Workday Wednesday May 10th

Workday Wednesday - May 10th

A handful of OVGRS faithful found their way to Fred's property this morning to help get the layout in ship shape.

Plenty of projects were undertaken in various locations around the property with the main focus being on the replacement of the subroadbed beneath the pedestrian crossing where the wood had gone rotten over many years.

This initiative will be finished tomorrow when the track is re-laid.

We dedicate this blog entry to our fellow OVGRS member, Pat Brennan, who attended his sister's memorial service on this day.  Pat's sister passed away in late April following a battle with pancreatic cancer, the same cancer that took my sister two years ago.  Pat's sister was 63 years of age - far too young.  

On behalf of the entire group, Pat, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

All areas of the railroad were cleared of debris with Robin and Mike working the blowers.

This is the "before" image.

"On guard, Sir Robin!"

Mikey is like a little boy with a big toy!

Sid walks away with the pedestrian crossing mat.

Ralph is a smart lad.  He doesn't want to get his hands dirty...but he wants to get "down and dirty" with the clean-up work.

"Stick 'em up, Mike!"

The tracks are lifted!

Pat in a hat!

That's a long way down, Bernie!

The spikes are coming up.

And so is Bernie!

"Ralph the Weeder" is a must for every gardener!

Craig Leigh wouldn't be the same without Robin's clean-up efforts!

Mike finds one of Paul Anderson's bottle cap car markers.

Skipper Marcel lends a hand - or two!

Fred - at the workbench.

He is removing the nails from the rubber crossing mat which Sid had brought his way.

Coming along, Fred!

That is definitely some rotten wood!

Yikes!

The track is removed up to Blockhouse.

Mike heads out front to clean the length of track on the big curve.

Chris removes the tarp covering the wood that is covering the Craig Leigh passenger terminal where many of the structures have been protected from the winter snows.

George and Ralph near St. Helens.

Chris removes the screws from the protective boards in Craig Leigh.  A power drill will arrive his way in short order.

Bernie observes Pat's efforts.

Digging the trench for the new length of wood.

Looking good, Pat!

I snap an image of Bernie...

...who snaps an image of me.

These next few images were sent my way from skipper Bernie along with the captions.  

Bernie goes on to say, "For Pat, Marcel and Bernie, the plan was three fold: replace rotten wood at the pedestrian crossing leading to the tower, remove the siding an switch for Block House, replace the track and realign from Block House to the switch stand.  At the end of the day, we also replaced an eight foot board from the bridge to block house. It was not an easy job, but we got it done. The track we be laid Thursday morning."  

The image above shows Marcel cutting the screws off so we could remove the eight foot board. The screws were rusted in place and would not come out.

All work was done under the watchful eye of father Fred.

Syd - cleaning out weeds.

Marcel and Pat still trying to remove the eight foot board.

Work place trip hazard!

Bernie continues..."We had to dig down so we could rest the new boards on gravel.  When the eight footer was aligned it was too close to the rock wall, so Bernie dismantled it and shifted it back."

Mike was busy taking pics as Pat is digging the trench for the ten foot board.  (Previously seen photo.)

Marcel and Pat laying the ten footer so it could be measured and cut as required.

Marcel heading back after making one of several trips to the saw.

Robin - placing Block House in its summer place guarding Brennan’s Gap.

Ralph has fun mowing the grass.

Most buildings have been moved to their respective locations. There were still a few stragglers.

Two boards have now been replaced. The track will be laid Thursday morning.

Thanks, Bernie, for the pics and captions.

Mike testifies that it certainly was a fun morning which included diligent work and great camaraderie!

Father Fred is in full agreement.

Thanks to all those who managed to make it out to assist with the preparation.

Thanks to all those who took the time out to view this blog entry as well.

All the best, Mike and the OVGRS "Work Gang"!

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Canopy Now Up

 Canopy In Place

A handful of lads descended on Fred's property to erect the canopy for this season's train ops.

"That's some erection!" one of the lads was heard to say.

Of course, humour abounds when railroad enthusiasts gather!

Not only does laughter abound...so do "Timmy Treats"!  Fred and Marcel engage in conversation solving yet another of the world's problems.

Remember, you may enlarge the images by clicking on them and returning to the default look of the page by clicking outside them.

Pat "hams" it up as one of Ottawa's well-known "ham operators".

Bernie deals with the straps for the canopy at the south end...

...while Marcel handles the east side.

Those are some great calisthenics, Bernie!

Mike gets in on the action at the north end as he is silhouetted against the beautiful blue sky that this morning offered up.

Not to be outdone, Steve handles the strapping to the westward end.

Then it was time for some relaxation.

A few jokes around the table bring smiles to Bernie and to Steve in the previous image.

The bar fridge and the cabinet jump up onto the workbench ready for our first day of operations...hopefully May 20th on the May long weekend.

And the Lord said, "Let there be light!" and there was!

Hmmm...we can't run trains with tracks covered like this!

Or with walkways inhibited like so!

Yes, the canopy is up and we have devoted considerable time cleaning off the track and the aisleways.

More fun times of relaxation!

We've worked diligently on behalf of the entire group.

I've even gained height over the off-season...or so it would appear!

To top it all off...we have one satisfied Fred!!!  Yabba dabba doo.

Anyone who can make it out this coming Wednesday is welcome as we will be "test running" the track before getting any of the structures out and placed around the layout.

Hope to see many of you there!

All the best, Mike and the OVGRS work crew!  Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Pat's Pics From George's Place and Fred's Winter Garden

Pics From Pat's Saturday Train Running

Hey gang.  Pat was kind enough to snap a number of great looking images while visiting George's place this past weekend.

He also managed to grab some images in Fred's Winter Garden.

All pictures and text come from the ever energetic and creative Mr. Patrick Brennan!

Pat says, "Hi Mike, I'll share this with you in case you want to blog it but don't feel obligated.  Cheers, Pat"

"Of course, Pat, I'd love to blog about it!" is my response.

Remember that you can enlarge any image by clicking on it and return to the default appearance of the page by clicking outside the picture.

The remainder of the text comes from Pat's thoughts.  

Fred and I enjoyed travelling to Carleton Place on Sunday, March 12th, 2023 to join George, Len and David in an ops session at George's indoor large scale layout.  Here are some trackside pics including Almonte Yard with Len's new attractive locomotive and my old faithful Annie.

  In the above shot of the yard, we see the back end of the passenger train rounding the bend to Almonte station.  Fred is spotted in the background keeping an eye on things!

We then capture the passenger run leaving the Almonte station.  David Moat and George keep an eye on that situation.  You can also see the freight consist sitting on the Interchange track with Carleton Place.  Len and I will take care of that pickup after the passenger train clears the main.

Check out the motorcycle and vehicle in the distance as the rear platform of the passenger car is seen at the station.

I have a few close-up pics of the passenger train, first going around the bend and then behind the buildings where the local businesses are located.

The passenger consist now backs into Carleton Place station with the depot's rooftop peaking above the train's end car in the background.

The back-up move is underway as the bell rings loudly throughout the town.

Finally, we have work to conduct at the Interchange followed by a couple of outdoor pics which show George's expansion to the outdoors, constructed in the summer of 2022.

But first, the end car of our magnificent train.

Now, it's time to bundle up and head out to the the great outdoors at George's place.

Oops!  Looks like we've run out of track!  We can't wait to see what George accomplishes with his outdoor expansion this season!  

This next set of pics show what the OVGRS layout at Fred's looked like on March 12th as I dropped Fred off.

Fortunately some snow has melted since then - but I'm sure a lot is hanging around today, 10 days later!

A gander over to the Mount St. Helen's area.

If we close our eyes we can visualize a pack of railroaders sitting around the crew lounge in shorts and T-shirts in just a few month's time!  Or make that in shorts and their OVGRS golf shirts!  Hehehe!

The Bell, Boss - The Bell - !!!!!

Now there's someone who looks a tad familiar!

See what I mean!

Snow is a four letter word in spring!

Our juices are flowing!

Thanks so much Pat for all these great pics from George's place and Fred's home.

Your efforts are greatly appreciated!

I will close with this great image Barry sent my way a while back but I had yet to include in a blog entry.  

The season looks like - well - today!  

I bet some of the longer serving OVGRS members recognize a few of these lads.  Barry's smile tells it all!

All the best, Mike and the OVGRS gang, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada