Rain-Out Posting - This Day in History - Five Years Ago

Rain-Out Posting

This Day in History - Five Years Ago

August 29, 2015

Seeing as our train running was rained out this week, why don't we head into Mr. Peabody's "Way Back" machine and dial back five years to check in on how our train operations took place on this same day in history, August 29, 2015.

"Sherman...our last adventure took us back to 1972 when we learned that Richard Nixon was the president of the United States and Pierre Trudeau was the Prime Minister of Canada.  Mark Spitz won seven gold medals and sadly, the world lost Jackie Robinson, #42, the gentleman who broke the colour barrier in baseball.  Apollo XVI landed on the moon and people flocked to the cinema to see The Godfather and The Poseidon Adventure.  What a year that was!"

"Gee, Mr. Peabody," Sherman responds, "the world must have been very exciting in that year!"

"Not as exciting as the year 1900, Sherman," Mr. Peabody explains. "For in the year 1900, we entered the twentieth century!  William McKinley was re-elected President of the United States and Theodore Roosevelt, Vice President.  Up in Canada, Sir Wilfred Laurier was re-elected Prime Minister for a second time and he would serve as PM for four terms!  A future Governor General, Roland Michener was born in 1900 as was famed journalist, author and commentator, Gordon Sinclair.  Then, tragedy struck in Ottawa, the capital city of Canada, Sherman.  A fire started in the city of Hull across the river and quickly spread to neighbouring homes and the lumber yard.  Gathering winds swept embers across the Ottawa River and set structures in Ottawa ablaze!"

"I hope that city was able to be rebuilt, Mr. Peabody!"

"Indeed, Sherman...if you were to visit Ottawa today you would find it one of the most beautiful capital cities in the world.  Why...you could even visit the IPP&W and RP&M railroads.  They draw railfans from all around the world trackside for photos.  The crews up there are so nice, why, they may even let you have a hand at the throttle of one of their locomotives...under a watchful eye of course!"

"Now Sherman, I know you have been enjoying playing with various dates from the past.  Let's skip 1874 for the moment and head directly to 2015...which, if I check my calendar, is five years ago from the present time.  Set the dial for today, August 29, 2015 and we'll check out the single most memorable event in world history on that day - the running of trains along the Ironwood, Peter's Pond and Western and the Rat Portage and Mattawa Railroads."

"Okay, Mr. Peabody...here we go!"

"Sherman, I'd like you to meet this gentleman in red.  He has an important role to play...for he makes up trains in a yard known as Douglas Yard.  The trains this gentleman creates depart the location known as Craig Leigh for points west on the railroad.  His name is Bernie."

"Why, hello there, Mr. Peabody and Sherman!" Bernie says with a smile.  "So nice of you to visit our railroad on this fine August morning in 2015."

"And, Sherman, if you turn around you will see a train leaving a terminal known as Craig Leigh.  This is Pool Train #15."

"What's a Pool Train, Mr. Peabody?" Sherman asks.

"A pool train is simply a train that is shared by two (or more) railroads and both railroads benefit with revenues divided as specified in the pool agreement.  Tickets of other participating railroads are accepted as well.  This train will travel across both railroads, The IPP&W and the RP&M.  The two railroads pool the resources as well as the profits in the percentage agreed upon by both railroads."

"Wow, Mr. Peabody, that sounds a little confusing to me!" Sherman adds.

"You'll understand it better when you get a little older, Sherman.  By the way, that's Paul A. at the throttle of the pool train."

"Why is everyone hanging out near that table area, Mr. Peabody?"

"They are holding a briefing meeting where they will learn who runs which trains.  Safety issues are paramount to a railroad, Sherman, so safety procedures are discussed before trains begin to run."

"Well, if safety is being discussed, Mr. Peabody...why are none of them wearing masks?"

"Oh Sherman...have you forgotten already?  We just entered the "Way Back" machine and we are now in the year 2015.  Covid 19 only arrived in Canada in 2020!"

"Oh yeah...I just had a brain fart, Mr. Peabody!"

"This is Seanna, Sherman.  She helps keep her husband, Steve, on track!  That's a joke Sherman...get it!  In fact, Steve and Seanna are geniuses with anything electrical."

"I think it would be fun sitting with all of these kind people.  Maybe I could even get the chance to run a train with one of them!"

"This is Firgrove and the other end of the line from Craig Leigh.  Here we see the passenger trains being readied for their runs as well as the unit ore train, Sherman."

"These men must be kept really busy, Mr. Peabody.

"Oh, yes...they don't do anything that would make them lose their concentration.  This man...also in red, is the yard master here in Firgrove although the yard is called Ralph Yard after a lovely gentleman, Ralph Dipple, who passed away a few years ago.  Bill is the name of the man overseeing the yard and that's Bob about to rail his caboose in the distance."

"Sherman, it's great to see this father and son tandem enjoying their work with the trains.  Dad is Chris and son is Jonah."

"That's a cool looking locomotive, Mr. Peabody!"

"Yes it is a rugged looking beast, Sherman.  It has been around the block for some time, hasn't it!

"Here is another Father and Son team...father Bill and son, Mark."

"Why do they require umbrellas, Mr. Peabody?"

"Simple, Sherman...not for rain...but for sun.  The umbrellas protect the railroad workers from the blazing heat.  Just ask, Moe. the man in the yellow hat!"

"I was just curious, like George!" Sherman adds.

