Garden Railroading: Session #16 "Second Section" From Mike

"Second Section" of Images From Mike for Session #16

With great thanks to those folks who have supplied images my way, we are able to enjoy the experiences from Session #16.

Each contributor offers their own perspectives from the session which allows for an interesting review.

What follows are my second lot of pics and videos from our most recent session.

The IPP&W and the RP&M railway systems make up a "dream layout" for folks to operate up here in Ottawa.

Operators arrive every Saturday morning willing to take on any job to which they have been assigned and Bernie is no different. He is acting as our Craig Leigh yardmaster on this fine autumn morning.

Diesels are the talk of the day among railfans trackside along the route of the IPP&W.

Neil is bringing Passenger 32 into Wellington Lake for a station stop.

Video footage of Neil with the passenger run.

First and second generation diesels form the bulk of the power we will see on this day.

This Ontario Northland unit in a later paint scheme is a prime example of the tremendous colour of railroading which can be spotted in any yard along the system.

We invite you to enjoy this fine looking Nelson Yard video episode.

The ore train is routed in on the far siding down in Peter's Pond.

The train snakes its way through the turnout and flows along the siding trackage.

Our video answers the question as to why the ore crew took to the siding.

The ore train departs "The Pond" in a westward direction (geographical east).

A closer view of the power.

Tiptoeing through the crossing.

More footage on video of the train.

We love the look of this triple dome CN tankcar.

We spot new power aboard the ore train as witnessed here in Glen Hammond.

Passenger 32 is hot on the tail of the ore train rounding the big bend out from Bellamy headed for the stone depot in the Glen.

Have we ever seen Bernie without a smile? Hardly ever!

Doug's Canadian Pacific power is spotted in Spruce running east. This means he is in command of Train 304 destined for Craig Leigh after departing Glen Hammond earlier in the day. Doug's conductor on the day is Gerry.

Gerry is spotted off in the distance (green shirt) with train orders in hand as Doug has brought their train into Ironwood. Pat is working 301 at this location while Grant is spotted off in the distance near the fence with Train 302 running east.

Train 32 reaches Spruce with a stealth station! Yikes!

Moe and Pat have arrived the siding track in Spruce aboard 301.

Garry's Pacific is enjoying "staying alive" on the railroad as, for many steamers, the diesels have usurped them of their prominent roles in railroading.

The terminal area in Craig Leigh is home to much of the passenger equipment found on the railroad.

Steve and Peter are spotted near the engine house tracks at Craig Leigh.

Steve is explaining to Peter how he is lining up the train to be wyed and backed in on the Northland Ore Dock.

Looking good, Steve and Peter!

What's this? The Pool Train is taking the crossovers at Watkins?

Aha! Now we see! Bell is chock-a-block full of traffic at the moment with some cars left out on the main line.

Track 3 it will be for the Pool Train! Neil will eventually be able to switch out the west house track once the other traffic is removed. Let's watch the video footage.

A quick glance over to Nelson Yard finds Garry's gorgeous steam locomotive still earning its keep on the line.

The ore train arrives and is cleared in on the main with orders to stop short of the west house track turnout.

Indeed, we are keeping the trains rolling along the IPP&W as evidenced on this video.

Pool Train 33 conducts its switching moves here in Bell and will be underway in short order.

Some more Bell video for you to watch.

Aha...we recognize this handsome lad!

It's skipper Bill working Nelson Yard with Garry while yet another steam locomotive springs into action, this time aboard Train 312.

Video action at the eastern throat of Nelson Yard.

Indeed, it is a plethora of colour in the yard...pretty much at all times.

The west house track in Bell.

Not only a plethora of colour...but a very interesting mix of rolling stock.

Lots of boxcars over in Nelson.

Two interesting cabeese of the Rat Portage & Mattawa hold on to the end of their trains.

Doug's AB tandem of F's grab the attention of this photographer!

While this is pre-ops, these cars will be on the move in no time and the yard will morph throughout the morning taking on a different personality as the day progresses.

Yup, without yards we couldn't run the railroad!

Bernie is bringing down the short hop known as Train 41 from Craig Leigh to Mount St. Helens.

We take another glance at his new bell and horns. Looking really nice Bernie. Bernie also tells us that the bell is black on the real unit...so his bell copies that fact.

It will be long hood forward on the way back up to Craig Leigh as there is no turnaround capability in "The Mount".

Chuff Chuff...up the hill she comes!

Indeed...she can!

Grant hauls 312 into Spruce as the crew aboard 313 has been holding waiting to head out on to the main with a final destination of Nelson Yard.

Some nice steam video action.

With their meet having been "met", 313 is now underway.

It would "appear" that the depot has made an "appearance"! Big grin!

Love that powder blue Dow chemical car!

313 is captured on video by this railfan.

A meeting of the minds finds Len and Neil in conversation while both Pats are found in the background.

The Firgrove hop runs back upgrade to its home.

Pat videos Mike videoing Pat and Neil.

More video instances of the passenger runs.

Two trains on two parallel tracks on two bridges that span one gap...Brennan Gap that is!

Neil runs ahead with the pool train as Steve and Seanna switch out Lilly.

Listen carefully as Seanna explains why stock cars are set out and picked up at McKenzie Lumber.

Indeed, some fun video footage at Lilly.

Pat is found on Track 4 with his RP&M train.

From left to right we find Track 4, Track 3, the Stuart Yard Track, Mainline, Dutchman's Stores, East House Track.

Train 322 lifts the BC rail "40 footer" from Dutchman's Stores.

Pat drills the interchange yard with our Ironwood Road switcher.

Bill keeps Nelson Yard in tiptop shape!

Garry is enjoying his run with Grant aboard 312.

Skipper Pat has many a car to deal with at the ever-active interchange.

Moe has his "lift" on the coupler as he begins working Stuart Yard.

Pat pulls a long string of cars along Track 4.

We have an RP&M and an IPP&W crew working Bell at the moment...Rat 71-82 and IPP&W 322.

I've always admired Lawrence's flatcar load of marine buoys.

314 moves along the main at Watkins Siding.

312's crew continues with their assignment in Ironwood.

Grant's lovely steam locomotive.

It's a "triple play" of single dome tankers in Ironwood.

Train 41 has reached St. Helens where Bernie uses the set-out track to help him organize the cars.

Bernie tells us that many cars were spotted at wrong locations.

He ameliorates the situation before heading back home to Craig Leigh.

St. Helens video tales.

Aha...Moe is wondering why he has to come in on Track 3 after dispatch cleared him in on Track 4.

Of course, the RP&M crew will have Track 4 tied up for the time being.

Two roads in evidence here.

Video tape of the action at the western end of Bell.

Seanna guides her train along the tracks in Glen Hammond.

Steve has train orders in hand.

Their CN switcher has everything under control.

Some Glen Hammond video.

We catch up with Pat having exited Bell.

Reaching Pratt's Bottom.

Into the tunnel under Firgrove.

The tail end tucks in.

What things would look like if we had a "Green Christmas"!

A video episode along the Rat Portage & Mattawa (without the Christmas appeal).

A number of lads are spotted in the crew lounge.

Another number of lads are spotted in Ironwood.

Two RP&M trains meet down in Rat Portage.

We love the tiny RP&M caboose on this train tucked in on the team track.

Seanna works her train along the main line.

A fully loaded team track with four lads off in the distance.

Indeed...lots of railroad equipment is found in this image!

Steve reviews his options in Rat.

Some interesting rolling stock in the yard.

A heavy load on the depressed flatcar.

A TOFC!

Comber's Chairs is full as is Golding Grains.

The sun always shines on the RP&M.

Passenger 35 has reached Ironwood.

CP diesel meets CP van!

With a CP car in the mix of the consist of 312.

Station stop in Ironwood.

More interesting video work witnessed here.

Two Canadian trains meet at our rural siding at Mercer.

Train 314 reaches the junction.

Through Bellamy.

Video of the meet.

Passenger 35 makes it way through "The Corners".

Into Wellington Lake.

Heading west.

Passenger video work at Wellington Lake.

We find Train 324 climbing up Clarke Grade.

Passing the outskirts of Spruce.

Moe waits for the passenger run to clear the main and then he will continue east towards Peter's Pond.

Let's watch that video, shall we.

Love the shirt, Moe!

The tail end of passenger 35 in Wellington Lake.

Our Nelson Yard crew...Bill and Doug!

Ironwood appears busy at the moment.

Gerry finds refreshment in a good chair and the warm sun...not to mention the pep he will get from that Pepsi Cola!

Moe's power reaches the pedestrian crossing found to the west (geographical east) of the junction.

Through the junction.

Two crews share the tracks in Ironwood.

Love that CN Geep.

Also love that engine with side rods!

Lots of fun abounds all around the railroad.

Stock cars are placed in behind the locomotive to allow the crew to keep an eye (but not a nose) on the livestock...hopefully the aromas drift back away from the engine crew!

Their tail end.

A vertical meet!

Moe and Pat proceed toward Peter's Pond.

On the upper level.

A video episode of the meet.

Over top the junction switch.

Some Canadian rolling stock.

Clearing the junction.

Junction video tape.

The Glenn is well occupied toward the close of the session...

...just as it is at the beginning of the session.

Glen Hammond video events.

Drifting through Ironwood.

Grant hauls 321 into Spruce. This is his third trick of the morning.

Dilip is found on his final trick of the day as well down in Ironwood.

Late session video work.

Time to celebrate another great train operating session.

Garry takes a moment out to finish up a job he had started on the "Workday Wednesday".

He is spraying paint over top the large metal washers that act as track identifiers in Nelson Yard.

Some of his blanks.

What's on the workbench? Well, I've finished up my build of McReady's Pickles.

The large pickle vats are made up as a model with three barrels being taller and one shorter...for a reason.

The shorter container will have its lid removed where you get to see the pickles!

The platform for the vats.

As witnessed from above.

I will not build a diorama as thesse structures will find a home on Professor David Gardner's layout.

I contacted David to notify him of a much needed addition to this scene...a pickle car! American Model Builders aka LaserKit offers a "conversion kit" for a 40' flat car. You purchase the kit but you must supply the flat car. David has taken my advice and the conversion kit is now on order.