You will recall how we finished off the previous posting as the crew reached their lunch break. These next few images finished off that posting. Here, (l to r) Ric, Barry, me and David enjoy some fun conversation as we seek the shade to enjoy our lunch.
The humidex reading is closing in on 43 degrees C which is 109.4 F. The heat doesn't seem to bother Ric.
Nor Ken!
Bernie and Bob find shelter beneath the canopy in the crew lounge.
John appreciates Moe's bravery in facing the heat of the BBQ in the heat of the weather.
Noelle is a smart lady. She's got it "made in the shade" with that cooler nearby!
Ken wishes to thank Henk for the great treat!
Bernie, Bill and Ken at lunch.
To see the action from the morning, check in at the link below.
We continue with our afternoon session. Paul checks his clipboard to become familiar with where he left off before lunch while Malcolm assembles the train he will take out shortly with John, RP&M 67.
Ken climbs aboard his steamer, ever ready for duty in Nelson Yard.
Malcolm's blue Conrail unit appears ready to take out RP&M 67.
John checks over his orders.
Back on the east end of the line, David railfans a train.
It's Passenger 1 slowing for a station stop in Ironwood.
David's cars are placed one, two following the locomotive.
These next ten images were sent my way by Mark. Chris and Lawrence look on as Mark pulls the ore train out of Ralph Yard in Firgrove much earlier in the day.
Earlier in the day, the ore train meets 327 at Mercer Siding.
Through the junction at Anderson.
Past Nelson Yard and tiptoeing onto the big trestle.
Much later passing the depot in Mount St. Helens.
The train has terminated in Craig Leigh at the Northland Ore Dock. Now it is on its return journey westward.
At another time with Mark's diesel locomotive, we find the ore train passing the gorgeous depot in Spruce.
The ore train meets 301 in Ironwood.
Later, again, heading the other way through the trestle.
Crossing the junction trackage.
The fireman...
...and his engineer. Thanks, Mark, for the great pics!
Steve and Doug begin their third leg of the day, Train 328 eastbound out of Firgrove.
We are now running in the heat of the afternoon sun.
Mark has the ore train climbing the grade out of Wellington Lake at Watkins Siding.
We meet up with Passenger 1 below my dispatch booth at the pedestrian crossing.
I cannot admire David's beautiful passenger cars enough!
Passenger 1 slows for a station stop at Blockhouse.
Bob is found in Ironwood aboard 312 heading eastbound.
Bernie is his conductor.
Mark hauls the ore train into Bell. His train will terminate in Firgrove to the west of Bell.
I take a glance below my dispatch booth window to find Passenger 1 in Glen Hammond.
Ken controls movements near the eastern throat of Nelson Yard.
Passenger 1 has been cleared out of Glen Hammond and slows for a station stop at Bellamy. To the left, we spot RP&M 67 approaching the junction.
The passenger train will be offered its green first.
Steve and Seanna follow their train, 303, through the trestle and on into Nelson Yard.
328 is on the roll following its meet with Passenger 1.
Passenger 1 is on into Bell.
Paul has lined up the turnouts for Steve to enter the big yard on the A/D track.
Bernie and Bob continue to work 312 in Ironwood.
328 running through Mercer Siding.
Passenger 1 climbing out of Bell at "The Ledges."
Lawrence and Mark keep a watchful eye as Chris aligns the string of turnouts to ensure the ore train reaches its destination in Firgrove.
Chris handled his duties as Yard Master in Firgrove with acumen on this day!
RP&M 67's power having crossed the junction climbing up to Rat Portage. The crew will stop any moment as they clear the turnout for Lyon Supply which is near the tail end of the train.
ela and Chris...the other Chris!
Spiffy!
Chris's great looking switch locomotive handles traffic in Ralph Yard.
Passenger 1 has followed the ore train up to Firgrove.
With the ore train tucked into bed, Passenger 1 slows for its station stop.
Two unit trains!
Lovely!
Our last glance at David's great looking passenger equipment.
RP&M 67 has worked the Lyon facility and will climb up to Rat Portage in short order.
We are witnessing some interesting car movements with 304 up in Cedar Rock.
Chris and David have realized that a couple of cars they are looking for in Cedar Rock were elsewhere in Peter's Pond. Thanks, lads, for rectifying things!
Steve in Peter's Pond.
Barry has his tablet out as Nelson Yard continues to evolve throughout the day.
304 has crossed the junction.
In a rare move, dispatch has brought 304 into Nelson Yard via Glen Hammond as an RP&M crew has occupied the main while switching out the industries at the western entry to Nelson Yard.
David and Chris await clearance into Nelson Yard.
I hold a chat with Chris.
Paul checks his car list while Ken looks on as Barry and Pat ready their RP&M train for its final run.
304 has backed into Nelson Yard.
A good looking couple enjoying a rest.
Steve and Doug have arrived Peter's Pond and are up in Cedar Rock.
Love the locomotive, Steve!
Moe says "Hello! to the gang.
313 meets 328 at Mercer.
Steve and Seanna will be ready to head into Peter's Pond.
328 continues on its way to Glen Hammond where it will terminate.
Seanna throttles out of Mercer.
Passenger 2 is eastbound at Bell.
Skipper Bill.
Downgrade at Watkins.
Looking good!
Barry and Pat continue their work to the west of Nelson Yard.
RP&M 67 arriving Bell.
Malcolm sets the turnouts to guide his train down to the interchange tracks.
Pat and Barry assembling their train.
RP&M winds its way down to Track 4 in Bell.
Hey Bill!
Friends!
Passenger 2 between Peter's Pond and Mercer.
Right hand running through Mercer.
Given its green.
Arriving the Glen.
Station stop in Glen Hammond. Photo taken through the front window of the dispatcher's hut.
Barry admires the passenger consist.
Through the big trestle.
Chris and David switching out Blockhouse.
Passenger 2 heading into Lilly.
Hi Steve!
Lawrence and Moe.
Doug.
Station stop in Blockhouse.
RP&M Train Rat 71 has just backed out of Nelson Yard and forwarded into Glen Hammond.
Bernie and Bob are now on their third leg of their journey this time aboard 319 westbound.
314 works Spruce.
Love that depot in Spruce.
A quick glance over to Mount St. Helens.
The B&B crew!
Passenger 2 ascends the grade to the west of Spruce.
A real "looker!"
Indeed.
Entering Spruce from the west.
Hi Mark.
Chris has ensured 314 is protected for the meet.
Station stop.
David, the happy railfan!
Too much fun we all say!
314 drills the team track while Passenger 2 has stopped at the station.
The front end of one train and the tail end of another.
Doug and Barry confer.
Bernie and Bob continue their efforts in Ironwood.
They hold a meet with Passenger 2.
Love those meets!
Low angle shot.
314 conducts its work in Spruce.
Working Ironwood Brick.
Still love that diesel!
Chris and David.
Their power.
Bernie doing his stretching exercises.
Steve climbs out of "The Corners" and passes Wellington Lake aboard 313.
319 in the siding at Ironwood awaiting clearance into Spruce.
The crew in Spruce offered up the siding for 319. 3219 has now departed Ironwood and 314 can arrive on the passing siding.
319 in Spruce.
Bernie checks his switch list.
Drilling the facing sidings.
A nice look at David's passenger cars.
Love the dome car.
Beautiful.
Elegant!
I'd ride in that car any day!
Around the engine house in Craig Leigh.
Steam and diesel alike.
With all meets "met", I close the dispatch booth and start my engine! I'll run her as an "extra". Ric lines me up out of Craig Leigh.
Train Extra 7316 departs Northland on the outskirts of Craig Leigh.
The dappled shade offers some nice shadows on my train.
I say good-bye to Ric and thank him for aligning my route and off I go!
Betwen Mount St.Helens and Ironwood.
One of my favourite locations along the line.
Low angle shot!
Betwen Mount St.Helens and Ironwood.
One of my favourite locations along the line.
Low angle shot!
Nearing Windmill in Ironwood.
I meet 314 here.
Two lovely diesel locomotives.
Rounding the big bend out from Ironwood, Train Extra 7316 meets 319 in Spruce.
Bob enjoys the meet.
Taking the main line through Spruce.
Malcolm railfans my train! What an honour that is!
Looking good, Malcolm!
Loving it!
Through Spruce.
There's Bernie and Malcolm!
They shout, "Hi!"
Malcolm continues to railfan Bernie's and Bob's train.
While I gracefully glide downhill to Blockhouse.
There's that handsome lad again.
I step out onto the trestle.
Then Bernie shouts, "Mike, bring your camera!"
There seemed to be a slight "service interruption" here. Hehehe!
We take a glance at some of the rolling stock. The Pool Train's consist in Craig Leigh.
Stock cars...
...in Mount St. Helens.
The icing platform in Craig Leigh.
The engine house in Firgrove.
Hoppers, open and covered, in Cedar Rock.
A box and a bulkhead flat in Rat Portage.
An RP&M coach in Firgrove.
Following train ops we socialize some more. Bob, Bernie and Pat enjoy a rest from the action.
As does Barry to the left.
David, Doug and Fred beneath the canopy.
Fred with John and Noelle.
The garden is lovely.
The pond still trickles.
With Bob's caboose...
...it's time to say "Farewell" from a great day of train ops!
We thank Father Fred for his generosity in hosting the group!
And...as Bernie waves so long...we look forward to our second day of train ops in Ottawa as part of the annual "Invasion of Friends!"
Thank you for checking in on the action from the afternoon of Day One!
All the best, Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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