Session #17 Gets a Second Look
With no trains run last weekend it is time to take another glance at images and videos from Session #17 held the week before.
This will be our second-to-last session of the season.
Indeed, this coming Saturday the weather promises to allow us to gather for one last time.
Following that session we then put the railway to bed for the winter.
Thanks to Bernie, John Soehner & Pat for sending along some images for us to enjoy.
We kick this entry off with this image of Padre Fred taken early in the AM hours of September 26th, 2026.
Dara is a happy camper as he has just spent an hour or so chatting with Fred while the operators worked the railroad in behind.
Behind Dara we find Grant crewing with Dilip as the crew works the sidings at Spruce aboard their second trick Train 312.
Bill & I search for the train orders for the passenger runs.
They were found and Bill worked all three passenger trains on this day.
Here is a closer look at Dilip & Grant as they finish up their switching at Spruce.
Shortly they will be contacting dispatch for clearance into Ironwood to the east.
The swap has been made as Dilip and Grant have found their way over to Ironwood with 312.
Joanne & Craig have changed places with them - now in Spruce aboard Train 301.
Pat is found working at Nelson Yard with Bill.
Off in the distance to the left Moe & Garry work the Nelson Yard/Bell Turn Train 73-74.
They are nearby the town of Stuart...basically a suburb of Bell.
Doug takes a seat at Nelson Yard having made up another train in Firgrove where he acted as yardmaster in George & Len's absence.
In the distance Chris & Malcolm walk trackside at Mercer Siding having completed their runs.
Thanks Bernie for these great images to start off our blog entry!
We take a quick glance at George's and Len's setup on the Sunday morning with the next three images coming from Pat's camera.
We have an 'optical illusion' seeing as these tracks appear to be at ground level - they're not.
They are elevated at the same height as the tracks seen off in the distance...being raised by similar legs.
We notice a cool looking 'S-curve' in the trackwork!
We'll have to find out from George the origin of the name for the 'Black Donald Mine'.
Indeed, those are 'black diamonds' in those hopper cars...with someone attempting to 'lift' the diamonds from car AO 3469! 😎😎
Thanks for these three photos Pat!
Before we get on to our Session #17 pics and videos from Fred's backyard, how about we check in on the latest steam images from our dear friend, John Soehner.
After all, Session #17 showcased our very own steam locomotives!
Here's the story in John's very own words:
Brother Mark had just retired from the Calgary Fire Department some time
in October of 2006.
We were on a tour of eastern Ontario, Quebec, through Vermont, and on to New York City for a visit to ground zero from 911.
Then our trip took us back through
Pennsylvania and our return to 'Onterrible'.
Ya gotta love John's humour!
Mark was interested in anything
military, 911, while I was interested in trains - as usual.
We
visited Steam Town in Scranton PA and found the CNR 3254 was about to
take the tourist train to Moscow and back to Scranton...
...and Mikado 3254 was the power of the day.
The train came out of the roundhouse took a spin,
headed out to have the ashes removed from the previous day, got
serviced with coal and water then took a passenger consist to Moscow and
back.
You will see more of John's images from the trip later on in this blog entry.
We're back at Fred's pre-ops where I spot a lone boxcar at the Brewer's Barrels cooperage.
Three gons and a lone boxcar fill up the siding at Ironwood Brick.
Craig & Joanne arrived with two locomotives in tow!
They're real beauties Craig!
Ralph yard is host to a string of reefers at the moment.
We spot the crocodile once more!
A 'croc' up in our northern clime!
I thought it would be too cold for this beast to survive the temperatures Mother Nature throws our way up here in Ottawa!
Back in Ironwood Robin & I are making up the cut of cars for the next westbound train.
The cut in the distance on the far track is already in place for the next eastbound crew.
Video work at Ironwood.
The IS (Ironwood Switcher) crew is lifting the cars for the ore train.
The two cars in the upper righthand corner are the setouts for first trick eastbound Train 304.
Video of the lift.
Train 304 works the trackage at Spruce on its eastbound journey.
Spruce video with 304's crew.
Robin & I get a short break in the action at Ironwood which allows me to walk around the railway and find other trains to photograph (and to video) like Passenger 2 making its way through Mercer Siding.
Bill has been cleared through the junction although the signal remains red as you will see in the next video sequence.
Mercer Siding video footage.
RP&M Train 61 backs up onto its caboose at the western front of Nelson Yard.
It will hold here to await the passage of Train 2 through the junction.
Video take on Rat 61.
With the last passenger car clearing the junction (spotted over the canopy of the station at Bellamy) Train 61 has its green signal offering clearance to proceed.
Note the red signal above governing the Bellamy trackage.
Following its station stop at Bellamy, Train 2 gets underway for Glen Hammond.
Engineer Bill approaches the yard limits in the Glen.
Malcolm & Gerry work Bell and Stuart; Malcolm aboard IPP&W Train 303 and Gerry aboard RP&M Train 71.
Meanwhile, over in Nelson Yard - Bill pleads with me to take those ore cars out of his way! 😂😠😂
Video of Train 61's departure out from Nelson Yard and Train 2's arrival into the Glen.
304 makes an appearance at the western end of Ironwood.
304 meets 301.
Those three gondolas on the far track are the setouts for second trick westbound Train 313.
Train 2 ascends the grade into Spruce from the west.
301 will arrive Spruce momentarily from the east.
Continued video work at Ironwood.
With 304 clear of Spruce, Train 301 can now proceed there.
The conductors in the vans greet each other as the two trains pass.
The two aformentioned cars on the right are awaiting pickup by the crew of 304.
The ore cars are awaiting the arrival of the ore train traveling in the same direction.
Joanne, Robin and Craig are basked in sunlight at Ironwood.
Departure video of 301 bound for Spruce.
Bill eases Passenger 2 out from the depot and navigates around Train 304.
Heading east, Train 2 threads the needle between the cut of ore cars and the headend of 304.
Lookee here!!!
We have a 'mellow yellow' scene in the southeast corner of the image! 😀😁😀
Still more wonderful video efforts in Ironwood!
Craig seeks clearance from dispatch to proceed east to St. Helens.
Meanwhile Robin is a very 'mellow' yardmaster in 'yellow' at Ironwood.
Joanne will be driving the train out of town momentarily...but it is a rather long walk to get to St. Helens from the aisleway along the fence!
As I circle around with my camera I find the crew aboard 301 'well into' their work at Spruce.
Clearance video.
304 is on leave out from Ironwood on the Spruce Sub as the crew aboard 314 in the distance works the facing siding at Wellington Lake along the Bell Sub.
Joanne is well on her way between the two eastern towns.
In this closer examination of her locomotive she bids farewell to Ironwood.
Indeed she does!
Escape from Ironwood video finds!
Bob has switched locomotives and now has CN power hauling the ore train as he tackles the grade named in his honour...Clarke Grade.
He leans into the big curve to the west of Spruce.
Ore meets 301 at Spruce.
Here's skipper Bob arriving the town of Spruce right now!
Bob has reached 'The Plateau' between Ironwood and St. Helens on his uphill climb.
Video of the ore train in action.
As promised, we dig into the vault of images John Soehner sent my way to find this lovely 'going away' shot of locomotive #3254 heading over to its train.
Onlookers are seen above and workmen below.
Rounding the bend!
Oh my...the sounds and sights!
I wish I could hear the sounds! 🙉
Simply elegant I'd say!
(Not sure my wife would agree!) 😎😍😎
As seen against a foliated backdrop.
A closer view!
'Lover'ly!!!
On the roll!
Spectacular John!
More images from John will show up shortly! 👍👍
Dispatcher Bernie comes in to check on the comings and goings at Ironwood.
In behind we spot a meet between 302 and a very short 303 at Watkins Siding.
The boys are all smiles!
Passenger 1 makes it through the pedestrian crossing between Peter's Pond and Mercer Siding.
