Session #13 - Finally!
After a few weeks of trying, this past Saturday we finally completed Session #13.
The operations were of the Narrow Minded variety!
We welcomed Ralph's friend Arthur as well as Bill Williams & Stu Moxley!
It's just after 8:00 AM and Fred is found outdoors at the crew lounge table working on the paper files for our operations.
The sun is just rising above the fence line as freight cars begin to make their appearance known.
Doug got the worm today as he was the early bird!
We find one car with a 'wonky' coupler.
No problem for Father Fred who had it repaired before the operations managed to get underway!
This big puppy dog poses for this image and informs us that "Steam will be Supreme - On the Scene" today!
John tells us that he picked this locomotive up from a fellow in New Brunswick.
It required some work and John has indicated that further time must be spent on the running gear.
Some headend cars will inhabit the 'house' tracks at stations along the route of the IPP&W for the Pool Train to deal with.
Note the 'brake' on the rail to keep the car from rolling on the slight incline located at the Glen Hammond house track.
Trays of cars multiply as quick as rabbits do!
Phil, Bill & Bill arrange the cars in Nelson Yard pre-ops.
As cars are unloaded from their housings, our newest member, Phil, moves the empty trays out of the way nearby the foundation of Fred's home as Ralph & Arthur look on.
Indeed,we welcome Phil as one of our newest members of the OVGRS!
Speaking of Ralph & Arthur, we welcome 'Art' to the railroad.
He is the handsome lad in the brown leather jacket standing beside another handsome lad!
The sidings at Anderson begin to populate with rolling stock.
As does Nelson Yard as Doug looks on from a distance.
These next five images come from the camera of Pat Brennan, our Craig Leigh yardmaster on the day.
Pat managed to grab this shot of the ore train managing the long slope up into Craig Leigh.
Ralph & Art have delivered the ore from the mines to the ore dock and are now in the process of making up their train of empties to return all the way back to the mines.
Pat managed to capture John later in the morning departing Craig Leigh with Passenger #1.
Train #1 passes Pat's engine seen working at the Selver Fuels track.
He managed to sneak this image down in Peter's Pond as Number One makes its station stop.
Thanks Pat for these wonderful images!
Before we get into the train operations I would like to conduct a bit of "Show & Tell"...or...as we teachers used to call it..."Bring & Brag"!
As you know, Doug, Rob & I have been working on a sawmill diorama in O-scale over the past year.
We felt the larger diorama needed a "side car" so to speak to showcase the log dump.
Above, in this grainy photo you see the smaller diorama taking shape from earlier in the week.
Rob was over on Friday and we tested out the swing angles of the Timber Stiff Leg Derrick he was building for the project.
At the same time I was working on the twin spool hoisting engine you see in back.
We are satisfied with the angle of swing and the location of the timber frame base.
Yes, logs can be hoisted from the log dump and set down on the log ramp of the sawmill!
Video proof of the swing plane being perfect for our needs.
While this image shows two hands at work it took Rob and I quite a while with four hands to cable up the derrick as per instructions.
You'll note how the dirt and earth in and around the log dump is now in place to help fill out the scenery.
This video begins with the farmer and his oxen with the goad, the device he uses to direct their movements while pulling the grader.
We chose to let the two horses that pulled the log wagon have a 'break' from their chores.
Also note the last figure holding the logging spear called a 'peavey'...that figure was originally holding an axe and I had to cut apart the peavey into three sections and glue the outer two to the logger.
In this hobby, I say, "Problems are opportunities for solutions!"
The rear side of one of our OVGRS Crew Assignments sheets allows us to see the intricate cabling on the derrick.
This video begins at the base of the derrick and moves on out to the sawmill.
Rob & I chose to have the chain hanging down from the hook on the derrick to simply be draped over the log on the log wagon in preparation for chaining the log up by the workers in a few moment's time.
We sure are glad that we decided to support the sawmill with a log dump!
All the trees surrounding the mill are basically 'scrub' material as all of the good lumber sources nearby had already been utilized!
This final video begins with a look at the finely dressed Liam Hicks, the sawmill owner, talking with a customer out front the mill.
While most would consider the diorama 'complete' there are still a number of smaller jobs to be done.
