Session #3 Narrow Gauge Happy Birthday Wishes
One of our newest members, Claire, enjoyed a birthday today.
And what better way than to spend it with OVGRS friends!
Seanna made a cake and I wrote a quick song for both Claire and Father Fred who celebrated his birthday the week before.
We visit the IPP&W Railway in the days when steam ruled the iron.
You can enlarge the images by clicking on them and you can return to the default look of the page by clicking outside them.
Happy Birthday Claire!
Before we visit the "way back years" it was an honour for all of us to spend the morning with you on your special day!
Yum yum!
Thanks to Seanna for making such a tasty cake!
(Even I enjoyed a bite!)
It was a treat for me to be able to sing a birthday song for Claire.
(This is not a video link)
Henk & Felicity join in with the entire gang to celebrate Claire's special day.
And...it was Father Fred's special day the week before...but we won't tell the number!
It was great seeing Colin come out with Gregg.
Here's Garry, me & Gregg in Craig Leigh before the session.
Colin managed to snap a pic of me snapping a pic!
And...once again!
Here's Colin with Garry!
Colin was our Nelson Yardmaster for many years after we lost our dear friend, Bud Nelson.
I believe Colin may have worked the yard with Bud as well.
Colin is a wealth of knowledge having worked for the railways in Britain many moons ago.
Gregg joins in the fun as well.
The link below will take you to Colin's outstanding "Railway Pages".
You may have to copy and paste the link into your computer's browser.
https://churcher.crcml.org/
This White Pass & Yukon leader informs us that the session is of the "Narrow" gauge variety.
This lad will lead IPP&W Train 303 out from Glen Hammond westbound in the early morning hours.
Train 303's counterpart, number 304 overnighted in "The Glen" as well.
And...this lad will depart eastbound in short order.
I'm in the process of readying my dispatch board for the morning rush of trains.
Up top you see the identifiers for 303 & 304 with westbounds in black and eastbounds in white.
On my board (unlike typical maps) east is to the left and west is to the right.
This view taken from inside the dispatch booth shows the crews setting out power and rolling stock before the session.
The umbrellas provide the necessary shade over Nelson Yard (to the right) and Glen Hammond (on the left).
And...off in the distance by the fence is Bell which is a busy interchange point on the line where the IPP&W and RP&M railways meet.
In his bright green shirt, Gerry is a "colourful" operator.
Andry joins us again and assists Henk & Bill with car distribution in Nelson Yard.
Evan lends a hand as well while Henk checks off another freight car number on his master list.
Here's the Henky Panky!
That's Pat in the background. He brought out Evan, his daughter's boyfriend.
Garry checks off cars over in Glen Hammond.
Some are placed along the East & West Interchange tracks while others are placed directly into trains on the East & West Staging tracks.
We thank Doug C. for creating these car railing devices that work like a charm!
There's Doug C. on the right with Doug M. on the left!
"Douglas Squared" I imagine!
And...the "Power" these "2" have is incredible!
Here is Chris, one of our dedicated WDWD crew mates.
His efforts each week are greatly appreciated along with the efforts of our other Workday Wednesday attendees.
An aircraft "T" means one thing...
...Mr. Scobie is in the house...or...in the backyard!
Gerry has wrung the bell which means we assemble in the lounge.
Following the birthday song, we get down to the business of the morning as Fred reviews the safety protocol for the group.
The new 'pop-up' canopy is a big hit.
Its area coverage offers seats for a good many folks.
Final words are spoken and then we run the trains!
Indeed, Neil...it certainly will be a "Train Kinda Day!"
There's Neil with crewmate Dilip.
Dilip is our "Train Master" who works the RailOps program to arrange the entire operating session!
He and Neil will work RP&M Trains 71 & 72 as well as the jaunt to Rat Portage aboard Rat 63 later in the AM hours.
We revisit the good ole days of steam when photography was less intense with no colour saturation to speak of!
Here the eastbound parade begins with Train 302 taking to the curve to the west of Bell.
The convoy of eastbounds continues with black diamonds on the move out from Firgrove.
Through the magic of time travel we head forward in time to find Malcolm in charge of the ore train.
Eastbound convoy video as the parade begins.
To engage the video click on the white arrow in the center once and then a second time.
Here is that same curve many years later with Passenger #1 heading west up to Firgrove out from Bell.
Garry & Pat are in control of 304 having been cleared out from Glen Hammond for the lengthy run to Spruce.
304 takes the outer track located alongside the lead into Nelson Yard.
Glen Hammond departure video.
Train 304 meets with success near the summit of Clarke Grade eastbound into Spruce.
The crew handles the curve nicely.
With the headend already drifting by the station on the other side of the hill, the tail end creeps up the final distance of the grade.
"Up Grade" video footage.
If at first you do not see...
...look and then look again - with greater contrast.
While we typically consider the IPP&W as a smaller railroad, this video showcases it as a "branch" line.
If you look closely at what the locomotive is pulling in this video segment - you will know what I mean! 😎👀😎
Let's check back in with the lead photo from this blog entry.
Train 304 reaches the outskirts of Spruce with the Spruce Rockery and Depot greeting our entrance into town.
Traffic growth in recent years allows the IPP&W to double the frequency of its passenger trains.
The beautiful days of summer certainly aid in this regard.
Andry's son, Lukash and his two grandsons enjoy railfanning the branch leading up into Cedar Rock as Doug handles the train which is busily switching out the local industries.
Passenger #2 comes to a stop at the lovely Gananoque inspired depot at Spruce in this video montage.
The small town of Ironwood is a veritable hive of activity with three trains in the mix at the moment.
We propel ourselves into the future to find a similar situation.
301 is protected in the siding track as empty ore cars from this location have joined their train.
Passengers are seen detraining and boarding the station on the curve in the distance.
All of this is taking place on the Spruce Sub.
Over by the fence line, Passenger #1 makes headways for Bell at Watkins Siding along the Bell Sub.
Ironwood is the setting for this video effort.
Passenger #2 wastes no time heading east out from the Glen.
A slight hint of green spills from the foliage as Train #2 navigates the curve leading into the Fred Mills Trestle area.
Video review of the preceding two images.
Bill has all things under control in the big yard named for our dear friend, Bud Nelson.
Over in Craig Leigh Paul switches out the Northland Ore Dock.
If this car represents Gramps, which one honours Grandma?
My research tells me that the Gramps tank cars were used to deliver oil from a loading facility in Chama, New Mexico to a refinery at Alamosa, Colorado via the D&RGW narrow gauge railway.
Both the oil field and small refinery were owned by "Gramps" Lafayette Hughes thus the lettering on the side of the car.
Douglas Yard in Craig Leigh plays hosts to a variety of cars as evidenced in this old photograph showcasing some hopper traffic, a boxcar and a stock car.
Passenger #1 entered Craig Leigh and drove its passengers to the terminal area "head first" as instructed by Colin.
Once the passengers detrained, the crew backed their train to the wye and turned it around in order to back it into the terminal area once again.
Then the crew drove their locomotive onto the Pool Train, train number 33 which is now ready to head over both railroads.
We wish to thank Colin for the advice of not backing the passenger train into the terminal with the passengers aboard.
When Fred and his gang of railfans were little boys oh so many moons ago, they used to love going down to the local rail yard to check out those wildly coloured "billboard" reefers.
It's too bad that this image does not do service in conveying just how colourful they were!
Aha...I located an old faded photograph Fred had in a shoebox under the bed in his upstairs room.
You can just detect some of the colouring in the car.
At least this gives you some clue as to what Fred's eyes saw those many years ago!
How about we enter Mr. Peabody's time capsule aka the "Way Back Machine" with Sherman and dial in the futuristic year of 2025.
Perhaps the machine does 'double duty' and drives us into the future. Who knows?
Whoa...this is dangerous...but exciting at the same time!!!
Mr. Peabody instructs..."Look at this image, Sherman...and now...close your eyes!"
"Now...open your eyes!"
"Wow!" Sherman exclaims, "They certainly are colourful!"
At another time in the morning we find the crew aboard 304 working the yard at Spruce.
Pat & Evan verify their consist before departing Spruce later in the morning aboard 301.
Henk's 45-tonner shines brightly in the sunshine!
Indeed she does!
Remember the folk group, "The Kingston Trio"?
Well, these guys are definitely not them.
In fact, I'm not sure if they can hold a tune, but that's okay as they certainly are a handsome looking bunch!
For you ladies out there, their names are Darrell, his brother Darrell & their next door neighbour - you guessed it - Darrell!
Indeed, Garry, Gregg & Pat are dedicated railroaders and all members of HOTrak as well!
Felicity & Grant review their train orders for Peter's Pond & Cedar Rock aboard Train 303.
Meanwhile Passenger #1 makes a short stop at the new depot in the lower Pond area.
The new gate at Nelson is meant to keep Bill "fenced in" so he doesn't roam!
Video of Billy Boy in action!
Switching here is more easily said than done, but Felicity and Grant are a well-oiled crew who know all of the intricacies of this fabled branch line known as the Cedar Rock Run.
In this Cedar Rock video view you can hear Mike & Colin chatting about Miniature Wondurland in Hamburg, Germany.
RP&M Train 72 is working Rat Portage on its homeward bound journey from the interchange up in Bell.
Meanwhile the crew of RP&M 73 hold outside of town.
The yardmaster in Firgrove is shuffling the cars that came in on Passenger #1, readying them to go out on Passenger #4 later in the morning.
Rat Portage as viewed in this video link.
Bill & Henk control all train movements in and out of the yard at Nelson.
301 rolls into Nelson Yard in this video entry.
Henk's centrecab keeps things rolling at the western throat of the yard.
302 holds short of the yard throat as the yard masters clear up the situation near the entrance.
We are so pleased to have Lukash join us with his two young sons and his father, Andry!
The western throat of Nelson Yard is rather busy at the moment this video was taken!
A rare scene on this day - an early generation diesel endcab makes the rounds along the RP&M.
And...speaking of making the rounds, Gerry & Moe round out the crew!
Doug & Andry find themselves up in Cedar Rock delivering the goods to the good townsfolk.
Hey Doug...how can that puppy run without a load of coal? 😎😁😎
Remember when we were that age?
It's a "family affair" with grandpa Andry, son Lukash and the two grandchildren.
Family video moments.
Here's Claire & Seanna forming a veritable railroad crew!
Passenger #2 tiptoes out onto the Fred Mills Trestle.
Video fun from the trestle area.
We inspect the yard at Spruce.
The yard at St. Helens holds spur tracks all facing the same direction making it one of the easier locations to work on the railway.
One of the two tracks at Ironwood Brick is full.
The ore cars have been lifted by this point in time.
What a treat it was to see Andrew at the session as he has been very busy overseas and in Canada in his role as a religious leader.
We are blessed to have this lovely man as a member of the OVGRS.
Here is the latest Hosta I brought from home which I planted behind the depot at Spruce.
The Northland Ore dock has a large capacity although we only spot seven cars here at the moment.
Here is one of my favourite locations on the railroad where I can railfan traffic in many areas.
We see Train 313 over to the left in Ironwood, Train 312 in Spruce in the middle and Train 314 working Cedar Rock to the right.
The RP&M crews are found in Nelson Yard with 314 waiting to enter off in the distance. They will then head out aboard 324.
The crew of 313 is also patiently waiting their turn to get in and depart as 323.
A Canadian Moment in Steam
We find Number 318, a CNR Newfoundland Narrow Gauge 2-8-2 locomotive in the yard at Cornerbrook, Newfoundland.
Photo courtesy of Jon Arhcibald
A Second Canadian Moment in Steam
This DAR (Dominion Atlantic Railway) locomotive hauls passengers into Windsor, Nova Scotia in 1949.
Photo courtesy of John McIntosh
A Third Canadian Moment in Steam
This PEIR (Prince Edward Island Rwy) locomotive pulls through Maple Hill in the spring of 1949.
This engine was re-gauged to run on the island.
Photographer Unknown
Time for lunch!
Thanks Chef Moe!
Mmmm....really good Moe!
Seanna, Andrew & Doug enjoy time in the lounge following the session.
What's Steve up to?
He's checking out the video his train took.
Yes, Passenger #1 chased the gondola with camera around the entire layout.
Here we see Passenger #1 meeting 301 at St. Helens.
Hopefully Steve will find some way to share some of the video footage with us! 😄
We close off this blog entry with this vintage photo taken from across the tracks from the depot down in Peter's Pond.
Next week we will be running diesel puppies like this fine looking specimen.
Neil sent this photograph our way.
Here's my Martin guitar made in Nazareth, Pennsylvania.
Happy birthday once again to Claire and to Father Fred!
As always, we thank Father Fred for hosting us on such a fine day!
On behalf of Fred, Andrew, Gregg, Colin, Diane & our birthday girl, Claire, we like to thank you for checking in on the fun we have whenever we gather in Fred's backyard!
Everyone please stay safe in this heat wave we are currently experiencing in Canada's National Capital Region.
We are the OVGRS friends from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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