Pat and Moe - Steal the Show!

 Pat and Moe - Steal the Show

Indeed these two handsome lads did steal the show all morning long while running two fun trains!

The colours of fall are in evidence as Moe's CP train rounds the big curve on its progress into Spruce.

His train is spotted earlier in the morning entering Nelson Yard from the west.

While Pat brought out his sweeper car once again along with other rolling stock from his home stable.

Even the big yard requires a sweep every now and then.

We spot Sid, Bernie, Fred and Pat, the "Fab Four" keeping warm with masks, gloves, hats, hoods and long johns on!

"A wee spot of coffee doesn't hurt either!" Bernie tells us.

In short order, Mr. Moe arrived allowing this railfan to follow two trains along the line!

Lawrence found his way to Fred's address as well.

As did Doug, who checks out Pats sweeper car as Bernie snags a photograph.

We thank Doug immensely for relettering and renaming the top passenger car in the colours Fred had asked for.

While the sun shimmers off the name plate, Doug has named the car "Hochelaga".

Doug had wanted to add a maroon stripe beside the car name but Fred preferred leaving that bar up top silver.

We love the lettering on this stock car, Doug!

Looks super!

Sid admires Doug's handiwork.

Moe is aboard his Canadian Pacific switcher and is awaiting clearance to depart the Northland Ore Dock.

Clearance granted, the engine roars to life.

With a colourful consist, Moe touches the rails on the wye.

We take a quick "rolling' view.

 His train spills downgrade from Craig Leigh.

The yellow billboard reefer illuminates the scene.

The dash down the grade.

The train drifts west out from St. Helens.

It would appear the ON boxcar has seen better days!

The train rattles past the Ironwood Brick facility.

Following Moe's progress between St. Helens and Ironwood.

Moe arrives Ironwood. 

Love that Ontario Northland 40 footer.

One great looking beer car!

The caboose ain't bad either...although I guess we should've noticed the crooked smokestack!  Perhaps the crew in the hack wanted to divert the smoke to the starboard side! 

Check out the wobble on the rolling stock through the turnout!  That's cool!

We locate Pat back in Craig Leigh. 

He is finishing making up his train.

The sweeper car is at the ready! 

Nice Grand Trunk car, Pat!

 Pat departs Craig Leigh.

 The early morning mist... 

 ...adds a layer of atmosphere...

 ...in the orbit of St. Helens...

...on this mid-November morning.

Navigating the morning mist.

Pat follows Moe's lead and cruises into Ironwood.

Yet another colourful train.  We wonder which railroad Pat will letter the middle car?

Pat...on the tails of Moe!

A lone car awaits some friends.

Ah, yes...the lone car is paid a visit.

The crew hollers out a hearty "hello" to the lone car.

Blue on blue!

Heading west to Spruce.

Love the action!

Pat's CP van.

Pat wasn't able to run it on the train due to differences in coupler types.

Skipper Fred!

Our good friend, Sid.

The Northland Ore Dock.

Moe is ready to depart Ironwood.

He's on the roll.

Into the woods!

We say "So Long Moe!"

We investigate the footage!

Pat keeps the rails clean as he enters the terrain around Spruce.

Lisa and Jean are deep in conversation as this special train passes by.

Sid has all of his attention focused on this passing consist.

Pat sent along this picture of Bernie in conversation with me across the border in the front yard.

Pat also sent along this great picture of the action in Nelson Yard where Bernie is spotted to the right snagging a shot.

Fred poses for a pic as Lawrence, Sid and Pat appear in behind him.

This morning while at Fred's some of the lads got to talking about railfanning areas south of Ottawa.

The two images above were taken from a video Moe produced.  The link to the video will appear shortly.

Moe sent us these aerial images of the Hutchinson Road area based on information provided by Chris and Lela Lyon.  Lisa had telephoned them in Nova Scotia during our train running time today to try and find an answer to a question Bernie had regarding railfanning.

We had remembered that Chris has railfanned some great areas to the south of Ottawa

Here is Moe's e-mail that came in after he got home and had done some research for Bernie.

Hi All,

This morning we were speaking about taking pictures of trains. A location near Mallorytown was suggested.

Photo 1 which is a higher view of the area shows that one would drive on highway 2 and continue past Mallorytown. One would then turn North on Hutchinson Rd. until a bridge over the tracks is reached. You have arrived.

The location provides a very good place to take pictures especially if you have a good lens. I used google maps to pinpoint the location.

Below is a youtube link to the video I produced from the location.

Cheers,

Moe

The link below will take you directly to Moe's amazing video footage.  You may have to copy and paste it into your browser.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lw2o7sOTQo&feature=youtu.be

Thanks, Moe, for taking the time to conduct this research for a fellow friend...and for taking great drone videos!  

The pics and vids you have seen in this posting are but a "fraction of the action" from today!  More will be posted in the future!  

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