"Most railroads make their money on the freight they haul and not on the passengers they carry, Sherman."

"I didn't know that, Mr. Peabody."

"What kind of car is that behind the locomotive?"

"It's called a stock car because it carries livestock...cattle, sheep, pigs, etc.  The crew places it directly behind the engine so they can keep a close eye on the animals."

"Wow, it looks busy here, Mr. Peabody!"

"Yes...Steve and Seanna are readying their train in Glen Hammond while Henk and Colin are working the large yard in behind."

"Here comes that Pool Train, Mr. Peabody!"

"Indeed, Sherman.  It must make a station stop at all points along the route."

"And...over there is that passenger train that left that place...what's it called again...?"

"Firgrove, Sherman."

"These workers must keep a lot of things organized in their heads!"

"They are well trained, Sherman.  (Pardon the pun)

And...they have their lists indicating which cars go on which trains."

"They must be able to work together well?"

"Yes, collaboration is the key to success when working a big yard like Nelson Yard."

"Those lads seem to be enjoying themselves!"

"Yes, Doug and Paul love running the trains."

"Hey Mr. Peabody.  Look at that red caboose.  Doesn't it look strange?"

"You're right, Sherman...it looks different than most of the other cabooses you have seen on the railroad.  It's known as a Drovers' Caboose.  It's much longer than a typical caboose because it not only served the train crew, but also the drovers assigned to watch after the livestock in shipment from the ranch to the processing plants.  These cabooses had two separate sections."

"Is that a water tower to help fill the steam engines."

"It does appear to be a water tower of sorts, Sherman...but its contents fill something else...

"I see, Mr. Peabody.  Yes employees require replenishing at times as well, I would imagine!"

"This is Gord, Sherman.  He has made many valuable contributions to this railroad."

"Remember I told you that the passenger trains and the pool train must stop at all stations.  Well, Moe has just brought this passenger train to a stop in front of the Glen Hammond depot."

"Sherman...examine this image closely.  Now we will step into the time machine momentarily back to the year 2020..."

"Check out the fence in this same location."

"In 2020, trains run upgrade at Watkins Siding and there is a new fence to offer shelter and shade.  Note too the longer siding in 2020 from the length of the one in 2015."

"That's cool, Mr. Peabody!"

"Here is another interesting diesel locomotive, Sherman.  The livery is the North American scheme as CN stretches throughout Canada and the United States."

"This locomotive pulling into town is the earlier green and gold colours the Canadian National used on its diesel locomotives."

"That gentleman whom you have already met has brought his ore train into Ironwood."

"Wow, Mr. Peabody...there are lots of things happening in this picture!"

"Indeed, Sherman.  It is a busy railroad.  Check out this short diesel.  It is a switch engine."

"It belongs to this lovely couple, Chris and Lela Lyon."

"Their train is servicing the area around Chandler's Sludge Works."

"It is fitting that this industry is located close to a big pond."

"Brevity and humour is important between crew members."

"Fathers and sons enjoy their day."

"The secondary line is called the RP&M.  This stands for the Rat Portage and Mattawa.  We see Gord crewing his RP&M train...but don't ever tell any RP&M employees that their railroad is secondary!"

"The Nelson Yardmaster and dispatcher discuss the schedule.  That would be Colin and Doug."

"The other Doug works alongside Paul in Spruce."

"The handsome ore train man!"

"Sherman, we call trains that haul a single commodity a unit train.  This is a train of empty ore cars being sent back to the mines."

"On railroads, Sherman, trains often meet where one may pass another in the same direction or two opposing trains meet and pass each other."

"Sometimes there is down time on a railroad.  It gives the operators a moment to rest and catch their breath between their assignments."

This is the junction between the two railroads.

"We've headed forward momentarily in the way back travel machine to check out how the junction has evolved.  Note the different track arrangement."

"Back in 2015, Nelson yardmaster Henk posed for this calendar shot."

"Doug held the fort in his role as dispatcher."

"Nelson Yard was still a busy hive of activity..."

"...as seen in these two accounts."

"Spruce was as verdant as ever.  We must have had a lot of rain that summer."

"Trains worked hard delivering their lading all over the railroad."

"Crews were as dedicated as they are today...as Steve and Malcolm expedite freight to and from industries."

"Trains roamed the landscape..."

"...and the landscape evolved."

"Train meets presented dispatch with a few challenges..."

"...but none that dispatch couldn't handle."

"Colin leads a train out from Nelson Yard in a different time with a different look."

"Stock cars were stocked..."

"...as was the pond."

"So, Sherman...with this park car bringing up the rear, it's time to head back to the year 2020 and hope for better weather next weekend."

"And appreciate the men and women..."

"...of the IPP&W..."

"...and RP&M..."

"...railroads..."

...aka..."

"...the masked bandits..."

"...of..."

"...that prestigious line..."

"...known to all..."

"...as the Ironwood Road!"

"As always, the crew appreciates this young man...Mr. Fred Mills!"

"So, there you have it Sherman...a look back to the greatest event of 2015 which took place on the 29th day of August in that year!"

"Boy, Mr. Peabody...I sure learned a lot about trains...but I learned even more about the wonderful people who run them and keep their train tracks in good working order.  I would love to live up in Ottawa so that I could join their group!"

"Perhaps, Sherman, one day we'll pay this illustrious group another visit...but that will be in the future...and not the past!"

Thanks for checking in on this rainy day!

All the best, Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada