Mark's Recent Pics From October

 Mark's October Pickings

Mark has graciously sent along a host of images from  our train running session on October 17th.

Mark's Ontario Northland diesel rests placidly beside the Craig Leigh engine house awaiting its next call to duty.

Marcel brings his passenger train into Douglas Yard in order to turn it on the wye as our ON diesel has been assigned a train.

Mark captures me capturing a pic of Marcel's new diesel acquisition.

The freight train arrives Ironwood on a clear Saturday morning.

The "low in the sky" autumn sun allows for these longer shadows to be cast upon the consist in Glen Hammond.

The crew departs the Glen and encounters an immediate right turn on its way to Peter's Pond.

Clear sailing through Mercer.

Arrival at the pond.

A short but sweet train!

Marcel and partner, Olie, examine the E-unit hauling the paying passengers.

Olie appears to the crew as the "Friendly Giant" when one considers the scale of things.

Mark grabs a picture of Pat grabbing a picture of his train as it works the siding tracks at Bell.

Our freight train is on its way west...

...where it will finish its run at the western terminal of Firgrove.

Olie takes care when walking around the property.

Mark is soon to leave Nelson Yard behind as some of the passengers prepare to detrain in Glen Hammond.

Olie, Marcel and Lawrence look over the proceedings.

Later, Lawrence and Pat are found near the location of the rebuilt trestle.

Olie performs a trackside check on his dad's train as it heads east nearing the end of its second assignment on the day.

Olie follows his dad's CP diesel unit around their backyard in this lovely short video.

Check out some more of our archival photos from the past.  Fred had a little town nestled below the shorter pines between Ironwood and Spruce.  I like the Ford Woody station wagon!

This scene has evolved over time...

...while this scene has stayed pretty much the same.

Hey, Mr. Bill Sn3 Scobie...remember our discussion of the lengthy passing siding between Nelson Yard and Spruce.  You were correct...it used to be there!

All of these images were taken 16 years ago in 2004.

A close-up view of the single siding at this end of Spruce.

Coming a little further back we spot that long passing siding once again...beginning shortly after the curve.

Firgrove and Ralph Yard.

Nelson Yard.

Hey, check out this vintage footage of live steam taken by a gentleman who came out to the invasion in 2009.

You've gotta love those Beyer Garratts.

Who doesn't!

And...some fun footage from the invasion itself.

This has to be Ric's doing!  Big grin!

One of our newer members in the OVGRS, Sid Silver and his wife Jean came over to my home yesterday for an "outdoor" visit.  Jean made Lisa and me a handful of new masks.  Check this one out!

I love it!

I'll be wearing this one to Fred's tomorrow morning when we gather again for coffee, camaraderie...and, yes...most likely some train running!

The inside cloth piece is really cool as well!

Some close-up shots.

Love the British locomotives.

My father was from Yorkshire, England...

...but we'll forgive him...hehehe! (Just kiddin' dad!)

And...my grandfather worked on the British Railways as a conductor.

So, this mask is very fitting!

Have a safe and happy day everyone! 

Late breaking news!  Here is a little tease for everyone.  I literally received this video from Mark in my "inbox" two minutes ago.  Yesterday's "summer weather" amid the cold autumn we have been enduring was quite the blessing, so Mark took advantage and headed over to Fred's to run his red CP locomotive.  You've gotta see this ore train in action!  Of course...the tease is...tomorrow's weather is going to be even better...so come on out...Fred tells us the coffee will be on!

Here's to the lucky folks in the world who have discovered the joy of trains!  Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada