Session #17 Cool Weather Pics

Session #17 Cool Weather Pics and Vids

Hi folks.  We gathered at Fred's with the temperature reading in the low single digits.

When I left home, the windchill factor was -2 degrees Celsius!  Gadzooks!

We were all dressed for the weather and the cooler temps did not deter us one single bit!

The red rods tell us that this week's session is of the narrow gauge variety.

Doug's Number 7's red trim makes this a standout specimen!

Seven's role on this day is to be Douglas Yard switcher.

Craig Leigh, as always, is in the trusted hands of a very capable operator.  We thank Doug for taking on the role for this day.

My crewmate, Gerry!

This early morning image does not tell the entire story...it's "very" cold on this day!

The interchange tracks are loaded pre-ops.

Gerry and I are aboard Rat 62.

My Annie works high above Brennan Gap atop the Lawrence Watkins Trestle.

Our orders have us conducting work at Lilly and the Fallentree Mine before we are able to back out of Nelson Yard and continue our run as Rat 62 over in Glen Hammond.

Lawrence Watkins video views.

Steam meets steam!

We are on the way over to the Glen.

Doug asks us to take the main rather than the clear interchange track as the IPP&W train in the distance still has work to handle on that siding.

Video of our arrival in the Glen.

Seanna is all smiles as Steve focuses on his train in the distance.

Our other Steve is in charge of the passenger runs and he has Passenger 32 underway out from Glen Hammond when he attends to a truck issue.

We take the main in the Glen.

Some more video from our train.

We depart the Glen following our work there.

Gerry assures me that we have all the correct cars aboard our train.

Approaching Bellamy.

Bellamy video work.

We backtrack a bit to find it "bell ringing time" and Gerry holds the honours.

Dilip visits the crew lounge where Fred, Lawrence and Doug are found.

Steve and Bernie model their winter garb.

Pat smiles for the cameraman as Marcel and Robin share a conversation.

Here's a happy camper!  We'll miss you Marcel, but are happy for you heading to your southern destination!

Thankfully the sun has chosen to come out and play!

Bill and Ralph are found at the engine house in Craig Leigh.

Bill instructs Ralph on how to use this different throttle.

He will run this steamer "light' over to Nelson Yard.

Our tiny "camera man on truck"!

Lawrence created this rolling device!

Grant's locomotive is spotted near the eastern yard lead at Bell.

Video of video!

301's crew has reached Ironwood.

They have a lovely business car on their tail end.

Steve and Seanna are found in Spruce with Train 304.

Ironwood/Spruce video footage.

Drilling the Spruce Spur.

Seanna holds back the car from rolling down the grade.

Steve is dressed for the weather.

Spruce action on video as seen by Mike.

Here's skipper Pat!

Is it Batman...or is it Robin?

304's locomotive uses the Spruce Spur lead, the centre track to conduct its work.

Cedar Rock video moments.

Moe will be working for the RP&M today.

304's crew conducts their switching in Glen Hammond before departing in an eastward direction.

Fred begins his speech pre-ops where a veritable supply of treats can be found.

Seanna and Sid are all ears as Robin (out of picture) tells them a tale or two.

Ah...there he is!

Ralph runs his steam locomotive "light" in the eastern forests of the IPP&W.

Mount St. Helens is loaded this morning.

Plenty of stock cars in evidence as well.

This will be fun to switch when the session gets started!

A video glimpse of Mount St. Helens.

Steve has brought out some nice passenger equipment.

Looks like a full train of WP&Y gear.

Even the power matches the consist.

Well done Steve!

Some White Pass & Yukon video tales.

Doug's smaller steam locomotive is found in Northland.

His other locomotive is sitting on the yard ladder at Douglas Yard.

Running around!

Craig Leigh video work.

Steve's climax is brought into the fray, seen passing the icing house.

This is a very short version of Pool Train 33.

Number 4 will work hard traversing the railroad.

Climax video work.

An earlier shot up in Firgrove.

This is Train 303 making the grade!

With helper power to boot!

Now that's one cool video!

My locomotive is spotted working for the Rat Portage & Mattawa Railway on this day.

Gerry and I are aboard Rat 62, the short turn up to Rat Portage and back.

We have already assisted the Nelson Yard Master, worked Lilly and the Fallentree Mine.  We've conducted set-outs and pick-ups in Glen Hammond and Bellamy and set out a car at Lyon Supply on RP&M rails located this side of the junction.  Now it's our "turn" to...well..."turn"!

We are now in the proper configuration to make the run back to Nelson Yard.

This video takes the viewer for a spin!

Yet another clearer look at the volume of traffic in Mount St. Helens.

Bernie's locomotive is found earlier on the ready track in Craig Leigh about to haul tonnage aboard Train 301.

That's one nice-looking train Doug has made up for you, Bernie and Marcel!

We are again earlier with these images.  Gerry and I are pulling cars and spotting others across Brennan Gap at Lilly.  Currently we are passing the turnout for the Fallentree Mine and, of course, we glimpse that glorious Blockhouse structure!

Garry and Ralph discuss their next moves as crews abound all over the network of tracks.

Grant pushes from the rear of 303 heading for Peter's Pond and points west.

Passenger 32 reaches Glen Hammond while all appears quiet up in Bell and down in Nelson Yard.

The three flats are all "lifts" for Gerry and me on our return from Rat Portage.

We have left the remainder of our train way back across the diamond near the Lyon Supply spur.

This means we will not bother the Nelson Yard crew with our switching.

Switching out Bernie's Bottles at Anderson on video film.

Our arrival into Nelson Yard.

We take the first track over from the A/D track.

Coming in on a slow order.

Our train terminates in this video footage.

Off in the distance, Grant follows his lead engine as he controls the loco on the rear of his train aboard 314 at Bell.

Bernie chats with Garry (out of picture) in Nelson Yard as Grant's locomotive offers a shove from the rear.

Another train arrives NY from the east.  Judging by the stealth appearance of the locomotive and it not being Bernie's...it must be Pat's.  Taking into consideration Pat's train orders for the day, this westbound train must be their third trick of the day which is their only westbound run...Train 321.

Fun video views from the area.

The Pool Train has made it onto RP&M rails and is awaiting a green signal to head through the junction to Bellamy and the Glen.

Train 33 video activity.

With a green given, Steve embarks on the remainder of his journey.

He takes the junction at Anderson and will arrive Bellamy shortly.

More video of engine Number 4 on Train #33.

Sid enjoys following all of the activity as an observer.

Seanna and Steve have reached Blockhouse as Ralph and Garry cover jobs at both ends of the big yard.

The Ralph Yard crew uses the main as its lead for making up and breaking down trains.

George is in control as Dilip looks on.

Ralph Yard seems pretty quiet at the moment.

Cars are readied for their next run in Firgrove...or they are ready to be transferred over to Ralph Yard.

Lawrence hustles around the crew of 314 following his video locomotive.  We hope everyone has place any spur turnouts back to the main!  (Big grin!)

Bill's broad smile tells it all.

Another look at Steve's tiny pool train.

Another look at George's engine over in Firgrove.

A final smile from Father Fred...the overseer of all!

Thanks to all those who were able to make it out for the session and to all those who wished they could!

There is one more session to be held before we close down for the season...next Saturday's standard gauge operations.

All the best, Mike and the OVGRS band of Operators

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada