More Views From Session #8

More Views From Session #8.

This posting will be our second account of the enjoyment our train operators and visitors experienced during our eighth session of the season in Fred's backyard.

Diesel locomotives were in abundance along with one great looking steam locomotive, Bob's 'Yellowstone' hauling the ore train!

Session # 8 took place during the final Saturday of the month of July...so we can say that we are at the midpoint of the summer holidays for the school children as well as the midpoint of our operating season.

We run the railway from late May to early October.

HATX locomotive #417 holds the honours on westbound Train 301 on this day.

The crew is found taking the S-curve into the yard at Spruce.

This earlier paint scheme on the Canadian Pacific diesels has always been a favourite of many railfans.

The locomotive is in care of eastbound Train 304 and is found in Ironwood.

Across the valley we see the depot for Wellington Lake.

This later livery showcases the dual flags of Canada and the United States; two countries which have been friends for ages.  

It is our sincere hope that this friendship endures through 'thick and thin'! 

This rather unique CN paint scheme on the Alco PA grabs this railfan's attention as the train glides to a stop at Mercer Siding.

Our newly purchased umbrellas offer relief from the relentless sun shining down upon the property in the early hours of the day.

 The crew aboard 301 works tirelessly in Ironwood as Train 302 is protected on the main at Watkins Siding to the right (tucked up against the fence). 

They await approaching Train 303 - arriving shortly in Wellington Lake.

Fred's guest, Klaus, follows the action taking place over in Spruce with the crew of Train 304.

Some minutes later the two crews at Spruce & Ironwood swapped locations with 301 now in Spruce and 304 now in Ironwood.

Mark takes advantage of the sheltered shade offered up by the fence as the rays of the sun mist the image somewhat.

Moe (hiding behind the trees), Jeff & Pat have navigated the Cedar Rock Branch aboard first trick Train 302.

Jeff is studying the switch list to determine where they will set out their cars and lift others as Pat offers up a friendly smile.

Moments earlier they steered their train onto the Cedar Rock siding down in Peter's Pond before determining the location of the various setouts they will have to deal with up at the end of the branch.

They must determine which end of the locomotive they will place their various cars to setout in Cedar Rock due to the fact there is no 'runaround track' in Cedar Rock.

An aerodrome shirt must mean one thing...

...Mr. Scobie is in the house...or at least out in the backyard!  😎

The sidings in Ironwood offer up both trailing and facing alternatives which can make switching a challenge...but this crew has everything under control!  👍👍

Ditto for the configuration of the trackage in Spruce...and ditto for this crew's capability!  👍👍

At the same time, 302 holds the main as 303 arrives Wellington Lake as witnessed in an earlier image.

The equipment found in Ironwood at this moment offers up a kaleidoscope of colours!

A variety of views can be seen in this video montage.

303 is on the move around 302 after switching out Wellington Lake...now bound for Bell.

We will continue to hold 302 at Watkins Siding in anticipation with a meet with a westbound passenger train.

Meet video at Watkins Siding.

Train 303 is now in Bell on the second track over from the aisle - Track 3.

RP&M Train 71 has recently arrived Bell on Track 4 in the foreground.

The two crews can share the various rails at Bell to conduct their work at the same time.

Note the double ladder seen above the drovers' caboose...this allows for the crews to work independent of each other.

Should the IPP&W crew aboard 303 need to run around their train at this particular moment, they can make use of the main line which is the station track if no trains are scheduled in at the time.

Indeed, things are never mundane on these two railways!  😁

We watch a 'two train' video at Bell.

The westbound passenger train - number one - has successfully met 302, the train waiting along the main at Watkins Siding.

302's van is seen in the distance.  

Their crew will now depart east for Peter's Pond as Passenger 1 continues west into Bell.

A steam generator unit (SGU) car is required between the locomotive and the passenger cars as the road switcher has no such steam generating facilities aboard.

We now find a triple meet at Bell.

The RP&M crew (red locomotive) continue to drill the tracks at Stuart off in the distance.

The crew aboard 303 waits for the passenger train to clear the station track before using the main as a runaround.

At times we can find quadruple meets here when Len runs down from Firgrove with Train 40, the short hop which drops off headend equipment for the Pool Train.

With the milk car on the siding to the extreme left, it appears Train 40 has already come & gone.

In this video the passenger train has held a meet at Watkins Siding before entering Bell for a second meet with two more trains!

The umbrellas have now been opened which offer a fraction of shade on the long hood of Chris's HATX uni.

301's crew handles lading at Bravo Lumber here in the town of Spruce.

My research indicates that HATX was the reporting mark for Helm Financial (earlier Helm Atlantic Associates L.P. established in the 1990's), the company that provided short and long-term operating leases of diesel-electric locomotives to major Class I, regional and short-line railroads across North America.

The company no longer exists having been first absorbed into First Union Rail in 2014 and subsequently into Wells Fargo Rail Corp in 2016 before being absorbed by the larger GATX leasing services which operates to this day.

Video fun in the town of Spruce with Chris, Al & Keith!

We head over to our secondary line, the Rat Portage & Mattawa where we find the crew aboard Rat 61 switching the yard.

George has informed me that the front piece of the tunnel entrance leading out to the front of Fred's property has come loose and will require some attention on our Workday Wednesday.

The front section is leaning up against Fred's foundation.

We are at the extreme western end of Fred's property.

We get a perfect view of the roof area of TH&B Unit #401 with the torpedo tanks!

This GP9 unit was constructed to run 'long hood forward' and is equipped with the steam boilers for passenger operation.

To the left is the Hamer Manufacturing facility which Lawrence had constructed and named in my honour.

I had lobbied for some time to have an 'opposing' siding installed down in Rat Portage as all other sidings pointed in the same direction...resulting in easier switching (similar to St. Helens).

During this lobbying tenure the opposing siding was 'opposed' by a number of our operating friends, but now that it is in, the crews enjoy the challenges it presents!

Before this time the RP&M crews were consistently finishing up their three runs of the morning about a half an hour to 45 minutes ahead of their IPP&W friends!

The schedule is now more balanced as a result.

Video of Seanna & Steve at work down in Rat Portage.

We revisit 302's crew who have found respite from the sun in the dappled shade offered up by the coniferous trees found in and around Cedar Rock...cedars of course!

Just like what the crew aboard Train 301 across the aisle in Spruce is doing...this 'three person' crew is taking advantage of the third member - with one being the engineer with the throttle (Moe), another being the conductor with the switchlist (Jeff) and the third being the brakeman with the uncoupling abilities (Pat).

Note how the locomotive is 'sandwiched between their setouts and lifts.

This is due to the fact that there is no runaround capability at the end of this branchline...so it is critical that the placement of their setouts be determined accurately back down in Peter's Pond where the crew can run around their train before proceeding up the branch!

Video views at Cedar Rock.

The brakeman enjoys the views of the girls swimming in the creek down below!

"What...girls!  Where!" Gerry is heard to say!  😀👀😀

"Of umbrellas and railroaders!"

Video taken at Ironwood on the morning of July 25th, 2026.

Locomotive 417 lifts Train 311 out from 'The Corners' and back into daylight.

The crew is instructed to take the siding at Watkins before switching out Wellington Lake in order to allow the ore train a clear alley down to Peter's Pond.

We experience some "Throttle Fun" in this video segment!  😎👀😎

Chris takes control to investigate the throttle issue - and all is well.

This is a different throttle with a large control knob and his fellow operator could have inadvertently moved his finger while watching the train track through the landscape...but no worries as all is well again!

311 reaches into the passing siding to offer up the main to the ore train in this video scene.

Ore is on the move once more!

The train dives deep down into the abyss at 'The Corners'.

In the video you will hear how I hadn't yet known that Steve McKenzie had first sold the ore cars to a gentleman from the States who then later sold them to Bob back up here in Ottawa - as at the time I thought Steve sold the cars to Bob directly...thus my error in the conversation.

The crew ducks between the buildings which make up the Ironwood Mine at Ironwood Brick.

The string of ore cars trails far back into the distance at Wellington Lake.

Out from 'The Corners' the crew now faces the tunnel beneath St. Helens before finding daylight once again on approach to Peter's Pond.

Ore traverses the woodland setting in this video selection.

Ore escapes the tunnel and finds daylight at Hayes Curve located beside Hayes Falls.

But there are no falls!

Yes there are...but not of the natural variety - more like the 'human' variety!

It's a long story...but lesson learned..."Don't climb on the rocks!"

And...indeed...our good friend, Doug Hayes, survived his tumble to run another train!

We enter Peter's Pond with our sights on Mercer Siding just up ahead...and not Watkins Siding as I accidentally mentioned to Bernie in the upcoming video...my dispatcher in training!  Yikes!

Video moments into Peter's Pond from Wellington Lake.

Hey Bob...by coincidence I was reading one of the magazines I picked up from Pat on the crew lounge table and I turn to pages 50-51.

 Spread across the two pages is this wonderful image of...not one...but two Yellowstones.

The image was shot by renowned black & white railroad photographer Bruce Meyer on June 15th, 1959 at Proctor, Minnesota.

Never mind the crease in the page as two-third of the image appeared on page 50 and the other one-third on page 51.

Ironically the two large Yellowstones appeared in this Classic Trains issue highlighting those 'diesels' that remained 'classy looking' after many railroads went to the more drab look of single colour paint schemes...mostly dark in appearance.

Garry is all smiles!  

But...who wouldn't be when we are in Fred's backyard running train along the system!

The Ralph Yard switcher up in Firgrove is pulling a string of cars that just arrived in off the road.

The yardmaster will set the cars out at their respective tracks and industries located at this western end of the line.

Train 33, the Pool Train, has just arrived Glen Hammond and has some switching work to conduct along the house track in back of the station.

It's "quiet times" in Nelson Yard...but just wait around a few minutes!  😎😘😎

I've always loved that Erie logo of the circle inside the diamond.

Bruce has paid a visit to the railway and enjoys a chat with Fred in the shaded crew lounge.

Train 312 has dealings with both trailing and facing sidings on this morning in Spruce.

Moe & Pat discuss their moves along with their hidden crewmate, Jeff.

She's a beauty of a road unit, Pat!

Tank cars abound at Ironwood Brick on this day.

Third trick Train 323 has arrived Peter's Pond and begins its switching work.

Mark controls the turnouts.

Phil communicates with skipper Bernie off in the distance to the left and out of the picture.

Bob continues the 'sweep' of the ore cars as he drives through Mercer Siding and on into 'The Pond'.

She's one 'Long Train Running' Bob!

"Phew" says Henk...after a slew of trains all wanted into Nelson Yard at the same time!

"No problem!" Mr. Scobie says.  "That was a breeze!"

Earlier in the day, the ore train arrived Craig Leigh with loads.

Bob has 'digital readouts' on both his van and his locomotive.

He pulls his consist far enough along the Douglas Yard 'ready track' in order to back along the north leg of the wye which will align his train for the ore dock.

Ore arrival in Craig Leigh as spotted in video format.

It appears that Bob has Craig Leigh all to himself at the moment.

We see the back-up maneuver along the north leg of the wye.

Backing up video.

The train is reversing alongside the Northland Interchange track.

Cars make their way onto the apron leading into the ore dock.

Down the far side.

Backing into the ore dock video movie.

Shortly thereafter Pool Train 33 made itself known.

Bill & Garry have crewed the train and now they must reverse back into the engine terminal using the wye to allow them to turn their entire train.

Bob & Klaus appear in the scene as well.

Pool Train's arrival in Craig Leigh as captured on video.

The Pool Train now takes the north leg of the wye which will direct them to their bumper at the Passenger Terminal at Craig Leigh.

In the distance Garry follows the progress of his reversing train.

All the while Paul keeps on building westbound trains at Douglas Yard.

And...Bob & I finally found time to set out the empty ore cars which he will return to the mines on his next run!

Peter's Pond continues to be a 'hive of activity' with multiple meets taking place.

Here we have the crew aboard third trick Train 322 about to protect its locomotive against the oncoming Passenger train, Train #3.

The crew aboard Train 323 is also awaiting the meet with the passenger train before gaining clearance west to Wellington Lake.

They are on the righthand siding after working the lower Pond neighbourhood.

322's crew and train are on the siding to the left.

They are determining their moves - for they will be heading up the Cedar Rock Branch once Passenger 3 and 323 clear the yard.

Off in the far distance we find the crew aboard third trick Train 321 working their way west at St. Helens.

Peter's Pond activities are captured in this video mix!

With crews either finished their runs or in the process of completing their third and final run of the day, it was time to fire up the BBQ!

Yum Yum!

Bill had run the passenger trains so he is graciously putting the passenger depot from Spruce back in the garage on its shelf.

Thanks for doing so, Bill!

The lads enjoy their lunch in the shade of the cedars between St. Helens and Cedar Rock.

Some find the shade beneath the canopy in the crew lounge inviting.

And that just about finishes off another blog posting.

And...we will gather again next week and do it all over again!

Thanks to Henk for handling the BBQ duties this week!

I love sports cars...and I have found one outside Fred's property on the street!

This is a gorgeous Honda convertible.

She's a model S 2000.

I wonder if she belongs to one of our train operators?

Love the interior!

Indeed she does belong to one of our operators!

Keith owns this beauty and he and Al drove in from up the valley way!

Thanks, Al, for bringing Keith out and introducing him to the gang.

Thanks, Keith, for bringing your Honda out so that I can dream some more!  😎😁😎

My new grain elevator has now found a permanent home on my Boston & Maine layout!

What's that you say...these structures were found in the Canadian Prairies and not in New England.

Dang...I liked the look of it outside of North Dover New Hampshire!

Of course...all of this is strictly "tongue in cheek" as this elevator will grace a HOTrak module that our very own Mark Christopher will construct in time up here in Ottawa.

It is now weathered with a dark 'wash' to highlight the clapboards.

The weathering does not appear in this different lighting, but rest assured, it is there.

The roof has also been weathered but I still have to darken it somewhat...although it is really darker in appearance in real life than under the lights in my layout room.

Mark, I will bring the structure out to OVAR and, later, the SLD...then it can find a home at your place!  😃😁😃

Well, I certainly had a great time at Fred's!

And I know skipper Freddie had a good time at Fred's as well!

Mother Nature cooperated to allow some 26 folks to enjoy the great outdoors running the railway systems of the Ironwood, Peter's Pond & Western and the Rat Portage & Mattawa lines.

We hope the weather forecast will allow the WDWD crew to assemble Wednesday morning.

We are the OVGRS of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada