It's the "Tooth" of September...Sept. 2nd!
The gang is running steam locomotives to bring in the ninth month of the calendar year.
Even though the earlier morning temperature is a tad nippy...
The running of trains, along with...
Great smiles...warms everyone up! Thanks Seanna!
Bill and Pat Brennan are "busy at it" setting out freight cars.
For those visiting this blog for the first time, if you wish to see the images in larger format, click on the picture. To return to the default look of the page, click outside the image.
For those visiting this blog for the first time, if you wish to see the images in larger format, click on the picture. To return to the default look of the page, click outside the image.
As are Pat Brewer and Garry.
Brian and George.
Lawrence and Doug.
Pat...again...this time saying his prayers!
While at the same time, work crews are busy on this Saturday morning erecting two new houses out back Fred's property.
Bob shares some neat looking trackwork with Doug.
Bill smiles as Pat's mind is elsewhere.
Brian and Doug are wondering what the heck Bill is up to! Hehehe!
Bernie, Lawrence and Paul relax pre-ops.
Fred opens the enginehouse for Gilbert.
So Gilbert can show me the new footplate he created with his laser printer.
That is so cool, Gilbert!
Fred built the bar for the footplate to swivel.
Awesome!
Here's Gilbert! Gilbert Lacroix is GLX Scale Models.
To see Gilbert's website where you can order some great model railroad products, visit the link below
Checking in on Craig Leigh, we see the mock-up of the area where the ore dock will be constructed.
This visual gives us a good look as to how things will shape up.
Fred will still have access to his engine house.
A look at Douglas Yard in Craig Leigh.
The passenger terminal at the eastern end of the line.
Bernie is busy making up and breaking down trains in Craig Leigh.
At the western terminal of the railroad, Paul is in and out of the shade in Ralph Yard.
Ralph Yard is located beside the terminus of Firgrove.
That's a nice looking locomotive, Paul.
In the center of the railroad we have Nelson Yard to the right and Glenn Hammond to the left. with Bell at the very far left.
Garry is yardmaster on this day.
Glenn Hammond originates two freight trains at the beginning of the session.
Nelson Yard evolves as trains are assembled and broken down and as crews arrive and depart.
Visitor are always in awe of the train action which abounds on the IPP&W.
Garry uncouples an RP&M caboose.
Lawrence and Malcolm, aboard 327, discuss their moves in Cedar Rock as George (on the left) follows his train.
327 works the new industry at Cedar Rock.
Bill, George and Lawrence continue their discussion of the newly expanded Cedar Rock area.
Another great smile from another great operator! Thanks Bill.
A locomotive sandwich.
Brian and Gearge arrive Spruce.
We see Mackenzie Lumber and Valley Supply in the foreground, two trailing industries for the crew.
Members of two different crews can chat it up as Cedar Rock and Spruce share the same aisleway.
Later, Brian and George run Train 303 out of Craig Leigh in the opposing direction from their earlier run.
We catch up with Pat and Steve as they work their way eastward at Bell aboard 302 where they have met Bill and Lawrence on 327.
Busy Bell!
Steve works the turnout controls to the east of Peter's Pond.
While Pat studies his moves to the west of the Pond.
A handsome crew the lads make!
Bernie has 301 ready for Paul and me to run westbound out of Douglas Yard.
Paul and me. We sure do look "Holy" don't we.
Indeed, the dapple shade makes photography difficult.
301 on the roll past Northland.
Paul is all smiles as we arrive Mount St. Helens.
Let's check in on the RP&M. Pat has RP&M 65-66, the run up to Bell and back underway. We find him switching out Gouda in Belson.
Earlier in the AM, Pat had assisted the Nelson Yard crew before heading out on Rat Portage and Mattawa (RP&M) rails.
Steve looks on as Pat works the back track in Rat Portage.
More sun and shade difficulties.
The new Hamer Mfg. industry in Rat Portage offers the crew a little challenge of a facing move but Pat handles the switching beautifully.
Our other RP&M crew also assisted in Nelson Yard earlier in the day.
They, too, take to RP&M trackage aboard "Rat 70" the short turn down to Rat Portage and back. Looks like they have some avid railfans following their every move!
Returning back to Nelson Yard.
Much later in the day, Seanna and Steve had RP&M 67-68 up in Bell.
Now...that's a big engine!
For a long ore train.
That means Bob must be nearby!
Downhill at "The Ledges".
With a nice looking caboose trailing up the rear!
Back to pre-ops Steve explains a great story.
Doug's advice is always sage.
Lawrence and Paul share some friendship.
