Workday Wednesday Happenings on October 1st

Workday Wednesday Happenings on October 1st

The great OVGRS debate lingers - which season is best for rail operations in the great outdoors up here in Canada's capital region?

For the Workday Wednesday crew, fall seems to win out - as the weeds aren't overtaking the right of way and the grass rarely requires a haircut!

This provides us with a case for running trains with our excuse being - we are testing out the trackwork!

Fred had asked to put the railroad and a steam locomotive through their paces by running locomotive #10 which just came out from the Mills Shops after undergoing some repairs.

This 'test run' will be the major theme of this blog entry.

In this blog entry we unveil Train Extra #10 hauling some interesting cars.

Indeed, from this unprecedented viewing angle we spot some general revenue freight cars...

...and we also spot a passenger car bringing up the rear of train.

A mixed train she is indeed!

We are now underway across the entire system of the IPP&W to check for any track issues.

I am backing the locomotive onto its train awaiting departure on the main line adjacent to Douglas Yard.

As I ran the consist throughout the territory, I checked every single turnout.

I discovered that some were a tad bit loose...so the trusty smaller Robertson screwdriver came into use.

Perhaps this was the cause of a few derailments we have had during recent operating sessions where the looseness of the throw meant that the turnout wasn't thrown over all the way and tucked fully into place.

Here we are at the starting point of our journey.

Attentive readers will have noticed that the make-up of this westbound train is different from the consist shown in the initial photos for this blog entry.

Those photos were taken of the eastbound return run.

Also, don't worry about the tankcar in front of the trailing passenger car.  It is empty and being delivered to the Wellington car shops at Firgrove.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Bernie worked on the computer spreadsheet which looks after all of the cars on the railroad and to whom each one belongs.

Father Fred stayed indoors with Bernie for the greater part of the morning at the computer.

Pat oiled the choke cables.

This helps to keep the distant turnouts well maintained.

Chris conducted the garden work on this day.

And...there was much of it to be done!

I brought out a ton of Railroad Model Craftsman magazines and a few from other publications.

Chris & Pat snagged a few, but the majority will be available at this coming Saturday's session.

IPP&W Train Extra #10 steps atop Brennan Bridge in an eastbound direction.

The mixed freight travels at speed on approach to Blockhouse.

Brennan Bridge video.

During WDWD days, with no operations taking place I am able to grab a few 'artsy' angles for you.

Note the two far legs of the mine floating in air. 😎

Hmmm...we'll have to create some concrete supports for those!  👍👍

(Under normal operating conditions, these floating legs aren't even noticed.)

This image was shot moments before the prior video as the train departs Glen Hammond.

The train drives past the tall pines in behind the Fallentree Mine.

Fallentree Mine video footwork.

What captured my attention in this image is the shadow of the trestle and the locomotive on the green grass.

And how about the shadow of the tank cars!

Let's check out this 'shadowy' video!

In the dappled shade of St. Helens westbound Train Extra #10 swallows the miles along the Spruce Sub.

Its colourful consist trails behind.

Passengers take in the view of the woodlands.

The 'extra' trails off into the distance.

Video from the woodlands.

We do have an errant wheel on a  freight car as heard in this video!

And it was determined that the car with the issue was not the one "shake, rattling and rolling"...rather the car immediately behind that one.

We wonder if the lead (wobbly) reefer played a factor in the car behind it exiting the rails.

In this video, disaster strikes as we attempt a second run-by!

As Pat uses the blower to clear debris off the tracks...

...I bid a hasty retreat in reverse as shown on video!

Much better video evidence!

We will have Fred check out the tightness (or looseness) of the truck bogies at the RIP track.

I also noticed a small gap between two sections of rail on this curve which will be up for further review.

That's better...although the both reefers remain rather shaky!

At 'The Rockery' we find the headend power ducking beneath the eastern throat of Nelson Yard.

This pair of reefers are located mid-train.

The ascent to Lilly is underway.

Video work at 'The Rockery'.

The ascent continues as Train #10 tiptoes onto the Brennan Bridge span.

Ascent video.

Far-off view!

Close-in view!

Video view!

Chris takes a gander at some of the magazines and Pat joins in.

Because Chris was on his ten-speed bike, he was able to cart his magazines home in the rear pouch!  😎🙈😎

Here is the nice sailboat fleece that kept Chris warm on this chilly morning.

There's Chris.

There's Pat.

Thanks for checking in on this WDWD blog entry.

Here I am having given a clinic on 'making trees' at a senior's home in Kanata many moons ago!

Pat arrived just as we were closing up shop to pick up Father Fred for their luncheon meeting.

Thanks to the the WDWD crew once again for maintaining this vast railroad in advance of yet another session.

We have two more operations to go before we shut down for the season.

We are the WDWD crew of the OVGRS here in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada