The Ironwood Switcher
Indeed, we have a new assignment on the railway.
Doug felt that most of the congestion issues at Bell and down in Peter's Pond have been ironed out.
Ironwood still presented problems for train crews.
As a result we are experimenting with a dedicated Ironwood Switcher crew assigned to that locale.
Bernie & Mike handled the chores on the first day for the job.
At Ironwood, crews no longer have to switch out the sidings.
Here we see Mike explaining the role of the switcher to a number of the crews who have arrived Ironwood.
You may think that there will be less work for the road crews, but they now will have to 'block' their trains before entering Ironwood; isolating the cut of cars they will have to set out on the siding upon arrival here.
Eastbound trains will block their cut before departing Spruce and westbounds will do the same before departing St. Helens...so this will be a new task for the crews aboard the wayfreights.
Here we are at the pre-ops meeting as Uncle Fred explains some of the new developments along the line.
We had a crew of 24 in attendance at the session.
A great big note of thanks to Dilip for sending me these first six images!
Pat Brennan also sent along a few images which we will see now.
Bill is explaining the workings of the mine as Henk deals with traffic at the west end of Nelson Yard.
Bob has run the ore train along RP&M trackage on a special mission.
We spot Pat's Stone Yard...which is the other Pat...Pat Brewer's facility along with the cooperage nearby titled "Brewer's Barrels".
And...another shot of the stone yard.
It seems that the fence gets relocated quite a bit!
Pat sent along this video showcasing his Great Northern switcher handling chores along the route of the RP&M.
Thanks for the pics and the video Pat!
Let's take a look at my pics from the session.
Dilip will run the RP&M on this day and Malcolm will crew an IPP&W train.
Doug will handle the dispatching and Pat will run IPP&W Train 304.
Al will handle the passenger runs with Bill.
Moe will find himself on 301 with Malcolm.
Phil is thrilled to be here as always!
Doug details the news on the latest developments along the line...in particular the Ironwood Switcher role that Bernie & I will run on this day.
Folks listen in attentively.
We are all thrilled to see the Fallentree Mine back in action!
Bill sets the turnout for Bob to head into the mine in order to lift the cars there.
Seeing this gorgeous SOO Line road unit thrills me...as I know that Andrew is in the house!
He has brought along his matching van!
The crew aboard the SOO Line train will return the empties back to the mines later in the AM hours.
Roaming the sidelines I spot this SOO Line 40-footer.
And...much later in the morning...this SOO Line gondola resides at Windmill Siding in Ironwood as the 'Caboose Hop' motors on by!
Fallentree Mine is back in action in this video look.
Bill guides Bob in onto the second spur track at the mine for additional lifts of coal.
Guiding video footage.
The lifts are made!
More mine video fun!
Rounding the outskirts of the mine.
Heading back to the big yard to reunite with the end of their train.
Reuniting video!
Not only does the 'Ironwood Switcher' lift cars for the IPP&W wayfreights, the crew also aids the ore train with its facing move lifts!
Bernie & Mike have the ore cars ready on the far siding to the left.
When Bob arrives with the ore train, the Ironwood Switcher will simply shove the cars onto the locomotive and the ore crew can remain on the main line throughout the entire process.
Here's 'Ore Train Bob' climbing the grade named in his honour!
Ore approach video!
Ore is received!
We have a quadruple meet here in Ironwood but the sidings can handle the traffic!
Onward and eastward!
The sun basks the western front of Ironwood!
Quadruple meet video finds.
The ore train is on the move to St. Helens followed shortly by 304.
Video footage of the ore train and 304 on the move out from Ironwood.
The Ironwood Switcher was able to expedite the traffic through with precision after have four trains enter their territory in a relatively short period of time!
The Ironwood Switcher continues with its work at the freight house track.
Bernie's TH&B Geep holds the honours on this day.
Ironwood Switcher at work in this video reel.
Train 301 has been cleared to Nelson Yard out from Spruce.
Malcolm acts as a 'role model' for what all good brakemen should do...throw the turnout back to the main following his train's departure out of town!
The crew descends Clarke Grade bound for Blockhouse and up into Nelson Yard.
301 departure video from Spruce.
Much earlier in the AM hours, Train 304 was found leaving Glen Hammond bound for Spruce.
Neil looks on from a distance as his train departs town.
Video taken in the heat of the early morning...when the sun already was warming up the railway!
Andrew works the ore train westbound.
The train will drop off empties at the mines in various locations along the line.
Arrival in Ironwood.
Ore train of MT's in video format.
It's early in the morning with the rays of the sun causing havoc with the image.
While not looking into the sun, we get a clearer view of things around Glen Hammond.
Bernie snags a picture of me about to throw a turnout for his locomotive.
Here is yet another look at how busy Ironwood can become.
And...an earlier photograph of 301 at Spruce.
Did I already mention how busy Ironwood can be!
Hey...let's check out on the happenings along the RP&M!
Here we see RP&M 73 working the line at Rat Portage.
The ore train has been diverted over to RP&M rails and enjoys tying up things at this location with a 'service interruption'.
The ore train is an infrequent visitor in these parts!
Pat looks on at the proceedings.
Me thinks it's Billy Boy!
Why...yes it is!!!
Following the session I headed up to my nephew's cottage.
Each year around August 6th we celebrate the life of my sister, Marty, who passed away eight years ago.
She would have turned 75 on this day had she survived her battle with cancer.
It's a special place just a half hour's drive from our home here in Ottawa.
Here's my twin brother, Jim.
We were born six years after Marty and our mom was 40 years old when she gave birth to the two of us.
I don't know how she could've survived raising two carefree lads like us! 😀😁😎😁😀
There's lots of real estate for an outdoor train layout!
Today Dilip came by to see my model railroad and to play some guitar.
We had a great time!
This selfie Dilip took has reversed the appearance of all things including the guitars.
And...here is the photo I snapped of Dilip strumming his six string!
Here is my bass player from my band, Alec...with his wife Tina on their tour of Greenland as part of their cruise around Greenland, Baffin Island with a final destination of Iqaluit.
And...here`s Father Fred in warmer climes.
Indeed, this past Saturday was a hot one up here in Ottawa...but that`s better than a rainout.
We hope for cooler times next Saturday.
Check in later this week for our WDWD update.
We are the OVGRS of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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