Session #15 September 23rd
A grand total of 24 folks descended on Fred's property for our 15th session of the season.
Today was the first day of fall with the seasons changing in the wee hours of the morning.
We welcome Bill Nickel to the group...a friend of Doug Culham's.
Garry has brought out his Canadian National steam locomotive to haul Passenger 2 from Firgrove to Craig Leigh.
Upon arrival in Craig Leigh, his train will be turned on the wye and backed into the passenger terminal.
This engine will then act as the power for the Pool Train, Number 33.
Garry has backed his power onto his train and awaits the final boarding of passengers traveling east.
The consist rests on the station track at the western terminus of the IPP&W line.
My research tells me that Canadian National 5606 is a Class K-3-d with its 4-6-2 wheel arrangement.
She was built in 1910 by Baldwin Locomotive Works as Grand Trunk Railway #297 and acted as Central Vermont #236 between 1925-1927.
Garry pulls ahead in this video taken in the early morning hours. He was testing out her systems...limbering her up, so to speak!
In the meantime, the consist for Passenger 1 awaits its power on the ready track far to the east.
On the track to the right we spot the headend power for the "later to run" Pool Train.
Passenger 1 is now underway out from Craig Leigh, westbound for Firgrove.
Mike's Annie will hold the honours on this day.
It's all a blur as the train hauls over to the main.
In the background are all those glorious structures made by Doug Matheson and friends out of the "Jigstones" which I showcased in our WDWD (Workday Wednesday) blog entry.
Number 1 begins its day as captured on video by railfan Mike. We'll catch up with the two trains later.
To the west in Firgrove, Paul lends a helping hand setting out equipment as Garry in back gets ready to release his locomotive from its carrying case.
Note the trays of cars in the storage shed in behind where Paul is standing.
We are so blessed to have Pete stay in Ottawa for the better part of a month. We'll certainly miss you, Pete, when you return home to Wolfville, Nova Scotia!
Here's Doug's friend Bill with a great smile! And why not...he is running trains! Bill is an avid remote control airplane enthusiast. He knows Moe very well.
Like an apparition appearing out of the rising sun, we find Doug approaching the photographer from the east!
There's the handsome lad. When Doug isn't running a train he can sometimes be found in Craig Leigh as the yardmaster should Bernie or Paul not be available. Thanks for introducing us to Bill, Doug!
As always, Sid arrives early to assist in the set out of equipment. His dear friend, Ralph, will be hauling ore for the railroad along with "Ore Train Bob" on this day.
Craig Leigh yardmaster Paul stands beside our dedicated WDWD mate, Pat.
Ralph has arrived the property with his recently purchased steam locomotive...
...along with that most creative carrying case he built himself!
A wee little rolling stock review finds this happy trio "ready to dance" at the ice track in Craig Leigh.
Who does not love the appearance of those visually stunning billboard reefers?
Most people will be fortunate to know both of their "gramps". Well...here at the OVGRS we have three of 'em! 😀😁😄
These freight cars attest to the fact that the town of Stuart to the east of Bell sees plenty of action.
Love the loads on this flat car with stakes to hold them in place.
Another flat turned into a low sided gondola has seen plenty of road action judging by the grime and grease found throughout.
Conduit piping will be on the move out from Stuart at some point in the day.
Four loaded ore cars will be making their way east out from Firgrove once the session gets underway.
Seanna & Steve have arrived and are busily setting out their locomotive in Nelson Yard seeing as they will form part of the RP&M team today.
Felicity has assisted in the setout of equipment and heads over to the crew lounge.
Nelson Yard is ready for traffic.
Bill & Doug will man the yard today.
Two trains are staged in Glen Hammond at the midway point of the line (facing opposite directions) along with two other wayfreights staged to the far east and far west in Craig Leigh and Firgrove...not to mention passenger service, ore trains, RP&M runs and yard hops. Indeed, it will be a busy morning for this dispatcher!
This is but a fraction of my dispatch board showcasing trains which will run out from Firgrove eastbound.
This image showcases the westbound trains that will depart Craig Leigh.
Much more of my linear schematic of the entire system's (two railroads) is covered with many more trains.
With the cars all set out, it's time to assemble in the crew lounge.
Steve, Pat, Bill & Doug are ready to listen to Father Fred's brief safety talk.
Hot coffee warms the hearts of both Robin and Chris.
Garry and Pete find a topic to discuss.
There's Father Fred with Felicity enjoying the morning air!
Our good friend, Mr. Pat Brennan sent me these next five shots he took after the session got underway.
Here we see a meet of IPP&W Train 303 and RP&M Train 71. Felicity is running 303 with photographer Pat (not seen as he is behind the lens) and Mark and Steve command 71.
Ralph steers the ore train of MT's around the big curve between Ironwood and Spruce.
Having completed their work at Bell, 303 reaches Watkins Siding where dispatcher Mike has them holding for a meet with Pool Train 33.
A glance back at Bell shows the make-up of the trackwork. This area, being a junction of the two railroads, is most definitely a railfan's hotspot as Mark's snapping of images indicates.
The dispatcher calls out, "IPP&W Train 302 - meet Pool Train 33 at Watkins Siding!"
Thanks, Pat, for sharing these images my way!
Bill tests out the remote control throttle as he turns Doug's locomotive on the wye tracks.
I tease Doug a tad in the video seeing as he is pulling a Pat Brennan - running a stealth locomotive - sans lettering and number. 😎👀😎
Bill takes Doug's loco for a spin in this video effort.
Bill and Doug crew 301. They have arrived St. Helens and have run around their train in readiness to deal with the "all facing sidings" here.
Bill is a master with the throttle as he and Doug work St. Helens in this video.
A multitude of trains originate and terminate here in the big yard at Nelson.
Ditto for Glen Hammond to the left where the two centrally staged trains (mentioned earlier) begin their runs.
Pat & Felicity work 303 before their westward departure...
...while Chris & Gerry (foreground left) exchange traffic in the Glen aboard 304 before they leave for points east.
Busy yards make for a busy video!
A blue haze has clouded the lens as 302 meets Passenger 2 in Bell.
Note the even numbers on both trains.
Our even numbered trains are eastbound runs while their odd number counterparts run westbound across the system.
Garry is running the passenger service while Pat & Pete are aboard 302.
Their meet is captured in this video moment.
Train 2 has departed Bell and reaches Watkins Siding.
While still relatively early in his run, Garry is keeping good time!
A drone shot ala Moe of Garry's engine!
With Wellington Lake in view in the distance, a number of tourists should be detraining for one of the final weekends of boating, swimming and other leisure activities at the well-known resort there run by a Mr. George Wellington!
Video review of Passenger 2!
302 begins its work at Bell once the passenger train has exited the scene.
They are conducting their work to the east of Bell at the moment.
Pat & Pete share the aisleway with Gerry who works Glen Hammond in behind.
Mike is multi-tasking in this video - filming and dispatching at the same time. Yikes!
Dispatch has cleared 304 out from Glen Hammond to Spruce. The crew has just passed the newly installed blue office building at Blockhouse on its downhill slide.
304 bottoms out at the pedestrian crossing but has built up enough momentum to carry it to the summit of Clarke Grade and on into Spruce.
Video of 304's descent from Blockhouse.
304 arrives Spruce for a meet with Passenger 1 who also makes its appearance known!
Robin checks the turnout to ensure it is set his way, although we know the capable crew aboard 304 would have set it back to the main.
Gerry informs me that the turnout mechanism is loose...therefore it will be written up in the new Maintenance Registry Book Fred has introduced.
Now, all the Workday Wednesday crew has to do is to check the details as written in the registry in order to conduct their work on the Wednesday mornings...among other tasks!
Our video moment captures the meet of westbound Passenger 1 and eastbound 304.
We head over to the west where we stand trackside at our other railroad, the Rat Portage & Mattawa.
Seanna and Steve haul Train Rat 61 into the town of Rat Portage. This train is a turn. Once their work is complete in Rat, they return to Nelson Yard. I cast a long shadow in this image.
In this video you hear Steve and I chatting. Steve has notified me that he is clear of the junction. Well done!
Ralph is in command of the ore train with skipper Bob.
They are "four cars light" at the beginning of the morning although they carry loads.
They thread the needle along the main at Bell.
It's kind of Bob to have Ralph start off the day with his own locomotive in command of the ore carrier. When they reach Craig Leigh in the east, they will swap loads for MT's.
It's the "ore train revival" on video at Bell! Heh heh!
Passenger 1 bites into the grade at Blockhouse as Doug relaxes in Nelson Yard.
Doug's yard mate Bill is also in relaxed mode as the train sneaks by in behind.
Meanwhile, Passenger 2 has completed its station stop at Bellamy and proceeds into Glen Hammond, the pre-arranged meeting place of the two passenger runs.
Number 2 is nicely framed by the handrail over the walkway.
The arrival of Number 2 as seen on video. Will the two passenger trains meet on time or will one have to hold for the other?
We see Number 2 on approach to the station in the Glen...
...while at the same time Number 1 arrives from the east! Brilliant!
This video attests to the fact that the two trains arrived within mere seconds of each other! Bravo! Just like Steve and Seanna last week and Mike & Gerry the week before. We're loving it!
The two crews meet.
Number 2 holds the station track...
...while Number 1 makes it onto the main.
Robin gets the turnout for Garry and Garry will be off.
Great looking meet as found on video.
Doug and Bill work the sidings in Ironwood on 301.
While...over in Spruce, Gerry and Chris take a brief moment off from switching as the passenger train holds the main in front of the depot for its station stop.
Ironwood/Spruce video finds.
304 has been cleared into Ironwood.
Because of my proximity to the turnout I have notified the crew that I threw the switch for them.
They take the newest siding.
This siding is a Godsend. I thank Bernie, Bill, Pat, Doug and any others who brainstormed the changes to be made here at Ironwood. They have certainly worked to relieve congestion!
