Friday evening, June 18th looked ominous with regard to the weather.
It would appear our Saturday morning session would be annulled.
But, alas...Saturday dawned somewhat overcast...without rain!
So, many of the folks gathered at Fred's "just in case".
I could not attend as I went to bed thinking operations were off.
I received a telephone call asking if I could be an emergency fill-in as guitarist for a funeral for a friend's family member as another family member could not arrive in town in time to play guitar for the service. It felt nice to help out a grieving family in time of need.
So no train ops for me on this day.
However, I am very thankful to our good friend, Malcolm Vant, for e-mailing me pictures from the session to post on the blog. Malcolm also shot some video which can be seen at the link below.
Malcolm has captured Moe setting out trains in Ralph Yard at Firgrove pre-ops.
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A westbound freight at Mercer Siding. Note the appropriate placement of stock cars tucked in behind the diesel locomotive and the protected tank car mid train. The train has just departed Nelson Yard.
This train must have been given special orders to run lefthand at Mercer on this day.
The Conrail blue helps brighten the overcast day.
Brian and Henk survey their car placements in the large Nelson Yard.
I see Brian has brought out his CP F-unit. She's a real looker, Brian!
Malcolm is a railfan extraordinaire. He has captured this lovely low-angle shot of the many trains and cars found in and around the big yard.
Garry and his son, Alex, enjoyed the morning as a "father/son" crew. Here they are switching out the spur track at Spruce with their train tucked safely on the siding track.
Paul is yardmaster at Craig Leigh. Not only do the tall pines offer protection from the sun, they protect the crews from the few raindrops experienced in the AM hours.
Lawrence's jacket tells all...it's a little nippy on this day.
But the sun manages to peek out once in a while to warm the hearts of Steve and Lela.
Welcome back, Lela...the crowd has missed you!
Paul's CP GP30 #8202 works Douglas Yard.
George is running his CN switcher at the eastern end of Nelson Yard.
Tight tolerances don't deter the crew aboard 1717. They manage to squeak this cut of cars located on the spur track at Spruce. Perhaps their train had to squeeze in the siding for a meet with another train...thus the tightness of things.
Hey Chris! Great having you back as well. We've really missed ya!
Chris is bringing his eastbound train onto Track 3 at Bell.
Good to see you too, Bob! That Santa Fe specimen is a true beauty!
George is working the yard in Glenn Hammond while Chris follows his train to the left.
Steve and Lela at Peter's Pond. They may have work up to do up in Cedar Rock.
The man himself in Craig Leigh...Mr. Fred. That Ottawa Central unit appears to be readying the Pool Train for a run across both railroads.
Once again, thanks Malcolm for the images and video footage!
Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
