Garden Railroading: Seventh Heaven in Seventh Session

Seventh Heaven in Seventh Session - Pics From Bernie and Mike

Indeed, today we ran our 7th session of this train running season. The weather was brilliant for our needs and the temperatures were ideal.

A "full house" of operators descended the IPP&W right of way with 24 trains run throughout the morning.

This will be the first of three blog entries from the day.

Let's get this blog entry into gear starting with a host of images sent our way from my crewmate on this day, Mr. Bernie Goodman! Bernie navigates "The Corners" aboard Eastbound 314, his second trick of the morning.

Before the action began Fred held court in the crew lounge commons.

A bevy of operators were present on this day!

Doug and the rarely seen Mike hang out in the Glen before things really get rolling.

Mike directs the interchange of traffic in the Glen aboard Train 303 where he and Bernie have one set-out and two lifts. They will be five cars out on departure.

302 has arrived Bell and the crew has been guided in on Track 3 by dispatch.

RP&M 71 is underway with the dependable crew of Andrew and Moe. With traffic at Budlite-Gouda now dealt with, they will soon be through the junction and on their way up the hill to Rat Portage.

Henk monitors the west end of Nelson Yard with his golden coloured centercab while Bill assists the crew of Rat 61 off in the distance at the far end of the yard.

Len commandeers Train 40 out from Firgrove bound for Bell.

He will switch out the house tracks there.

George governs Ralph Yard with years of experience while Andrew and Moe conduct their work in Rat.

Messrs. Mark & Leo make a smiling appearance adding a ray of sunshine to the mix!

Passenger 2 overtakes 302 down in Peters Pond as 303 works the Lower Team Track to the right.

A closer view of these proceedings.

Watch for video of this triple meet later in this entry!

304's crew finds Spruce "all to themselves" in the early morning sun!

301 makes an appearance off in the distance at Ironwood. Pat and Felicity make a fine crew!

IPP&W Train 303 greets RP&M Train 71 to the east of Bell near the Stuart industries.

With the track paralleling the yard ladder both crews are able to work independent of each other.

The yard switcher in Firgrove is one dandy of an engine.

And...here's George...the engine driver. Len in back assists George with the line-up of outgoing trains.

Are these lads happy or what?! Indeed, Doug and Ralph drove that drovers' caboose all the way up to Rat Portage with Train 61.

The RP&M crew aboard 71 have turned their locomotive in order to make their way back home along RP&M rails now in command of Train 72.

Mike takes a moment to observe the action at Bell as he awaits his green to cross the junction over to Mercer Siding and eventually Peters Pond.

Seanna is one happy young lady. She and hubby Steve will bring 302 into Nelson Yard before continuing their easterly trek aboard 312.

Dilip radios dispatch to indicate the Pool Train's arrival at Bell while 311's crew of Felicity and Pat work the interchange.

The Nelson Yard-Bell Turn (RP&M 73-74) has found the easterly points at Bell as the crew will have considerable work to conduct here.

Bernie's and Mike's locos find a resting place outside the engine house in Craig Leigh.

Mike and Dilip confer in the distance as the two steam locomotives idle away in the shade.

Seanna and Steve are spotted much later in the morning aboard their third trick of the day with a mixed train - Train 321.

Thanks for sending these images along, Bernie. Muchos appreciatos! 👍👍👍

Now over to Mike's pics. Yes, did we say that this session was of the "narrow minded" variety? This must only mean - steam...and more steam!! 😍

White Pass Number 14 has been on loan to the IPP&W for some time now. We spot her pointing east at Ironwood.

Now that's one funny looking water tower, Mike!

Yum...Fred makes goo-oo-oo-ddd coffee! 👄🙏

The times are definitely not modern on this day as we re-create history - a time when steam was king and billboard reefers grabbed our attention - with no such concept of graffiti to be seen!

Our RP&M power poses on the far track in Nelson Yard.

Andrew and Doug share a moment of respect to our bygone days of steam!

Pat is happy to be steaming ahead aboard Train 304 out from Glen Hammond with crewmate Malcolm.

My partner on the day, skipper Bernie, is all smiles as we are about to get the session underway. Not only is Bernie a valued crewmate, he is a valued railfan companion snapping awesome images to share with us here...and a valued friend as well!

Our Firgrove family of George and Len. They make such a great team in the west end of the railroad!

The Baltimore & Ohio; such an iconic railroad! It's nice to see one of its offspring find its way onto the IPP&W Railway!

