Garden Railroading: Life With the Ironwood Switcher

Narrow Gauge Session #11- Life With the Ironwood Switcher

This week we ran our steam locomotives with plenty of variety to whet the appetite of all steam fans.

Doug & I held down the new 'IS' job - the "Ironwood Switcher" and things ran like a charm!

Bernie held his own in the dispatch cabin!

We had a 'service interruption' or two with some locomotives, but Bernie kept the traffic flowing smoothly!

Steam locomotives in all sorts of colour combinations 'made the grade' on this day.

This multi-hued puppy will run a short hop passenger train out from Firgrove.

Mark's 'bumblebee' will hold down the honours on Pool Train 33 later in the AM hours.

Yet another colourful character is ready to haul passengers eastbound from Firgrove to Craig Leigh aboard Passenger 2.

Hey Mark...it's so wonderful to see you out once again!

Andrew too...with Mike's shaky camera! 😘

All Grandpas who play with trains are the coolest of Grandpas - for sure!

And...this coolest of Grandpas is our dispatcher - Bernie of the Goodman clan! 😎😁😎

Here is the switchlist for the Ironwood Switcher job.

I colour coded our cars that are due to go out on the next trains in the colour 'green' as they will soon be 'going' - on the roll out from Ironwood.

I coded our setouts to our industries in 'red' as they will be 'stopping' their run on our local industrial spurs.

The three tricks of two trains entering Ironwood are labelled as 1,2,3.

Let's check in on that Denver & Rio Grande Western beauty belonging to Mark.

She hasn't been run in some time so lets race around Craig Leigh - why don't we!

Test run video!

The Ironwood Switcher crew has set out the cars for Train 301 on the western end of the siding here in Ironwood and the cars for 304 on the eastern end of the same siding.

We see Train 301 entering town at the moment.

We will have them set out their cars on the same siding as their lifts.

The morning sun plays havoc with the lighting in this video effort from Ironwood.

The crew aboard 301 will pick up three cars that Doug & I had assembled and placed on the western end of the siding at Ironwood. (green notation)

They will drop off three cars for us to place into the industries at Ironwood. (red notation)

Here we see the crew in the process of picking up the three cars we set out for them.

There are two 'equal' ways to do this and they chose to first pick up their cars before setting the other cars out from their train...although I prefer the option of retaining their setouts with their locomotive so that they can tuck the setouts in readily while the crew is still at this location in town.

Now they have to head all the way back to their train to pick up their setouts and drop them off in the siding...but either way works!

In this video you see them lifting their required three cars; the yellow reefer, the white boxcar and the yellow flat.

301 has now completed its lifts and is awaiting clearance to depart for Spruce.

I hurry my locomotive down the main in order to couple on to their setouts which you see on the far siding; the yellow reefer, the flatcar and the tank car.

While it appears to be a race in this video, rest assured it is not.

301 is contacting dispatch for authority to take to the main between Ironwood & Spruce.

With 301 now gone, we deal with their setouts as we await the entry of 304 from the west.

At this point Doug & I can work the setouts from this first trick train as well as considering the lifts for the second trick trains that will arrive later in the morning.

With my focus on running the locomotive and Doug handling the switching chores I won't be given the opportunity to railfan other trains until we find a break in the action!

Reviewing our 'first trick' orders with regard to Train 301, Doug & I must spot two cars at Ironwood Brick and a third at the team track.

The Ironwood Brick setouts are trailing for our switcher but we will have to run around the tank car in order to place it on the 'facing' team track.

We found ourselves lucky as our two 'setouts' for Ironwood Brick happened to be located side-by-side in the trio of cars.

And...in this shot moments earlier I spotted the caboose of 303 off on the 'other sub' by the fence in the upper righthand corner of the image...but alas...no time to follow its progress!

Video of our switching work at Ironwood Brick.

All the while we are dealing with our switching we must remember to set the turnouts back to the 'main' for any imminent passenger trains or the ore train.

At this point in time Doug & I are conducting both setouts and lifts to and from industries while working cars off first trick trains as well as handling traffic for the later second trick ones.

In this image you can see our silver tank car which must be spotted at Larabie Fuels which is the spur to the right.

We have had to lift the boxcar for a second trick train and this will allow us to tuck the tank car into the spur at Larabie.

We may very well have to lift those other cars off the team track and freight house siding as well for one or both of the second trick trains to come in later in the morning.

And...indeed, the boxcar we just lifted from Larabie Fuels is required for second trick Train 312 as is the yellow flat car in front of the freight house.

The stock car you see in our list up top is inside Fred's house on the RIP track requiring servicing so it was not even set out for the operations.

In this image of our requirements for the other second trick train, Train 313, we need to lift the gondola you see in the upper image in front of the freight house.

We also will lift the flat car from the Windmill Siding while we are in the vicinity.

Passenger 2 has made its arrival known in this video effort at the depot in our town!

Eastbound 304 has been granted entry into Ironwood ahead of the departure of westbound 301.

To the left you see the flatcar that Doug & I will lift shortly off the Windmill siding.

With 304's tail end tucked in, 301 can now depart for Spruce...along the subdivision known for the town; the Spruce Sub.

Our Ironwood switcher is to the lower right and the consist of 303 is seen over on the Bell Sub where the crew is still holding at Watkins Siding for clearance into Bell.

Later I learned that the power on 302 out from Firgrove broke down and a new locomotive was ordered into service for that eastbound run.

The delays of 302 resulted in a number of delays and congestion later on down the line...seeing as the RailOps program creates a 'balanced session'...until a 'service interruption' fouls everything!

301 departs Ironwood following the arrival of 304 in this video effort.

The sunlight washes over this image of 304 depositing its cut of cars our way.

The green reefer (BBRX 1036) will head for Ironwood Brick which presents a trailing siding move for the Ironwood Switcher. (The switcher faces west)

The hopper car (EBT 880) will over to the Team Track in town...a facing move.

The boxcar (F&CC 584) will be deposited at Larabie Fuels, also a facing move.

Here is a glance at list showcasing our efforts with Train 304.

The tank car contains hazardous material so we have informed the crew of 304 to ensure it is tucked into their train away from the locomotive and away from the van...which they have done.

In fact, we should have placed the tankcar in the middle of the cut to alleviate the crew of the mainline train from having to worry about it.

Lesson learned for next time!

The sun's rays certainly help to create the mood of a "Misty Manitoba Morning" in the province of Ontario!

Pool Train 33 shows itself to railfans at Ironwood.

That's Wellington Lake on the other side of the valley in the distance.

What a thrill it is to see this yellow puppy dog out...

...and an equal thrill to see Mark!

He & Phil are aboard the Pool Train with Grant (out of the picture).

Train 33 slows to a stop at the depot on the curve here in Ironwood.

Train 303 is 'still' holding at Watkins Siding.

Man, the crew aboard that train deserves 'free' admission to next week's session.

(Wait a minute...it's always 'free' admission to all of our sessions!) 😎😄😎

Well, I must say that I am very proud of Malcolm & Gerry for their patience...and, even with all of the delays - which were none of their causing - they managed to finish their three runs around the same time as everyone else! 👍👍💪💪👌👌💪💪👍👍

Pool Train 33 stars in this video frame.

Due to the close proximity of the two subdivisions here in 'The Corners' I am able to railfan the ore train at the same time as drive the Ironwood Switcher.

Yikes!

Between the sun and the foliage, the train is masked to some degree.

The large cabin in the woods is a hot railfan spot!

All the while I am listening carefully to my instructions from my conductor/brakeman Doug!

Could it possibly be...no it can't...maybe...just maybe...Train 303 off in the distance at Watkins may soon be granted clearance into Bell!

With a break in the action Doug & I are able to deal with our second 'and' third trick train setouts to the siding.

Video of the ore train's progress eastbound.

Doug is my crew mate on this day!

Great working with you Doug! 👍👍

With those setouts complete and with the placement of all drops now in their respective industries in Ironwood, I can mosey around the property in search of some fun railfan spots.

Here I find the Pool Train in Spruce.

They are in the process of depositing a yellow baggage car in on the house track behind the depot at Spruce.

We follow the Spruce activities with Pool Train 33 as evidenced in this video scene.

As I begin to railfan the Pool Train I realize that the station at Spruce has not been brought out from the office in the garage.

This is the job of the passenger train operators, but Phil and Mark are new to the role and they weren't informed.

