Dilip's Videos From Session #13

Dilip's Video Work From Session #13

By all accounts Session #13 was a huge success.

The crew numbered in the twenties even with a few having to bow out at the last minute.

These pics are 'snipped' from their corresponding videos taken by Dilip.

Thanks for sending these along our way Dilip!

 Conductor Keith is about to radio dispatch for clearance through the junction.

He & Dilip have completed their switching at the team track in Bellamy.

Video of their efforts at Bellamy as they begin their journey westward.

Andrew graciously stepped up to cover the Craig Leigh Yardmaster's role on the day as all three members who typically run Craig Leigh were unavailable...a very rare occurence indeed!

Had he not done so, we would have had the crews aboard trains departing Craig Leigh stage their trains by hand in order to remain on schedule - something we typically do not want to have done.

But there have been some instances where the (0-5-0) switcher has been used in the past with absenteeism at this eastern terminal of the railway.

Had we simply asked the crews to stage their outgoing trains from Craig Leigh it would not have meant that they would have been deprived of work - seeing as Yardmaster Paul always has their trains staged and ready to depart anyway.

By asking the crews to make up their outgoing trains "with" their locomotives would have taken an enormous amount of time out of their schedule and the entire rail operations would have become unbalanced.

We still wanted the experiment with the Ironwood Switcher to continue for another week as we determine if it should be adopted or not...thus those two extra operators were initially kept in that role.

It will be a role that will only appear if we have sufficient numbers and from here on in we may place folks in Craig Leigh with Paul in order to have more operators familiar with the role.

Thanks again Andrew for stepping up to the plate to perform a role you may very well have been unfamiliar with!  👍👍

And to all of our operators...0-5-0 switching is considered a no-no out on the line and in the yards.

As Father Fred says..."Use Your Locomotives"!  😎😎👍👍😎😎

And...that's it for my soapbox speech on the subject of 0-5-0 switching!  🙈🙉🙊

In this video Andrew has reached St. Helens on the short hop down from Craig Leigh aboard Train 31.  

This is a 'turn' and he will soon be heading back up the short distance to Craig Leigh aboard Train 30.

Passenger two approaches the depot in Spruce.

Claire is safely tucked in on the siding Train #2 departs Spruce bound for Ironwood.

While over in Wellington Lake we have a slight 'service interruption' with loaded ore cars that have become uncoupled.

Fred will look at these cars on the RIP track inside his boardroom at some point in time.

Dilip's video of a great deal of action in and around Spruce.

Chris & Olivia have blocked Train 302 in preparation for their run up the Cedar Rock Branch.

The tail end of Train 303 is seen blocking their path up to the branch so the crew of that train will pull forward now to allow 302 access to the track they require.

303 now pulls forward with its headend near the depot.

Peter's Pond activities are captured on video.

Pat and his "IS" counterpart (Ironwood Switcher) make use of two locomotives to work Ironwood.

To the left we see Chris & Olivia aboard 302 working Cedar Rock.

To the right we see Bill running Passenger 1 through 'The Corners'.

Trains 301 and 304 are now in Ironwood.

We see the power on 301 and the van on 304.

Our other Pat has things under control as Claire (aboard 304) observes the movements of the Ironwood Switcher.

Garry is in the background to the left along the fence line.

The power for 304 sits alongside one of the two IS switchers.

Video of all of the action taking place in Ironwood!

Craig & Joanne work with Jeff on an RP&M run which has reached Rat Portage.

Video taken down in Rat Portage.

Train 303 is safely tucked in on Track 3 at Bell as Passenger 2 idles by at the station.

We have a colourful array of equipment in this particular scene.

Indeed, Gerry is all "revved up" in the Red of CN (ball cap) and our Ottawa Senators.

Keith is navigating Train 303 to the right.

To the left Fred is seated in the lee of the dispatch cabin and Henk is in the crew lounge way off in the distance.

We check out the video action at Bell.

This previously shown image portrays the ore train limping westward carrying its disabled cars...much like an ant does for a fallen comrade as it carries its friend on its back returning to the anthill.

And...this previously aired video is proof of the matter!

Second trick Train 314 is found up in Cedar Rock.

Keith is at the controls as Jonah and little one enjoy a seat in the shade.

If you wish to visit the expansive Watson Electric facility during the annual "Doors Open Cedar Rock" festivities...you may very well take a trip along the gorgeous Cedar Rock Branch Line!

Cedar Rock Branch video looks.

We are in Spruce where we spot some of the latest developments of the track work.

The two hopper cars are residing nearby a newly installed turnout at this location.

Chris throws the turnout.

Indeed, it is 'busy times' in both Spruce and Ironwood to the left...as well way off in Lilly in the distance!

Video proof of the action at Spruce.

Thanks so much, Dilip, for these great videos and for your pictures that appeared in an earlier blog posting!

Greatly appreciated!

Our good friend, Mark Shumelda, sent along these two railfanning images he snapped while visiting Winchester.

Here is Mark's email my way:

Hi Mike, I can’t sign up for this Saturday as we are moving our two eldest daughters to Queen’s, one to first-year residence and the oldest to her house with roommates. 😀 Like you away in Nova Scotia at the moment, every Saturday I always think about the group and am with you all in spirit, even if I can rarely come in person.

Here are a few photos I took recently in Winchester while there for an errand. I’ve driven past the Parrish & Heimbecker Grain Elevator many a time, as Winchester is the closest Ontario Drive Test centre to us and those of my kids who are old enough have all gotten their drivers license at Winchester. 😀 

Mark goes on to say:

But this is the first time I’ve seen grain cars there (presumably because it’s harvest time). And it was neat to see the little “shop switcher” move the grain cars around in units of two for pickup and drop off along the dedicated siding of the aptly named CP Winchester Sub. Perhaps you can add to your next blog post? This really reminded me of the famous (or infamous 😂 as the case may be) Ironwood Switcher. It was like a real life example! The switching layout of the grain terminal also provided me with inspiration of how to plan realistic industrial sidings for future layout projects.

Thanks so much Mark for the two images and the wonderfully detailed story.

Congrats to your children who are growing up and getting their car licenses and going off to university!  👍👍👌👌👍👍

As for me...I will be performing with Corinne this evening from 5:00 - 8:00 in this idyllic setting along the Ottawa River at the Westboro Beach Club.

And...along with this gorgeous image of the sun setting over the Aylmer, Quebec off in the distance to the left, we bid you farewell for this blog entry.

Once again, a great big note of thanks to both Dilip and to Mark for sending along 'copy' for the OVGRS blog!

Yes, we are proud to say that we are members of this illustrious group up here in our nation's capital!