Session #14 September 17th

Session #14  September 17th

I'm now able to catch up with our most recent train operating session held this past Saturday.

With the standard gauge fleet set out around the railroad we knew we would be following a horde of diesel engines around the layout.

All trains were run and the session finished before the noon hour due to a quick set-out period.

Indeed, the possibilities are endless when you wish to run a diesel tandem in an experimental scheme...and Garry has done just that with his recent purchase of this awesome looking Alco passenger unit.  Garry wishes to thank Doug Hayes for offering it up for him.

In the initial image, you found the pair hanging out in Craig Leigh much later in the operations.  Above we see the units backing onto their consist in the early morning hours before departing Firgrove with Passenger 32 in tow.

Did I already say that the possibilities are endless?  Wow!  Talk about another unit that surprises us with its appearance so far to the east, Alaska 2007.  We thank Mark for getting his hands on this puppy and for bringing it out for our viewing enjoyment!

Marcel does not disappoint as well with this lovely monster of a diesel.

How can you not love the appearance of this GP30 in Conrail blue.  Thanks go out to Malcolm for bringing it along for the session.

The TH&B maroon and cream always manages to stop this railfan in his tracks.  Bernie is the proud owner of this fellow!

Here's another great example of wonderful liveries.  I believe this unit belongs to Doug.

Of course, we all love our "pinch hitter" who resides in the engine house "just in case" there are service interruptions with other power!

Chris has added a horn with its mount to the long hood end of his CN Geep.

Chris printed it up himself on his 3D printer.

The mount for the horn looks awesome, Chris!

There are other amazing diesels found about the property on this morning which you will meet later throughout this blog entry.

Passenger 32, the first train out on the road for the morning sweeps around the big curve leading into Bell.

The train slows for a station stop at the depot located halfway down the length of Stuart Yard.

Passengers enjoy the many vistas found in the western area of the railroad.

And...we enjoy the vistas found in Mike's video of the train!

The long run between Glen Hammond and Spruce is sometimes interrupted with a brief stop at Blockhouse if your orders indicate work to be done here.

Blockhouse video of Train 304.

Rat 62 holds the siding as Train 32 approaches on the station track in the Glen.

Even though this paint scheme was never adopted, we have caught it for posterity atop IPP&W rails!

Some video work at Glen Hammond.

Speaking of exceptional examples of the variety of diesel locomotives that reach IPP&W rails, we find Bob's Santa Fe unit having an easy go of it downgrade out from Firgrove.

With no station stops at Bell, Wellington Lake or Peter's Pond, the train will advance through these locations with Nelson Yard as its targeted first stop.

Of course, it could be held at Watkins or even at Bell momentarily depending on traffic concerns along the line.

Ore train video footage at the location known as "The Ledges".

An early morning glance down the length of Nelson Yard finds one diesel ready with another still to "wake up".

The four tracks in Glen Hammond are busiest just before the session begins.  Within a short amount of time, the two tracks to the right will be empty of trains as they act as staging for Trains 303 & 304.

The western end of Ironwood hosts a team track, the freight shed spur and the siding at Larabie Fuels.

Wow!  Four cars begin their day at Wellington Lake!

Looks like Seanna's going fishing!  She's not.  She and Steve have developed a method to protect the wiring (to illuminate the lighthouse) that will reside underground.  The tubing will act as a protective sheath for the wires.

Rolling stock of all varieties are in abundance in the Glen and over at Nelson Yard.

Note how the Glen is sometimes spelled with a single letter "n" and sometimes with a double letter "n".

Motive power and tail end cars gather together.

The eastern sector of the line is active with 301 found in Ironwood and 304 over in Spruce.

Pat and Sid observe the passage of the Train 32.

Station stop...Ironwood.

The depot located on the curve is a favourite railfanning spot for this photographer.

Eastern sector video moments.

304 has held the siding to allow the entry of 301 into Spruce.

Ironwood is now clear for 304.

The crew makes its way eastbound to Ironwood.

Let's examine that exchange on video.

Across the back aisle from Ironwood we find Train 303 taking the crossover at Watkins which will lead them into Bell onto Track 3.

Arrival at Bell.  303 meets an opposing RP&M train, Train 61 which resides on Track 4.

Video at Watkins of 303's approach into Bell.

Not to be outdone, Train 40 arrives Bell moments later.

The doodlebug takes to the ladder.

Len will have a bit of switching to handle here at the house track.

Bell video tape.