We are already over 1000 hours into the project!
It was our goal to have at least the main sawmill section complete before Doug's presentation this coming Wednesday evening in Kars.
I am happy to say that the secondary 'log dump' module is sufficiently complete to bring out to the meeting along with the sawmill!
Now back to the real reason we have our blog!
Chris must be in the house as his PEI Railroad steamer is found on the far track in Nelson Yard.
There's Chris with son, Jonah.
Indeed they make for an awesome crew!
Their power handles Train 304 located in Glen Hammond across the valley in behind the gentlemen.
In this video Chris makes his attempt to head over to Glen Hammond.
In this video you will hear my initial thoughts indicating that Chris would back down an 'open alley' in Nelson Yard to reach Glen Hammond, but he had better ideas.
He will have to turn his locomotive to face eastward as he is running Train 304.
John was originally going to begin his day in Craig Leigh aboard Passenger #1, but our other passenger operator couldn't attend the session so John had to begin the session in Firgrove aboard Passenger #2 which would bring his power back to Craig Leigh.
This particular steamer would have to wait on the ready track until a later time to run along the high iron!
John backs the locomotive to the bumper in Craig Leigh as seen in this early morning video attempt.
Now aboard Passenger #2, John leads the assembly into Bell with his other steam locomotive sporting a truly unique Canadian National livery...indeed, a "one of a kind"!
Seanna is next in line on the doorstep to Bell with wayfreight 302.
The passenger train's arrival in Bell is witnessed by Seanna's crewmate (& hubby) Steve.
Seanna is on a slow approach behind the leading train as the curved trackage leads her along through the yard limits at Bell.
Bell approach video footage.
RP&M Train 71 has its green signal to enter the junction (signal on the right) while the trackage to the left at Bellamy has a protective red aspect.
Train 40, the short hop out from Firgrove to handle headend and some passenger equipment now makes its way to Bell.
The car on the front of the locomotive will head into the facing Bernicky siding; essentially the house track.
The RP&M crew proceeds through the junction in this video as the IPP&W run heads east.
The early hours of Saturday mornings are popular railfan times for a visit to Bell.
302 has entered the yard and is about to clear the main as the crew proceeds along Track 3.
The passenger train in the distance is on the mainline at the station.
Train 40 heads along the main to the house track by the fence while far over to the left in Glen Hammond, Train 304 is about to contact dispatch for clearance to Spruce.
A mass of video and audio activity is seen and heard here!
This photo offers a wide view from left to right; Nelson Yard, Glen Hammond & Bell.
The two Bills who are our Nelson Yardmasters today review their paperwork to the left while four crews make up the rest of the image.
Doug & Andrew are running RP&M Train Rat 61 over to the left in Nelson Yard as Phil reviews his switching orders aboard Train 303 in Glen Hammond to the right.
Nelson Yard & Glen Hammond video footage.
Rat 61 heads over to Fallentree Mine and Lilly in the upper left corner of the image while IPP&W Train 304 gets underway out from Glen Hammond to the right.
The remaining train in Glen Hammond, 303, still has some work to conduct.
It's grey van is seen at the far end of the train on the track to the right.
Busy times in both yards!
Busy times video tape of all this wonderful train activity!
The heavy action continues as Train 304 crosses the Fred Mills Trestle bound for Spruce.
The crew leans into the curve at Lilly...
...before crossing Goodie's Gulch once more.
In the video you will follow Train 304 but you will notice off in the distance along the tall hedge line the Firgrove-Bell hop returning as Train 41 back to its home base in Firgrove.
We take a short commercial break.
Barry sent along these next five images our way along with this note:
Hi Mike, you might remember Ethan, a high school (last year) student who was
with us for the "Invasion" on August 28th.
He had been with the
Belleville Model Train Club when they visited here a short time before and was
very excited.
He actually lives in Brighton.
Today he came by himself, and we each took a train in a two-train ops session.
He is a very quick study and took to the rails like a pro.
I asked Bonnie to take a couple of pics to document the affair.
I also wanted to give the group a "heads up" on my mountain waterfall restoration project which was forced upon me by a serious leak in the waterfall.
When dismantling it I found the leak about 3 levels down.
There was a hole in the liner which had to have been caused by a critter - probably a squirrel.
So I began about a week ago to tear the waterfall down, leaving the tunnel for the trains intact.
I sent messages to three local contractors to solicit "letters of interest" and received one response, who will be visiting tomorrow afternoon to scope out the project.
My concept will be to have the water fall in two stages - first to an upper and smaller pond, which will then overflow in a short river to fall directly into the existing pond.
The column of cement blocks on the left side of the tunnel will be removed, and the blocks re-used for the new waterfall.
That will shorten the tunnel for easier access behind, while not
sacrificing the overall impact of the tunnel.
The project will have minimal impact on the rail operations.
Ethan is enjoying a sunny day trackside in Belleville.
It's great to see a young lad so interested in train operations.
Thank you Barry - and Ethan!
Back in Ottawa we find Jeff, one of our newer members, taking time out from HOTrak to run trains with us before heading over to the HOTrak setup to run trains (in a different scale) once again in the afternoon!
You are a real trooper, Jeff! 👍👍👌👍👍
Steve offers up a fine looking smile pre-ops!
Wearing this cool looking shirt must be no other than...
...Mr. William (Bill) Sn3 Scobie!
Some cars you pass by are begging to be photographed and billboard reefers never disappoint this railfan!
Dilip & Phil have hauled IPP&W Train 303 into Peter's Pond.
Chris & Jonah arrive Spruce.
They park their van on the house track to allow greater ease when switching.
Neil & Jeff find themselves in St. Helens aboard IPP&W Train 301.
Neil investigates the track arrangement as the crew conducts their switching moves.
All sidings are of the facing nature for this westbound crew at this location.
We've caught up with 304 at the entrance to Clarke Canyon.
It's colourful consist brightens up the canyon walls.
Au Revoir!
Train 304 guides us through the rock cut in this spectacular video footage!
Rat 61's crew works McKenzie Lumber in Lilly.
There is nothing more spectacular in railroading than the symmetry of the wooden timbers in a wooden trestle span!
Lilly video effort with the RP&M crew.
Steve & Seanna have completed their assigned work in Bell and have sought clearance to Wellington Lake.
From outside the door of my dispatch booth I am able to photograph and film their exit from Bell.
They head east along the rails at Watkins Siding.
Video views from the dispatch booth.
303 continues to drill the sidings in Glen Hammond.
Engineer Dilip is all smiles...
...while conductor Phil gives this railfan a wink and a smile!
304's activities are captured in this video.
John railfans the advance of his train into the station at Bellamy.
Across the valley Ralph & Arthur haul ore loads eastbound from the mine up in Firgrove.
Two train video effort.
Ore reaches the yard limits of Bell.
The ground shakes as the train takes the main line through Bell with no stopping here.
Ralph & Art follow the progress of their run.
Bell is indeed a railfan hotspot.
The crew announces its presence to the station master like a ship passing in the night.
More ore video files.
The crew aboard 303 have finished their switching in 'The Glen' but have been held along the main awaiting a meet with Train #2.
Passenger #2 slows through Glen Hammond...
...where it will come to a stop at the station.
More video vistas in and around 'The Glen'.
As the last passenger car clears the western turnout, Phil puts it back to the main and 303 heads west to Bellamy.
With 303's departure, the track opens up in the Glen for the arrival of RP&M train Rat 61.
Indeed, it is "Busy Times at Glen Hammond" as witnessed in this video.
Train #2 is once again on the roll eastbound - destination Spruce.
The Nelson Yard crew continue with their work as we spot their blue switcher running over to the mine to collect the ore loads for the incoming ore crew.
Glen Hammond and Nelson Yard activities are caught in this video film.
Hey, Mr. Bill Williams makes an appearance at the session!
Great to see you once more this week, Bill! (OVAR & OVGRS)
And...speaking of making appearances, here is yet another special one!
Stu Moxley was one of the earliest members of the OVGRS.
He was instrumental in supporting remote control operations so that track power would not be required in the outdoor setting - a true pioneer in large scale operations!
As per usual, we check in on Craig Leigh where we find the ore dock loaded with empties - hmmm...is "loaded with empties" an oxymoron?
The passenger terminal is a bustling location as well.
Pat holds down the role of yardmaster in Craig Leigh on this day.