Rat 61's crew conducts work at Lilly before heading out on the high iron deep into RP&M territory.

Perched atop the Lawrence Watkins Trestle, the crew has all things under control.

The Blockhouse, a remnant from times past, recalls the times it protected the surrounding territory from those unwanted.

The crew passes the massive Fallentree Mine as it continues with the task at hand.

Our RP&M crew kicks off our video reviews.

Just a reminder to our friends out there in the nether world that to begin the video you have to click on the white arrow in the centre two times.

With many years of service behind it, this gorgeous specimen continues to toil in the train yards and along the iron with nary a problem. Her role on this day is to haul Trains 302/312 and 321 across the vast territory known dearly to many as the Ironwood, Peter's Pond & Western.

A great volume of traffic is apparent at Bell with the arrival of both 302 and Passenger 2 within mere moments of each other.

The orange livery breaks up the dominance of yellow found in many of the cars.

Bell video of two trains.

This little center cab is poised to enter a new era of operations as early diesels will be giving steam locomotives a run for their money.

Nelson video of yard operations.

With work completed in Glen Hammond, Train 303 has been cleared to Peter's Pond.

The crew is found "righthand running" through Mercer Siding.

A video clip of 303 heading west on the railroad.

It's that triple meet in Peter's Pond which was discussed earlier in this entry.

303 is shoving a cut of cars into the lower team track in the distance as 302 is protected in the Cedar Rock Siding to make way for the appearance of Passenger 2.

Steamers study each other as they hold tight together side by side.

Triple meet video.

With Passenger 2 now gone, it is time for 303 to high tail it out from the pond.

303's crew is cleared as far as Bell where dispatch tells them they will meet an RP&M crew.

Passing the depot high on the hill.

Through the cut at Hayes' Falls.

Train 303 underway as captured on video.

Some things change and some things stay the same. The verdant nature of the location known as "The Corners" holds true to the latter statement.

303 ducks in behind the towering Ironwood Brick facility...

...and disappears into the world surrounding Wellington Lake.

Video work in "The Corners".

Back in Craig Leigh, Mike's "Ironwood & New England" steam locomotive marks time near the ore dock.

Entering Mr. Peabody's time capsule we reverse back to the pre-session hour where we find Paul setting out passenger equipment near the Craig Leigh terminal.

You've gotta love this outside braced gondola car found across from the ice house.

Two Gramps but no Grammas! 👀👩👩

How about this bright, cheerful specimen!

Douglas Yard will come alive once the session gets underway.

Yum Yum...but not for me! Hehehe!

How about this trio of smiles from Delightful Dilip, Friendly Felicity and Fabulous Fred!

Felicity and Moe hang out pre-ops.

Andrew's locomotive is a delight for these eyes!

They call this area "Mellow Yellow"! 😀😁😄

Some modifications may find their way in this locale at Cedar Rock in the next few weeks with the addition of an elevated ore dock.

Train 304 exits Spruce just as this railfan arrives.

Rounding the big bend into Ironwood...

...the crew will take the outer track for a meet with 301.

Curved video.

The majority of us believe in most cases that new technology is better than old. This well running steam engine belonging to Andrew helps put that argument to bed!

Trains 71 and 303 meet and greet!

What's that in the distance we see over on the main?

Why it's our beloved Thomas, the Tank Engine.

Leo and Mark bring the passenger run to a slow halt at the station.

Thomas, Bernie and Andrew as captured on video camera!

The crew of 303 go about their business with setouts and lifts at the interchange.

The parallel tracks offer great flexibility here...thanks to Henk!

Two trains...

...working side by side!

Double trouble video shoot!

The crews continue with their switching efforts.

I pull back my camera in an attempt to get it all in.

Brunt's Brewery is dressed up in blue and yellow on this morning.

Continuation of the video taping in Bell.

Departure time for 303!

And...merry-go-round time for 71!

Departing Bell, the crew aboard 303 faces the challenge of the uphill grade at "The Ledges".

Video maneuvers.

In the meantime...down in Rat Portage we see a number of uniquely railroad features.

These would include the tunnel portal, the water tower and the depot.

Depending on the time of the morning this could either be RP&M Train Rat 62 or the later Train 73, part of the NY-Bell Turn.

Ralph has his train under strict control.

Rat Portage video.

Nearby...up in Firgrove...

...we learn that size does not matter in the yard area...

