Garden Railroading: Dilips' and Pat's Pics and Videos From Session #8

Pictures and Videos From Session #8 Taken By Dilip & Pat

It's always nice to have another member of the group take some images and videos for us to enjoy.

In our most recent session Dilip ran Train 303 with Pat Brennan.

Having two mates on the same train allowed Dilip some additional time to capture these shots and videos.

This first image of many showcases the time when Nelson Yard really became congested with a vast amount of traffic.

Earlier in the morning when Bernie and I arrived with our second trick train completed, Henk called out, "You guys are too efficient - you've already run two RP&M trains and you are back in our yard already - you are way too early!"

Henk informed us that this created a problem as we would now occupy one of the tracks in Nelson Yard for a considerable amount of time.

Seeing as the yard was empty at the time of our arrival, Bernie & I offered the suggestion to start our third trick run which dealt with cars at Lilly and Fallentree Mine.

The yardmasters recommended holding our train where it was...and to take a long break as not all the setouts for Lilly and the mine would be in the yard...a wise move.

We could at least head over to Lilly and handle the lifts and then move our train over to Glen Hammond as that would be one of the eventual towns on our orders...but we were instructed to stay in the yard and head over to the crew lounge for an extended break.

I didn't mind this at all as I was then able to roam the property and snap pics of distant trains! 😀😎😄

In the image above taken earlier we see our train holding the siding (three tracks from the left) while Steve & Seanna are starting their second trick train and needing out of the yard.

Bill has orchestrated the departure of their train and is assisting with the placement of their van.

By this time an IPP&W train had crept up near the yard throat in the distance and we witnessed the appearance of a 'cornfield meet' - no collision though. Yikes!

Pat, sitting in the distance, is also wanting into the yard with the ore train which is currently out of the picture to the right with the train stopped short of the Fred Mills Trestle.

Another westbound IPP&W train had been held on the trestle itself and has now sauntered into the big yard in care of the black endcab noticeable on the A/D Track.

Indeed, a great deal of patience, cooperation and collaboration is required in these instances - and bravo to our two wondeful Nelson Yardmasters for orchestrating all of these developments!

A funny video of everyone telling the other person they have a misunderstanding of the situation! 🙈🙉🙊

Much later in the session we find Dilip & Pat aboard their third trick train Number 324 ducking beneath the eastern throat of Nelson Yard.

Their tail end finds daylight.

Train 324 makes its video appearance heading east to Spruce.

Because I had plenty of time to roam the grounds I could snap pictures of other trains while Dilip has snapped an image of me doing so down in Peter's Pond while Chris & Jonah continue with their efforts.

We find them working the lower Pond area.

Eric looks on as the lads continue with their efforts.

Another train is up in Cedar Rock at the end of the branch out of sight as we spot their consist on the Cedar Rock siding.

Video of Chris & Jonah hard at work.

Let's take a commercial break and share the four images and captions Pat Brennan sent my way.

Here is Pat's message:

Hi Mike, here are a few pics from Saturday July 26, 2025 at OVGRS Central at our large scale operations. I had the pleasure of operating with Dilip as we tackled trains 303-314 and 324.

Pat's caption for the above image states:

Train 303 is arriving at Bell on track 3 ready to switch out a few cars at the Interchange track as well as Brunt's Brewery.

With no work in Bell, our second trick train, Number 314 is directed to pass through town on track 3 on its way to Wellington Lake for a set out and then on to Peter's Pond for some switching.

One of many trains waiting for entry to Nelson yard, train 314 waits at Mercer siding.

Train 324 has departed Nelson Yard en route to Spruce.

We're travelling pretty light to begin with but a few cars will be picked up along the way.

Thanks, Pat, for the four images and captions.

The sun's rays blanche the landscape in Ironwood while our other Bill & Doug follow the action with two trains working collaboratively.

Pat is lifting the empty ore cars after having delivered the loads back to the ore dock.

Claire ensures the locomotive runs at a slow speed atop the ore dock.

Then it's time to deliver the MT's back to the three mine locations along the route of the IPP&W.

Ore train video review.

Back at Nelson Yard we continue with the 'organized chaos' that ensued.

Train 313 is finally let into the big yard.

The crew had been waiting a long time out at the yard limits and ahead of the ore train.

The arrival/departure track offers a clear alley for the crew.

Train 313 passes by Train 314 which has has now found a home on a spare track two over from their position.

Yardmasters are like orchestra conductors only without the magic wands!

Yard entry video work.

And...with the imminent departure of the ore train, things have once again settled down...with clear tracks in evidence...until such time that..........well, you know what!