First Trains of August

First Trains of August

The first Saturday in August found some engineers...

...arrive the Ironwood, Peter's Pond & Western Railroad...

...ready to ride the rails.

I brought along my 2-6-0 lettered as the...

...Ironwood & New England...

...to haul a wonderful passenger excursion...

...entitled "The August Special".

Patrons filled every seat...

...of every passenger car...

...and they were thrilled to ride the rails of this great railroad.

Here I am...

...engineer Mike!

Paul brought out his Canadian Pacific diesel...

...and he chose to run a local...

...with the task of switching out a number of industries en route.

Paul commandeers his train into Spruce while Mark and Olie look on.

While this rail excursion showcases the many sights of splendor...

...another little might of an engine hauls a short tanker train...

...delivering much needed fuel...

...to a couple of industries along the route.

Mark is through the main at Spruce as Paul switches out the local industries.

That red little ball of fire...

...encounters no difficulties along the way!

Lawrence inspects the sidings in Ironwood.

Finding daylight beneath the entrance way to Nelson Yard.

Fred gets up from his seat in the distance...

...to check out this rather peculiar "meet" of two trains.

While I take my passengers to the far reaches...

...of this magnificent railroad.

There are more pics to come from today in a later posting.

In the meantime...

...Bernie sent me this next batch of pictures and text in his own words from Wednesday's work session.

Steve showed up Wednesday morning with gum boots and containers for fish. Fred got his ladder and Steve descended into the abyss to catch the gold fish for transfer to his own pond. It was also his intention to retrieve some lily pads. While down in the hole, Steve also removed the milk boxes and the two rather large stones where the water used to cascade into the pond.  The pond is now ready to be filled thanks to Steve for wading through the muck. 

Last look at the pond

Steve carries one of the milk boxes to the side.

George takes the box.

Steve surveying which lily pad he wants.

George and Fred watching the proceedings.

Steve starts pulling on a lily pad. They are very difficult to remove.

Got it loose.

Quite a long root.

Putting the lily in a container.

Steve lifts one of the two large stones…

 … and places it in the plants above the pond.

The last of the milk boxes comes out.

Steve prepares the gold fish for transport.

George steadies the ladder as Steve's job is complete.

Stepping off the ladder onto dry ground. Fred is relieved the gold fish are saved and the pond is ready to be filled.

Pat was just arriving as I was departing so I just had to snap a picture of this handsome lad!

Thanks to Bernie for those great shots of Steve working the pond much like the navvies on the railroad toiling through the muskeg in the hard-driving sun...as Gordon Lightfoot so aptly put it!

Check in soon for a second installment from today.

Have a good one and please stay safe!

Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada