Seanna's Pictures From Session #16

Seanna's Pics From Session #16

With a number of folks snapping images for our blog this past week, we are able to showcase the session with excellent coverage.

This time we thank Seanna for sending along a few images my way.

Seanna ran the big yard at Nelson as the Assistant Yardmaster with Bill.

When she had some 'down time' she assisted Gerry on IPP&W Train 302.

Indeed, there are many roles one can have if they attend a session at Fred's.

The big yard demonstrates a rich capacity to handle a vast number of outgoing and incoming trains as Seanna's early morning image showcases so wonderfully.

With drinks in hand, Bill & Steve have all of the traffic set out in the big yard pre-ops.

Steve will eventually move over to Ironwood to run the yard switcher there.

Fred's brother, Ted, looks over the action at the eastern throat of the yard as Andrew & Doug hold a discussion off by the pedestrian crossing where earlier in the month a 'Bigfoot' was spotted!  👀👀

Neil is the bravest of souls treading into "Scobie Territory"!

For...it is said that those who tread in Nelson Yard aisleways without permission will suffer the wrath of the Willy Scobie!!!

He has been known to get on Fred's tractor to scare you from his territory.

But...much of the time he is spotted with his 'sidekick' - someone from a "nether" region of the world...or a "nether land" just lazing around the big yard!  😎😁😎

But...we love our Yardmaster Willy and his sidekick (where is his sidekick - oh yeah...overseas enjoying those Dutch pastries!) seeing as they both keep our trains running on time upon reaching the big yard!!!  👍👍

Seanna snagged some pictures for us from the pre-ops briefing in the crew lounge.

It seems Gerry has his hands up as former police officer Bernie reads him the riot act!

"There'll be no rioting around these premises just because our numbers are smaller this week!" Bernie is heard to say.

All kidding aside, Bernie is in the process of delivering the safety briefing.

Pat is crewing RP&M Train 71 which will head up to Bell following the completion of his work here down in Rat Portage.

We see him snagging an image of Seanna who is in the process of snagging an image of him!

Here is a vintage view of the mill at Rat Portage courtesy of the Toronto Public Library Archives.

Thanks again to the Toronto Public Library for this look at the 'Reduction Works' in Rat.

Shipbuilding was an important part of the town's make-up as there are many bodies of water found in the "Lake of the Woods" district in Ontario.

The three towns of Keewatin, Norman and Rat Portage amalgamated and received a new name in 1904.

The first two letters from each town name were joined together to form the name of the new larger area.

KEewatin, NOrman, RAt Portage formed the town of KENORA

Pat is found working the yard at Rat Portage.

Steve took on the task as the "Ironwood Switcher".

We spot him to the left helping Moe with his assignment aboard Train 301.

My research indicates that the Ironwood tree is a very 'urban tolerant' tree.

In the past, the very dense wood was often used for tool handles, cogs and sleigh runners.

Many an inexperienced camper has tried in vain to chop a dead ironwood stem, only to reel at the jolt as if hitting an iron pipe!

Its bark is grey-brown in colour and appears as tiny strips of wood...offering up a shredded or shaggy appearance.

The leaves are made up of sharp double-toothed edges.

A wide variety of animals feed off the fallen, seeds and foliage of this tree.

They include:  The Ruffed Grouse, Songbirds & Finches, Wild Turkeys and the Downy Woodpecker.

Squirrels, White-Tailed Deer, Small Rodents and Rabbits feed off the branches, twigs, fallen seeds and low-hanging buds.

Andrew has reached the end of the Cedar Rock Branch and works the trailing sidings.

Second trick Train 312 reaches St. Helens.

Gerry crewed the train with photographer Seanna.

Doug strolls outside his dispatch cabin on a calm and sunny September morning.

Thanks Seanna for all of your wonderful images from the session!

In other news, Barry hosted two lovely ladies from Ottawa to his garden railway.

Robin Hornstra (on the left) assisted Barry with the session.

From left to right in this image we see Mariane, Bonnie, Barry and Renate.

Mariane & Renate were a part of the federal government Bible Study group that Barry was a member of when he lived in Ottawa.

This lovely lady is Mariane's mother.

Bonnie gave Mariane the blanket on the day of the visit.

Her mom wasn't attending the train session as she isn't mobile enough to make it around the grounds, but Barry tells me that it was really nice to see her wearing the blanket to keep warm.

Barry tells me that every morning he & Bonnie pray that they might be a 'blessing' for someone on that given day.

Most often, Barry tells us, they will never know the result...but on this day they saw the result of their prayers through this lovely image of Mariane's mom!  

💖💕💗💕💖

And...keeping with the "Giving Back" theme, my band 'The Mystiks' performed for the Dementia Society of Ottawa-Renfrew's annual Walkathon.

We arrived at 7:00 AM to set up in the bitter cold of "Plus 4" degrees and began performing at 9:30 AM.

In total, over $280 000.00 were raised including corporate donations.

My family has been affected by dementia so for me it feels good to 'give of my time freely' for such a great cause!

Wow...two hundred and eight thousand dollars raised!

Thank you Ottawa-Renfrew!

Yup we had as much fun this year as we did last year!

Now we go on tour to Europe and play the capital cities in eight countries...so I'll miss coming out to Fred's for trains!

If you believe that last sentence then I'll sell you some ice from Canada's Northern Regions!  😎❤😎

On behalf of Father Fred, a great big "Thank You" once more to Seanna.

Even though the crew was a small one on this Saturday morning, they ensured both railways met all of their obligations.

Tomorrow morning the WDWD crew will get on with some more maintenance along the rail line.

We are the OVGRS of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada