More Pics and Stories From Session #8
Our eighth session of the season found us running diesels hauling a standard gauge fleet.
Many of our newer members were teamed with our more experienced crew.
Bernie has sent along a number of images and an interesting story of what occurred down in Peter's Pond.
In Peter's Pond we find Chris about to depart with Train 314 as Bernie holds on the middle track aboard 322.
Steve (our session manager) had created the operating session for this day a couple of weeks ago. This was "before" the Workday Wednesday crew had changed the sidings here in Peter's Pond. What resulted was a predicted "overflow" of cars. Steve had sent out an e-mail warning of the situation and the crews worked around the issue in a creative fashion especially when the passenger train wanted "in".
Thanks to Bernie for the above photo and the series of images which now follow!
Peering down the length of Firgrove we notice Passenger 32 ready and set to go!
Marcel's Santa Fe power holds the honours on this day!
Pre-ops set-up finds Garry and Andrew placing cars on the myriad tracks in Nelson Yard.
We see Mike's carrying case grace the tracks in Glen Hammond as Henk approaches the dispatch booth.
With the session underway, Bernie has found Henk and Pat in Ironwood with Train 304.
While off in the distance Grant and Ralph use the runaround tracks at Watkins Siding to deal with traffic destined for Wellington Lake on the facing spur.
Bernie tells us of the congestion that resulted with the many cars meant for the new team track. We have two crews in Peter's Pond with the passenger train having required the main for its station stop. The old team track could hold a full train full of cars whereas the new one holds only three.
As mentioned earlier, the session was organized in the RailOps program "before" the changes were made at this location...resulting in too many cars destined for the team track. As Steve mentioned, this would be a "once only" as all further "session managing" will take into account the new sidings and the number of cars they will accommodate.
It's fun to observe their creative solution to this "one of a kind" situation.
Gerry concentrates on his work at the interchange at Bell while his crewmate Chris is seen off in the distance arranging moves with Doug as the two crews share Bell for the time being.
When two trains meet in the same location at roughly the same time they are encouraged to work together to assist each other with their facing moves whenever the opportunity strikes. This helps to expedite the traffic along the line in a positive manner.
Mike and Robin are all smiles as they work the interchange area at Bell with their RP&M train alongside Doug's IPP&W train. The "double ladder" behind the TH&B unit serves two purposes; it allows for the two crews to work independent of each other should the need arise and it also acts as a short runaround track!
Bernie has managed to capture just how busy Fred's backyard can become. Tom is seated by the dispatch hut assisting with some turnouts should his help be required.
Indeed the colour of railroading is evident in these two previous images as rolling stock representative of many of the colours of the rainbow are found in the two locations.
Bernie's camera finds Bell to the left, Glen Hammond in the center and Nelson Yard off to the right.
While 11 operators are found in this image, rest assured, there were twice that number on the property at the time!
Here is a repeat of the first image in this blog entry. We are most impressed with Chris's paint job and lettering of his CN diesel which had been of the CP variety beforehand.
Ralph sets out a car in Nelson Yard at the beginning of the day!
Thanks again to Bernie for the great images showcased above from the session.
The standard gauge sessions offer up quite the variety of traffic as witnessed here in Rat Portage. The Comber Chair facility and Golding Grains manage to hold quite the number of cars on their industrial tracks.
Two nice looking 40-footers are spotted at Cote Bottling in Anderson.
Two reefers are found in Bellamy.
The two tracks to the left hold the staged trains, 304 and 303 while the two nearer tracks contain interchange traffic in Glen Hammond.
The Rat Portage & Mattawa drovers' caboose is one of my favourite pieces of rolling stock on the system.
Lawrence assists George with the setup in Firgrove and Rat Portage.
Marcel conducts some last minute maintenance along the main line.
Hamer Manufacturing holds a couple of cars in the lone opposing spur in Rat Portage.
Doug holds onto that Southern car...the one that was tagged.
Here's Lawrence.
There's the Southern Car.
And...its other side.
A lovely D&H hopper with loaded coal.
Henk, Lawrence, Moe and Doug are in deep conversations pre-ops.
The ore dock at Northland.
Douglas Yard in Craig Leigh.
Paul's power for the yard.
Another glance.
The area known as Northland.
301's power on the ready track.
A new structure in place at the terminal.
I won't be able to get many action shots from the eastern sector of the railroad as my RP&M work holds me to the west.
My RP&M train, Rat 62, must switch out Lilly and Glen Hammond before departing for Rat Portage. Here we will exchange a gondola for a hopper car at the Fallentree Mine.
Marcel, George and Doug.
Craig Leigh is a hive of activity before the operations begin.
Steve, Doug, Chris and Andrew listen to Fred's pre-ops preamble.
It's a crowded house on this day.
But...the railroad needs large numbers to be able to operate in the fashion it was set out to do so.
Fred reminds us of the safety measures.
Time for train running!
303 is underway after departing Glen Hammond.
The crew have Peter's Pond in their sights.
She's a mixed consist as per usual.
Let's see 303's progress through the junction on video.
The doodlebug is "out and about" in Firgrove.
George has brought her out from the barn in preparation for a later run down to Bell.
Some video work in Firgrove.
Passenger 32 hauls through Mercer Siding in the early hours of the morning.
That Warbonnet scheme is one of the prettiest in the railroad kingdom!
With a green aspect the train heads on through the junction.
Passing by Anderson.
We'll take that in on video as well!
Glen Hammond will be the next station stop for this glorious train.
Reaching the throat of the yard.
Traversing the main.
Slowing down.
The station is in sight!
More video footage of the train.