...as George's tiny brute handles all jobs thrown its way!

George is in total focus...

...and he is filled with joy to see that little engine run so smoothly.

Firgrove video break.

In another sector of the railroad at an earlier moment in time we find Train 311 reaching Spruce.

Canadian Northern #29 holds the honours on 311.

The crew takes the siding in order to offer up the main for any approaching traffic.

Colourful cars...even the black Gramps one!

More spruced up video footage from Spruce.

In behind the crew at Spruce, this railfan turns around to capture the action up at the end of the Cedar Rock Branch.

Seanna verifies with her crewmate Steve the correct number of cars out from "The Rock".

Sandwiched between their lifts the crew descends the grade and approaches Peter's Pond "proper" on a slow order.

Branch video viewing.

Before the session even starts, as you already know, we assemble in the crew lounge area.

Friar Fred covers a few topics of interest.

It's all smiles here as these lads can't wait to get started with the session!

Some still images taken at Bell as Passenger 2 has arrived early in the morning.

Dilip brings his train to a stop along the main.

Following Passenger 2, Train 302 makes an appearance at Bell as the crew is instructed to come in on Track 3.

Hmmm...mushrooms growing between the rails. Very interesting! 😎

My version of Mark's and Leo's arrival.

Dilip examines the tracks to the west of Peter's Pond as there seemed to be some natural obstructions in the way of a couple of trains which plied the rails here.

Here's Thomas upon arrival in Glen Hammond! Great train running, Leo! 👍👍👍

303 closes out its run as it advances towards Firgrove on an uphill tangent.

We get back to Ralph and Doug down in Rat Portage.

Over in Ironwood, Train 304 works the trailing sidings at Larabie Fuels and the freight shed.

The locomotive passes beneath the towering windmill.

Pat and Malcolm observe their train.

Ironwood video reels for your enjoyment!

At the easternmost end of the line we find Passenger 2 terminating its run with a back-up move into the terminal area.

Dilip and Paul are all smiles as they follow the action.

Over the short bridge.

Then on into the terminal area...oops, wrong turnout there!

Passenger 2 video at the termination of its run.

Bernie and Mike are underway with their second train of the morning, 314.

Bernie follows along calling out, "Watch out for the vines!"

Indeed, the broad-leaves along the verdant wall belong to the vines which grow on the neighbour's property.

We meet an RP&M crew along the big curve.

Di"vine" video action!

Well...there you have it...we have captured ourselves a vine leaf!

Too bad we didn't pass by a "vin"yard! 😋😋😋

We take Track 3 as RP&M Train 72 has turned its engine and resides on Track 4.

Busy Bell for sure!

Busy Bell video scenes.

With our work complete at Bell it's "Onward Christian Soldier" for both Bernie and me.

Through Watkins Siding.

Overhead view of Bernie's locomotive.

Onward past the depot at Wellington Lake, 314 shuttles traffic along the line to the delight of railfans.

Still more 314 video work.

We exit the tunnel beneath Mount St. Helens.

All of our lading is intact.

We take the Cedar Rock siding in preparation for a run up the branch.

More views of our train on video.

We examine some more still photos with this look at the passenger terminal in Craig Leigh.

We find 314 toiling away up in Cedar Rock.

Bernie, Seanna and Felicity enjoy the morning's activities!

Trains continue to ramble into Nelson Yard keeping the yardmasters occupied.

None of these movements could take place without the permission of Dispatcher Doug!

Fallentree Mine in the haze.

Bill is all smiles as Moe, Andrew and Henk stay involved in the operations alongside him.

The town locations of Spruce and Ironwood.

Pat and Felicity find themselves down in Peter's Pond. They have no work up in Cedar Rock.

Rather, they work the industries down in the Pond proper.

Time for a break for my crewmate, Bernie, as we await our train to be made up in Nelson Yard.

The yard continues to amaze.

Here I am - the rarely seen railroad photographer!

Paul and Moe help to keep our tummies filled with yummy BBQ'd sausages!

In my front yard I spotted this Monarch in amongst the milkweed that has taken root somehow in the garden.

Butterfly video one.

Another glimpse at this little beauty.

Butterfly video two.

No, this is not Fred's backyard! Pat Brennan sent this image my way which he took while vacationing down east in New Brunswick. Great photo, Pat! This is the note Pat sent along with the image:

I caught this train switching Monday July 17th in Miramichi, NB. It was a happy day!