Late November Memories With Mark's Family and Pat

Great Train Memories With Mark's Family and Pat Having "Fun at Fred's"

Mark, his lovely family, and Pat made it out to Fred's in late November.  These images showcase the accounts of their train running fun!  Here is Mark's message my way.

Hi Mike, here is a collage of photos I took towards the end of November 2020. The first set consists of a private visit to the IPP&W by Matthew (a regular) and Natalia (her first time) as I had something to drop off for Fred on a weekday afternoon. The second set documents what may well have been the last official Saturday run on the IPP&W in the year 2020. Pat and I each ran a train that day. After that, the snow came, then melted, then snowed again.. and the rest is history (well, at least, what one would expect for winter!)

All of the images and captions in this posting come from Mark.

Matthew took advantage of a quiet weekday afternoon on the IPP&W to run a locomotive. Natalia is looking on - it’s her first visit to our club layout!

Matthew’s in control and the road ahead is all clear!

It’s always fun to cross the trestle!

Here we are passing the mine...where the very young (child) meets the very old (Ironwood Brick facility).

And also busy doing some yard maintenance...

For this afternoon the mine is serving as a coal bunker, re-fueling the Climax directly from the chutes usually used to fill hopper cars.  I mean… why not?

Why just run a locomotive when you can run a full train? Matthew had his pick of the litter and chose two cabooses. Interesting choice, but, he’s certainly having fun, and that’s what counts!

Looking mighty sharp from this angle!

And this one too!

We now switch gears to present my memories of what could well have been the last “Saturday operating session” of 2020… barring a miraculously mild December. The undisputed theme was “work trains” and you’ll soon see why. The centrepiece of my work train consisted of a USA train and matching-colour MOW grey gondola, both of which I recently acquired. Sorry, Fred, the boom is pointing the wrong way… I’ll set it up correctly next time!

Pat and I managed to cooperate for some switching action around Nelson Yard. I shunted Pat’s cars around the yard and industries while Pat took the MOW crane out for a spin on the RP&M. Upon Pat’s return I re-assembled his train, as you can see here in the picture.

And now you see why the theme of the day was “work train!” For despite hauling a considerable consist behind his handsome Annie, Pat’s train is headed by none other than the track sweeper!

Pat railfanning his own train.

It’s switching work complete, the “little red engine that could” prepares to head back to Douglas Yard by first rotating on the turntable.

A handsome sight indeed (both Pat and his train!)

Classic bi-level meet.

Pat railfanning my train...

We meet up at Spruce.

And I follow Pat through Ironwood...

And on through St. Helen’s towards home.

And speaking of home, Fred’s extensive home collection includes a carbon copy of the crane I just ran… well, not exactly. Fred has modified his unit with some very neat additions. Can you spot them?

Here’s to the work trains that keep the IPP&W clean and well-maintained to ensure trouble-free operation!

Thanks so much, Mark, for sending along such a great looking bunch of photos along with the captions. You've made my job real easy!

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