A "Mallet" in the "Valley"

 Fun Trackside in the Final Week of September

A "Mallet" in the "Valley"

or, if you wish...of "Blackbirds and Yellow Birds"

Many of the crew gathered in this last week of September and we had the weather in our pocket!

Railfans by the dozens lined the right of way to catch a glimpse of this beautiful steam locomotive, AT&SF #1791, a Mallet.
(Remember, to enlarge the images, click on them and to return to the page click outside the images.)

Bob Clarke is the engine driver as he steams down the slope at Clarke's Hill, named in his honour.  I imagine you could say this locomotive is the image of a Blackbird...

...while this lassy takes on the personification of a Yellow Bird!

Indeed, this railroad industry is one colourful one!

More on the yellow bird later on and a discussion of operating rules with tank trains.

Back to our mallet's journey...the hill bottoms out at a pedestrian crossing close nearby the location known as Blockhouse.

The Fallentree Mine rises in the background.  It is situated directly overtop the area where a large pine was once established.  Sadly, the pine fell in a wind storm a long while ago...thus the moniker, the Fallentree Mine!

Say, check out this video of our friendly Mallet taken earlier in the morning between Mount St. Helens and Ironwood.
(To view the video, click on the white arrow once...then click on it again when it appears over a red circle.)

Earlier, this sixteen car train slides down the hill along the property line of the railroad.

Brakes are applied as the train slows...it is about to pass an area of track where a work crew is holding court.

Yet another "black beauty" comes to town...just like last week!

Passing the work crew.

Through Mount St. Helens, 1791 glides down the hill into Ironwood.

A beauty she is!

Say, why not check out this video of the train in this very location!  Simply click on the white arrow and then on it again when the red circle appears behind the arrow.

The train rounds the bend at Lilly and the "Mallet" enters the "valley" between the Lily of the Valley and the rock wall.

The growl of the engine echoes through the canyon wall.

She tiptoes onto the renowned "Fred Mills Trestle".

Threading the needle!

Into clear air!

On into Nelson Yard territory.

We head back in time to Craig Leigh where the crew aboard UP Train Extra 3607 continue to make up their train.
There was a very young lad (not in the photos) who loves tank cars and wanted to see a train made up of only tankers.  While we granted him his wish to have a tanker train only, Marcel did offer up the explanation of a protective car between the locomotive and the rest of the train which would not be a tankcar (as well as between the last tankcar and the tail end caboose).  Our good friend, Barry (from Belleville) has an eagle eye and noted the lack of a "barrier car" in the train.  Barry reflects this important safety aspect in his train operations on his railroad just as we try to emulate in our regular train operating sessions.  Thanks for the e-mail Barry...much appreciated!

They will be taking out "The Oil Can" distributing tank cars along the route.

Off in the distance Lawrence prepares his locomotives on the Northland Ore Dock.

There will be quite a few tankers in the consist on this fine day.

This will be one colourful unit train!

They've got a sunny morning for their run.

Marcel ensures all trucks are on the rails.

Here's the van that will pull up the rear of the train.

Marcel pulls out of the yard...

...in order to grab cars from the other track...

...in preparation for the run.

Who does not love this livery?

She's a beauty queen...a yellow bird!

With the train assembled, the crew gains clearance out from Craig Leigh.

As her front end basks in the sunlight.

Heading west.

Marcel inspects his train to ensure all is well.

Check in later to follow this train on its journey across the IPP&W.

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