Second Posting of Pics from Session #5
Hey gang. We welcome a "second section" of pics and vids from this past weekend's train operations.
Our crew call list was fully booked and everyone was able to complete all three runs of the morning.
The new passenger area has been lengthened to accommodate all manner of cars involved in moving folks and other commodities across the line.
This picture was published in the original blog entry. We find Mark's locomotive hauling paying passengers out from Spruce for points further to the west.
For first time visitors to the blog, you can enlarge the images by clicking on them and return by clicking outside them.
Speaking of the west, here we are at the west end. The "West Side Story" has it that George and Len "run the show" in these parts...but alas...they are nowhere to be found in this image!
We have a portrait of the Hamer Manufacturing facility here in Rat Portage. Hmmm...does it manufacture little Hamers we wonder? Hehehe!
"Nelsonian Yard" as I sometimes affectionately refer to it. We are in the early hours of the morning and we spot some of the coloured chits residing atop some of the rolling stock as used by the Nelson Yard crew as a sorting mechanism.
It must be super early as nary a car is found in Douglas Yard at Craig Leigh...but a lone spruce sitting sentinel at the end of the yard.
An "At a Glance" coloured coded sheet Bernie made up for the Craig Leigh yardmasters to refer to throughout the session. Such a great idea, Bernie!
A lone UP reefer is spotted at the ice servicing facility.
Another shot of Dilip with his mode of transport to the session.
It's pre-ops and Mike is in silhouette as he snaps a shot of the cars residing at Anderson.
Len's #48 awaits its switching orders for Ralph Yard. Soon enough, the yard will be awakened with plenty of activity.
Pat's locomotive for our run aboard Train 302 which originates here in Firgrove is waiting eagerly for the crew to arrive.
The other side of Len's locomotive which originated from Doug Matheson's fine railroad.
Some of the headend traffic aboard Passenger 32 in Firgrove.
304's locomotive is coupled on to its train and the crew will be underway eastbound in short order while 303's consist resides on the adjacent track.
Bernie's locomotive basks in the sun before its long run to Craig Leigh. Bernie tells us that it will eventually be lettered for The Rideau & Perley. Such a fitting name for a member of the forces. Great selection there Bernie!
We spot Doug once more...ready and raring to get at it.
Aha! He's been active at his new Seniors' Residence.
Fred offers up some sage advice during our morning briefing.
Shortly before, Paul had held court with Doug, Len and George.
The folks listen in.
Barry offers a nod to Paul to indicate that Fred has begun speaking.
We look forward to visiting Barry's place at the end of August.
Love the shovel atop the tender on one of Bob's locomotives.
Train 302 has a green through the junction.
They reach the shade offered at Anderson.
Through the turnouts.
On final approach...and...
...lined up on the A/D track in the big yard. Bill and Lawrence will handle the turnover of 302 so that it can skidaddle out of the big yard as Train 312.
Let's take a peek at the video tape of the action.
For newcomers to the blog, to engage the video click on the white arrow one time and then again.
The image is a tad blurry but the crew is very much "in focus" with their assigned tasks in Glen Hammond.
Train 32 reaches the depot at Peter's Pond while 302 has tucked in on the branch trackage. Another crew is in town at the moment as well. Their consist is on the mainline while they have strolled on up to Cedar Rock to conduct work at the end of the branch. So-o-o, in essence, this is a three-way meet.
Paul, Mark and Barry observe Marcel as he sets out some of the cars on the new extended trackage in Craig Leigh.
Mark's colourful power bends around the outskirts of Nelson Yard.
A colourful engine with an equally colourful consist!
Arrival at Glen Hammond.
Passenger video footage.
301 works Spruce on its westbound journey.
Mark and Dilip are found in the eastern vicinity of the railroad. Mark has Pool Train 33 out from St. Helens bound for Ironwood where Dilip and Bernie have arrived aboard Train 304.
Bell is relatively inactive at the moment.
Another freight, this time a westbound, arrives Ironwood.
Eastbound meets westbound while another train climbs Clarke Grade to the right.
A Canadian Pacific Alco is in command of this train.
Some more video from Ironwood.
Our Nelson Yardmaster and his assistant enjoy some leisure time in the yard. Lawrence points out a pretty girl off in the distance to Bill.
"That's no pretty girl," Pat intervenes, "That's my crew mate, Mike!" Hehehe!
Pat takes care of the the moves at Spruce.
Dispatcher Doug is firmly in charge on this day!
The fellas stand up when the photographer arrives to ensure they look "busy"! Big grin!
The final passenger run of the morning, Train 35 is about to depart St. Helens.
Pat drills the trailing sidings at St. Helens.
Let's check out the video work in this eastern area of the railroad.
Earlier, Train 312 had made the pedestrian crossing...
...and found its way around the big bend...
...and on into Spruce where this lovely depot is situated.
Three parallel tracks make for a pretty sight in Mount St. Helens.
The arrival of 312 is captured in this moment.
The tail end arrives the outskirts of the area.
Leading into Douglas Yard.
Yardmaster Paul has all our turnouts set for us.
Let's check that out on video shall we!
Bob and Barry are in a deep discussion as Paul breaks down our train and makes up our new one off in the distance.
The yard switcher for the day.
Train 321 is now available for us on the ready track. All we need to do is to back onto the caboose track for our tail end car.
Resting on the wye.
A smile from Dilip!
The ore dock once again is laden with profit making coal!
Pat ensure the switches are lined up for our train before departure.
Travelling through Northland...
...and taking the turnout that will get us on the main.
There's Elsie the cow on our billboard reefer.
Downgrade out from Craig Leigh and onward to Mount St. Helens.
Let's catch up with 321 on video!
Earlier, 301 was spotted working Spruce.
The sidings along the western fringe of Ironwood...a team track, a freight house track and Larabie Fuels.
Earlier, 312 made Ironwood.
312 drills those eastern sidings.
Thankfully there are plenty of opportunities to run around your train here!
Dilip and Bernie up front with Pat in the background.
Marcel glances over his shoulder to spot a westbound at Wellington Lake while his train runs along the station track at Ironwood.
Love this little car with its fun inhabitants!
It seems Barry does as well!
Our train after arriving Douglas Yard. We are two-thirds of the way through the morning by this juncture in time.
Our diesel friend...
...meets another diesel.
The oncoming train takes the passing siding...
...while the waiting train holds along the main.
It's a colourful photo...
...with many colourful cars in the mix!
Fred and Neil enjoy a visit in the lounge.
Bill finds a comfy seat in the shade.
Lawrence has proven himself to be a most reliable yard master's assistant over the past three weeks!
Paul looks down the line in Bell as Glen Hammond and Nelson Yard are "still" at the moment.
That is...until the silence is shattered by this train entering the yard from the east.
A crew climbs the grade up into Cedar Rock.
Rounding the bend, they will reach the end of the line in short order.
Dilip and Bernie are aboard 323 and they have already determined their moves before heading up the branch.
Skipper Moe...the best cook in town!
Some (or many) of the world's problems are resolved at the crew lounge table.
These next few pics come from Bernie's camera. We find Pat and Paul aboard 311 up in Cedar Rock.
Post-ops relaxation as Pat & Mike along with Mark enjoy the little fringe of shade found on the patio where the pond used to be located.
Paul, Barry, Moe and Pat in the lounge.
Paul, Lawrence and Marcel enjoying the morning's camaraderie.
Skipper Bill with what appears to be a balloon growing out of his head! Hehehe!
Recent retiree Pat loving every minute of his future without having to obey an alarm clock!
As always, we thank Father Fred for hosting us each Saturday.
We must be having fun because we keep on coming out each weekend.
We look forward to our next operations when the standard gauge fleet is found on the train tracks!
All the best, Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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