More Fun From This Week

More Train Operating Fun From the First Week of September

We were fortunate to gather on a cool and sunny September morning in the first week of the month.  Some folks simply ran trains while others operated the various industrial spurs in each town along the route.

Engine #5 excites this railfan as she curves around the bend into Glen Hammond.

She's a shy gal at times, but she sure knows how to draw a crowd trackside.

She's put into service hauling hopper cars full of coal along with some mt's.

Paul conducts an inspection of his train after wyeing it in Craig Leigh and backing onto the ore dock in preparation for its next run.

Passenger 1 s-curves through the outer leg of the wye commencing its journey westward.

Grant inspects the inspection car...

...as he runs the latest locomotive to appear on the line, this RS3 painted in basic black...but oh-so beautiful in the eyes of this photographer.

Douglas Yard, named for our most experienced dispatcher, Mr. Doug Matheson.

The "Ironwood Road" unit passes the passenger car...

...and rolls down the yard ladder.

You'll recall that Train Extra 7316 had been working along the Cedar Rock Branch out from Peter's Pond.

The crew has arrived back down in "The Pond" and will soon be aboard its train to continue its easterly journey.

Through one pedestrian crossing...

...and then another...

...then lefthand running through Mercer Siding on this day.

Typically trains run along the righthand track in Mercer, but there must have been a service interruption of sorts to sort out today.

Reaching the junction, Extra 7316 will take the turnout leading into Nelson Yard.

Train Extra #5 holds the junction out from Glen Hammond.

The affable crews give a wave to each other...

...and in short order both trains will be on the move again.

This blanched photo shows 7316 heading into the yard while #5 continues westward.

Extra 7316 arrives Nelson Yard named after the late Bud Nelson...a great model railroader and a great man.

We pass freight cars that are being marshalled...

...and notice a beautiful IPP&W transfer van awaiting us.

Meanwhile...Lawrence has something up his sleeve...or in his capable hands at least!

Aha!

It is the new span across the gut.  We also spy a train righthand running at Mercer.  Bravo!

We check in on the work.

Lawrence sets the plate down on the abutment.

He will soon check the fit.

Did we have any doubt?  Never!  A great fit, Lawrence.

One end is checked...

...as is the other.

She's one gorgeous piece of modelling!  Fred did a masterful job on the span and Lawrence built all of the bents which will be put place in short order.  Brian gave the group his pin nailer which came in handy to hold the ties in place.  George made up a set of rail gauges to help Fred hand lay the rail.  Chris E. and Doug M. cut most of the ties and lumber for the trestle.  A true team effort! 

Looking good!

Neil's friend, Ron, and Fred look on...

...as Lawrence screws the deck in place.  Of course, the bents will go in later.

Back to the rails we find Marcel busy with his train in Nelson Yard.

We have brought in Train 302 and will depart with Train 312...even though we are Train Extra 7316.

Marcel makes notes as to the make-up of our train and car destinations.

That cut of five cars you see below will be five of the seven we will depart Nelson with.

This GP38 is up to the task at hand as the engine maneuvers around the yard tracks with ease.

Ron looks over the action.

The yard is a rather hopping place this day.

We're on our train...we have our orders...dispatch has cleared us to Blockhouse with a slow order restriction over the bridge to the east of the yard.

We understand the reasoning behind the slow order as Neil, Ron and Fred assemble...

...to discuss the many great changes seen on the railroad in recent times...

...including the work crew at the gut.

Our train tiptoes onto the bridge...

...between the assembly of individuals...

...and we make it through with ease and care.

The foliage obscures our train...

...as we approach the third crossing of the gut...

...just west of Blockhouse.  Oh oh!  "Houston...we have a problem."  It seems the dispatcher messed things up...as we barely escape a "cornfield" meet at Blockhouse!

The dispatch hut appears to be vacant.  We have a ghost dispatcher in our midst!

Yup, flying under Visual Flight Rules can lead to some interesting situations.  The problem was solved when the short inspection train snuck into the empty spur at Blockhouse!  Crafty devils those lads are!

Six fellows in this image all share the same passion...railroading in the great outdoors.

Everything is tickety-boo outside of Nelson Yard.

Rumour has it that the new bridge across the gut will be called the "Lawrence Watkins Bridge"...or the "Watkins Bridge" in local parlance.  The mainline bridge will be forever known as the "Fred Mills Bridge" or the "Mills Bridge" for short.  We thank Andrew for these bridge naming suggestions.  

And...what about the wide divide these two spans cross?  How about the "Brennan Gap" as Mr. Pat Brennan has always admired the lovely bridges that span this scenic area of the railroad.  

Doug has also brought it to our attention that we have overlooked the third bridge over the gap...the span that leads down to Blockhouse.  Any takers for a name?

As for construction, I have been sharing with you my machine shop build...

...involving horses...

...and a farm wagon...

...to be pulled by the team of horses.

Well, we require a fine gentleman to drive the team...

...so here he is...yet unnamed.

We have him perched atop the seat of the wagon, but it is now time to hitch the team to what it is to be pulling.  In order to facilitate this very fine and detailed modelling, I had to create momentary jigs.

These proved beneficial in keeping the trees attached to the tongue at the angle required.

Note all of the added harnessing.  In order to tie all of this together, I first had to glue the two horses and the wagon cart to a slim plate of styrene.

This helped keep all items in position in order to complete the very finicky detailing which joined the team to the wagon in a number of areas from the horses' heads, their sides and, of course, the reins.

It will be a simple matter of placing and glueing the plate on the diorama when the time comes.  I will simply model whatever ground material I will use for the scene atop the styrene and embed the entire fixture into the diorama.

This has been a tough challenge of a project...but with patience and time...it was completed!

In Covid times, I miss performing with the three bands I am in...but it is our hope that this will pass sooner than later!

Why the smile on my face?  Well...school started today for the students and teachers...and I got to sleep in!  Ah, yes...I'm beginning to enjoy this retired life already...even after one day!

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