Part Two of Session #11
We closed off August's train operations with our eleventh session of the season.
In Part One we focused on the Passenger runs and Ralph's newest acquisition, his SP&C steamer.
This blog entry will showcase the many other trains which ran on the day.
The majestic nature of the steam locomotive cannot be argued as evident in this close examination of just one aspect of the workings of such locomotives.
Our engineer appears ready at the throttle for yet another day's work along the route of the IPP&W.
This workhorse rests on the engine shed track idling her time in anticipation of the day ahead.
She's a rather long way from home!
Indeed this White Pass & Yukon Route lady is all about the "looks" in my books...although she'd argue that it's not about the looks - rather, her determined demeanor to get the job done without complaint!
And...why not have this little brother (or sister) work the western throat of Nelson Yard!
Northland Railroad's Number 4 happens to toil for Dispatcher Doug's home road.
George works out of Ralph Yard with this "yet to be lettered and numbered" specimen.
Pat's Canadian Northern #28 is well-known around these parts!
We find the White Pass & Yukon Route locomotive in the Glen.
Facing west indicates that she will be pulling Train 303 in care of Grant & Felicity. Lovely engine, Grant!
Now here is a very special name for a railroad.
The BBEERR stands for the Barry's Bay, Embrun & Eastern Railroad. Love it!
And...so do Steve & Seanna
Facing east indicates her train as being 304 bound for Craig Leigh.
We spot a "dark" locomotive up in Firgrove...no doubt the power for 302.
Hmmm...our morning set-out lady is having fun with photographer Mike!
Why...it's Felicity playing the game of "Now you see her...now you don't!" ...in reverse order!
George is cheerful in anticipation of yet another successful day up in Firgrove.
His assistant, Len, is eager to get the session underway as well.
George & Len make for one fine team!
Ore will be running as we find Skipper Bob aka "Ore Train" Bob arriving Firgrove with his power for the day.
The town of Stuart has its cars set out.
The interchange yard at Bell is readied.
In a similar image to the one shared in our earlier entry from this session we catch a fine crew has gathered in the shade at St. Helens. They will be setting out equipment at five locations from this central hub.
Cars hang out in the Mount!
Nelson Yard gains in appearance.
The yardmasters work the far tracks during the set-out period.
Cars in bins come out of storage.
They will soon be "doing their dance" around the railroad!
Another glance in St. Helens.
Four industries make up the yard here. Hey...where are the stock cars for the stock pens?
The oil spur up in Craig Leigh.
Here's Paul of the Norton clan!
Bernie, Paul, Paul and Sid enjoy the coolness of the morning.
Yup, it appears to be a "Paul Sandwich"!! 😎😍😎
Dilip offers another wave...similar to his greeting to us in our first entry!
That White Pass locomotive is encased in a lovely carrying devise!
Hi Steve & Paul.
Grant, Seanna and Malcolm welcome the day.
Fred offers up his usual briefing.
The lasses and the lads listen attentively.
It's a decent crowd on this day!
There's the well-known rust garden.
We are now underway. The crew aboard Rat 61 has performed its lifts from Lilly and re-enter the big yard.
The crews of 303 and 304 share the smaller yard in the Glen as illustrated on the left. To the far left is Bell and to the right is Nelson Yard.
This snippet from a video illustrates how crowded the railroad can get at times...but no worries as the aisleways are wide enough to handle the human traffic!
Early morning video work.
These next two shots were taken from my perch inside the dispatch hut.
Activity abounds in all directions!
Ralph's new Spruce, Peter's Pond & Cornwall steamer gets a workout at Bell. We catch the crew using the tracks at Watkins Siding as a yard lead.
Ralph and Bernie man Train 302 while off in the distance Len has brought down Train 40, the short hop out from Firgrove to Bell.
Video activity at Bell with the crew of 302.
The timing is perfect! IPP&W Train 303 West has just departed the Glen destined for Firgrove as RP&M Train Rat 61 has backed out from Nelson Yard and is seen entering the Glen on the track that was just emptied! IPP&W Train 304 East is almost ready to depart on the far track with a destination of Craig Leigh.
Indeed, this railroad is a well-oiled machine!
Eight operators are spotted in this image from the frenzy of activity...but a mere fraction of the total in attendance!
Continued video spotting in Glen Hammond.
Clearance granted from dispatch has paved the way for 301 to enter Ironwood. Steve and Chris make up the crew on this day.
Steve puts on the brakes as his train has successfully navigated the downward slope at the ridge out from St. Helens.