The yard is looking well organized Pat!
He is in the midst of switching the industries in and around Douglas Yard and blocking traffic for outgoing westbound trains.
For those who are unaware...Douglas Yard is named after our very own Doug Matheson!
Indeed...it is a bright and cheery September morning as yellow seems to be the colour of the day!
These cars are all residing currently in the town of Stuart...named after Stuart Moxley!
With the siding configuration in Peter's Pond, two IPP&W crews can work around each other simultaneously as the farther train will climb the Cedar Rock Branch to handle duties there while the nearer train works Peter Pond 'Proper'.
The shared asset is the main line running between the two sidings which acts as the runaround.
Here we see Phil & Dilip aboard 303 working Peter's Pond with Steve & Seanna just having arrived the Cedar Rock siding with 302.
Having completed their work in Peter's Pond, the crew aboard 303 have made their way west to Wellington Lake running a borrowed caboose off the RP&M.
At the same time as the previous photo was taken, railfan Mike has managed to capture the crew of 302 now up in Cedar Rock!
A while later, Train 303 is about to terminate its run in Firgrove.
The crew handles the grade at "The Ledges" magnificently.
303's efforts as viewed in this video.
While, once again at the same time, the crew of 302 is found out from Mercer Siding on approach to the junction.
They are about to terminate their run in Nelson Yard.
302's progress as followed in this video attempt.
A little while before this railfan followed the progress of Trains 302 & 303, he found himself alongside the busy Nelson Yard.
The ore train has arrived just as the Nelson Yard switcher gets out of the way - having brought the loaded ore cars from the mine over to the yard for the crew.
Sometimes the ore crew have to head over to Fallentree Mine to lift the ore cars themselves if Nelson Yard is tied up with activity - but such was not the case on this day.
Ralph has just explained the moves to his guest, Art, and - after hearing Ralph's words of wisdom to Art, Bill has now told Ralph, "You're promoted!" 😀😎😄
Ore is being "ore"ganized in Nelson Yard in this video footage.
It's the Holy Trinity of Larry, Harry & Moe!
But they have managed to work together to get ore on the move!
More Nelson Yard video.
Reverend Bill continues to direct the crew of the ore train as they back onto their consist with their six lifts from the Fallentree Mine pictured to the left.
Indeed...yardmaster Bill is a true reverend as Art stares at his halo in disbelief!
Our other yardmaster Bill...of the Weiler clan...is also in disbelief at the powers of his yard 'partner'.
Truly inspirational video footage in and around Nelson Yard!
In South Pacific Coast livery, Ralph's steamer offers its services up to the Ironwood, Peter's Pond & Western Railway...in a land far from home turf!
The string of hoppers stretches out around the big curve which exits Nelson Yard to the east.
Final footage from this video man at Nelson Yard!
Earlier we caught up with Jeff & Neil aboard Train 301 departing St. Helens.
Their train skirts across the landscape atop 'The Plateau' which rises the land up to the forested area to the east.
Older structures still hold strong to Mother Earth, erected in days gone by.
301's departure from St. Helens as captured on video.
In my next blog entry we will follow the progress of a number of trains including Passenger #1 shown above.
Five heavyweights make up the consist on this day.
Video footage of Train Number One.
Some of the heavyweights may require time on the RIP Track as their tracking ability tested the nerves of the crew on this day! 😎👀😎
The lads (and lasses out of the picture) relax following the end of the session.
Indeed, it was a beautiful "Train kinda day"!!!
And...Neil's wonderful smile tells it all!
And...speaking of great smiles...Claire offers one up with the added greeting of a wave!
It was great seeing Andrew and Stuart out on this fine morning!
Thanks for checking in on this latest blog entry!
Here I am running a train along the CP lines in southern Quebec about to cross the border into the state of Vermont in B&M territory on the late David Primeau's HO scale layout.
Fred is content in the knowledge that the railroad continues to draw folks from "far and near" every Saturday morning!
As you will recall, we waited a couple of weeks to finally get the full Session #13 in.
Indeed, it had been three full weeks since we last ran trains in a completed session at Fred's so we thank Mr. Scobie and his "pull" with the weather gods that we managed to get this session in!
We are the OVGRS of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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