We left off our first section with Train 311 finding solace along the passing siding at Watkins.
Lukash is my crewmate on the day.
We communicate with dispatch to learn we have time to block our train at Watkins before heading into Bell, which is occupied with a number of trains at the moment.
Looking back over the scenery with all the beauty which abounds trackside along the IPP&W.
Bill has created his seat of the future!
Pool Train 15 has found daylight out of "The Corners" and arrives early for its station stop at the summer tourist stop of Wellington Lake.
She'll have to hold awhile at the station so as not to depart ahead of schedule.
That Canadian National Alco is a thing of beauty!
Some might say that she's a handsome girl!
We hold the siding for the departure of Train 15 out of Wellington Lake.
We step off our train to inspect the passing consist.
Indeed, the appearance of this gold and green machine offers a harbinger of days ahead for the railroads of North America and beyond.
With the last car past, we climb aboard our train...
...and follow the Pool Train on a slow order into Bell.
We notice the congestion at this busy junction...
...but we pay it no heed as we can work Stuart Yard from out arrival location on Track 3.
Pat and Mark complete their work aboard 327 and have been cleared out of Bell where they will attack the ascending grade up to Firgrove in short order.
With Train 15 still conducting its station stop we have managed to sneak onto the Stuart Yard track to lift and set out a few cars.
In the distance you can barely make out Pool Train 15 as it is dwarfed in the shadows of the foliage along "The Ledges." Train 15 has reached RP&M rails and glides downgrade into Pratt's Bottom for a station stop. Andrew continues to work Nelson Yard.
Did we say..."Nelson Yard?"
Nelson...indeed! A refreshing place to work on the railroad!
Now back on IPP&W iron, the Pool Train takes the big curve into Glen Hammond.
Following a brief intermission, Steve is underway for Craig Leigh with station stops at Blockhouse, Spruce, Ironwood and Mount St. Helens before reaching the terminus at the eastern end of the line.
304 claws its way into Bell.
Moe seeks the same destination coming upgrade along the RP&M.
That's one lovely beast that still gives those new diesels a run for their money.
As does this giant hauling goods along the RP&M in Glen Hammond.
304 meets 311.
The engine men share a wave.
With the arrival of 304, 311 is cleared through to Firgrove.
Heading out onto the main.
Climbing out of town.
Saying hello to yet another crew from the other railroad.
A meet witnessed by railfans on a weekly basis.
The crew notches the throttle and spills the sand...
...to tackle the ruling grade at "The Ledges."
No problem for this diminutive brute.
With yet another triumph over gravity, 311 rolls into the arrival/departure area in Firgrove.
I follow my train along the predetermined routing George has set for me.
I glance over at my favourite industry down in Rat Portage.
The railroad has come through yet again with another load of lading delivered to the yard awaiting local distribution.
Train 311 is finished for the day but there is still work ahead for the train crew.
Indeed...their day is not done!
The locomotive must be turned...
...watered...
...and readied...
...for its next run.
Yard mistress, Manny, helps yard master George keep the trains a rolling with their very important duties at this western terminal of the line.
Their locomotive.
George routes our crew through the throat area at to allow us access to our new train.
Back in Glen Hammond, Paul works the yard before departing aboard Rat 71.
For this workhorse, steam is supreme!
Lukash awaits clearance before notching it out on Train 328.
Underway.
Brother...
...meet brother.
These engines still prove their weight in gold...
...for at least another day!
RP&M Train 67 works the facing siding at Brunt's Brewery.
A number of trains can work simultaneously at this busy junction location.
Andrew and Garry continue blocking traffic in Nelson Yard.
Doug takes a break momentarily...
...as Brian hauls their train into Spruce.
Len and Lawrence determine their moves in Ironwood.
We have our own Tranquillity Base.
Steve has successfully navigated both railroad lines with the Pool Train.
We find him in the terminal yard at Craig Leigh seeking clearance for Passenger 1 to depart for Mount St. Helens.
Paul makes up and breaks down trains in Douglas Yard.
Another glimpse into the future of railroading with this Canadian Pacific intruder. (Looks gorgeous, though!)
Douglas Yard.
Billboard reefers...
...offer a great big splash of colour to the railroad.
They come in a variety of background colours.
By this time of the morning, Paul must be assembling the final outgoing train from Craig
Leigh, Train 319.
Clearance has been granted and Steve is underway.
Paul hauls another billboard reefer from the yard.
Passenger 1...
...takes the curve...
...bypasses Douglas Yard...
...navigates Curve #2...
...and is onward ho past the green signal.
While Paul continues finding cars for 319.
He readies 319 near Northland.
Doug and Brian must wait in the crew lounge.
328 gains access into Bell.
We come in on Track 3 seeing as the RP&M crew still requires the services of Track 4 at the interchange.
Safely tucked in on Track 3.
Nap time!
Time for some shade!
All of the remaining moves for the RP&M train are facing ones, so we offer Moe a hand with his switching.
He is appreciative of our assistance as he proceeds out of Bell back along RP&M rails.
We catch a glimpse of 319 as it descends the long grade out of Spruce bound for Glen Hammond.
Len and Lawrence work 303 at Spruce.
Lukash and I are underway out of Bell bound for Peter's Pond. With any luck it will be clear sailing for the rest of our journey.
But such is not the case. The crew of 304 is working in the pond at the moment so we will be held way back at Watkins Siding.
The efficient crew has most of their work complete when Passenger 1 enters the Pond.
Passenger 1 idles at the station for a few minutes while passengers load and unload.
Our train will obviously have to hold at Watkins as Passenger 1 will be given priority westward.
Dispatcher Bill is pulling a "Hamer" as he steps away from his desk in the dispatch booth.
An at-a-glance view of the west end of the railroad.
Oh no! All three dispatchers in one shot! This has never been seen before!
Indeed, Doug, Bill and I have just as much fun dispatching the railroad as we do running as crew mates along the high iron of the IPP&W and RP&M lines.
Check in later on this week for a final instalment of photos and stories from this week's operations! Have a great holiday weekend everyone!
As always, thanks to Fred for letting us "invade" his property in his absence so we can still enjoy the great fun this layout has to offer!
All the best, Mike Hamer,Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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