Scenes from Session #14
This morning a large contingent of operators...or, as Gerry Berrigan says, "A contingent of large operators" assembled in Father Fred's backyard.
(Gerry is over visiting my place as I type this). 😁😁
Ya gotta love his sense of humour!
Gerry says that nobody has to love it...it's up to them! 😎😀😎
With Malcolm's GP30 in Conrail colours, we learn that the session is of the standard gauge variety.
Train 304 makes hay in its attempt to ascend the grade up into Spruce.
It's always nice to remember our dear friend, Lawrence Watkins, who scratchbuilt this load of buoys.
Grade ascent video with Train 304 playing the lead role.
The power aboard Train 303 is found holding at Mercer Siding awaiting clearance into Peter's Pond.
Across the valley we have a Rail Diesel car heading westbound (geographically east) while the Nelson Yard switch crew lifts the ore cars from the Fallentree Mine.
Three trestles are captured in this image across Goodie's Gulch.
In the foreground we see the Fred Mills trestle, followed by the Lawrence Watkins Memorial trestle and finally Brennan Bridge.
Ya gotta love that Alco sound.
It's great for we 'Alco-haulics'! 🙉🙉🙉
This is the crest many of us have on our golf shirts and our ball caps.
Some of our readership have been asking about the schematic map for the railway.
I will share it a few times over the next five images and elaborate on the track plan as it pertains to the various trains.
This is the schematic of the two railways which co-exist in Fred's backyard.
We thank Joel Racine for producing this for us.
Note how Fred and his earlier OVGRS members made maximum use of the property in the design many years ago.
If you click on the drawing you can enlarge it where you will see the rail lines with total clarity.
Traveling from east to west here are the train locations for the wayfreights:
Craig Leigh/St. Helens/Ironwood/Spruce/Nelson Yard/Junction/Mercer Siding/Peter's Pond - with some crews working Cedar Rock/Wellington Lake/Watkins Siding/Bell/Firgrove.
Traveling from east to west again...this time aboard the passenger trains who divert around Nelson Yard.
Craig Leigh/St. Helens/Ironwood/Spruce/Glen Hammond/Bellamy/Junction/Mercer Siding/Peter's Pond/Wellington Lake/Watkins Siding/Bell/Firgrove
One RP&M train of the two trains traveling from Nelson Yard to Stuart (not listed on the map - but located at the western sector up at Bell).
Nelson Yard/Junction/Anderson/Rat Portage/Stuart at Bell and return.
The other RP&M crew covers this ground:
Nelson Yard/Lilly/Glen Hammond/Bellamy/Junction/Rat Portage/Stuart at Bell and return.
There are also two RP&M runs that simply go to Rat Portage and return.
Final run - The Pool Train which 'pools' its power and resources plus its costs and its revenue across the two railways; the IPP&W and the RP&M.
This is the passenger run that has some switching to do at the house tracks at various locations. (Typically Spruce, Glen Hammond & Bell)
Craig Leigh/St. Helens/Ironwood/Spruce/Glen Hammond/Bellamy/Junction/Mercer Siding/Peter's Pond/Wellington Lake/Bell/ then onto RP&M rails - Pratt's Bottom/Ferndale (outside on the front property)/Rat Portage/Anderson/Junction/Bellamy/Glen Hammond/Spruce/Ironwood/St. Helens/Craig Leigh
I spotted Bernie in Craig Leigh standing beside the crossing he and Fred installed on Friday!
I was too occupied working the "Ironwood Switcher" while crewing with Pat Brennan to be able to catch any of the action in Craig Leigh during the session.
So-o-o...nearing the end of the session I caught up with our other Pat...Pat Brewer and we had his locomotive drive through the rail crossing.
Rail crossing video work.
Ore Train Bob looks on from the left as Pat backs a lengthy cut of cars off the Northland Ore dock...simply for the videographer.
"Ore Train Bob" would have done so for me but he had already packed his locomotive away.
Riding along the north leg of the wye...
...and now through the crossing.
Video of our experiment here.
Continued views of our mocked up backup move.
If it were to be, the locomotive would be trapped at the far end of the Northland Ore Dock!
Backup move captured on video.
