Session #6 July 13th
Of Planes and Trains!
Our sixth session of the season was of the standard gauge variety and we had a full turnout with all jobs double-booked.
This is a good thing, having two to a crew including the ore train and the passenger runs.
Included in this blog entry are more images Pat sent my way from our recent "Workday Wednesday" session where we pulled up all the track and subroadbed between Ironwood and Spruce and rebuilt it to new status.
I've also added pics from the airport where my wife Lisa and I visited an hour before the train session began seeing our daughter off on her flight to Iqaluit on Canadian North Airlines.
Doug's AB tandem of F's indicates it is a standard gauge session today.
As does this Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo GP9 belonging to Steve and Seanna.
Yellow is the colour of Marcel's diesel in the morning when we rise...in the morning....when we rise...that's the time...that's the time...we love the best!
Neil has brought along this little lovely in CN colours...nicely weathered, I might add!
Paul is all smiles holding on to this beauty.
He allows Ralph to feel the joy.
George's Ralph Yard switcher will see plenty of action on this day.
Let's check in on some of the images Pat sent my way from our "Workday Wednesday" session. Here we see Bernie removing the little screw nuts that hold the rail joiners in place seeing as the full curve between Ironwood and Spruce will be lifted.
It was at this very location the week before where our steam locomotives derailed.
We've determined that the entire subroadbed requires replacement as its wooden structure has rotten over the years.
Fred surveilles the situation.
Bernie and Lawrence continue to remove the screws holding the rail joiners in place at the far end near Spruce.
Getting there!
The track is lifted.
Time to assess the situation and determine just how the roadbed will be taken care of.
Lawrence and Bernie are working in cramped conditions.
It's a demanding assignment, but nothing the "Workday Wednesday" crew is not up for.
The curve is coming apart.
It's at this point where Lawrence and Bernie have decided that the entire sub structure must be lifted.
This includes pulling out the rotten brace section that rests below the turnout to the west of Ironwood.
A new section is installed.
Pat checks things out while Bernie showcases his other side! (Big grin!)
One section is now in place. The roadbed must be clamped to the bracing wherever there is a joint. A sixteen inch length is desirable with eight inches reaching under each segment. Once clamped down, then four screws are put in on each side of the board making for a total of eight at each joint.
Pat and Mike get down to business designing the next cut based on measurements and angles brought forth from the worksite.
It's a heavy consist of Budd cars on Passenger 32 this morning but this AB pairing of F-units is up to the task!
This TH&B GP7 holds honours in Craig Leigh.
Neil's road switcher will be called into service aboard 304 later in the morning. For now it resides on one of the newly-lengthened tracks in Craig Leigh.
The Hamer facility hosts a lovely D&H 40-footer.
The wet noodle captured this railfan's eye in a sunny spot at Anderson.
Mr. Bill Scobie models a cool shirt for us.
Let's take a closer look, shall we!
Bill's home railroad!
The umbrellas have blossomed to offer their protection our way!
Paul chats it up with Fred as Robin and Doug look over the various lists in the background.
Pat in his new shirt.
Love the logo, Pat!
We can't miss Grant in this great looking adornment!
Ralph has brought along his steam locomotive. Looking good there Ralph!
Henk and Pat ring the bell to gather the assembled operators for the pre-ops briefing.
Grant, Lawrence and Marcel settle in.
The lads veer their attention Fred's way.
Fred offers up some information regarding some of the latest efforts.
To expedite traffic through Ironwood, we won't have the IPP&W crews lift the ore cars...typically 301 would do this. We also shortened the run of 301 out from Craig Leigh. It is the only IPP&W train that does not head up the Cedar Rock Branch...thus ameliorating operations. Working the Cedar Rock Branch is quite time consuming as we all know.
With these two tasks eliminated, this means that whoever crews 301 will typically have the advantage of completing their run ahead of the other three IPP&W mainline crews...as witnessed when Pat and Steve finished up running before their counterparts.
Passenger 32 has arrived Peter's Pond as the crew aboard 303 has protect their train on the main as they drill the Delta Siding at the Cooperage.
The two BCOL boxcars will be swapped out as soon as 32 departs town.
This aerial shot indicates that there is "just" enough clearance for the crew to head up the Cedar Rock branch to conduct their switching.
Train 303 is out from Glen Hammond and is spotted bypassing the siding at Bellamy.
With our tail end about to roll through the diamond I will radio dispatch to notify when our tail end has successfully cleared the junction.
Let's view the video footage here.
303 has reached Bell and climbs the western ladder.
A couple of milk cars sandwich a reefer on the west house track in Bell.
Bill is found in the dispatch hut as Sid looks on.
My crewmates, Paul and Ralph!
Our other Paul handles Glen Hammond before taking Rat 62 up to Bell.
Glen Hammond is typically hopping in the early moments of the session.
Rat 62 has reached Rat Portage.
We catch Train 32 riding the slope down into Bell at "The Ledges".
She's a beautiful consist for sure.
A video performance of the passenger variety.
Pool Train 33 rolls to a stop in Glen Hammond where it will have some orders to complete.
Doug advises his engineer, Dilip, on the moves he is about to make.
Some of that headend equipment currently residing on the Glen Hammond house track will go onto their train.
Those units are beauties Doug...even if they need to go to the showers for a wash! Big grin!
Paul rolls 314 downgrade along the siding track at Watkins.
303 sails into Peter's Pond and takes the main line track.
Let's check out the video down in Peter's Pond.
32 meets 303.
The team track to the left will be relocated in short order offering up a second "holding" track for mainline trains...similar to the new track in Ironwood from last season.
Some video scenes from in and around the Pond!
Neil works the eastern front at Ironwood.
He's on his own this week as his crewmate couldn't make it out for the session.
Back to our meet with 32 in Peter's Pond.
The passenger train is seen departing eastbound for Glen Hammond.
Let's catch up with the action on Mike's video.
The ore train targets Peter's Pond with 303's crew holding tight as a parade of trains runs eastbound early in the morning.
The crew aboard the ore train have been granted authority to reach Mercer Siding.
Some ore train video in the wee hours of the morning.
Steve and Seanna have reached the head of Cedar Rock and begin handling their trailing moves.
Love the tanks atop the TH&B GP9!
With our work complete in the Pond, we make our way westward where we meet opposing traffic at Watkins Siding.
303 meets 302. The crews exchange pleasantries then 302 heads east to the Pond while we continue our ascent into Bell.
Siding meet found on video.
Train 33 arrives the depot in Peter's Pond as 302 climbs the branch in behind.
A view from another angle.
Paul uses the "Armstrong" to turn his locomotive.
With our train 303 having terminated, we now take over 314 and head back east.
Some turntable video action!
We head down to Rat Portage where we find Moe and Paul.
They are running Rat 62 up to Bell, but they have work to conduct here in Rat Portage before they terminate at the interchange to the west of Bell.
311 rounds the bend at "The Corners" westbound.
They reach Wellington Lake.
Some video footage of 311's progress through Wellington Lake and on up to Watkins Siding.
Skipper Bernie in Craig Leigh.
Douglas Yard appears resplendent in the dappled morning shade.
It's a busy looking yard on this day.
Bernie's Geep keeps the flow of cars moving so as not to overload the yard. Trains originate and terminate here throughout the session.
Hey, it's the ore train...sans Bob.
Pat is spotted in the distance...or part of Pat as he is a crewmate to the skipper, Mr. Marcel.
Two shady characters in the shade...Grant and Lawrence.
RP&M Train 72 returns to Rat Portage following its efforts up in Bell. They are nearing the station platform at Pratt's Bottom.
Our train holds to the west of Peter's Pond as we wait for the area to clear while the crews of 311 and 302 work the area simultaneously. The crew aboard 311 started their day as 301. While they will reach Peter's Pond on two of their "tricks" they are the fortunate crew who is not delayed in having to travel the length of the Cedar Rock Branch. Anyone crewing 301/311/322 will typically finish their work ahead of the other crews with this new operational scheme in order.
It would appear that a tad bit of re-railing is in effect here.
Lunch time and the lads and lasses await the hamburgers to be BBQ'd by Marcel and Moe.
"Made in the shade!" we are as Bernie, Sid, Pat, Ralph and our "other" Pat enjoy the cooler temps under the pines at St. Helens.
Before the morning's session, Lisa and I drove out to the airport to see our daughter off on a flight to Iqaluit in her role with Global Affairs Canada. She would be flying Canadian North on this morning...but not on this little puppy with the polar bear on the tail.
Before her flight took off I was able to snap a few pics of some of the earlier departures.
Air Canada kept my camera shutter busy.
Aha, here is Alison's plane taxiing out to the threshold of runway 2-5!
Her plane has the Inukshuk on the tail.
Following close behind her aircraft was this "little" puppy!
I like the three stooges painted on the side of the aircraft.
Having made to the turn.
Then one of our Government of Canada Challengers followed suit. Alison often flew with the Governor General on the Challengers when she worked at Rideau Hall. One of the Challengers is painted all black if I recall correctly.
It's Porter Airlines' turn to take off.
One last glance at my polar bear friend.
As always, we thank Father Fred for being such a great host to the entire crew!
I will send out a "second section" later in the week.
Remember to sign up for next week's Narrow Gauge session by Tuesday at midnight!
Have a great week all.
All the best, Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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