Indeed, it is pure joy to relive the glory days of steam during our narrow gauge sessions at Fred's.
"Ironwood approach" as captured on video.
The ore train knocks on the door at Nelson Yard.
Being allowed in, the power gives a nod to a little brother residing on the yard lead.
In the background we see the colourful consist of RP&M Train 71 ascending the grade out from Pratt's Bottom.
The Nelson Yard crew have a pretty clean looking facility at the moment.
Video moments from this location.
We encounter our passenger meet at the allocated location in Glen Hammond. Trains 1&2 have both made good time with their runs.
With number 1 holding at the station, Number 2 skips out from Glen Hammond with an eye for Bellamy.
This nice "going away" shot shows the crew leaning into the curve into Bellamy.
In this video we watch Passenger 1 depart the Glen following its predetermined meet with Passenger 2. Note on the video the arrival of RP&M Train 71 at Stuart just outside of Bell.
Passenger 2 has been cleared out from Glen Hammond.
It would appear to be a close call between the two locomotives (Passenger 2 and the Ore Train) but in actuality while the two tracks converge, the ore train is taking the inner track while the passenger run is on the outer one.
Moe's "Tweetsie" unit handles the run magnificently.
Bounding around the curve at Lilly, the next stop will be Blockhouse before the train enters Spruce.
Video of "apparent" close call.
Passenger 2 escapes unscathed in this video effort.
Three trains are caught working simultaneously in this image.
We spot Passenger 2 climbing the grade in behind Steve who, along with Chris, have their train safely tucked in on the siding in Ironwood. Both trains will meet in short order.
Triple Train Trio video.
In a major shift from diminutive locomotives, Bob has this behemoth in control of the ore train seen making tracks out from Nelson Yard.
A triple meet is taking place here in Ironwood as 304 arrives the scene in advance of Train 2's departure while the crew aboard 301 continue with their switching efforts.
The trackwork here can easily accommodate the strain of multiple trains arriving simultaneously.
Continued video of the meet.
303 makes its arrival known at Bell.
Typically this train would be guided in on Track 3 in the yard.
The crew has snuck in along the main.
Video of 303's arrival in Bell.
No worries regarding the entrance into Bell.
Because we have the double ladder here, one for the IPP&W and one for the RP&M, the two trains can work side-by-side and not be in each other's way at all.
303 runs past the ladder turnout.
Grant gets the turnout in order to back down onto Track 3. The discussion in the following video covers the details.
Let's check all this out on video shall we!
As always, our IPP&W crews are a handy and helpful lot.
With the imminent arrival of the ore train, the crew aboard 304 has been asked to assist the ore train with its lifts out from the mine at Ironwood Brick.
Ironwood video network.
One of the most pleasing aspects of photographing trains is a long string of a singular style of car.
With four more loads to be added to the train, its increased length should please this railfan's eye!
Bob has an automatic radio controlled uncoupler so he need not reach down to undo his locomotive from its consist!
Ore train video.
Bob reaches in to grab the pickups.
He thanks the IPP&W crew for their assist.
More video efforts in this location.
The locomotive backs the cars onto the train.
The IPP&W crew continue with their switching in behind.
Further video evidence here.
Dispatch has offered clearance for the ore train to head over to St. Helens.
On the roll out from Ironwood.
Bob hugs the ridge between Ironwood and St. Helens on his eastward journey.
Departure video at Ironwood.
In the distance IPP&W Train 303 departs Bell while in the foreground RP&M 61 drills Anderson at the junction.
303 starts out on the climb up along "The Ledges".
Here's another glance at one of our Nelson Yard engines.
Video work in the western sector of the railroad.
Pat's Canadian Northern friend steps up to the dance floor upon arrival through the junction.
While...at the back of the ballroom Chris and Felicity have their train performing some dance steps of its own on its ride up the staircase into Firgrove.
Two! Two! Two engines in one pic!
Knock! Knock! Can we come in?
Dancing video moments.
Felicity ensures her engineman Grant is coupled on to his train.
They are on their second trick of the morning exiting Bell with Train 314 East.
Bell moments on video tape.
302 has been cleared into the yard as Ralph drives the train through the junction.
Ralph had asked to be crewed with an experienced member seeing as he is relatively new to this game known as operations. Bernie is an excellent mentor.
Ralph enters the yard in a cautious manner as all engineers should.
Seeing as he is learning the tricks of the trade, in the video I remind him that once through the junction you are asked to communicate with dispatch notifying the person in the booth that the junction tracks are clear.
