Garden Railroading: Session #11 Part Two

Session #11 Part Two

We continue with our look at our most recent train operating session at Fred's.

All train runs were completed by noon seeing as many folks are now arriving earlier for the pre-ops setup.

This allows us to enjoy the train running in the cooler part of the day!

Pat's locomotive is the "Leader of the Pack"...

...followed by Grant's...

...then mine.

An earlier shot with the power "out of alignment" with throttles resting atop each engine.

Now they are lined up by Andrew.

Cool runnings!

A nice looking load.

And another.

Andrew's locomotive.

His locomotive is facing west in Glen Hammond indicating she will haul train 303.

George's steamer classifies the next train out from Firgrove.

Len handles the turnout throw from his perch inside the yard.

Off to the right we spot a trio of lads in Rat Portage.

My locomotive is running light to Nelson Yard in order to catch up with our next train, 312.

Some video reviews of these scenes.

I enter Rat Portage.

I breeze past the station with no stop.

I meet Rat 62 which has cleared the main for me.

Here's Rat 62.

Some Rat Portage video.

Grant's waycar is a gem to behold.

Love it Grant.

Another low-angle view of that trio of beauties in Nelson Yard!

An interesting growth, for sure!

Mark and Malcolm.

Moe is found "at ease" beside the dispatch booth.

After my engine "flew over" to Nelson Yard from Firgrove, Bill and I were able to re-board our train and head out of the yard aboard 312 to continue our eastward trek.

Passing through Lilly.

A video look at our train.

A little while later we find ourselves heading into Ironwood...

...with our tail end reaching the station on the curve.

Let's watch that video.

303 is found at the eastern throat of Nelson Yard before heading west to Firgrove.

Andrew will command this train with Moe.

Doug is found at his normal perch in the dispatch hut.

Video views.

Earlier the lads were found in Glen Hammond pre-ops.

Garry, Mark, Grant & Neil...with his friend, the pole!

Len, George, Lawrence, Pat & Malcolm. It's great having Malcolm back following a long vacation overseas in Portugal.

It's great to have Steve and Seanna back as well.

302 is underway from a most unusual starting position...Nelson Yard. This train begins its day's run in Firgrove most days...but not today!

Mark and Mark...or, shall we say, "Mark Squared"!

It's really nice to see Mark out and about with the gang!

Lawrence carries his camera around for some railfan shots.

313 is on its way to Ironwood after switching out St. Helens.

Onward ho!

A video snippet of their train.

312 departs Ironwood as 303 climbs the grade at Wellington Lake.

We round the bend as we accelerate onwards.

Our sights are on Mount St. Helens.

Two interesting tail end cars!

Let's check that out on video, shall we!

Bill and I continue our switching at St. Helens.

That's one long string we have to work with!

Let's check that out on video as well.

We have been given our green and we depart St. Helens for our termination point at Douglas Yard.

Indeed, we are Craig Leigh bound.

Video of us working hard to climb the hill.

Arrival at Douglas.

Paul has set the turnouts for us.

We slowly glide to a stop at the top of Douglas Yard. We note our third train of the morning is already set to depart. Thanks for having it ready upon our arrival, Paul!

Some more video tape from the area.

We catch up with Andrew and Moe in Spruce with 314.

That's our train on the downhill glide at Clarke Hill to the right as 314 continues its efforts in Spruce.

We are through Clarke Canyon and on into Blockhouse and further points west.

Let's check out the video reels here.

We've found the power aboard 324 sandwiched between its caboose and its consist on the curve leading into Ironwood from the west.

She's a colourful locomotive Andrew owns.

Speaking of Andrew...here he is.

The video review.

Still more pics from the crew's efforts.

The weather gods have shined nicely on the IPP&W on this morning.

Running around their train.

Ironwood video work.

Passenger 32 has reached Glen Hammond, the halfway point of the journey between Firgrove and Craig Leigh.

Mike's and Paul's steamers in Craig Leigh.

Steve and Seanna are found in Spruce working the triple trailing sidings with Train 313.

A westbound swoops downhill at Clarke Grade.

321 is protected as Passenger 35 aims for the station in Ironwood.

Sid is the railroad observer as Bill and I go about our duties.

David and Malcolm are found in the aisleway between Cedar Rock and Spruce.

We have reached Spruce and have run around our train to shove a cut of cars into the facing siding.

321 holds the siding for the arrival of 324.

Lots of activity is spotted in this image of the big yard and environs with three crews being kept busy on the western front.

Bill's T-shirt with this nice ensignia.

Still more views back in Ironwood.

Looking good lads!

On "Workday Wednesday" Pat and Lawrence investigate an area to the east of Bell where the trackwork required addressing. It was determined that the plank below the track near the fence will require some shim to bring the rail back to level.

Lawrence's mini-level.

At my home I have begun work on the FSM kit put out by Georve Sellios, "Seafood Emporium" for professor David Garnder, one of our SLD members of the NMRA. Should be a really fun build!