to the interchange tracks.
First move of the day is complete.
At Nelson Yard, Pat, Barry and Ken work the west throat.
While near the east throat we spot this beauty on the Glen Hammond bypass track.
Seanna is at the throttle as she and her crew mate, Hubby Steve, assemble Train 318 for departure.
With their switching complete in Glen Hammond, Steve radios in.
"Dispatch, this is 318. We have completed our work in Glen Hammond and request permission to head to Blockhouse."
"318, you are clear to Blockhouse."
318 arrives Blockhouse.
302 continues its work Bell.
Where they drill the interchange tracks. The radio crackles again.
"Dispatch...This is the ore train in Firgrove. I request clearance into Bell."
"Ore train, you are clear into Bell. Meet 302. They are working the interchange. The main is yours"
Notice 302 off in the distance as the ore train runs through Bell.
Mark's RS3 looks right at home in care of this unit train.
From my perch in the dispatch booth I manage to grab this shot of the train passing Watkins Siding.
Bound for Peter's Pond.
While the crew of 302 continue their work to the left at Bell, Lela and David are busy working the small yard in Glen Hammond. With their work complete, they radio dispatch.
"Dispatch...327 in Glen Hammond requesting clearance to Peter's Pond."
"327, you are clear to Peter's Pond. I'll give you your green. Radio me when you are clear of the junction."
327 is on the roll.
Meanwhile, Malcolm has his Conrail unit lifting traffic on the eastern outskirts of Nelson Yard.
These cars will be assembled into their respective trains in the big yard.
David and Lela are approaching the junction aboard 327 after passing their green signal.
Through the junction.
Lela has already radio-ed in..."Dispatch, 327 is clear of the junction."
"Roger that, 327."
Up in Firgrove, Chris will have some local switching to conduct before making up Train 304.
Pat and Barry continue to block cars for specific train at Nelson Yard. Later, they will take RP&M Train 65 up to Bell via RP&M trackage. In the distance, Paul talks with Malcolm and John who assemble cuts of cars at the western throat of the yard. Malcolm and John will later crew RP&M Train Rat 70 which heads into Rat Portage. Ken is in the purple shirt and he acts as Yard Master this day. (RP&M stands for Rat Portage and Mattawa.)
"Dispatch. This is 301 in Craig Leigh. We need clearance to Mount St. Helens."
"You are clear to Mount St. Helens, 301. Protect your train for a meet with Train 15, the Pool Train"
"Roger that, dispatch...301 will protect against 15 at Mount St. Helens."
We catch up with 301 in "The Mount". Their sidings here are all facing ones.
Steve (blue shirt) and Doug (tan shirt) crew 301 on this day.
The lad in crimson is Bill who is aboard Train 15.
"Dispatch, Pool train 15 is ready to leave Craig Leigh for Mount, St. Helens."
"Pool Train 15. You are clear in to the station at Mount St. Helens. You will meet 301 there."
"Train 15 cleared to Mount St. Helens for a meet with 301. Over."
"
301 had enough time to run around their train in order to drill the facing sidings. They are able to conduct some of their moves from the siding while protected from the mainline.
With a slight "service interruption" aboard Train 15, 301 was able to finish their work at Mount St. Helens and seek clearance to Ironwood.
301 is downgrade out of Mount St. Helens.
We catch up with 318 at Spruce.
I've instructed 301's crew to hold the siding for that meet with Pool Train 15 which was supposed to have taken place in Mount St. Helens...it is held in Ironwood instead.
Bill is joyous to have this gorgeous piece of equipment running his passenger consist.
301's power is tucked in safely on the siding.
Bernie continues to work Bell with Bob.
I've radio-ed the crew to inform them that Train 20 will be arriving shortly from Firgrove.
Train 20 has arrived Bell and uses the main momentarily to conduct its moves at the east house track. We spot them at Watkins Siding.
Nice looking train, Chris.
Two trains meet in Spruce. 327 works the west end of town as Train 15 approaches from the east.
327 clears the main for the meet.
Four locations are noted in this photograph. Ironwood is at my feet. Spruce is where the meet has just been held. Cedar Rock is across the aisle from Spruce and Mount St. Helens is in the distance in the shade.
Doug is enjoying himself aboard 301.
His crew mate, Steve, is having fun as well.
As is Bill, waiting at the pedestrian crossing with the Pool Train!
The Pool Train is gliding downgrade out of Spruce.
He hits the crossing at speed.
Train 20 and 302 in Bell.
From my perch in the dispatcher's hut, I notice crew calling me on their radio off in the distance. Pat and Barry are aboard RP&M 65. Pat has just called in to notify me that he is clear of the junction. "Roger that, RP&M 65."
Bob's Milwaukee Road beauty!
Since 301 is completed its work in Ironwood and is being held here until Spruce clears, dispatch has asked the crew aboard 301 to assist the ore train with its facing lifts.
The ore train on approach at the west end of Ironwood.
301 has already lifted the ore cars and is pulling ahead in the siding as the ore train slows on the station track.
301 has left the ore cars on the eastern end of the passing siding for an easy lift for Mark aboard the ore train.