Of course, in this case, it would be the conductor. Bernie did inform me although you don't hear it on the video.
Video work of their entry into Nelson Yard.
Upon 302's entrance into Nelson, the yard crew remove their van.
Doug is in the process of doing so right now.
He will place the crew's van on the rear of their outgoing "second trick" train...Train 312.
The caboose exchange as captured on Mike's video.
Bernie removes the coloured chips which the yard crew use to organize the various outgoing trains.
Different coloured chips indicate the different trains...a handy way of keeping track of things in the big yard.
With the van on the new consist, Doug backs his engine away and takes it back to the west yard lead, a handy storage place as typically the main line out can act as a lead for the yardmasters.
As an experienced brakeman should do, Bernie verifies the numbers on the cars in his train to ensure all is copacetic with their next run.
This in no way casts doubt on the yard crews ability to make up the proper consists - it is simply a standard procedure for all train crews.
More video out from Nelson Yard.
Much later in the session we encounter Train 322 stealing away from Firgrove.
No need to hold onto the railing here as the trackwork is impeccable.
Video review of their departure from Firgrove.
The crew enters the environs at Bell & Stuart from stage left.
(Stage left is to the actor's left and not the audience's.)
The appearance of the Canadian Pacific caboose indicates a second crew working Stuart here.
No bother as our IPP&W team will handle chores independent of the RP&M gang.
The train has been cleared by me in on Track 3.
We find our RP&M brethren resting on Track 4.
Indeed, with the inclusion of the parallel ladder tracks more trains can dance and keep their feet out of each other's way! Thanks to Henk for the brilliant idea!
322's entrance as captured through the video lens.
The train "threads the needle" here as the engineer slows for his stop.
The IPP&W crew of Chris & Steve are in back while our RP&M crew of Malcolm & Pat look on.
Once safely tucked in on the siding, Chris throws any turnouts in the distance that have to be reset for the main.
It's a colourful dance each time around!
Low angle video of 322 landing at Bell.
Just had we had seen with the crew of 312, Steve is checking the consist of his new train, Train 313 out from Craig Leigh. Yardmaster Paul had just assembled the train and is now getting down to further work in his yard known as Douglas Yard named in honour of our dispatcher, Doug Matheson. Again...the yardmaster "wants" to see the crews "double check" their consists before departure...in particular the identifying marks on the car as we have multiple "similar style " cars from the same railroad only with slightly different numbers. You always want to make sure you have the correct car in your train's consist!
Note the tiny clothespins Steve has on his clipboard. These he and Seanna use as "car markers" when they begin their switching...a novel system to ensure accuracy!
Steve and Seanna's train is on the departure track nearest to the camera.
Here is their power on the day with Donald lending a hand. (He looks a tad tipsy to me!)
Video "review" of the checklist "review".
We have a visitor sitting in the crew lounge with Paul & Fred.
We welcome Fred's friend, Phil, to the grounds!
He's keeping in shape coaching the young ones I imagine.
Gerry pops in to pay a visit to the lads.
Great having you come by Phil!
I'll round out this entry with a hodge-podge of photos taken throughout the session.
I will still have plenty more saved up for a rainy day blog or an "off-season" entry.
Here we see our ore train tilting into the curve which leads into Ironwood from Spruce.
This being a stealth engine indicates the train as most likely being managed by Pat & Dilip on their RP&M run up to Bell aboard Trains 71-72. With the engine facing in this direction, it must be 71. When the crew takes over control of 72 they will have turned their locomotive on the turntable to the west in Stuart in order to drive back down RP&M rails at the junction location.
Here's Doug's diminutive side-rodder.
The yard lead acts as a great layover track for the locomotive when its services are not required.
Chris & Steve have reached Peter's Pond on their second run of the morning heading from Nelson Yard to Firgrove. They will not have work to conduct up the branch so the crew will remain in Peter's Pond and handle the lower situated industries there.
Pat & Dilip hang out around Nelson Yard. Their first train of the day is that run up to Bell on the 71-72 combo. Later, on...for their third assignment of the morning they will run the Rat Portage Turn numbered Train 63.
Dilip works the throttle in a very full Nelson Yard.
A glance from the other side of the yard shows the pair having backed out of Nelson and having forwarded their train into Glen Hammond.
Bill is all smiles because following this session illustrated here he will be travelling to Denver, Colorado for the Narrow Gauge Convention with Grant and a couple of other lads!
And...why not!!! 👍👍
Here is another beloved shirt - from our friends in the Finger Lakes Region.