Bob is busy returning empties back to their respective mines.
Bill hauls into Spruce with Pool Train 33.
Ore empties pass through Peter's Pond in a westbound rail direction.
We examine a few reefers.
This Bud's for you!
From the southwest.
From the northwest!
The crew aboard 312 work the yard at Spruce.
Grant's Denver, South Park & Pacific steam locomotive keeps the cars on the move!
312 stars in this video!
My "IS" partner, Robin, assists 312 with their lifts off the siding here in Ironwood.
The crew appreciates the 'assist'!
Video work at Ironwood East.
The Pool Train reaches Wellington Lake along the route of the IPP&W.
The crew will eventually make their way onto RP&M rails following their station stop at Bell.
312 rides atop 'The Plateau'.
Video at 'The Plateau'.
Train 313 breezes by this photographer as it traverses Goodie's Gulch.
The crew's routing is through Nelson Yard.
Our final video for this entry sees 313 enter Nelson Yard.
The discussion on the audio is whether or not to run the third trick of the morning.
In the end we annulled Train 323.
It was great seeing Craig & Joanne enjoy themselves so much running on their own!
Craig was very pleased with how his locomotive operated on this day!
One of our members is wearing a T-shirt showcasing our former CFL football team's logo.
It's none other than the Bernie Man...our dispatcher on this day.
As for me, I will be dispatching our final session of the season this coming Saturday, October 10th.
While I often dream of working in the dispatch booth in Fred's backyard in the 'wintertime' while keeping an eye on all things IPP&W...including my IPP&W mug of hot chocolate to keep me warm...as an IPP&W locomotive hauls lading outside my dispatch cabin's window...
...I'm sure that I'd rather enjoy working the panel and keeping an eye out on Nelson Yard on my white display board up top while drinking tea from my RP&M mug on my desk on a warm summer's day
For me, drinking a hot drink in summer actually seems to cool me down!.
Bernie, Doug & I share the duties in the dispatch booth and we all really enjoy this assignment!
Speaking of Bernie...in other news, with the rains this morning here in Ottawa very few of us made it out to Fred's for WDWD.
Bernie braved the wet and cold and this is what he found when he arrived.
He tells me that Chris managed to make it over as well and they bagged three full batches of these pine needles.
Fortunately they are light in weight!
And...here is the result of their diligent efforts!
A+++ workers Bernie & Chris are!
Let's check back in on John's amazing steam locomotive photos which includes this image shown earlier on the Museum excursion trip.
Not only is John an amazing railfan photographer as well as being an incredibly talented cook...
...he is also a fine and talented model railroader.
He tells us that being a modeler of CNR he does have several Mikado engines.
CNR 3478 is
DC Athearn unit - somewhat modified with the winter cab, feedwater heater,
etc., as modifications.
Another Athearn model - Mikado CNR 3708 in DC did not get as extensive
bashing as the 3478, but did get winter curtains and some other
modifications to make it more "Canadian Nationalized" in appearance from
the out of the box model.
Mehano 3411 had a similar treatment!
John's Bachmann model of 3209 is DCC powered.
His Van Hobbies 3567 is also now DCC equipped....but it required...
...a fine looking custom paint job and lettering by our renowned Ottawa modeler Charls Gendron!
Charls was the lad who also converted this brass DC version of the Belpar Mikado steamer to DCC some years ago.
She's a beauty - the 3567!
Thanks so much John for allowing me to share your incredible photos and models with our OVGRS blog readers from near and far!
Thanks folks for checking in on this blog entry.
I have as much fun creating the blog postings as I do running the trains!
It allows me to re-live all of the excitement we have in Fred's backyard all over again!
We finish off from where we started...
...with this great pic Bernie captured of Father Fred!
Thanks to Bernie, John & Pat for sending along some great images for us to admire.
We do indeed cherish the days of steam and we are thrilled to re-enact the glory of this form of power every other week in Freddie's backyard.
We are the OVGRS of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and we are all proud Canadians!
