Session #9 Continued

Session #9 Continued

With plenty more videos and pictures, this entry continues from where we left off from Session #9.

The calendar had turned to a new page meaning we were now beginning our fourth month of train operations for this season.

The cusp of July & August puts us at the half-way mark for 2026's outdoor train operations.

I'm thrilled to let you know that currently this season we are averaging over 2500 views of the blog per day!

Indeed, it brings joy to me to share our experiences trackside with readers from all around the globe!

Steam locomotives ruled the roost on this day.

This is the crew aboard 303...Phil & Gerry.

They are found drilling the west interchange track in Glen Hammond in the early morning light.

Stealth locomotive #5 faces west as it works the ladder on the western fringe of Bell.

The odd early diesel is found meddling with our beloved steam locomotives on this day.

It seems that the road crews find the diesel cabs a tad bit more comfortable even if their looming appearance means less jobs for the railroaders and their unions.

Indeed, these early generation diesel invaders are infiltrating the rosters of many a railroad at a quick pace...as evidenced by this handsome yard switcher in the employ of the Ironwood Road!

Alas...the golden age of steam still lives in our memories as we recreate their environment in Fred's backyard every 'other' Saturday morning!

Indeed we do!

Marcel is all smiles as we are about to get underway with the session!

He arrived the property early to begin the setting out process of the rail cars.

Much appreciated Marcel!

A crowd always gathers at Fred's each weekend morning to run the system.

Chris explains the safety routine for the group.

Then it's time to run the trains.

In this view from the dispatch cabin multiple crews abound in Bell, Glen Hammond and Nelson Yard.

While this image may appear 'congested'...rest assured...Bernie in the dispatch booth is keeping all trains a safe distance apart from each other.

With that being said, multiple crews can work the same town from either end of that town's respective yard in a collaborative manner.

This image showcase trains from both railways.

The IPP&W crew on the left has been given their green signal by dispatcher Bernie to cross the junction with Train 303 after working the team track at Bellamy.

The RP&M crew to the right with the Drovers Caboose, Gerry & Robin, are holding short of the junction before proceeding up to Rat Portage and further on to Bell and the town of Stuart aboard Train 71.

Over in Craig Leigh two reefers are being processed along the ice track adjacent to the icing platform.

In the same location the Pool Train has been assembled by Paul, the Craig Leigh/Douglas yardmaster and will head out across both railways later that morning.

Here we get a clear view of the dispatch cabin with Bernie inside.

Bill has arrived Glen Hammond aboard Passenger 1 and will hold here for his meet with Passenger 2.

Seeing as Train 2 had been held up due to congestion at Bellamy, Train 1 swapped sidings in order to offer the station track to its counterpart.

This was a much appreciated move!

Having had the two RP&M trains clear out of Nelson Yard, the yardmasters now await the arrival of first trick IPP&W Trains 301 and 302.

If you view a cool looking railroad shirt...

...then you will find this 'cool' character!!!

Quiet times in Nelson Yard!

But not for long!!!

For...soon enough...trains will begin arriving from all directions...like a swarm of mosquitoes!

And...their yard will begin to look like this one!

So-o-o...why don't we escape to some more quieter places.

Places where we find nature at its peak.

And indeed...the ore train offers up a 'peak performance'!

Video of Train 314 sailing through a preserved habitat.

Train 312 enters the picture at Spruce.

Train 313 had been holding back in the yard awaiting the meet with 312.

313 now is able to get underway along the distant trackage with the crew's heart set on Nelson Yard.

Video meet of 312 and 313.

Train 1 ambles over Clarke Canyon out from Ironwood.

Indeed, this is a most unusual locomotive to power the passenger run...

...but ya gotta take what's available when ya need power!

Train 1 meets 304 at Spruce.

The crew aboard 304 must be wondering where the Heisler even came from!

Video meet at Spruce.

A short while later we spot a headlight appearing from the west.

It's Passenger 2 arriving from the opposite direction.

Across the valley over in Ironwood the crews aboard Trains 304 and 301 meet and share the switching chores in the expansive yard there.

Video work of Passenger 2's entry into Spruce from the west.

Train 303 takes to the Cedar Rock Branch...

...at the same time as Passenger 2 is ready to depart Peter's Pond upon clearance from dispatch...

...while up top in St. Helens Passenger 1 is on the home stretch awaiting its green light to travel up to Craig Leigh.

While no trains run in this video, you get an idea of the landscape between Peter's Pond on the Bell Sub and St. Helens along the Spruce Sub.

Train 323 reaches Peter's Pond.

The crew aboard 314 is now far up the branch in the town of Cedar Rock while Steve & Seanna, in the distance, have reached Spruce aboard 312.

We seem to have an overflow of traffic at Brewer's Barrels.

More video from the area in and around Peter's Pond.

RP&M Train 73 distributes sand atop the rails as it climbs out from Pratts Bottom.

The crew holds short of the town of Stuart to await entry in on Track 4 at Bell.

RP&M video fun.

311 clears out from Bell...

...as 73 enters the yard on a slow approach.

Being an RP&M train, number 73 would typically enter Bell along the western ladder which takes them down to Track 4.

In the video you hear an operator from another train directing 73 in on Track 3 which is most unusual.

Track 4 must have been occupied at the moment.

The RP&M  crew working at Stuart has now been cleared back to Rat Portage along RP&M iron.

Away they go downgrade to tunnel beneath Firgrove before finding daylight at Ferndale.

From Ferndale, the crew will arrive at Rat Portage.

With the Drovers' Caboose on the tail end, that will be all for this report on the session.

We watch the final video for this entry.

I have many more pictures and videos from the session but will save them for a 'rainy day'!

We'll finish off with a handful of images from the session including this one of a very relaxed Bill Scobie in Nelson Yard!

Thanks to Chris on the Workday Wednesday, the station lamps illuminate the passenger platform at Craig Leigh once again.

The rolling stock always fascinates this railfan!

How about POC 117!

A 'Port Orford Coast' rail car.

With its beautiful logo!

Marcel heads over to Spruce...

...in order to put the Spruce Depot to bed!

And then...to top it off...he does the cooking for everyone!

Thanks Marcel!

Yummy yummy yummy, we've got sausage in our tummies!!!

And...the Bernie man did a great job dispatching in the cabin on such a hot and humid day...

...until I reminded him of the fan in the upper corner or the cabin...'after' the operating session!

Yes, Bernie...I know where I can stick that plug!!!%$#@*&!

But, if Bernie really wants to cool down...he could take a dip in these waters!

(My bass player from my band, Alec, took this image for me as he is currently on a cruise with his wife Tina around Greenland & Baffin Island!)

On Friday night, Corinne & I performed once again this summer at the Westboro Beach Club to a 'full house'.

The establishment was thrilled as the bar/restaurant made record sales of food & spirits on the evening!

Between songs, Corinne snapped this image of our audience with the Ottawa River in the background.

Yup, playing guitar brings me so much joy.

I have been playing this instrument for 58 of my 68 years!

Here I am playing with my brother-in-law, Mike, shortly before he passed away following an eight month battle with pancreatic cancer.

He was one heckuva guy!

And...speaking of one heckuva guy, we must thank Father Fred for allowing us to 'invade' his property every Saturday morning.

No, he doesn't still have that 'nasty' black eye...that was a few years ago.

I know, Fred...I know...I could've found a better picture of you...but, hey...this image proves that you are a real trooper...a battler!

And, with that...we are the 'nasty' - but 'downheartedly good' folk of the OVGRS up here in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Fallentree Mine Now Reopened on WDWD

August 5th "Workday Wednesday"

The WDWD crew worked diligently once again this morning.

The fruits of their efforts means that the right of way has been shorn of overgrown weeds.

All choke cables have been oiled.

Nelson Yard now has throws on every distant turnout.

Fallentree Mine is now back in operation!

The Lawrence Watkins Trestle has been leveled with the rails adhered with track ties.

We could even work the sidings at Lilly, but alas, I informed our rail master, Steve, that I didn't anticipate its opening for at least another week...thus no trains will traverse the wooden trestle to deliver goods there.