Yet another beauty of a diesel unit!

Steve & Seanna's Algoma Central is a favourite among many!

Their progress at Bell as captured on video.

They, too, take to the western ladder in Stuart Yard.

With a CN reefer in tow...

...it would appear they have a set-out at Brunt's Brewery.

Let's follow their movements on video.

Earlier in the day, Marcel and Doug were found wearing suitable clothing for the lower temps September can offer.

Two RP&M lads, Grant and Malcolm but they are not on the same crew on this day.

Steve had arrived with his carrying case painted in those lovely Algoma Central colours.

Fancy-Dancy in my books!

Here's Seanna and Steve waiting for the RP&M crew to relocate so they can successfully navigate the junction.

"Just a tad further, please!" they are heard to say.

Aha!  Ore has reached Nelson!

The 5200 departs eastward out from the yard.

The Fallentree Mine is in the background.

Ore video in Nelson Yard.

Pool Train 33 is underway out from the terminal area in Craig Leigh.

This train will travel the farthest distance of all trains run on the morning.

It will reach the iron on both roads before returning to Craig Leigh later in the session.

Video of Train 33 as it departs from the easternmost terminal.

Chris holds on the wye.

Why?  Because!  Hi Chris, Garry & Bernie!

33 passes the large chimney stack that stands sentinel over the entrance to Craig Leigh.

The lone passenger car brings up the rear on this train full of headend cars.

Let's capture that on video, shall we!

Rat 62 as caught on the return leg of its journey.

Passing the depot at Bellamy.

Not far away in proximity but miles and miles away in geography we find 303 tackling the grade up into Firgrove.

Video of both trains on their way to their destinations.

Nelson Yard hosts a number of trains throughout a session and 311 is but one of them.

The chits are removed by the yardmaster upon departure.

The two Dougs are given a green by dispatch (me) and are cleared down to Peter's Pond.

In the meantime we glance over at that beautiful Alaskan specimen.

More video in Nelson Yard.

Mark sets the turnouts for his engine.

The diesel locomotive backs up the ladder.

They find a clear alley.

More video from Nelson Yard.

Moe and Gerry are found in Bell with Train 302.

Moe has the "lid off" to allow for ventilation.

Over at the western end of Mercer Siding (geographical east) 303 is spotted ducking under the water diversion pipe in the early hours of the morning.

Malcolm in Glen Hammond.

Skipper Bill...our Nelson Yardmaster finds the chores easy on this day!

Love that dome car!

It's early still and both Doug's are found on the siding tracks in Ironwood.

Chris and Pat are found in Spruce.

Steve and Seanna make Peter's Pond.

Sid is all smiles as he enjoys the view from the patio.

Another look at #168 in Bell.

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Another glance over to Nelson Yard find the ore train's arrival.

Gerry and Moe consider their moves up in Cedar Rock as Doug looks on.

The red chit on the flatcar implies either a pick-up or a set-out.

Gerry and Moe and their CN diesel.

Over at Craig Leigh Garry gets underway shortly after confirming the roster of cars in his train.

Bernie is all smiles over in Craig Leigh...and why not?

For when you are keeping your yard organized with great looking power, there is no better feeling!

Looks great, Bernie!

Drilling the siding at Northland Oil.

Let's view that on video!

Gabriela exits Nelson Yard with her RP&M consist.

Passing the coffee tower!

Passing the red barn!

Passing the depot at Bellamy...formally referred to as "Belson"...an amalgam of Bellamy and Nelson.

Video of Gabriela's train getting underway.

Marcel is found in Nelson Yard as Garry works the house track in the Glen.

Steve and Seanna are off in the distance behind the two lads and Malcolm is in the distance to the left.  Indeed, four train crews in a single snippet!

Mark follows the progress of his locomotive.  Hey Mark, you are dressed in the same yellow and blue scheme of the Alaska unit!

Looking pretty dapper there!

Video of the environs around the dispatch booth!

CN...meet your brother!

Bill has his hands full now!

As do George and Marcel...literally!

"Who's on second?  No he's on first..."  No, we won't go there!  Big grin!

Nelson Yard's antics as captured in video motion.

The appearance of this behemoth tells me...

...the ore train has arrived!

Malcolm holds the ladder until such time as the tail end passes.

Then he zigzags over to the far reaches of the yard.

Video movements.

304 has reached Douglas Yard.  In short order they will depart aboard 313.

Malcolm continues with his orders in the Glen.

Nelson evolves and changes appearances.

The big unit reaches Track 4 at Bell on loan to the Rat Portage & Mattawa Railway.

Yet another glance at this beautiful diesel locomotive.

311's power in the yard.

Headend equipment being delivered and picked up.

Garry has enjoyed the run of the passenger trains.  The pool train is the only one where he sees any switching moves.

He's now underway to Bellamy.

The two Dougs reach Peter's Pond where they meet Gerry and Moe.

A steam locomotive has once again come to the rescue of a diesel as noted on the branch.

Bob has reached the Northland Ore Dock.

One hopper seems to be carrying a different kind of load!

Mr. Bill Williams made a surprise appearance!  Welcome Bill.

Here are the latest developments on my HO modeling projects, the clock faces for the clock tower on the "Department of Docks" build.  The great thing about these clocks is that the kit offered the modeler the option of simply using the pre-printed time they set for the kit or to utilize the blank clock face and glue on the laser cut hour and minute hand to create your own time for the tower.  I chose 3:23 for reasons you will learn in a moment.

Here you see the clock tower in place (just resting for the moment) with the sub-roof in.  There are still many dormers to construct for the roof.

Now you see why I chose 3:23 for the kit.  The other build I recently completed from the George Sellios kit also had a clock tower with a pre-ordained time of...3:23!  I couldn't have these two towers adorn the same seaside coastal village with differing times could I!

Now with the weather cooling down...the good old fleece and autumn jacket will come in handy for train ops as evidenced from this image of me from another train operating season.

We are proud of our logo!

We are happy we don't have to adorn masks anymore as Andrew's steamer once did!

We love being in Fred's backyard...as witnessed in this drone footage Moe sent a few seasons ago.

We are lucky to have this station adorn our town of Spruce.

Even though the real one is located a short drive from here in Gananoque along the Montreal-Toronto corridor.

Here is our version.

A few images of Peter's Pond when it still was a pond.

No problem as we enjoy the camaraderie the patio that has taken its place offers.

Chris, one of our "Workday Wednesday" crew mates is in the "green room" discussing how to fabricate a cowcatcher for a steam locomotive on his 3D printer. 

Indeed, this past "Workday Wednesday" Bernie and Pat were found in Craig Leigh hard at work.

What are the sneaky lads up to?

Aha!  The removal of the turnout "throw" from the St. Helens side of the wye.  This cable and throw was causing some grief for some while now.  The decision to remove it from that side of the wye is a good one as in reality, the yardmaster in Craig Leigh should govern all moves within the boundaries of the yard.  This means that all switches on the wye are accessed from "within" the boundaries of Craig Leigh.

Pat wisely saves the chock cable and other paraphernalia for future use.

Bernie relaxes between jobs.

Lots of great discussions occur on the Wednesdays...and many problems are solved.

Fred pitches in as well.

Leaves accumulate beneath Firgrove and the grade up to Firgrove.

They are raked up and put in the bin for pickup at the end of the driveway.

One of Fred's wishes is that all cabeese residing on the property be lettered for either the IPP&W or the RP&M.  Doug Culham and I had a discussion about this before a recent operation and Doug has graciously offered to re-letter the bright red and lemon yellow Canadian Pacific cabooses for the railroad on our behalf.  Thanks so much, Doug.  Greatly appreciated.  Anyway, around the crew lounge table on Wednesday, Fred was certain that the Union Pacific transfer van was lettered for the RP&M.  I begged to differ.  "Fred, I'm sure that it's lettered for the IPP&W!"  I got up from the table and headed over to the storage sheds to locate "said" caboose.  "Gotcha there, Fred!"  Big smile!

Garry arrived to pick up some large washers.

Great smile, Garry!

Garry will paint new metal washers which will replace the plastic chits he already has painted.  The metal will outlast the plastic forever!

Bernie checking out the answer to a query one of us had.  Bernie also snapped a mug shot for Fred for a laminate he requires for the Craig Memorial Library.  Thanks for doing that, Bernie!

Pat relaxes after working hard all morning.

Mike relaxes after raking up a ton of leaves.

Fred relaxes after having to put up with us all!  Big laugh!

Our latest version of the track plan as created by our good friend, Joel Racine.

Skipper Fred in the "Green Room".

We know Fred has as much fun as we do when we are at his home, but we must always thank him for his tremendous hospitality no matter the day of the week.

I'll be creating a "Part Two" for Session #14 at a later date so...stay tuned!

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