The arrival of 304 into Ironwood as witnessed in this video.
The parade through Ironwood continues.
Garry will have a three minute station stop here.
It will be a triple meet of Passenger 2, 304 and 301!
Ironwood action on video tape!
Because he was ahead of schedule, Garry graciously pulled ahead of the station to offer up an escape route for 301.
301 departs Ironwood.
The crew continues on past the depot on the curve.
Bill & Doug have reached Spruce while 304 gets on with its work in Ironwood and the passenger train backs into the station. In the distance, Pat runs 303 in Wellington Lake. Plenty of action for sure.
With the concurrent passenger runs, we total 27 trains run on the morning with as many as eleven running at the same time. Anybody want to dispatch? Just kidding! This video illustrates the dance we do to get trains on their way and over the entirety of the system in the most efficient manner.
Let's get back to some regular "stills" rather than video. Here are two vagabond railfans who have somehow stumbled onto the property. Why...they've even taken the seats that should be occupied by our affable Nelson Yardmasters!
Wait...they are our affable yardmasters! My image has managed to capture the pair in a moment of bliss - no train crews for miles around to pester them! Heh! Heh!
Maybe Bill is thinking that soon the weather will be too cold to run outdoors then he'll have to head back down into his basement to run his trains.
No problem, though...as Bill's Sn3 layout is a true jewel in the crown!
No wonder he made the trip with Grant down to Colorado!
Doug is thinking likewise! He could head up into his loft where his train room is located.
Mike enjoys looking at the two towers he built for Doug based on the New Haven prototype!
Of course, we recognize Chris Lyon's painted backdrops as they appear on Doug's layout.
Let's head back outdoors where we catch another stealth locomotive hugging "The Ledges".
Of course...it had to be Sir Patrick in control of "that there" engine!
His crewmate, Felicity, is more advanced (just kiddin' Pat)...I should rewrite it to say - she has "advanced" up to Firgrove ahead of their train to ensure the Firgrove yardmaster has lined them in on the arrival/departure track.
Pat brings the train to a halt just where yardmaster George instructs.
Lovely!
What's this? I've never seen this car before.
George informs me that the car is a recent purchase along with all this equipment!
Peekaboo! There's a steam generator car hanging out in the engine house at Firgrove!
We spot Passenger 1's equipment on the station track after its arrival much earlier in the morning!
Thanks to Steve for sending me these photos he took of our very own Garry's airplane on display at the recent air show in Gatineau. In this image it has its wings tucked in.
Here Steve has found Garry’s 1928 Gipsy Moth on display in the great outdoors.
She a true beauty, Garry! Sure glad you purchased her with the intent of having her reside at a museum where she will see "active" flying service!
Steve also sent along these wonderful images and stories. The Luftwaffe sent an A400 which had a specially designed bar and kegs of German Beer aboard, she sits in good company with the CF18 Hornet and Willy McKnight’s Hurricane “The Reaper” on the flight line.
A rare Mig 17 put on a nice show with lots of afterburner.
Also Peter got this nice air to air of Mike Potters Hurricane XII and the Y2-K Spitfire MkIX
My friend Peter sent along this nice shot of the CF18 Hornet and the Y2-K Spitfire piloted by Dave Hadfield in the Heritage Flight. Dave posted that he had to maintain an airspeed of 275 mph with 6% boost because the Hornet was from a tactical squadron which is much heavier than the lightweight demo aircraft so he has to maintain a higher speed.
Dave Hadfield sent Steve a short video.
It is of a CF-18 "formation break" from his Spitfire.
Outstanding footage.
To view this youtube video, copy and paste the link below into your computer's browser.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpz6fmxRC0E
Thanks to our good friend, Steve McKenzie for providing us with these great shots and videos from the Gatineau Air Show! Love the shirt, Steve!
Seeing as Chris is packing up...this must mean that it's almost lunch time! I have hundreds more images and videos from this session which I can share later in the week.
The penalty box is full today! I wonder which misdemeanors these four lads managed to do to make them end up here? Hmmm.....
Ah, they did nothing bad...so Paul and Bill have indicated that they deserve a sausage as well!
Yum Yum!
As for me...today I'm heading over to my friend's home to continue working on his HO scale layout.
I've built all the structures you see in these images and many more of Professor David Gardner.
My friend, Carl Lindon built the gorgeous trestle from scratch which I have shared images of before.
I think I've shared this meme with you before. I've heard that it went viral on the internet. I had no idea it had been created until I began getting tons of e-mails from my model railroad friends!
Little old me with some nice looking chicklet! Better not let Lisa see this.
Actually, Lisa and the girls got a big kick out of it when they first saw it!
Finally, as always...we thank Father Fred for hosting us each Saturday morning. He's one heckuva Padre for sure!
Keep a lookout for my next blog entry from the session which will go out your way later in the week!
Bill...it was great meeting you at the session - here's to many more!
All the best, Steve, Fred, Mike and the entire OVGRS group of gangbusters
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Another great blog! Wonderful!
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