I know I said a couple weeks ago that my next post would be about operating at Clayton’s, but I’m going to do things a bit out of order. My next post will be about Clayton’s (yeah, right). This evening I want to tell you about our operating day with the guys from Moncton.
Jim spoke to the weatherman and threatened him with great harm if he didn’t make it a nice day. It seemed to work because Milne, Jim, John, Murray, and Dave made the trek from Moncton to Summerside this morning. We arrived at Derwin’s a little after 10:00 this morning and ran a set of orders before lunch and one set after lunch. The session went fairly smoothly, even though the yard guy was a little slow and had the yard so congested that, well let’s just say it wasn’t a pretty sight. Then again, Dave’s yard didn’t look to pretty when I was running it either. Demerits all ’round except Derwin and I, of course. I can’t remember who but someone got 100,000,000 demerits there.
The next stop was to Clayton’s layout. Jim and John had visited there a few years ago, but the layout was new to Murray, Dave, and Milne. I think the guys found most of the humorous scenes on the layout, like the murder in the town and the outhouse built out over the cliff (for easy cleaning). This layout really has a lot of train action for moderately small space. Even though there was a lot of traffic John and I were able to keep up with the work in the yard and even had time to relax and do some railfanning. I’m not sure if that was because we were so efficient or if it was because the other guys were slow. I doesn’t really matter since everyone had fun
The last stop was at the BS&T for supper and then more operating. Things went quite smoothly. Derwin didn’t even mess up my new MRC sound equipped Alcos! Since I did the local switching in Kenville I didn’t get a chance to take photos until later in the session. So I don’t have evidence to support the demerits handed out. But the layout owners in Moncton can rest assured that sufficient demerits were given to the right people (person?). A little bit of glue will fix that highly detailed old-time passenger car that hit the floor.
Anyway, here are some photos from the BS&T part of the day…
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- A big meet in Stevenville.
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- The Transfer leaves Stevenville.
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- The Chappellton Switch Job.
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- The West Bound Wayfreight in Kenville.
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- The meet in Derwin’s Drop.
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- The West Bound Wayfreight in Chappellton.
I knew Milne had been chomping at the bit to run a passenger train all day. So after the regular work was done I gave him his chance. Unfortunately the RDC developed a shotgun start so while I reprogrammed it I let Milne take the C-Liner and coaches from Wholinthall to Tidewater. Derwin got to run a rarely seen 0-8-0 powered excursion train, with the aforementioned old-time coaches (sans one – ha!). The RDC was back in operation by the time Milne made it to Tidewater and he jumped (literally) at the chance to run it from Bayside to Tidewater. Meanwhile, Jim made the return run to Wholinthall with the C-Liner.
All in all I think the Moncton crew had a great day. I know we certainly did. we’re looking forward to doing it again in another few months (after time to recuperate – ha!)
Later!
Scott
Hi Scott – nice to see you folks had a good time operating yesterday as well. Boy I’m glad we dont have demerits handed out at Doug’s place – I dont know if any one there could count that high!!!!
Wayne
I’m beginning to realize that perhaps I was being a little too loose in my responsibilities as demerit point giver-outer. I wish I could remember the offense! Perhaps it only deserved a few million demerits and I was just a little peeved that my Tim’s coffee was done. I wonder when those guys will offer pipeline service?
Scott
I still you still haven’t put that CTC brige up to hide the exit opposite Chappelton!
No I haven’t (what a memory – arghh…). It’s not really a priority at this point. Since we will be hosting the Maritime Federation of Model Railroaders Convention here this May my goal is to get basic scenery done before then (the BS&T will be on the tour schedule). Structures and hiding semi-visible non-railroady elements will take a bit of a back seat.
Thanks for reminding me Will! Ha!
Scott
Scott
Demerit Points are only good if they mean something, like lowest/highest in Points has to bring Tims. Or your ranking determines the order which “Jobs” are selected from the Crew Order Board.
Doug
I think these guys use demerits as an “embarrassment system”. It is all in fun.
Scott
Thanks for the photos Scott, I can’t wait to get back this summer.
Cheers
Ed
It was a good day! You met some of those guys when you were here last summer. Perhaps we can arrange a trip to Moncton for you this summer. Hopefully our schedules will work out.
How’s your winter going?
Scott