Dispatcher Doug ports this T-shirt!
"The rest I've just wasted..." Brilliant Steve!
"Steam Rules Supreme!" Seanna demonstrates.
Speaking of steam...this little puppy should be heating up any moment!
Pat and Bob share time on the patio.
Ralph has enjoyed his day running #22.
One last glance at that wonderful beast having been tamed inside it's case! 😀
Gerry & Ralph discuss things post-ops!
Seeing as we get hundreds and hundreds of readers to this blog each day, it is always nice to showcase our fair city whenever I get out and about.
Here I am at the open house at Rideau Hall just a short while after leaving Fred's place.
I've spotted some familiar faces from my train-operating session. Oh look...there's Moe telling Mike a joke in the foreground. Bernie is chatting up Ralph in the shade. Oh nice...there's our lovely couple of Steve & Seanna standing close together off in the distance to the right. All the rest of the train crew are too occupied eating their BBQ lunch to pay any heed to this photographer!
Here I am in front of the "Fountain of Hope" at Rideau Hall where our Governor General, the King's representative in Canada lives.
Looking at the flag I can see that the GG is not on the property as her flag would be flying if she were.
Mary Simon is our 30th Governor General.
My favourite room of the countless in the building is the "Tent Room".
This space was originally built as an indoor tennis court but now serves as one of the reception areas in the building.
My daughters, Alison & Karen with my wife Lisa and her sister Kathi visiting from the west of Toronto.
Alison is explaining to Kathi the reason for the day's open house.
My daughter is the Manager of Visitor's Services at the Hall. One of her colleagues is standing to the right.
We lucked out with a gorgeous day for train running and for the open house.
Alison has informed me that the gardens are the main focus for the event today.
I catch a picture of the many different forms of structures which combine to make up Rideau Hall.
Here are the greenhouses which we are fortunate to be able to visit today as they are not always open to visitors who can sign up any time, any month to tour the property and its buildings.
I am amazed at the size of the plants growing in here!
Gee...I wonder if I stuck an N-scale car in the greenhouse if it would grow to the size of G-scale!
While I don't know any of the Latin names of these plants...I'll simply make them up for your enter"train"ment...after some of the members in our train running group! 👍👌 👍
The red faced plant you see is a sub-species of the Van Zjilophila genus...so named for the Nelson Yardmaster, Henk Van Zjil, whose face turns red with anger when a crew holding at Mercer Siding keeps requesting clearance into the big yard. Mr. Van Zjil is known world-wide as the biggest teddy bear who offers up a mean look - just to scare us for fun!
These two specimens seen in a light lavender colour and a variation in magenta are called the Watsonerberis varieties of the Steveious and Seannaous rare form of purple plants. This couple works as a team and highly respects each other's train running abilities as wonderfully as these two purple varieties coexist in peace and harmony.
No - this is not a banana plant...it is the Hamerocalis variety of the broad-leaved speciman from the plant musicianophelia. Well hung...like the gentleman it is named for...that is - for his guitars which are "well hung" around his neck - not what "you" were thinking!! Like a wind chime...when the fruit rubs together in the southern winds it sounds like "music to our ears"!
This rose-pink coloured beauty, known as the Onuferkoabilis gives off pleasing sentiments which offer soothing assistance to the owner of the plant who may be going through hard times. Named for a gentleman who gives of his time assisting those in need including our friends from the Ukraine, this plant should reside in every household and state building around the world - then we could possibly achieve world peace!
This spiky character is of the "Sn3" variety of the genus Billophilia named the ScobieDobie (seeing as it chooses to live on a different plane or different scale to all other surrounding plants.) You'd better watch this one if you choose to grow it in your garden...although it is a fan favourite to all who purchase it!
Two variations of this rare plant exist in the world...the Wellingtonanula and the Bernickyeckia variations. This rare Firgrovealia will always stay rooted in one place and not send shoots throughout the garden. The Bernickyeckia will make the occasional jaunt under the soil and pop up like a "Bell", but the main plant prefers to stay rooted where it was planted.
A distant relative to the Van Zjilophila genus, this plant has that similar thorny personality. It does not like having other plants share its environs thus the derived name of NelsonYardmasteralia. All nearby plants must beware should they encroach on its territory!
This light pink version of the Felicityavilis plant delivers happiness and warmth to those who come near. Thus the inviting chair. It is said this plant brings happiness, luck and good fortune to those who grow it in their garden.