The trestle can now be used as a 'lead' into the mine though...so Bob...feel free to have fun setting out empties and lifting loads from there as you have always done in the past!

"Before"

Another "Before" image.

"After" image 'sans' mine.

"After" image with mine.

When I arrived, Father Fred had the tea and the coffee on in the kitchen.

Freddie's cap!

Shortly thereafter, a deer somehow managed to find its way into the kitchen...perhaps searching for some grub!

Well, it's a dear alright...why, it's "Dear Doug" our dearest dispatcher of the railway!

Then trouble arrived!

Errr...I mean...Bill!

But where is his sidekick?

More trouble!

There he is...all out of focus!

Henk did work hard this morning...but I had no further images of the lad...so here he is on another WDWD assisting Bill with the turnout throws.

Chris kept the weeds at bay across the vast expanse of both railways.

Mark arrived and got down to business right away.

He oiled all of the choke cables around the entire system of both railways.

Bernie also arrived following his appointment with a cute looking dental hygienist but I had no images of him from today...thus this one from several WDWD's ago!

Doug & I discuss how we will deal with the turnouts leading into the two mine spurs.

As things turned out, with the two turnouts placed as you see, we were able to use curved trackage to 'sneak' onto the two boards.

The far track of the mine actually hugs the edge of the board which is fine.

The near track comes closer to the center of its board.

I have placed a straight track atop the nearer curved section to determine where exactly the straight area of rail begins.

I then marked this location on the curved section of track and took the piece over to Fred for cutting.

Father Fred did a masterful job with the cutting of the rail and the filing to ensure a perfect fit!

It will work out well, Freddie!

Here you see me moments later tucking the straight section into the curved one.

For Bob's information, we can fit six ore cars on the front track at the mine and five on the back track.

A perfect fit I say!

And...the Fallentree Mine is happy to be home once again!

Looking good!

While I was busy getting laid at the mine...errr...I mean...laying track at the mine, Bill was occupied over at the western front of Nelson Yard.

Seeing as we used brand new choke cables for the mine reno, Bill 'recycled' the old ones and added distant throws to the other far-off tracks in Nelson Yard.

 In the past he used to have to reach a long way to turn the switch or ask someone on the other side of the yard to do so for him...and often times there was nobody on the far side of the yard!

Great job Bill!

In the upcoming video you will see me throw the distant turnout.

The reason Bill is pressing on the choke cable is because we had no more fittings or even staples to hold it down.

In the end...after the video, we improvised with two track nails to handle the job.

Video of the throw action.

Chris snagged these next three shots of me in action spiking down the rails on the Lawrence Watkins Trestle.

The trestle was so solidly built by Lawrence that it can take my full weight as I sit atop it to place the nails alongside the rails.

Here are the tools of the trade.

The two silver metallic templates keep the rails at the perfect distance from each other in parallel as I spike down the rails.

The pliers have a special indent to hold the top of the spikes which I can use to turn the spike heads atop the base of the rail.

No need to hammer anything down...just pressure from the blunt end of the pliers does the trick.

Finally, the hundreds of tiny spikes can be seen inside the plastic container.

A June bug is happily climbing the outer ridge of the wall above the far window as loaded ore cars are awaiting pickup from the mine.

And...the empties will be replenished in short order!

Chris has just lifted the trestle and rested it on some stones to take the 'bow' out it and all is level now!

So Chris & I play a game of "Pitch & Catch" or "Rock & Roll" with the two cars!

Video fun at the Fallentree Mine and the Lawrence Watkins Trestle over to Lilly!

So...from this...

...to this...we are ready to rumble on Saturday at the mine!!!  💪💪👌👌👍👍💪💪

Chris & Mark take a much needed rest in the shade found in the patio area.

And...when I get home I get out my trusty Martin Guitar and play a few tunes as a form of relaxation following a hard day's 'morning' working on the railway!

And Fred heads back indoors to get out of the heat found in the great outdoors.

He is smiling as he sees the railway coming back to form once again.

By the following session after this Saturday's one, we will once again be able to switch out Lilly as well as the Fallentree Mine!

We are the "Workday Wednesday" crew of the OVGRS and we are proud to call Ottawa, Ontario, Canada our home!