While we watch two brothers from the same railroad greet each other we think of all that we are thankful for on this lovely Thanksgiving weekend.
Of course, we are thankful for our families, our health and the great friendship we experience each week while running trains along the IPP&W and RP&M with wonderful folks who share the same passion for railroading.
On this day, we were once again thankful to the weather Gods for holding off with the showers until the very moment our session had ended.
Hey! Here's a newcomer to the railroad!
She looks real smart in that Ontario Northland yellow and blue scheme.
Mark tells us that he picked it up this past week. Thanks for bringing it out, Mark!
This young lad appreciates the train!
As is our weekly tradition, we spot Bill in his latest hood covering!
Love the hat Bill!
Henk's grandson, Mason helps place cars to their designated locations pre-ops.
I set up my dispatch board before the session begins. These four trains will start their journey in Craig Leigh.
These four will begin their work in Firgrove.
These six trains either begin in Glen Hammond or Nelson Yard. There are even more trains to follow!
The good old bread trays come out.
Coloured poker chips indicate the trains these cars will eventually find.
Lawrence sets out some traffic on the team track in Peter's Pond.
Bernie works Craig Leigh.
Bernie's TH&B beauty.
Douglas Yard...
...in Craig Leigh...
...acts as the eastern yard.
Bernie checks his yard list.
Fred and Bill in the lounge.
Henk oversees the yard at Nelson as Doug and Bill assist with car movements before they head out aboard Train 65-66.
Mason instructs Henk on appropriate behaviour for yard masters.
Two trains originate in Glen Hammond.
Here's Moe. He will crew RP&M trains on this day.
Here's Garry. He will take out 301 from Craig Leigh with Chris in a short while.
My CN road switcher will see action.
Palo with son Mikey. I love that name!
Henk with grandson, Mason.
Nelson Yard in the early hours of the day.
Neil instructs Mason with these sage words..."Mason...Henk thinks he is in full control of the yard, but we consider him the big cream puff!" Hehehe!
Henk responds..."We never listen to what Neil says!" Hehehe!
Pre-ops gathering.
We're a good looking bunch!
We're friendly.
We're knowledgeable too!
318's power out from Craig Leigh.
Cleared to Spruce with a stop at Blockhouse.
Travelling west momentarily along its eastbound route.
Mason works the Fallentree Mine spur.
Looking good Mason!
My unit works the east throat of Nelson Yard...
...under the careful guidance of Andrew.
318 drills the spur at Blockhouse...
...while the RP&M crews work above.
Looking good!
302 transits IPP&W rails with a stop in Bell.
Arriving Stuart Yard.
Taking the ladder.
Further work at the eastern end of the yard.
327's crew has duties to complete in Glen Hammond before gaining clearance to Bellamy and on into Peter's Pond. Looking good Steve and Seanna!
Moe and Andrew continue with their work in Nelson Yard.
Fred and Lawrence hold the fort in the crew lounge.
301 is made up and begins its westward roll through Northland.
318 is now out from Blockhouse...
...where they slowly gain elevation...
...on into Spruce.
301 enters Mount St. Helens...
...and comes to a stop along the siding track.
318 finds Spruce all to themselves.
Love that leased locomotive.
327 is cleared through the junction tracks.
Train 20 takes the hop down from Firgrove to Bell.
Lilly is splended in colour at this time of the year.
While these lads are colourful all year round!
Henk's NYCentral unit.
RP&M Train 65 is almost ready to roll out from Nelson Yard for Rat Portage and Bell...
...while its counterpart crew continues to work the western area of the yard.
Andrew and Lawrence.
Nelson Yard from above.
Paul and Paul with 302 working the west house track.
Looking good lads.
How can you not look good with this lovely unit on the point.
My RS3 continues to do fine work...
...with Andrew at the throttle.
327 reaches Peter's Pond.
Donald Duck is in fine form on the front porch of the Algoma Central unit.
Chris...
...and Garry...
...with 301 in Mount St. Helens.
While Len and Brian continue to work Spruce.
Back in Craig Leigh Bernie drills Douglas Yard.
As he makes up Train 303.
Lawrence inspects the tracks at the terminus.
We have Passenger 2 on the roll out from Firgrove.
"The Ledges" is a great railfan location as the train hugs the property wall.
Pat is in command of the train.
Train 2 is followed shortly by Train 20.
George brings the short hop down from Firgrove.
Mr. Scobie ensures trains take their proper routes through the yard as Henk watches on.
Doug and Bill assist Henk and Mason in the large yard.
Train 2 arrives Bell...
...followed by Train 20...
...with its passenger car bringing up the tail end.
Rounding the big curve...
...and on into Bell.
With 302 working the yard, we find three trains in the area at once.
Not a problem...
...as Passenger 2 is once again on the roll toward Wellington Lake.
20 traverses the mainline with Skipper George at the helm.
Train 20.
Passenger 2 heads away toward Wellington Lake.
CN and CP motors.
Paul works 302...
...while over in Ironwood Len and Brian have arrived the siding track.
They will work the spurs off the siding.
Everything's in good hands here.
The first train to reach the end of the Cedar Rock Branch on this day is Train 327.
327 arrives back in the Pond.
Then runs around its train...
...to reach the head end and gain clearance westbound.
RP&M crews continue drilling Nelson Yard.
Train 2 departs Peter's Pond...
...heading towards Bellamy and Glen Hammond.
With 303 made up, Bernie works the sidings in and around Craig Leigh.
Some new trackage...
...makes for smoother operations...
...for the Craig Leigh yardmaster.
RP&M Train 65 has arrived Bell.
They take Track 4 to gain access to the interchange yard.
302 is in the hole at Watkins as 318 works Ironwood.
Train 2 leaves Bellamy...
...and rounds the bend...
...on into Glen Hammond.
Mason and Henk continue to break down and make up trains.
With that glorious looking switcher.
What's this?
Am I seeing double?
Yes, I believe I am.
I'd better get another coffee!
There, there...Mike...your double vision has cleared all on its own!
302 holds the siding for a meet with 327.
327 has pulled ahead to allow 302 the main at Wellington Lake. Once 302 clears town, 327 will back down the main into Wellington Lake.
Train 2 finds iron to the east of Glen Hammond.
Trestle approach.
Chris and Garry study their moves in Spruce.
A handsome trio.
Train 2 climbs the slope to the west of Spruce.
The little engine "can".
Railfans.
Arrival at Spruce.
Mason is enjoying taking control of the big yard.
As Neil looks on.
Rat 70 has already backed out of Nelson Yard and is spotted in Glen Hammond.
Busy Bell...with trains a flowing freely!
Moments earlier 327 had been in Watkins.
Running around their train, they tackle their facing sidings.
Working Track 3.
My schematic indicates four trains currently in action along the western sector of the railroad.
Check in later over the weekend where you will see these young railfans following some of the trains.
You will also see Mark's new ON acquisition plying the rails with the ore train.
While you see me in this pic, you won't see too much of me as I will be busy in the dispatch hut controlling all train movements across both railroads...errrr...ummmm...I correct myself....make that "trying" to control all train movements across both railroads...hehehe!
Indeed, we have so much to be thankful for including Father Fred for allowing all of this to happen at his home each Saturday morning. Please continue to enjoy this lovely Thanksgiving Weekend! Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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