Session #13 Causing Grief
Hi folks, yes, we have been attempting our best to get Session #13 in over the past couple of weeks but the danged-blazes weather gods continue to stir the pot!
This past Saturday, we thought we'd be able to run trains so we started the session...but, alas, after all the crews were nearing the end of their first trick or just entering their work with their second trick train, the skies opened up. 💧💧💧
The decision to cancel the remainder of the session was made.
I wish to thank Pat Brennan for snapping a few pics which he has shared with me...so let's take a look now.
I will also include a few videos I managed to capture as I escaped the dispatch booth for short moments of time throughout the session!
We start off with this wonderful look at Passenger #1 being hauled by a Canadian Pacific gas electric car...aka...a 'doodlebug'.
John brought out this rare specimen and was like a young child in a candy shop as the engine hauled paying passengers across the route of the Ironwood, Peter's Pond & Western.
Earlier, Passenger #1 rests easily in Craig Leigh.
The crew will run westbound to Firgrove with some 10 station stops en route including the two end terminals.
Pat found Ralph up in Firgrove about to join his steam locomotive with the ore consist as George looks on.
Mark will be Ralph's crewmate for the run.
Dilip & Chris are down in the lower Peter's Pond area at the moment, a location found along the Bell Sub.
They are running IPP&W Train 303 as the crew has backed across the pedestrian crossing with the cars they have to deal with in 'The Pond'.
Doug & Al work Train 301 at St. Helens along the Spruce Sub.
Their dealings here are all of a 'facing' nature.
Steve & Seanna have reached Spruce after first working the sidings in Glen Hammond.
They will have to protect their train as the Passenger and Ore Train will pass through town over the duration of their time spent here.
Off in the distance along the wooden fence line we see Bernie & Jeff running 302 through Watkins Siding.
Nelson Yard is a hive of activity although Bill & Grant have things well established here.
The two RP&M trains begin their morning runs here before heading over to Lilly, Glen Hammond, Rat Portage and Stuart up by Bell.
Mark is right beside me at my dispatch booth, but I ask him to radio me anyway so the other crews hear and are aware of the movement of the ore train.
The ore crew of Ralph & Mark take the main line through Bell which brings them into close proximity of the station.
We thank Bill for truncating the back section of the station's roof in order for wider locomotives to 'clear' the building and its platform.
302's crew have reached Wellington Lake and have used the 'runaround' capability found at Watkins Siding to gain access to the rear of their train.
The siding hear is 'facing' for eastbound trains.
Paul is one of our well established yardmasters at Douglas Yard in town of Craig Leigh.
With Train 301 having departed, Paul has just built second trick train, number 313 which you see on the departure track.
You've gotta love this low angled shot Pat grabbed of 302 entering the yard in Peter's Pond as 303 awaits clearance to depart in a westerly rail direction for Wellington Lake.
302's crew will work the branch up to Cedar Rock.
As soon as the tail end of 302 clears the far turnout, 303 will be allowed to escape for points west.
Pat managed to get down low to capture this beautiful shot of Passenger #1 passing beneath the eastern throat of Nelson Yard bound for Spruce.
At approximately the same time Pat spotted Passenger #2 rolling through Mercer Siding bound for Peter's Pond.
Malcolm & Felicity have worked both Lilly and Glen Hammond and have now reached Rat Portage aboard RP&M Train Rat 61.
This train is a turn as the crew will return back to Nelson Yard once they finish their work here and at Anderson near the junction.
It's a case of "Back to the Future" as Firgrove yardmaster Len checks his cell phone for any activity.
Note: We are running trains in the steam era...so such a device would not even have been thought of...unless one was Nostradamus! 😁😎😁
Having lifted loads of ore from the mines at Firgrove and outside Nelson Yard, the crew is now bound for the Ironwood Brick siding which houses loaded ore cars in Ironwood.
Claire & Doug have arrived Bell/Stuart with RP&M Train 71.
They worked Anderson and Rat Portage before arriving at their destination of Stuart just outside of Bell.
After they interchange their traffic they will return back through Rat Portage, Anderson and on into Nelson Yard as Train 72.
Railfan Mike appreciates this low angle view Railfan Pat managed to grab of the crew of Train 302 working the sidings up in Cedar Rock!
We spot two crews working Bell off in the distance.
Claire & Doug make up the RP&M crew while Chris & Dilip are aboard the IPP&W train.
Crews are encouraged to work together and assist each other in instances where both teams must set out and lift cars in close proximity to each other.
Pat's final image is of Rat Portage and Firgrove across the wide valley where we see both Firgrove yardmasters working Ralph Yard.
Thanks Pat for the wonderful images! Much appreciated! 👍👍
Through my dispatcher's window I spot the two IPP&W crews working in Glen Hammond aboard Trains 303 and 304.
Video takes around Nelson Yard and Glen Hammond are viewable from my perch in the dispatch hut.
The crew of Train 303 is seen checking on couplers as they work the west end of Glen Hammond before departing for Peter's Pond.
In the video I am explaining the purpose of the different trains to our guest, Dara.
Dara's son used to come over to Fred's place almost 30 years ago when the son was 10 to see the trains run.
Dara's son is now 38 and resides in London, England.
After seeing the blog, he encouraged his father to get in touch with Fred...and...there you have it.
Dara is keen to come back next week!
Video work of the RP&M crew around Goodie's Gulch...so named after our very own Bernie 'Good'man.
His layout was small...but a joy to operate!
Here's another great image for all you 'juice' fans!
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