It's collaborative efforts like the one we've just seen that make this railroad experience a great one.
Dispatch has held 302 on the siding at Watkins for a meet with 327.
At his juncture in the morning we are about 30 minutes out since the beginning of the session. Currently we have four IPP&W manifest freights on the line with the short hop down from Firgrove counting five. The ore train is running as is Pool Train 15, not to forget about the two RP&M crews. This totals nine trains on the road simultaneously. We have already held numerous meets along the line as well.
302 is cleared into Peter's Pond following the meet with 327.
301 is cleared into Spruce from Ironwood.
327 has run around its train at Watkins Siding to handle some work at the eastern end of Stuart Yard in Bell.
Looking good 327.
With 301 safely in Spruce, 318 is cleared into Ironwood.
Lovely power.
Ken and Paul have everything under control in Nelson Yard.
301's power.
Train 15 has made its way down to Peter's Pond.
Dig that power as well!
Gotta refuel the engine man!
Wow! Spectacular passenger cars never before seen on the IPP&W rest in the passenger terminal yard at Craig Leigh. Who custom created these!
David did!
Truly beautiful, David!
Ric has things running lickety-split at Craig Leigh.
Pool Train 15 gains clearance out of Peter's Pond bound for Wellington Lake.
Down in Rat Portage we find Rat 70 working the town.
John and Malcolm are aboard today.
Pat and Barry follow the progress of their RP&M train below Firgrove. They are running uphill to Pratt's Bottom and on into Bell from Rat Portage aboard RP&M 65.
RP&M 70 on the main in "Rat".
Chris continues to make up subsequent eastbound trains as he breaks down westbound arrivals.
327 on Track 4 in Bell.
RP&M 65 holds at the yard limits to Bell.
They await a clear entry to the interchange area.
327 is about to complete its moves here.
Train 15 has already made its station stop at Wellington Lake and is now upgrade into Bell where it will meet 327 and RP&M 65.
Doug walks over to Nelson Yard as he and Steve bring 301 in to its termination point on an arrival track Paul has set for them.
We catch up with 302 in Peter's Pond.
Noelle is smart. She's found a great place to hang out.
Lela and David continue their work in Stuart Yard at Bell while Train 15 switches out the west house track in the background.
Three trains at Bell of which two we see here. That's the Pool Train taking the IPP&W main for its lead to switch out the west house track. By doing so, RP&M Train 65 is offered an open gateway down to the interchange area.
Love the locomotive on Train 15.
15 against the "big blue sky" known as Brunt's Brewery.
Paul continues to oversee Nelson Yard...
...with sidekick Ken also offering sage advice.
Doug and Steve begin their second run of the morning as they pull 311 out of the yard bound for Peter's Pond. Given their green, they tackle the crossing at the junction.
Rounding the bend into Mercer Siding. They are cleared as far as Mercer as an opposing train is working the Cedar Rock Branch at Peter's Pond. While Train 311 typically has no work along the branch out of Peter's Pond...their train orders today indicate otherwise. If 311 only had drops and/or lifts in Peter's Pond with no work up the branch, they could have been cleared into "The Pond".
Bernie and John with 302...
...up in Cedar Rock.
Crews must plan their Cedar Rock moves in advance back in Peter's Pond as no runaround tracks exists anywhere along the branch.
Bernie checks off his moves.
311 waiting in the hole at Mercer Siding.
"No problem at all," says Steve. Indeed, time for a bit of R&R!
Chris, John and Bill hold court in the west.
Malcolm carries on with his work in Rat Portage with Train "Rat 70".
Working the back track that acts as a lead into Hamer Manufacturing.
Indeed, the Rat Portage and Mattawa is the "Scenic Line of the World" from our Ontario perspective! (Big grin!)
Videographer Malcolm hard at work.
Here it comes....here it comes...here comes your 19th nervous breakdown.
No sirree, Mick! No breakdowns on this railroad!
Ken and Paul ready cars for future trains.
While today was designated "standard gauge", we have fun and don't mind the appearance of a steam locomotive or two...or three...or more in the mix. After all, this is the invasion of friends. Anything goes on this day!
RP&M 65 drills the interchange tracks in the capable command of Barry and Pat.
Once they complete their time here, they will run back along RP&M trackage as RP&M 66.
Pool Train 15 arrives Glen Hammond having run along both railroad lines.
Coming into the Glen.
302 completes their work in the pond.
Taking the pedestrian crossing, they will meet 311 at Mercer and then head on into Nelson Yard where the train terminates. The crew will continue its journey east from Nelson Yard aboard Train 312.
318 in Mount St. Helens.
Husband and wife team, Steve and Seanna work the "trailing only" sidings here. This couple has just returned from a fabulous trip which saw them take a train ride in the Gobi Desert! Looking forward to hearing more tales from the trip, you two! (big smile)
After meeting 302 at Mercer, the long wait is over and 311 is underway into Peter's Pond.
302 is eastbound through Mercer.
The tail end of 311 is barely visible in the distance.
We catch David and Lela with 304 out of Firgrove at "The Ledges" with their second train run of the day.
Bernie and Bob navigate the crossing at the junction.
Ken and Paul will instruct them to come in on the arrival/departure track.
311 is safely in the pond.
They begin their work.
While over in Mount St. Helens we spot Mark railfanning his train.
His shay is selected to haul to ore train westbound. coming downgrade out of Craig Leigh.
Another lovely looking work of art, Mark!
Bob and Bernie have brought 302 in and will depart shortly on their second run of the day aboard 312.
Pat and Barry set out cars and lift others from the interchange track on the western fringes of Bell.
Malcolm and Paul have Rat 70 coming back to Nelson Yard. They have requested permission to foul the junction momentarily in order to conduct their work at Anderson.
With no trains on approach to the junction currently, permission is granted for Rat 70 to remain in the area of the junction in order to conduct switching. Malcolm is a pro and he knows to break his train in order to complete his moves.
The Nelson Yard crew takes the transfer van from 302...
...in order to place it on the rear...
...of its new train, Train 312.
Great job, Ken!
The ore train is through Mount St. Helens and has come into Ironwood along the main in order to work the Ironwood Brick facility, a trailing siding in this case.
Mark's got it under control.
Lawrence observes the action.
We catch the Pool Train in Spruce. Once through Ironwood and Mount St. Helens, Bill will terminate train 15 in Craig Leigh.
Into Ironwood.
Station approach.
Slowing down.
Bob is thrilled to be starting his second run of the morning.
He and Bernie bring 312 into Blockhouse.
Through Blockhouse.
The tail end.
Upgrade to Spruce.
Ken and Paul are on their own again in Nelson Yard.
But, things always heat up in short order.
312 in Spruce.
Doug and Steve with 311 up in Cedar Rock.
The ore train glides downgrade out of Spruce after meeting 312 there.
Love the look of those unit trains!
A close up.
Lela has retired to the shade and tranquillity of the crew lounge. Her husband, Chris, takes over aboard 304 crewing with David.
We find them on Track 3 in Bell.
While Chris continues making up and breaking down trains at Firgrove.
That's Barry and Pat in behind at Rat Portage with RP&M 66.
Malcolm and John are returning home with Rat 70. They are working the industries at Anderson.
While there RP&M counterparts work Rat Portage.
Barry at the throttle.
Lawrence enjoys the action as the ore train exits the trestle on approach to Nelson Yard.
Mark is the engineer here.
Moe and Doug also find respite from the sun in the lounge.
The route is lined...
...and the ore train arrives Nelson Yard.
304 work the west end of Bell.
Lawrence also finds shelter from the sun. The humidex reading is 43 degrees Celsius! Yikes! That would be 109.4 Fahrenheit! We manage!
Ken joins the cooling down crowd.
So does John along with Chris and Malcolm!
Steve and Doug sharing notes with 311at Peter's Pond.
Bernie and Bob at Spruce with 312.
B&B - Bernie and Bob!
Still loving the orange, Bob!
Drilling the team track.
The ore train in Nelson Yard.
Mark checks over his consist.
304 at work in Bell.
Chris has brought Train 20 down from Firgrove to Bell to drop off and pick up some traffic.
His traffic comes from the Pool Train.
Lovely looking "work of art" your engine is, Chris!
Chris works the west house track.
Blocking traffic in Nelson Yard.
With many an onlooker.
Mark's shay works the Fallentree Mine near the gut.
Verifying proper car consists.
A great team!
Looking good lads!
Hi Chris!
311 approaches Wellington Lake.
Past the depot.
Steve and Seanna at Ironwood.
312 rounds the curve to the west of Ironwood.
304 spotted at Watkins Siding.
311 meets 304 at Watkins.
311 westbound.
Meet complete, 304 departs eastward.
Steve and Seanna taking in the "heat" of the action.
It is hot indeed, but their locomotive is up to the task.
With engineer Seanna at the helm, all is well.
We spot David taking a big gulp in back...very necessary on this day.
My dispatch board illustrates the fact that it is a busy day out on the both railroads.
Busy on both the eastern front and the western front from the previous picture.
Moe fires up the BBQ.
The ore train feeling blessed in the shade.
Chris and David have 304 in Peter's Pond.
Chris continues to work Bell alongside Steve and Doug.
Two trains can work comfortably here at the same time.
John and Moe.
John is appreciative of cook Moe.
Looking good Moe!
Time to pass the food along.
Fred hands out the goodies.
All are appreciative.
All are enjoying being under the big canopy.
Camaraderie is shared.
Stories are told.
Good times.
Tasty Moe!
Some lads find shade elsewhere.
In the shade of Mount St. Helens.
Looking good lads! Barry, Doug, Bill and David.
Feeling good.
Skipper Ken.
Mr. Ric.
I jump in and join David.
Mark, Bill and Ken share a laugh.
As do Steve and Chris.
Henk sent over a huge treat for Ken which he shared with the group.
We missed you this invasion, Henk!
Hi Bernie.
David and I pose for a great shot of newfound friends from two nations.
A great day of railroading was enjoyed by all guests, hosts and volunteers.
We especially thank "Father Fred" in the red in back for his hospitality!
Check in later in the week for the second section of Day One's operations at Fred's when we ran standard gauge operations.
All the best, Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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