We have spotted two examples of the Shumeldazia flower. It is said that if you plant a male and a female plant of this genus in close proximity...like rabbits, they will procreate a multitude of offspring! Indeed these wondrous plants bring smiles to the faces of all who are near.
Commonly nicknamed the Marge Simpson plant due to the renegade nature of its tall growth similar to the that of Mrs. Simpson's hair...this plant is actually known as the Clarkerunamuckus variation of the Oredecus plant that grows extremely well in areas of rich ore deposits. You'll have to keep an eye on this puppy though as it tends to expand beyond the limits of its clearances as set out by the dispatch gardener!
Aha...we have the Millsonarda version of the Fredericedium plant...so called for the affable host Fred Mills, whose arms reach out "far and wide" inviting folks from "all over" to come for a visit and enjoy the surroundings where he lives.
One of the harder working plants in the greenhouse is the Goodmanardia. You never have to tell this plant what to do for the betterment of the entire garden for it takes note of the needs of plants around it on its own and helps to improve their stance be sending out hormones into the environment to ensure all is well in the soil, air and root structures around.
A distant relative to the Clarkrunamuckus plant is this better behaved version known as the Breweraria. You plant this in your garden and it will work diligently at the required tasks that need to be accomplished in ensuring the garden atmosphere is prepared for visitors on the various tours. A tireless worker, due to its extreme height this plant has been known at times to act as antennae in picking up signals for ham operators who live in its local area.
A distant relative of this plant blooms in Arizona for half the year not unlike this example that resides in the Ottawa region for the other half of the year when it blooms. The Mantharedalitis shows off its colourful personality when in bloom as the lower yellow flower demonstrates. It is said that this plant has been employed by VIA Rail where you will see the plant as a the centrepiece on each table in the dining car.
If left untended these rose coloured blossoms would continue to bloom developing more and more flowers just as our railroad continues to bloom...thus the name of the two species, the IPP&Wistaria and the RP&Mistaria.
This rare form of the Brennanaria has multiple tentacles that act as drumsticks to tap surrounding plants should they decide to grow too close by. Don't be confused though as this plant has the personality of the Friendly Giant and is well-loved by all other plants in the garden!
Another glance down the aisle in the greenhouse. The Coteiferous Cedar seen to the right, if given its way would grow right through the ceiling where you would require a drone with a camera to film its uppermost areas.
Like a man of many stripes on his pilot's uniform, this McKenzieComberairedium has combined from two plants into one with both plants sharing a love of flight. The lengthy leaves act as a runway for raindrops to take flight from.
Incredible! Is this another one of those Marge Simpson imposters...or perhaps it's cut from the branches of a DouglasCulham/DouglasMatheson/Douglas fir tree! It must be the latter in this case as it stands upright with strength and stamina like the two gentlemen it is named for.
This fine example of the Ellenseplica, while growing naturally almost appears as a 3D printed replica. Incredible creativity has this plant offering so much to the greenhouse environment.
If it is "finely detailed long and narrow gauge models" of flowers you want, then none other than the Knowlesapheria plant offers up this MMR example of super-detailing in the plant kingdom.
Dilip's Delight is a rare form of this Chinnakondalaria plant. While relatively new to the plant world like a true RailOps Master this plant creates the rules that all the other plants must adhere to in the garden each week.
Just as a bass guitar string is thicker and heavier than a regular guitar string, here is a plant for all you lovers of bass. "It's all about the bass!" In an unusual twist of colours the Berriganville broad leafed variety offers up a fun sense of humour in the garden.
These well organized forms of Vantopteris were found outside and they provide us with historical perspectives of the gardens from the present well back into the past.
Visitors to Rideau Hall walk in amongst the well organized Andersononica which "master" the "yard" in the east of the country. Indeed they are great "yard" "masters"!
For a "Triple AAA" variety of plants that flower only once a year but whose legacy stays with us from week to week, the AustinAdamsonAllardyce variation in the pumpkin patches offers us no" tricks" but lots of "treats" each Saturday morning!
In a quirky bit of reverse engineering this Lowesagan plant began growing "low" to the ground but because it is the Neilonicus version of the plant, we hold it in high esteem. Oh yes, garden shirts with our garden logo can be ordered through the Lowesagan Society in a multitude of colours, men's and women's varieties as well.
The Christopheralis plant is written about in publications far and wide, including OVAR's monthly Interchange publication which in and of itself is world renowned. It certainly has made its "Mark"!
Making its rare appearance, the Fedakanthemus plant blooms on the rare Saturday occasion...but when the bloom makes its appearance, it is deeply appreciated by all!
The Selverarium and Nortonanthium versions of the brightly coloured plant bring joy to the masses in the garden even though they simply wish to hang out and chat with the head gardener...a gentleman who goes by the name of Fred...and watch the other plants grow. Their many contributions of today and from the past are greatly appreciated!
With a spectacular flower which opens like the horn of a saxophone, the sight of this Conroyalimum brings music to our ears!
Many variations of this glorious flowering plant in a multitude of colours are found from as far away as Belleville, Ontario! This handsome version, the Barryanthemum, along with the equally gorgeous Bonnieanthemum specimen combine to delight visitors to the gardens be they anywhere they are found!
While we are nowhere near Christmas time, this Noellealia is often found with its mate, commonly nicknamed the JohnnyChuffChuffalia. These glorious plants are found along the outer regions of the GTA and all the way up to Ottawa Valley and beyond where this photo was taken outside the greenhouses at Rideau Hall!
Well, I hope you enjoyed the tour of the greenhouses and the outer gardens at Rideau Hall.
The building is truly magnificent!
Along one wall of the tent room we can find the smaller adapted versions of the shield for the coat of arms for each Governor General. Above is Mary Simon's shield which shape alludes to the parka worn by Inuit mothers seeing as our Governor General is the first indigenous person to hold the office.
This is her coat of arms. To learn more about all the symbolism in her coat of arms copy and paste the link below into your computers browser where you can hover over various aspects to learn why they were included in her coat of arms.
https://www.gg.ca/en/governor-general/governor-general-mary-simon/coat-arms
Before Mary Simon, Canadian astronaut Julie Payette was asked by the Prime Minister to take on the role of GG. Her shield showcases an open wing signifying humankind's quest to reach higher in knowledge and experience.
Her coat of arms contains the musical staff as she is a choral singer and, of course, the astronaut's helmet. To learn more about her coat of arms, visit this webpage by copying and pasting it into your computer's browser.
https://www.gg.ca/en/governor-general/former-governors-general/julie-payette/coat-arms
I reload this image to mention David Johnston. His shield has that lovely interlaced fabric of lines symbolizing his love of family, his passion for relationship with humanity and his interest in the interconnectedness of knowledge.
To learn more about David Johnston's coat of arms visit the sight list below by copying and pasting it into your computer's browser.
https://www.gg.ca/en/governor-general/former-governors-general/david-johnston/coat-arms#:~:text=The%20pattern%20of%20interlaced%20diagonal,in%20the%20interconnectedness%20of%20knowledge.
Just a few of the many Governors General of Canada!
My daughter, Alison, sings in concerts on occasion with one of Canada's heralds (Bruce Patterson - Officer of Arms and Deputy Chief Herald of Canada) who designs the coats of arms in consultation with the Governor General. There are only a very small handful of heralds in Canada...less than can be counted on two hands.
Here is a link to the website of the Canadian Heraldic Authority where heralds are made for all sorts of organizations.
https://www.gg.ca/en/heraldry
We head outdoors from inside Rideau Hall.
Some lovely indigenous artwork is wrapped around the pillar.
The "Fountain of Hope" which stands outside the doors of Rideau Hall offers us a greeting.
Video of the "Fountain of Hope".
If you ever get the chance to visit the beautiful grounds at Rideau Hall you will be able to see the many trees planted by visiting dignitaries.
The trees are easily identified with a plaque on a stand nearby each tree indicating which head of state planted the tree along with the year it was planted.
Queen Margrethe of Denmark in 1991.
Nelson Mandela in 1998.
US President John F. Kennedy in 1961.
Speaking of trees, they are beginning to show their colours in our nation's capital.
This statue outside the main gate of Rideau Hall and in front of 24 Sussex, the former home to many Prime Ministers of Canada...is the Queen Elizabeth II Equestrian Monument.
The gates to 24 Sussex Drive.
We returned to the new River House along the drive home to show the facility to Lisa's sister.
Lots of swimmers abound.
Video of the bridge entrance to the River House.
Loads of swimmers in this video.
The eating area and the river as captured on video.
Well...on behalf of Father Fred I wish to thank you for checking in on our blog.
It is wonderful having so many viewers tune in to see what we have on the go in Fred's backyard.
My next entry in a couple of days will showcase the first pair of cars that were set out on the Culham Coal Trestle.
Until then, on behalf of our OVGRS family and our greater Ottawa community...we wish you a wonderful week ahead!
All the best, Mike, Fred, and all the operators of the OVGRS, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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