Garden Railroading: Session #8 Standard Gauge

Session #8 Standard Gauge

The date is August 10th.

We assembled for the eighth time this season.

Some 20 folks gathered to re-live the joy of train operations outside the house.

This lovely Soo Line tandem roosts just outside the engine house up in Firgrove.

We are "behind the scenes" if you will as the session has yet to get underway.

Before trains can take to the stage, the equipment has to be set out as witnessed in the above image.

Each car must be railed by hand although we now have some re-railing devices Doug Culham had made for the group.

You can see one of these devices in the previous picture to the image above where a white device has been placed on the tracks at the throat of Nelson Yard.

This pre-ops setup time is also time for the lads and lasses to catch up with each others' news since their previous meeting the week before.

With the cars emptied from the trays, the trays are then removed from the aisleways and placed near the foundation of Fred's house. Grant has his arms full today!

Pat lends an arm or two as well!

Chris 3D printed the seat on the right for a piece of heavy equipment for Len.

Len had purchased the seat on the left but it was a tad too large for his model so he asked Chris if he could print a new smaller version for him.

Chris made the drawing and created the seat you see on the right.

He then painted the new version and even added fabric!

The model is incredible! Great job Chris!

We await Fred's words of wisdom before getting underway.

Indeed, we are eager beavers!

Is this the penalty box or the team bench for four of our Olympian train operators?

Fred explains a bit of the history of the railroad - how Mr. Scobie played an integral part of the design of the system.

Speaking of Mr. Scobie, I present the man himself!

And...of course...another of his many train T-shirts!

Aha! Now we see the true Olympians representing the IPP&W and the RP&M...our diesel locomotive friends!

This is Sid's precious brute of a puppy, his GE U25-B diesel engine assigned to the Pool Train and other passenger runs on this day.

With HEP power on the headpin, Sid and Ralph will represent the railroad with pride and joy as they transport passengers and various headend lading across both lines.

Paul's Canadian Pacific GP30 #8202 sees regular duty on the Douglas Yard/Craig Leigh assignment.

Malcolm's GP30 of another colour is indeed a gold medalist in our books! This power has been assigned to the Nelson Yard/Bell Turn to start off the morning.

And, off in the distance an RP&M assigned Geep counterpart in Canadian National's early diesel livery gets down to work on Rat 61.

And...yet another CP GP30 holds down the Nelson Yard assignment on the far track.

These three workhorses make up but a fraction of our Olympic diesel team on this day as found in this video.

CN Geep 4578 will battle for the podium aboard Train 304 on this day.

Video view of 304's efforts.

304's power drills the interchange tracks in the Glen.

Engine 4578 stars in this video.

We appreciate Steve & Seanna for bringing out two engines (and throttles) to each session which allows those without to run a train.

Things to note in this video is the frantic nature of just how quickly trains depart at the beginning of the session.

Note too as the video progresses the coupler issue that was with the boxcar and not the locomotive.

We ask operators to "bad order" any cars with any issues and Fred checks them out at the work table in the crew lounge.

While the EMD FT changed the face and future of railroading, Alco's FA certainly gives its competitor a run for its money! The first FA appeared a year after the last FT was produced.

At 1500 horsepower, our FA friend holds 150 more horses under its hood than its FT rival.

Mike's Note: I believe this unit of Moe's is a PA passenger locomotive as it appears to have six axles. The FA has only four.

302's glide down the slope out from Firgrove is uncovered in this video capture.

This overall view at the gap shows Chris in charge of 304.

The layered rocks offer up a great background for a railfan image here at the big bend at Lilly.

304 progresses out from Glen Hammond on video.

If you listen closely you will hear the sound the diesel makes which is akin to the Doppler Effect as Chris drives his train around the curve.

I sneak up on the crew of 301 in St. Helens where Algoma Central engine 168 gets down to business.

Video of Steve & Seanna's train in St. Helens.

Their locomotive performs some "sweeping up" duties as there happens to be debris out on the line. Bernie...where are you with that blower!!!

(Bernie is overseas at the moment!)

301's work in St. Helens is appreciated as the tracks are now clean as seen in this video review.

Seanna always wears wonderful train shirts to our sessions and this "Along the Rails" version is a lovely example!

Here's Seanna!

All of our operators appreciate the shade the trees located on the eastern side of Fred's property offer up.

Gerry appreciates the natural umbrella effect here!

We see Gerry coupling the engine onto the B&M boxcar in order to lift it from the Watson Electric facility so named for Steve & Seanna Watson.

Gerry's crewmate Pat is all smiles with a hat that offers up the same purpose of the umbrella trees!

Moments earlier the two had brought their train successfully through the junction trackage.

They ran through Mercer Siding correctly - right hand running.

In this video of their run aboard Train 303 we spot Malcolm hauling into Rat Portage with RP&M 71 off in the upper distance.

Have we already said that the IPP&W is the domain of the Alcos?

If not...we say it now. And...check out that matching endcar!

As per tradition the ore train follows after Passenger 2 and 302 as we find ore on the move eastbound in this railfan video.

In a "blaze of rays" from our solar furnace we find Train Number 2 making its way eastward out from "The Corners"

The tail end of the train has survived a rough ride through the debris left on the tracks from Mother Nature.

This video is living proof that not every inch of track was inspected pre-ops as a wandering vine made its way onto the tracks at this location. The wobbly car pulling up the rear of the train is solid evidence.

Here is our "Knight in White Satin" arriving Peter's Pond.

The ore train meanders alongside the power for 303 in the lower Pond area.

Video taken at Peter's Pond.

The dark brown tones of the engine house offer up a stark contrast to the purity of the SOO LINE diesel.

Ditto that with the caboose!

Entry video of ore into the big yard.

While Andrew arrives Nelson Yard with the ore train, Yardmaster Henk has run over to Fallentree Mine to snatch the ore loads for him. What a great guy that Henk is! 😎

In the video you can listen in on the conversation between Andrew and Henk.

Henk rides high above the Lawrence Watkins Trestle over the gut having pulled the string of loaded hoppers off the mine spur.

In this video we follow the route from the mine back to the big yard. The train stops suddenly as the engineman realizes he needs a switch to be thrown to line him up onto the consist of the ore train.

The crew of 302 arrive Peter's Pond at ground level while the crew of 301 work St. Helens on the upper level in the distance.

The lower level area is actually the western subdivision known as the Bell Sub while the upper level is the eastern subdivision called the Spruce Sub.

The video is short but it shows you the two crews working at the two levels.

The reason the video stopped abruptly is because the train came to a sudden stop after seeing a van parked on the mainline in Peter's Pond.

No worries though as the crew aboard 303 had protected their van.

You will note in this video the consist came apart on the spur siding - yet another car to be checked at the RIP Track - aka - Uncle Fred!

Ore arrives Ironwood as the crew of 301 go about their work here.

Seanna performs the role of both duties (engineer and brakeman) in this video effort seeing as the turnout is actually closer to her than to brakeman Steve who is properly positioned on the other side of Ironwood.

The ore train has run through Spruce and now enters Ironwood.

This frog buddha overlooks the trains arriving and departing Peter's Pond!

Paul is our Craig Leigh yardmaster on this day.

Here we see that Paul has now made up the consist for Train 301, the first assignment out from this eastern terminal on the day.

Paul's domain is a vast and busy one as evidenced here with the passenger consist at the passenger terminal.

Paul assists the ore train when it arrives by ensuring all the turnouts are thrown properly to wye the consist.

At least here in Douglas Yard/Craig Leigh you'll always find shade and tracks at a heightened level so no bending over to uncouple cars is required!

We head over to the other side of the property where we find the Pool Train arriving Rat Portage.

We find shade here as Sid brings his train to a stop.

Ralph ensures the passengers do not have to walk far to the station when they detrain!

Henk appreciates the red umbrella Bill and I recently set up for him at the western throat of Nelson Yard.

Instead of a "Bicycle Built for Two" it's an "Umbrella Meant for Two".

Apparently Henk thinks it's his and his alone although Gerry has other thoughts on the matter!

Pat chooses to stay out of the fray as he takes a seat near the BudLite-Gouda spur!

Lots of action is taking place at Spruce at this time of the day.

The Spruce meet is captured on video tape.

Ralph's Canadian National switcher in the black and gold scheme holds down the duties in Firgrove and Ralph Yard.

While just across the aisleway yet many miles away we find Malcolm working the RP&M tracks down in Rat Portage.

West end video work.

This image and follow-up video showcase just how balanced the RailOps program can be in regard to our operations.

Train 301 is seen arriving Nelson Yard and will depart westward as Train 311.

In the foreground is the power that has just brought in counterpart Train 302 and they will be cleared out of the yard eastward as Train 312 when the tail end of 301 clears the switch and it can be thrown their way.

A balanced video from a balanced schedule!

Train 311 has triggered the crossing signals to activate them.

Seanna tells us that the sensors, at the height they are set, don't pick up an empty flat car at all. Hmmm. 😫

Crossbuck video fun!

311 has made Peter's Pond and has completed its work here.

The crew gets underway bound for distant western destinations.

A video view from down in "The Pond".

Part of the assignment for our RP&M crews is to negotiate the sidings at Lilly beyond the gut. Malcolm is doing just that in the above image.

Chris brings Train 313 to a stop outside Nelson Yard as he awaits clearance orders that will bring him in on the Arrival/Departure track.

Or...has he another reason for the stoppage atop the trestle? You will find out momentarily!

The orange shirt gives Malcolm away as he works the Lilly sidings.

Video of the stopped train on the trestle!

313 proceeds into the yard following the photo shoot!

Here is a busy video showing lots of train activity in and around the big yard.

Like a good engineer should do, Andrew keeps a watchful eye on the tracks ahead of his locomotive to ensure all turnouts are lined for his routing into Bell and that there are no impediments lying across the rails.

While...just across the aisle yet far away we see Pool Train 33 departing Glen Hammond. They have been cleared over one of the longest stretches of track with no sidings all the way to Spruce.

Bell and Spruce video work.

The ore train makes its pass through Bell and will terminate shortly up in Firgrove.

Chris and Mark are on their third trick of the morning; Train 323.

They are running through Mercer Siding for a meet with Train 314 in Peter's Pond.

And...here is the crew of 314 holding their siding while they await the meet with 323.

I was most impressed with Malcolm's "car stop" strategy!

And...with the caboose being showcased in this moment, we will call it an end to this blog entry.

Before I leave you, I'll share just a few images from my recent Nova Scotia trip. Indeed, this lighthouse isn't serving the purpose it was built to do anymore but it at least acts as a nice attraction for visitors at one of the highway pit stops en route!

I love the architecture of the buildings down around the main street in Wolfville, NS.

This old church has been turned into a fine dining restaurant and drinking establishment.

It is called the Church Brewing Co.

They have their bell just like we have ours!

There are many colourful dining establishments that expand their floor plan out onto the sidewalk in the summertime.

I like this clock at a local park along the main drag.

Of course, Wolfville is the home to Acadia University!

OVGRS member from afar, Pete Conroy, lives just down the street from where Lisa and I stayed.

I visited Pete one morning and we were able to run a short train on his garden railroad.

While not large, the trains run through a lovely woodlawn setting!

There's Pete following the progress of his train through the wilds!

Pete designed this special control box that can select the turnouts off in the distance and he calls it the Zach-a-Track because a young fellow named Zach who is confined to a wheelchair enjoys visiting Pete to run the trains.

Pete even designed the clamps to adhere to the arm of Zach's wheelchair!

Kudos to you Pete for being such a great ambassador to our hobby and for ensuring Zach has the ability to run trains on your fine looking railroad!

On another day while walking along the main street I encountered this little gem...

...and this one as well where I was offered a greeting of good cheer!

I was at a band rehearsal recently where one of my bandmates had ordered a guitar custom made at the factory owned by Brian May of the famous band Queen and his father. Brian's father built the original guitar that this is a copy of for him to use in his Queen concerts. If you ordered the guitar, Brian May autographs it. It is an official autograph and not a stencil of one.