Looks like they've fallen for something! (Paul's rear chair leg went into a crevice between the pavers.)
Steve, Gilbert, Brian, Bill, Doug and Bernie are all ears.
As are Seanna and Steve.
Rolling stock review.
Nice looking logo.
I always enjoy the billboard reefers.
An older looking car.
A Texaco tanker.
Garry continues to govern all movements in and around Nelson Yard.
As trains arrive.
At Craig Leigh, two passenger trains rest in the terminal.
While Bernie goes about his business with yard orders.
Meanwhile, up in Firgrove, Paul Anderson has the short hop down to Bell underway.
It's a shorty, as should be.
Paul Anderson...meet Paul Norton.
I guess we could call this image "Paul Squared".
Lawrence and Bill have train 327 in Bell.
Using RP&M track as a lead.
Seeing as they must keep the mainline cleared for a meet with the ore train.
Bill and Lawrence at the other end of the property.
Later on aboard 314.
Train 303 has departed Craig Leigh and arrives Mount St. Helens.
With the crew of Brian and Lawrence.
They are discussing their moves in the town.
Dispatch holds them here as another crew is busy still in Ironwood.
Mount St. Helens is a lovely spot in the shade.
Steve and Pat have Train 302 westbound at the second pedestrian crossing out of Peter's Pond.
302 meets my train, 311, at Mercer Siding. Note how both crews are "right hand running"!
Pat and Steve in the distance with the meet nicely pictured.
Later, the lads are found working Spruce eastbound aboard 312.
Then into Ironwood.
Checking in on my train with Paul, we are spotted running westbound between Mount St. Helens and Ironwood.
Heading from shade into bright sun.
Next stop out of Ironwood is Spruce.
We have both trailing and facing moves to complete here.
Visiting the RP&M, we find Pat Brewer aboard the 65-66 Bell Turn down in Rat Portage.
While Pat stands at the throat of Ralph Yard in Firgrove, he is actually following his train on the trackage that runs beneath this location.
A station stop at Pratt's Bottom.
Pat (in the background) arrives Bell where two other crews are working.
Pat and Paul.
Ah...that's better...he has the yard to himself now!
The eastbound ore train meets our train at Mercer Siding.
Then Bob brings his locomotive through Nelson Yard and up to the mine area.
Where he finds some traffic.
That requires lifting.
At the Fallentree Mine.
Backing onto the cut.
With his gorgeous locomotive.
Hauling it out past the fortress.
Over the gut.
Then backing into Nelson Yard around the back of the mine complex.
Rolling stock review.
There's always a variety of cars.
On the IPP&W.
Fred and Pat.
Who's this stranger hanging out around Nelson Yard? We haven't seen him in awhile. Well, we know Henk couldn't resist checking in on the yardmaster to see if "his" yard is running appropriately in his absence. No problemo! Garry does have things under complete control. Great seeing you out, Henk!
Gene and Fred enjoy conversation.
And camaraderie.
Then Gene gets out trackside to conduct some railfan photography.
Doug and visitor D'Arcy have a conversation regarding the options available for HO scale train running using batteries...not unlike how we run the outdoor layout.
D'Arcy is deliberating whether he should go that route. We discussed DCC operations on indoor layouts. D'Arcy, you are more than welcome to come out and visit my layout at any time.
D'Arcy, this is an image I took on my HO Boston and Maine layout which is DCC controlled. To see it in action, CTV's Regional Contact filmed my layout for their weekly television show. When you have time, feel free to check out the 11 minutes of the program posted in these two segments.
Part One (first half)
Part Two (second half)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJaY0MOxxSY
Henk, Garry asked me to send you these two "post-ops" images at the Mackenzie Lumber and Valley Supply buildings located on the outskirts of Nelson Yard.
Henk, Garry asked me to send you these two "post-ops" images at the Mackenzie Lumber and Valley Supply buildings located on the outskirts of Nelson Yard.
Garry wanted me to mention to you that while it is post ops, there are still some cars at these two industries! Hehehe! (Inside joke)
The latest locomotive on the railroad. It's quite modern with a plexiglass frame (nearly invisible) and it even has a Caterpillar engine inside!
Well, as usual Fred, it's been a blast running trains on the IPP&W and the RP&M railroads for yet another week as Bill's wide grin will attest. We'll see everyone back in the garden next Saturday when it's standard gauge with all of those colourful diesels and more modern rolling stock. However, for this past week....steam was supreme!
I'm back to school teaching my Grade 1/2 combined class, so we'll see what shape I'm in next week! Hehehe! Just kidding, of course...teaching is tons of fun!
Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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