With clearance out from the Glen, Passenger 32 winds its way around Nelson Yard on approach to the Fred Mills Trestle under the watchful eye of Marcel.
Airborne!
Finding terra firma once more
As captured on video by Mike.
Rat 62 is the turn from Nelson Yard/Glen Hammond to Rat Portage and back.
Train 62 repeats the actions of the previous passenger run navigating the big curve to the west of Glen Hammond.
The crew takes the far track.
Slowing to a stop. The crew had some setouts here in Glenn Hammond but all tracks were full so they deposited the cars in Nelson Yard instead.
A video of their entry into Glen Hammond.
George's endcab switcher toils in Ralph Yard making up the next outgoing train.
Moe works across the valley in Rat Portage.
Moe's power aboard the 61-72 Nelson Yard-Bell Turn is on the home stretch back to Nelson Yard.
Rat 62 arrives just as 72 departs.
Let's watch some video of the action.
Later on we are aboard the Nelson Yard - Bell Turn under the numbers of 71-82.
We ascend the grade from Pratt's Bottom to the interchange area at Bell.
Still more video action.
Arriving Bell we take the RP&M crossover and descend the western ladder.
Video footage of our arrival in Bell.
Here is where we meet 322.
Scanning the railroad we catch a large number of operators aboard a large number of trains!
A video review in the neighbourhood.
Pat snaps some pics and videos as well as Ralph follows his train around the big curve at Lilly.
Looking down the Glen Hammond deck we find the dispatcher in his dispatch tower,
The interchange is choc-a-block full...
...so we use our own rails as a yard lead.
Tons of activity abounds on the railroad.
Still more video action.
We work in tandem with 322.
An interesting shot of both trains working independent of each other...
...along the two ladders at the western end of the yard.
Interesting video footage.
With the tail end of our train trailing back in Bell, we have reached RP&M rails and begin our run back to Rat Portage and, eventually Glen Hammond.
The couplers press together on the downward trajectory.
Tunneling beneath Firgrove.
RP&M video work.
We arrive back in Rat Portage where we have further work to conduct.
As I video, Robin works the throttle as well as the turnouts.
Our tail end reminds us that we are a mixed freight.
Rat Portage video events.
A colourful string of cars are found in the yard.
Sid and Moe have returned to Rat Portage and wait momentarily as we have just completed our final moves here.
We tuck our combine on the back of the cut of cars before assembling our train. Then we clear the siding for Rat 81 to come in and meet us.
Once Rat 81 clears, we are on our way back to Glen Hammond as witnessed in this video tape.
The final passenger run of the day enters Firgrove.
Passenger 35 will tie up in front of the station.
I video Marcel's approach as his train terminates here.
I managed but a few moments in the east end of the railroad once my work on the RP&M was complete.
I've caught up with IPP&W Train 324 climbing out of Ironwood in front of the large Ironwood Brick facility.
Stretching eastward the train follows a lovely foliated area between Ironwood and Mount St. Helens.
The guttural, insistent throbbing of the diesel engine hefting a long string of tonnage is music to the ears of this railfan!
Indeed, CN 4578 offered up an incredible trackside experience for this fellow holding the camera!
Flowing up into St. Helens, the crew will enjoy the simplicity of "trailing sidings only" at this location before they terminate in the next town over.
We watch the video action of the moment.
At a much earlier time in their day, we find Train 302 having arrived Track 4 in Bell.
Another glance at George's diesel in Ralph Yard pre-ops.
A lovely view of the depot in the Glen as our passenger train conducts a station stop.
Returning back from Lilly, this RP&M train will have work to do in Glen Hammond before departing for Rat Portage.
Robin sails into Rat Portage under a red sky!
George continues to make up trains.
In short order he will be breaking down incoming trains in the same yard.
Hamer works Hamer!
Some of the traffic in the yard at Rat.
Busy Bell.
Busy Nelson Yard!
Henk appears busy at this moment!
The entire yard is swarming with operators. Looks like some re-railing going on in the distance.
I capture Bernie capturing a picture.
We do have a ton of fun!
Passengers peer out their big picture windows across the grassy fields at Mercer Siding.
Robin works the industries in Rat.
Mike's Delaware & Hudson locomotive hails from upstate New York.
St. Helens always fluctuates in its traffic patterns as cars come and go throughout the session.
You will remember last week I shared some pictures from the blacksmith shop.
Outside the shop were these pieces which I referred to as wheel rims. Mark sent me an e-mail telling me that they are, in fact, tires and not rims...and Mark is dead on. Thanks for the clarification, Mark! Greatly appreciated!
Mark then shared a website with me showcasing a real wagonwright/wheelright in action, to see how the
tires were mounted on those wheels.
To view the 12 minute amazing video copy and paste the web address below into your computer's browser.
https://www.youtube.com/user/EngelsCoachShop
Hehehe! Now which OVGRS member does this plate belong to?
Another peek at the rust garden in bloom.
Paul and Marilyn, Fred's former neighbours from across the street, dropped off some nice corn for Fred to enjoy.
Lawrence did a wonderful job finishing off the fascia here at the end of Craig Leigh. He also added a beautiful structure on the other side which I will photograph up close next week and share with you.
Our caboose tells us that it's time to wrap up this blog entry.
Father Fred hosted yet another engaging and entertaining ops session in the garden at his place this past weekend. Everyone certainly enjoyed themselves!
Thanks to everyone who were able to make it out to run trains and enjoy the social nature of this fine hobby of ours.
Check in next week when we dig out our steam locomotives and ply the rails with narrow gauge equipment!
All the best, Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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