Garden Railroading: "Second Section" From September's First Saturday

Saturday's "Second Section"

We follow along with the "second section" from Saturday's Train Running and Train Ops.

Train Extra 7316 tunnels beneath Mount St. Helens with tonnage bound for Peter's Pond and Cedar Rock. Note the newly laid ballast and roadbed.

Much later on in the morning, a local museum was offering excursions on local freights using "old time" equipment. Apparently the line-up was quite long in Craig Leigh with train enthusiasts waiting to sign their waiver forms to ride the caboose all the way down the line and back. No, this is not Coney Island where rollercoasters loop over top one another. (Image sent from Pat.)

But our IPP&W version does seem quite similar to this triple decker image taken at the famous Richmond, Virginia triple crossing.

Perhaps one day we will create our very own triple crossing!

(Image sent from Pat.)

Until then, we will just have to admire these great photos from the past.

Even diesels get in on the act. Let's see...I spot a Southern train, a Seaboard train and a Chesapeake and Ohio train.

Alas...we have but two IPP&W trains to admire.

(Image sent from Pat.)

Say, check out this night shot!

A few modern day diesels...

...round out the mix.

I rather like this coloured version of the same image I first posted. Here is a link to video Pat took from the same spot along the IPP&W line.
(You may have to scroll across the link and right click over the address and then go to the video.)

https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21AHl7jUvuXB0saCU&cid=4B0BE5524C72C451&id=4B0BE5524C72C451%211364&parId=4B0BE5524C72C451%21272&o=OneUp

Lawrence and Bernie concur over further work to be done on the railroad. (Image sent from Pat.)

They certainly are busy lads! (Image sent from Pat.)

Paul brings his passenger train into Nelson Yard from the west. Nelson Yard acts as the "watershed" for the line as it divides the railroad perfectly between the east and the west.

The train enters the vortex of cars adjacent to the arrival/departure track.

While most interested railroaders would cast their ballots for E-units on the point of any passenger train, what this unit lacks in aesthetics, it more than makes up for in flexibility.

Indeed, this GP30 has the "guts" for tonnage and the "gait" for varnish as exhibited in this timeless image.

Riders who have managed to find seats in the domeliner marvel at the passing scenery, both of natural interest and human construction.

Passengers ride in the lap of luxury aboard the Pullman car.

A lone reefer resides on the spur track at Wellington Lake.

But...not for long...

...as the reefer is assigned to the consist of Train Extra 7316 masquerading as IPP&W Train 302.

We verify the numbers on the reefer with those on our orders and all is copacetic.

Rather than uncoupling from our train's consist entirely, we bring the cars "sans caboose" along with us into the facing siding to retrieve the reefer.

This railfan turns around to spot the GP30 attacking the hill up to Spruce. While she may not have all the curves of a sleek looking E-Unit, she is still a beautiful locomotive in our eyes!

Marcel has cleverly planned his moves...

...and in no time we will be headed on our way to Peter's Pond.

It would appear that the local museum has gone "all out" on this day for local train enthusiasts as this gorgeous steamer got the call on the ore run.

Railfans flock trackside to capture an image from way back in history!

It would appear that some maintenance is required here.

Is it a TOFC...Trailer on Flat Car? No it's a SOMB...Son on My Back! I think all railfans with children should invest in one of these units as a means of showing youngsters the joy that trains can bring our way!

Two trains in one image!

The crew aboard 7316 admire this heavily foliated area of the railroad known as "The Corners."

Emerging from the dappled darkness...

...this train will once again encounter an underground world...

...beneath the development...

...found at Mount St. Helens.

(Ignore the crooked footboard on the pilot...must've encountered some wildlife! Big grin!)

As we have been following in the news, work crews have made a major dent in the track rehabilitation in this area of the line. Crews are relieved to learn that slow orders are now discontinued here.

The ore train has made a number of passes of the line for the many train enthusiasts who have flocked trackside for photographs.

It's only logical that the tunneling project beneath Mount St. Helens deserves a portal of great significance.

We enter the canyon at "Hayes Falls" the location where a well-known train operator took quite the tumble many moons ago...thus the moniker in his honour.

We are "keeping up appearances" as our masks hide our true emotions of joy in being near the train tracks!

The crew takes the cut-off to the Cedar Rock branch.

Our orders indicate two set-outs and two lifts at the end of the branch in Cedar Rock. The set-outs, both tankcars, are destined for a facing siding so they must be placed on the the front coupler of the locomotive.

Mike has adjusted that loose pilot and now it slants the other way! D'uh!

No, please...don't confuse me with him!!!

Inspector Len checks out the detailing and painting Mssrs. Scobie and Mills worked on.

We set out those tankcars to their destination.

While Mark and Olie conduct work over in Ironwood.

Engineer Hamer has reset the pilot on the front of the locomotive.

Then it's back on the diesel to finish up the work at the end of the Cedar Rock line.

Before departing, Marcel reviews his orders.

For this train engineer, it is pure joy working with Marcel, a veteran of the rail industry!

We arrive back down at Peter's Pond and will join the rest of our train in short order.

After setting out the reefer that had been in our way at the Fishery in Peter's Pond we find ourselves "six cars out" plus head and tail end bound eastward for Nelson Yard where we will drop 302's entire train. We will then continue our journey eastward aboard Train Extra 7316, this time masquerading as IPP&W Train 312.

There's Mr. Scobie.

We are aboard Delaware and Hudson's GP38 named the "Ralph Dipple" in honour of a great gentleman who worked the IPP&W for a number of years. Ralph, we think of you and all of our IPP&W/RP&M rail brethren who now board that great train in the sky each Saturday!