Views From Dilip on Saturday

More Views From Our Work Session From Dilip

Dilip sent along these few images from our recent session working on the railway.

We actually were prepping the line for this coming Saturday's operations...the first one of the 2026 season.

Indeed, we are looking forward to yet another successful year of train operations in Fred's backyard!

Steve & Seanna gave their Watson Electric facility a huge 'overhaul' in the off-season.   

They made use of a material that will take the brutality of the various climate conditions we experience throughout the summer from extreme sunshine to violent thunderstorms!

Steve tells us that the structure was originally built by the late Lawrence Watkins from someone's (Fred might know who?) modular wall system. 

The derecho of 2022 blew it over and smashed the roof so we designed the replacement roof and 3D printed it in sections. 

Our printer can handle multiple filaments at once, so the skylights are printed right in to the roof. 

 The "S&S Watson Electric" signs were also 3D printed. 

We also mounted it on a loading dock, which is heavy enough to ensure it will never get blown over again.

I'm impressed with their creativity in using the two lightning bolts in the shape of two "S''s...one for 'S'teve and the other for 'S'eanna on the upper sign!  Brilliant that!

Thanks Steve & Seanna for the great description of the process.

Thanks as well for taking this on in the first place as the facility certainly adds a great deal to the environment in and around Cedar Rock.

Out in the yard, John is running his passenger train through the trestle and around the bend at Lilly.

I'm having fun railfanning the event as Pete walks by in the background.

That's Chris & Felicity off to the right behind me.

Dilip is following suit, traversing the Fred Mills Trestle with his B&O road switcher, giving it a workout while testing the track at the same time!

Indeed, the crew was quite busy on this gorgeous Saturday morning!

How about I fill out the remainder of this blog entry with 'leftover' images from a handful of last season's train ops!

Here we find a White Pass & Yukon locomotive on loan to the IPP&W fulfilling its duties on an eastbound train at Bell on June 21st of last year.

We spot some lovely visitors from Andrew's extended family checking out the situation at Spruce while Pat & crewmate work Ironwood Brick off in the distance.

Our 'dynamic duo' in Nelson Yard never miss a beat having all traffic prepared and ready to depart on time when future trains arrive!

Henk has informed me that he will be in Nelson Yard with Yardmaster 'Mate" Bill this coming Saturday!

Welcome back home Henk!  😘

Steve is a 'lucky man', being the only male captured in this image of some very smooth operators!  😎

Neil & Dilip team up to ensure traffic arrives on time down in Rat Portage.

This passenger train runs easterly past the abandoned depot at Blockhouse...no longer a station stop on the route of the IPP&W.

Claire is chief engineer on the train on the day we celebrate her birthday!

Happy Birthday for back on that day Claire!

Seanna is the conductor aboard Passenger 2 on this day.

Train 2 approaches Clarke Canyon in preparation for its uphill climb into Spruce.

Birthday video!

Train 302 has come down from Firgrove in the wee hours of the morning and will terminate in Nelson Yard.

The crew will then board Train 312 for the continuation of the crew's assignment all the way eastbound destined for Craig Leigh.

Train 302 meets Train 303.

Malcolm, aboard 303 is headed westbound to Peter's Pond and destinations beyond.

Train meet video as captured at the junction at Anderson.

In another time and another era we spot trains from Canada's two largest railways taking their turns departing Nelson Yard at the same junction seen in the images above this picture.

You will note the trackage was different exiting Nelson Yard to the west back in the day!

This beauty from the Delaware & Hudson railroad was acquired by the IPP&W a number of years ago and resides in the Hamer stables.

The locomotive is named in honour of the late Ralph Dipple who worked Ralph Yard in Firgrove for many a season before he left us for that great railway in the sky!

Mike wishes to thank Gord Bellamy who offered this gorgeous specimen his way!

Ladies, for a blind date...who wouldn't want a man who loves everything 'narrow gauge'!

...on second thought!  

(Just teasing ya Bill!) 😉

Ah yes, this beautifully detailed locomotive belongs to our very own WDWD partner, Chris.

And his daughter has earned her diesel engineer's certificate as handed out by Mr. Mills of the IPP&W Rwy.

We spot an interesting load in interesting light pulled by a steam locomotive bound for Rat Portage.

This particular steamer must be a 'hanger on' as most of the power on the line at this time was diesel driven.

Douglas Yard is forever in dappled shade which offers interesting glimpses at the rolling stock therein.

Outgoing Train 321 resides on the ready track in preparation of its departure west.

A different angled view of Douglas Yard.

This TH&B GP9 locomotive will power Train 321 on this day.

Another view of the power.

Underway!

Some more lovely work from our dear friend Lawrence!

This good ole' Ironwood Road van brings up the rear of the train.

Train 321 is eight cars strong with van and locomotive as observed in this video taken in Craig Leigh.

The crew hustles downgrade into St. Helens.

321 meets 312 waiting in the hole.

321's arrival is caught on video.

We're on the roll with 312 eastbound for their termination point in Douglas Yard at Craig Leigh.

Departure video out from St. Helens.

The reefers in Peter's Pond delight railfans with their colourful nature.

The sludge works up in Cedar Rock delights this rail photographer.

Thanks Bruce for this wonderful gift to the railway!

Pat hauls into Rat Portage with his RP&M consist in tow.

His New York Central endcab is up to the task in this region.

Rat Portage switching video.

On the 5th of July, 2025, Glen Hammond and Nelson Yard offer us a glimpse of the 'hive of activity' that takes place during our sessions.

Westbound Train 303 will depart the Glen momentarily thus allowing a clear alley to be opened for Passenger 1.

Passenger 2 has held the station track in anticipation of the meet with its counterpart train.

George has all things in control at Ralph Yard.

The hostas and lillies are predominately green in the rust garden at this time of the season.

"Holy Side Rods Batman!" Robin exclaimed when he found this power working the sidings to the west of Ironwood.

An RP&M train arrives Bell in readiness to switch out the town of Stuart off in the distance.

That's one mighty big amount of power climbing the grade up the Cedar Rock Branch!

Folks residing along the branch cannot believe their eyes - and their ears!  🙈🙉

Across the valley at Spruce crews are working away in the big yard.

Passenger 4 enters the fray as well!

Video moments in Cedar Rock and Spruce.

Passenger 4 on the elevated track meets Passenger 3 sleeking through the valley bottom.

Nearby Train 4 is traversing the Spruce Sub while Train 3 motors along the Bell Sub.

Two passenger trains on two subdivisions - all in a single video!

In other exciting news, my band 'The Mystics' will be playing at Fred's Patio Party on Friday Night, May 29th in a celebration to kick of this train running season.

The music starts at 7:00 PM.

Fred's brother Ted will be in town at that time so it will be nice to have him in attendance.

Also in town is our sax playing phenom, Pete Conroy, who will accompany the band along with some of our other OVGRS friends!

Fred & I look forward to seeing many of you there!

A reminder note will go out closer to that date...and, of course, this is all 'weather permitting'!

Father Fred is delighted, as we all are, with the turn of events with regard to the weather up here in Ottawa.

That was a long winter and a wet and cold spring.

We hope the remainder of this season brings warmer temps as we look forward to operating the railroad in the comfort of the sun...but not too too hot!  💦😎💦

We are the OVGRS based in Canada's Capital City of Ottawa, Ontario