Workday Wednesday - August 12th

August 12th WDWD Session

A crew of a half dozen or so arrived Fred's this morning.

Cables were strung, switch stands were repaired, grass was cut, track planning for the S-curve at Spruce was investigated, the chimneys on the depot in Ironwood were straightened out and other general maintenance issues were dealt with. 

And, thanks to our dear friend Gord Bellamy, we have two more locomotives on the property...even though they will need to be converted to our methods of running!

Gord gave us this gorgeous Rail Diesel car!

She is currently lettered for Canadian Pacific.

Fred would like to have her lettered for the Ironwood Road.

But first we'll have to get her up and running with all of the necessary 'innards'!

Thanks so much for this generous gift, Gord!

Gord also dropped off this steam locomotive already lettered for the Rat Portage & Mattawa Rwy.

She will have to be converted as well!

Again...thanks Gord!

Bernie dug out two long turnouts to examine if we can fit the both of them in and eliminate the issues with the tight S-curve entering the yard at Spruce.

From above everything looks great!

Bernie & I had intended to work on this today but when raindrops started falling on our heads...we thought better of it.

Certainly not a project you 'save for a rainy day'!  😡

Bill examines some of the remaining choke cables to determine if we can run one from the other side of Glen Hammond to the turnout located nearby where he is standing.

This will be a job for another day as well.

Bill had already devoted time to cutting a 'relief' area where he can 'anchor' his choke cable throws in Nelson Yard.

Creating sawdust on live video!

Pat repaired the remote throw on the eastern (geographical western) end of Mercer Siding!

The "Proof is in the Pudding" as witnessed on video!

Pat also conducted much of the weeding in and around the railway.

He also continued oiling all the choke cables just as Mark had done the week before.

Just like steam locomotives, they've gotta keep being lubricated.

Bernie & Bill...the two 'B's...or...the "Killer B's"...tightened up the umbrella holder on the south side of Nelson Yard.

Dilip & Chris helped out with many of the morning's chores.

Chris looks on as Bernie & I 'jimmy' the trackwork to attempt to get the 'best fit'.

This work will most likely be started and completed in a single day where we'd have to arrive early and stay late to get the job accomplished ahead of the following Saturday's operations.

Henk is seen in action with a view over to the trackwork as witnessed in this video effort.

Here we see the carrying case and the box the new locomotives arrived in.

Henk certainly busied himself making it all around the property with the weed-wacker.

Bernie's shirt.

Henk, Bill & Bernie in the shade...or are they just a 'shady bunch'!  😎😍😎

The rains arrived for a brief period so we had the chance to relax as Bernie & Dilip are engaged in conversation as Henk relaxes in back.

Chris joins Henk with his cup of tea.

Bill's convention shirt.

Looking good there Bill!

Bernie's bumpers find a home!

Perfect Bernie!

Henk is all smiles because it is not as hot this morning as it was last Saturday when we ran the system!

With little else to do it was deemed the time to straighter out those 'leaning' chimneys on the Glen Hammond depot!

The new angled mark was drawn in pencil which you can see at the angled base of the chimney.

"Mike's a lumberjack and he's okay!"

Away she goes!

Chris looks on...

...and then he offers support to keep the trolley from rolling.

After Mike has drilled the holes out to accommodate the magnets Chris applies some Tite-Bond to the recessed holes.

The Tite-Bond is in place...

...and so are the magnets!

Now that looks a heckuva lot better!

Yuppers...we agree!  👍👍

(And Mike still has his two thumbs intact!)

Chris has cleared out all of the tall growing weeds from Lilly.

These tracks will see traffic for the first time in a long while this coming Saturday!

Looking good there Chris!

And...Chris is looking good in the distance as well!

It's 'rare' to see a 'bare' Nelson Yard!

Is Bernie mowing the patio stones?

Of course not...why he's actually mowing the lawn...

...and he's doing a great job.

Video proof...with some fun clowning around!

Some interesting 'finds' in the office and the garage.

A cool looking matchbox cover.

Cool beer label.

Lovely!

Hey, let's go for a ride!

Fred devoted time today both indoors and out.

Here we see him repairing all those broken couplers.

Now we have many of our cars fixed and back in service thanks to Father Fred.

We are the WDWD Crew of the OVGRS up here in Ottawa, Canada