The crew can now head out of town!
The long consist now passes beside the crossing.
Off and away they go!
Final video for now at this location.
Here we are all gathering in the crew lounge pre-ops.
Lots of folks are in attendance today!
Indeed, the group is expanding as the season slowly draws to a close.
Ron is a guest today and its great seeing Joanne and Craig along for the ride as well!
Neil is introducing Ron...and no...they are not shadowy characters...they are true railway buffs! 💥😎💥
Video taken as Neil and Father Fred are speaking.
Craig has brought along his prized 4-6-0 steam locomotive.
He will run Passenger 2 with this gorgeous power.
We realized afterwards that the train did not require the head end power car with the steam locomotive.
Typically passenger cars in the steam era used individual axle-driven generators and heavy battery boxes underneath each car to handle the electrical needs for lighting.
As for heating of the cars in the steam era, passenger cars were kept warm by steam piped directly from the locomotive's boiler through a dedicated train line.
Craig is all smiles!
And...so is Joanne!
Passenger 2's crew is all set to head east out from Firgrove in this video footage.
The Ironwood Switcher is in the process of marshalling traffic for first trick trains 301 and 304.
The three cars you see being lifted from industries will be set out on the western end of the far siding for pick-up by westbound 301.
Then the crew will set out a single car at the eastern end of the same siding for eastbound 304.
Beyond Pat we spot Craig running Passenger 2 along Watkins Siding eastbound into Wellington Lake.
You will hear me telling Pat how Dispatcher Doug should be informing us of the imminent arrival of Passenger 1...and just after I close out the video...Doug contacts us - saying just that! 👍👍
Train #2 is on final approach to Wellington Lake along the Bell Sub while...
...the "First Section" of Passenger 1 arrives Ironwood along the Spruce Subdivision.
Two passenger trains are captured in this single video effort!
Train 2 is hanging out at Wellington Lake as passengers detrain for a weekend at this tourist destination.
Here we see the CP 40' boxcar to the left which is isolated for eastbound Train 304 while the trio of cars still coupled onto Pat's locomotive will be lifted by westbound 301.
Of course the switcher will move out of the way.
The first section of Train 1 arrives the depot in Ironwood as Train 302 is spotted across the valley switching out Bell using the trackage at Watkins Siding as a 'lead' for their work.
I turn around to find Steve in Spruce about to depart for our location in Ironwood.
Andrew drives the 'second section' of Train 1 into Ironwood.
Video of a myriad of trains and locations.
Train 1 rolls along our main.
Pat & I conduct a 'roll-by inspection'.
The crew will reach the depot in short order as its first section will be in Spruce by now.
Here is that 'trio of train buffs'...Gerry, Ron & Neil.
We see Pat hauling the short hop down to St. Helens from Craig Leigh.
He acted as assistant Craig Leigh yardmaster along with Paul.
Here's Craig Leigh yardmaster Paul!
Pat is working the sidings at St. Helens.
Hey! I spot my Boston & Maine boxcar on the siding which shares the industries of Selver Stock Yards and Pelkola Packers.
My car is residing at the latter industry.
Bill is wearing this lovely red golf shirt.
The association celebrated 25 years back in 2012...making the MVAR group now 39 years together and still running! 👍👍
Looking good there Bill!
Unfortunately Craig's locomotive was accidentally kicked by a different crew working St. Helens as the train it was hauling exited the tunnel from beneath this location.
The issue with the locomotive was diagnosed and we are fortunate to have George in our group who is a 'tool & die' maker who can fabricate a metal part to replace the plastic sheath that was damaged.
We hope to see the locomotive back in action very soon.
Lesson learned...if any operator in St. Helens has to move around the large tree...always check for any trains that may be traversing the rails below.
We have created 'extension throws' so that crews do not have to walk behind the tree...although if a locomotive or a car derails then the operator may have to walk in that neighbourhood...as was the case Saturday.
This image from another session showcases the location where the incident happened.
The train that was hit by the operator's foot was traveling along at ground level on the track you can just make out behind the base of the tree.
The crew switching up top can control the turnouts with the switch throws on extension cables which you can see at the extreme lower left of the images.
There is no need to travel in behind the tree unless a derailment occurs or if there may be an issue with the locomotive...again...as what happened Saturday.
Here is the same location on a different day with the train exiting the tunnel from beneath the trackage at Craig Leigh above.
And...same location from yet another session.
We have brought in a new locomotive to haul Passenger Train 2.
The passenger crew awaits the arrival of westbound (geographical east) IPP&W Train 303.
In this video effort Craig has to quickly learn how to handle the older style throttle.
He is a 'quick study' and the train gets underway bound for Bellamy!
We take a look around the railway at Nelson Yard and Glen Hammond.
It's nice to see the sidings at Lilly accessible once again.
Train 312 reaches Spruce while the crew aboard 304 continues to work the sidings here.
With 304 clearing out, 312's crew can now work the sidings.
Malcolm is in the process of uncoupling a car from his train as he & Bernie drill the trailing sidings at this location.
With their drops and lifts made at Ironwood the crew is now underway towards St. Helens.
In the distance we spot the Pool Train with its new power now in charge.
My crewmate Pat snapped this image of me videoing the movement of the ore train.
Bob is running his Santa Fe unit on the headend on this day.
Steve & Seanna have Train 313 protected on the siding up in St. Helens in preparation for their meet with the ore train.
I am looking over to Spruce as I note a train getting underway out from there as well.
And...here is that train that was departing Spruce...Pool Train 33.
Mike's video of the ore train heading out from Ironwood.
It is called the long reach as it is the longest extent of single trackwork which covers much of the backyard with no sidings available for meets.
Conductor Claire gives this railfan a wave as her train now gets underway to the west.
They pass the white water tower (my tea mug) as they begin their descent down Clarke Grade.
They are rounding the rockery now known as Berrigan's Bluff.
It is believed a river bed once ran through this area in the distant past
Activity at Spruce as captured in this video segment.
We are much later in the morning as I railfan Pool Train 33 arriving my location here in Ironwood.
The crew is meeting third trick Train 321.
Train 33 is cleared out from Ironwood.
Upon 33's departure, the crew aboard 321 can now set out their CPR boxcar.
They will lift the D&H box in the foreground along with a hopper which is out of sight.
Video of these happenings down in Ironwood.
After consulting dispatch to learn that there are no trains expected in Ironwood for the time being - the main line track essentially becomes a momentary 'yard' track.
This allows the crew of 321 to quickly spot their set-out car on the main as they divert into the siding to grab their lifts.
With their lifts on the pin, the crew pulls out from the siding.
Pat checks the plastic wheels on the boxcar which he felt had become derailed.
321's power shoves its lifts back onto its train.
321 now gets underway for Spruce.
Our Ironwood Switcher will collect the CPR car left on the main immediately following 321's departure and we will spot it to its designated siding...in this case the Mills Windmill Co.
There is some humour in the audio from this video at Ironwood!
We are now able to grab 321's single 'set out 'and place it at the Windmill Siding.
Pat & I enjoyed the challenge of lifting and spotting cars all morning long without a single 0-5-0 car lift movement as this video demonstrates!
Yuppers...we remained in the cab of Pat's gorgeous Great Northern switcher on loan to the Ironwood, Peter's Pond & Western.
Pat, it was great working with you aboard the Ironwood Switcher.
Pat is showing me his latest purchase from our mutual friend, Mike Mueller.
Pat may just put all of the 'innards' inside to get her running here at Fred's!
Craig & Joanne own one of these classic wooden runabouts...which I absolutely love!!!
Corinne & I performed at the Westboro Beach Club on Friday evening.
This shot was snapped during another performance we did there the month before.
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Even though we are now into September with a tad chill in the air, the sunsets continue to astound.
This image was taken earlier in the season.
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Our sunset Friday night appeared just like this one three weeks ago.
We will be performing once again with the full band this time as we celebrate 65 years of OVAR Tuesday evening!
Father Fred and all of the gang will be there at OVAR as we look back on the 65 years of this illustrious organization.
Fred was pleased on Saturday to host a contingent of railroad operators who numbered close to thirty in the backyard.
The two railways are operating just as designed so many years ago!
We are the OVGRS of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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