Session #14 Views For a Third Time
Hi folks. I'm just catching up with more items from our fourteenth session of the season.
I want to get this posting "on air" before I begin sharing images from our following session held last Saturday.
This blog post wraps up the story from our last Standard Gauge operations at Fred's place.
Bernie's display of passion for railroading is an exemplar for how all of us feel each Saturday morning when we assemble at the "House of Fred"!
Speak of the...&^%*#@#...it's Fred himself! See what I mean about having a passion for railroading and friendship? Fred's smile speaks volumes!
You'll recall me posting a few images of Garry's Alco units.
Here are a couple more from different angles.
Speaking of angles, Len has his head cocked at a different angle as he peruses the yard at Ralph during the pre-ops setup.
George is occupied with his lists as Garry sets out the passenger equipment for Train 32.
One diesel is free as another is still tethered down.
Chris and Pat are in Glen Hammond about to set out the cars for Train 304.
While, later in the Glen, Passenger 32 approaches the depot.
A station stop is required here before heading further east to Blockhouse, Spruce and other worldly places.
Passenger 32 is the actor in this video footage.
Getting underway out from Blockhouse.
Rumour has it that the siding may be slated to be pulled up with only the station remaining for continued station stops.
The horn is blaring through the pedestrian crossing.
Into Clarke Canyon.
And...finally up into Spruce where a meet will be held with 304, travelling in the same direction.
Still more passenger train video action.
Another unit train has found its way through Bell.
The ore train passes the dispatch hut and makes its way into Watkins.
The ore cars are small, but they carry considerable tonnage.
Ore train video scenes.
A walk around the property brings us to Bell where Lawrence's handiwork is evident in this creative structure.
Aha! The lighthouse is up and running once more! Thanks so much, Steve and Seanna, for continuing to shine like the circulating mirrors in the lighthouse!
Over in Craig Leigh we see 301 already made up and ready to depart out from Douglas Yard.
Our very own Ironwood Road unit toils effortlessly in the big yard at Nelson.
Here's a big one! She'll have no issues hauling tonnage for the RP&M on this day!
Chris's power will handle 304, the run from the Glen to Craig Leigh.
Our other RP&M diesel, Malcolm's Conrail unit, will work Rat 62 in short order.
Long hood forward running, 304's power will get under way in a few moments.
Chris's unit is a handsome one, indeed.
As is Malcolm's!
Nelson Yard is a bevy of activity as the session gets underway.
Love the appearance of all this rolling stock in the Glen and the big yard!
Four crews are found in this image. To the upper left we find Moe and Gerry aboard 302 in Cedar Rock. The Pool Train is found shuffling down the grade at Clarke Hill with Garry's lovely green and gold units on the head end. Bob Clarke (the gentleman Clarke Hill or Clarke Grade is named for) drills the Ironwood Brick facility aboard the ore train while Chris and Pat enter the yard in Ironwood with Train 313. Lots of action in one image for sure!
313 and the ore train manage to keep out of each other's way.
A closer look.
Some Ironwood video footage.
Over on the other side of the railroad we find two trains near the interchange at Bell.
The Algoma Central unit is in charge of IPP&W Train 314 while the CN diesel switches out the interchange aboard RP&M 61.
314 would typically come in on Track 4...unless...an RP&M cousin is already residing there...
...which is the case at the moment here in Bell.
Some video looks near the interchange at Bell.
Down in Peter's Pond Doug aligns the turnout for the main as the Pool Train is on approach to the depot here.
Pool Train 33 meets 311 and 302.
Some operators use "markers" atop the rolling stock to indicate if the car is a setout or a lift. One colour denotes the cars to be set out while the other car indicates those that are to be lifted.
311's power awaits the passing of 33's locomotive pairing.
Video tape taken down in Peter's Pond.
Gerry's father worked for the real railroad while Gerry works for the IPP&W!
Garry and Doug enjoy a tale or two pre-ops.
An earlier shot of the Algoma Central unit aboard Train 303 bound for Firgrove. The crew of Steve and Seanna will return back to Bell on the next trick.
An interesting array of colours in Nelson Yard.
The ore train has reached the central point of the railroad with a long brace of ore cars in the mix.
304 terminates in Douglas Yard. The crew will wye their locomotive and begin their second run of the day aboard 313.
TH&B #73 has lost its Bell...but, alas...thanks to Chris, Bernie will have a new bell in place for our next session this coming Saturday!
Another peek at another gorgeous diesel locomotive.
We thank Mark and children for bringing this beauty out for our admiring eyes! She'll work the Rat Portage & Mattawa Railway today. Love those silver trucks!
I always believe that "problems are opportunities for solutions" and this is what is happening here in Peter's Pond with two crews working around each other in a very respectful manner. We see Moe sandwiched between our two Dougs!
We seem to have replacement power aboard 302!
Bernie is all smiles...
...as he works the Northland Oil spur nearby the ice house.
There's a setout to be spotted at the spur.
Let's catch that on video.
Marcel and Grant work the sidings at Anderson. Hopefully no train wants through the junction! Note Pool Train 33 descending the grade into Pratt's Bottom in back of Marcel.
There she is!
Her tail end slows for a station stop!
Continued drilling at Anderson.
Video tape around the junction.
Our Alaska unit has reached Rat Portage and protects itself for a meet with the Pool Train.
Some of the lading found in the yard at Rat.
Train 33 on approach to the station down in Rat.
Rat Portage video review.
Train 314 tackles the curve out from under Mount St. Helens.
The train takes the appropriate siding should they be switching out Cedar Rock. The other freight train residing on the main line must have been granted a special exemption to leave cars there as typically this traffic should be found on the third track over.
302 continues to work after a service interruption with their power.
Some video work down in the Pond.
The power for the ore train reaches the Northland Ore Dock.
The patio doubles as a "viewing theatre" for action at Spruce!
Seanna and Steve handle the traffic at Wellington Lake.
311 has reached the same location and deposits a car in the siding.
314 has used the "runaround" at Watkins Siding to re-assemble their train having worked the facing siding at Wellington Lake.
A trio of tank cars is found on the team track at the western end of Ironwood.
313 has a car on its short hood end to be dropped on the trailing Spruce spur while the Ontario Northland car is either a lift or drop for the facing siding.
Bernie is found at the west end of Craig Leigh.
Train 322 works its third trick of the day along Track 4 at Bell.
Bill controls the traffic in Nelson Yard with the aid of his RP&M mates.
Grant, Marcel and Pat are portrayed in this image on the eastern fringe of Nelson Yard.
Our Alaska unit arrives Bell after tackling the grade out from Pratt's Bottom on RP&M iron.
Len hustles down the IPP&W grade and will enter Bell along the main line.
The RP&M crew is cleared into Bell.
Len's power.
The train enters Bell on the westerly ladder of the pair and reaching Track 4.
Travelling along Track 4.
A nice railfan shot from trackside.
Bell video views.
323 has been cleared out from Nelson Yard...
...and is through the junction in no time at all.
The head end aims for Mercer...
...while the tail end clears the junction and the crew radios this news to dispatch.
A video look at 323's progress.
323 is greeted by 314 at Mercer Siding.
Working its way along the siding.
Seeking the far turnout.
Mercer video review.
Same "like facing" trains meet at Bell, 322 and RP&M 71.
322 departs out from Bell.
71 continues its switching.
The meet as captured on video.
An assembly of the United Nations!
We appreciate the ever-changing look of Nelson Yard throughout the session.
The RP&M crew assist the yard master on the far track (near track to the viewer).
A look at the rolling stock found in Stuart Yard and environs.
A tandem of reefers found on the house track in the Glen.
A photo from my perch in the dispatch booth.
Crews congregate in "The Office of the Nelson Yardmaster".
Gerry gets a kick out of this photographer!
Looking pretty full...although the far track to the left appears clear for runaround potential.
Fallentree Mine.
A "meeting of the minds" finds 324 departing Nelson Yard as the ore train runs around on the outer track heading for Glen Hammond.
Two more locomotives join the fray!
"Thank goodness for the free trackage in the Glen!" we hear the Nelson Yardmaster say.
My favourite car on the line!
Let's check all those train moves on video tape!
An RP&M crew works the Glen.
Grant manages the switches.
Grant's RP&M counterpart, Malcolm, has found his way up to the interchange in Bell.
More video work.
The ore crew and the passenger crew encounter each other in Spruce.
The ore train holds the main...
...while the passenger train steers around the ore consist with its eyes on the depot in the distance on the curve.
Some nice video footage of Passenger 35 meeting the ore train.
314 runs through Mercer with a hopeful green aspect ahead of the locomotive.
Train 323 takes the Cedar Rock Siding in Peter's Pond before heading up the long branch.
Chris determines his moves ahead of time as their is no runaround capability up in Cedar Rock.
Our RP&M run reaches Bell.
322 takes the Peter's Pond siding in the Pond leaving the mainline open for the passenger run or the ore train.
Their work may include switching out the team track, the fishery or the cooperage.
Again...the near track is the track designated for the train that must head up the branch. The middle track is the mainline. The third track over is the local Peter's Pond track.
An aerial view of the depot down in the Pond.
Through the tunnel near Mount St. Helens.
Pat is all smiles as this frenetic action takes place.
Doug controls the turnout for his train.
Another look at the eastern throat of Nelson Yard.
With the passenger train out of the way, the ore train is cleared into Ironwood.
The engineer navigates the big curve to the east of Spruce.
Steve and Seanna are found in Ironwood conducting their setouts and lifts.
More video from the neighbourhood.
Bernie has aligned the turnout for the ore train.
Engineer Bob will back the train into the engine house track where he will deposit the caboose.
Here's Bob now!
Craig Leigh video work.
Bernie follows the flow of the unit train as it backs onto the Northland Ore Dock.
Bob's power for the ore train.
That's one nice looking string of cars, Bob!
More ore train video moments.
We spot IPP&W Train 323 in "The Corners".
In behind Ironwood Brick.
Climbing up into Wellington Lake.
323 is found on video moving in a westerly direction.
Yet another meet of freight trains and passenger trains!
Chris's lovely loco.
Some neighbours from down the street pay a visit to the railroad.
Still more video work.
Fred and Bill Williams share some stories.
An "up and over" meet!
Two Canadian road units.
Time to tuck this little puppy into bed!
Bob hauls ore over RP&M rails.
Sid watches on as Chris and Pat discern their moves up in Cedar Rock while Garry reaches the station in Spruce off in the distance.
The appearance of the ore train does not bother this husband and wife crew at all.
Garry snags a video of his passenger train.
Mike snags a pic of Garry snagging his train!
Lovely, Bob!
Gerry and Moe have reached Mount St. Helens.
Our visitors are enamored with all of the train activity!
Aha! A steam locomotive is found in the mix.
Trains here and there and everywhere!
Len and Sid enjoy a chuckle or two.
Malcolm assists with the packing up following the session.
Some cabeese are held in the dispatch booth between sessions.
Lots of room for the important things!
Marcel and Bill.
Chris, Sid & Doug.
Cooking time!
What's this?
Aha! Ironwood Cider from the Ironwood Cider House.
I'll drink to that!
Jean has arrived and joins the boys in the lounge.
Grant and Chris post-ops.
Garry pulls out another new acquisition.
She's a true beauty, Garry.
Headlight works.
Traversing through Bell.
She's awakening!
Garry's all smiles!
A "going away" shot.
Let's check out the steamer on video.
Making the "rounds" in Spruce.
Past the foliage.
Downhill on the outskirts of Spruce.
Steam on video.
This morning was "Workday Wednesday".
Garry is ready and willing to get down to work in the big yard.
Pat is a faithful WW worker.
As is Bernie.
We are thrilled to have Chris in the mix on Wednesdays as well.
Indeed, Garry has been busy painting the large metal washers which indicate each track in Nelson Yard.
These should last forever!
We've solved a few problems of the world as we work.
Bernie and Chris come to check out what Garry is up to.
Aha! Now we see.
He is drilling the hole in the tie...
...that will accommodate the many new markers that he made.
Purple! Yikes! This colour is for Henk. We all get a big chuckle.
Yup, there is a purple track!
Looking down the line.
Not too many leaves have fallen yet...so the rake didn't come out this morning.
(Besides, I got my bi-valent vaccine shot last night and my arm was a tad stiff and sore!)
I got the old white boards out...
...to photograph the finished model...
...of the George Sellios kit put out by FSM...
...in HO scale.
Then it was on to the Foscale kit which I shared with you in an earlier blog entry.
I was able to create a three-dimensional clock in HO scale for the clock tower on the "Department of Docks" kit.
The finished build.
The structure will adorn a seaside hamlet on David Gardner's layout.
A side-on picture.
Resting beside the other recently finished structure.
Now it's on to the next model for David...AMB's McCready's LTD.
I chose to model the structure in the same colours as found on the box cover. To achieve the colour I blended orange and red paint with a wash of black over top. Check out this cool burnishing tool for tucking signs onto the clapboard walls!
Tab and slot assembly will work beautifully here.
The walls are going in.
My trusty weights and squares help out.
Back to our good friend, Bernie and his love of trains.
Fred is deep in thought in appreciation of all the folks who come out to share his passion of railroading with him.
We appreciate all that you do for us, Fred!
All the best, Mike and Members of the OVGRS, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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