Phil ran off to get it.

Note the yellow baggage car now residing on the team track making this image resemble more of a beehive than anything else!

😎😍😌😍😎

Video of Train 33 'sans' station.

I managed to snag the train though...on its 'return' trip through Spruce with the depot now firmly in place.

With plenty of headend cars in its consist, the Pool Train offers up an abundance of switching opportunities along its route.

Pool Train 33 arriving the depot in Spruce on video.

Finally!!!

Train 303 has reached Bell!

We spot an RP&M cousin in town.

This is Train 72 ready to depart town at any moment.

The crew arrived Stuart as Train 71 and with their engine having been turned on the 'Armstrong' they will depart as Train 72.

The sun continues to create a misty hue.

We see how the double ladder works so well here in this photo shot earlier.

Video taken at Bell with trains from both railways working the area.

RP&M Train 72 returns to home trackage.

Video work along the route of the Rat Portage & Mattawa Railway.

Now here is something rarely seen - four trains with four locomotives all captured together in a single image!

Indeed, this 'quadruple' meet down in Peter's Pond is a true railfan's catch!

Thanks to the crews for hollering over my way to come by for the photo opportunity!

'Four Way Meet' in Peter's Pond as captured on video!

Let's take a look at a few photos I snagged.

The owners of the Fallentree Mine are excited to see the facility back up in operation!

There is colour variance in the freight cars and in the shirts the operators wear in this shot taken pre-ops.

Hey...he's not Doug...and he's not Mike!

No, he's the Bernie Man...and he has all trains under control as dispatcher on this day!

Neil brought his friend Bob out for the session.

Bob, it was really great chatting with you during some of my down time! 😀

It was great to meet Chris's son Jonah with Chris's grandchild!

Such a cutie pie, Jonah!!! 😃😍😃

Railfan Mike loves the variety in the rolling stock.

We check out Cedar Rock.

Indeed...along with the rolling stock and the colourful shirts of the operators, these steam locomotives certainly add a splash of colour to the session!

And...speaking of colour...this weekend it was once again the "Lock & Paddle" experience put on by the Rideau Canal association.

Hundreds and hundreds of kayakers and canoeists entered the double Hartwell Locks located here in Ottawa.

This is the poster for this year's event (in French) which includes an image taken at last year's event.

We spotted our daughter, Karen, directly in the middle of the poster in the pink shirt with the blue life vest and lime green ball cap.

So, at the end of the event when we asked if there were any of these advertising posters for sale...the association gave us both posters (English & French) one for each of our daughters!

They are solid in the chloroplast format!

We would have purchased two posters because Karen's sister, Alison, took part this year in her foldable kayak...

...along with Karen dressed as "Where's Waldo".

I could hear little children call out "Hey mom, look! There's Waldo!"

Here we see the masses waiting to enter the locks.

Go Canada Go!

Even a couple of Dragon Boats participated!

Dunton Tower at Carleton University stands tall amidst the beautiful blue skies as the Hartwell lock apparatus machinery is seen in the foreground.

Dunton Tower can be seen to the left in this image I shot many years ago of Ottawa's O-Train crossing the Rideau River with the canal a kilometer or so off in the distance.

Many of the stops along the Rideau River system are noted in this lady's shirt I saw yesterday!

Excuse the tad shaky video but at least it gives you an indication of just how deep the locks are.

"Paddles Up" video footage.

"We Will We Will Rock You" video!

The lock employees "do their thing" to open the gates of the lock.

Video of their hard work!

Karen & many others can now escape to the next lock.

Video of their escape from one lock to the next.

Video of Alison escaping from the final lock and entering the canal channel on the way to Dow's Lake.

This section of the canal leads north to Dow's Lake.

Both girls decided to choose the option of riding back up the locks in the other direction and paddle all the way south to the locks at Mooney's Bay!

As for me, the only paddle I'll be using will be this Pickle Ball paddle that Lisa got for us as today is our 46th wedding anniversary and Lisa's birthday to boot!

Yikes!

Yup, I'm no dummy...I got married on her birthday so all I need to do is remember one date in the year! 😎😍😎

Here we are a long time ago in our living room which overlooks the Gulf of St. Lawrence near the Quebec Labrador border in the remote fishing village where I spent my first eight years teaching.