The boot scene certainly doesn't indicate that the group will be getting "the boot" anytime in the near future! This is the scene that greets the eyes of operators when they visit each member's home for train ops in particular during our Canadian winter! Now, John, don't forget to take the proper pair with you when you go!
Mike was deeply touched when Rob presented him with this beautiful work of art. Rob, a valued operator and friend, is also a very talented artist...having taken all the pictures in this mosaic over the course of the past couple of years of train operating sessions!
We are also very fortunate to have a resident "Brit" in our midst...Peter Cunningham, who is a superb painter. Peter owns two model railroads, one of the British ilk and a Boston and Maine layout depicting the Peterboro Branch in steam days. This card, a present to Mike, is a print of one of his many train paintings. Yes, it depicts a Boston and Maine steam train!
Chris surprised Mike with a birthday gift for the layout, three gondola loads for Mike's empty gons. Chris fabricated them out of Hydrocal using a mold he had created. He painted them using his army paints and the metal look superbly realistic! Those gons are no longer empties, Chris.
Chris is all smiles as he chums around with the lads in the crew lounge. We see Howard and Mike in the distance by the workbench with the layout room just in view.
Pope Howard (standing) is hearing confession! It appears Mike has many railroading sins to atone for! "That'll be three Hail Mary's, two Our Father's and six B&M,s Hamer!" order the Pope.
The crew lounge is a happy place and thank God for Mike Mueller and his ingenuity in creating such a haven for the railroaders. From left to right we see Don, Andrew, Joel, Bob and John. Hey John, thanks so much for the bottle of wine!
It seems Mike doesn't want to take any credit for the crew lounge changes as he's hidden his mug in a magazine! From left to right we spot Mike, Rick, Stan, Dave, Jim and Peter. One thing is for sure. There's never a quiet moment in this room!
Okay, okay...just sit still for a moment while I snap this shot for the blog! Rob enjoys grabbing shots of Mike taking shots! What's he eating away on in his mouth?
Well, we did run trains on the evening and a good time was had by all. I'll share four shots of the Conway Branch local. The diesel, a lovely BL2 (oxymoron) has overnighted on the team track along with its buggy. Once the North Dover crew has assembled its traffic for the day, the crew will board the train and be off. Last night, the crew had four cars enroute to North Conway. This morning I recreated the scene with two so you can see the entire train.
The crew has its orders and has departed the station at North Dover. The train is spotted rounding the curve in the yard. That's part of the Phillips Furniture complex to the left in behind the train. You can spot the local crew aboard their Alco on the south siding to the right.
After passing under the Howard Street overpass, the train is spotted out by Mitchell Creek near the Conley Lumber and Coal property. The water certainly does not appear to be drinkable here!
For our final shot, we see the outbound local traversing the New England River Bridge and about to enter Haney Cut. Then it's off to staging and the cycle repeats with many, many more trains!
Because my posting showcased more of the "social nature" of the group, I will provide a listing of some of the trains run during the session last evening.
Extra 1223 "Coal Job" exchanging empties for loads at Conley Lumber and Coal
Train DI-3 The "Conway Branch Job" known as the Dover to Intervale local.
Extra 1170 The "First Rochester" takes freight to industries (offline) on the outskirts of North Dover
Train #11 The "Kennebec" which is a B&M/MEC passenger train with milk on the headend.
Train D11/12 The "North Turn" which works the line between Rigby Yard and Dover.
Train MP3 B&M outbound manifest freight from Mechanicville, NY to Portland, ME. in care of FT pairing #4217.
Train N2 The "Newsboy" B&M inbound manifest freight from Rigby to Worcester in care of a pair of "Bluebirds"
MEC 390 The "Oilcan" a Maine Central interchange train returning tanker empties from the interior of Maine.
Extra 1231 The "Mill Run" exchanging loaded lumber cars for empties at Conley Lumber and Coal
Train #17 The "Bar Harbour" with a short station stop in North Dover
MEC 391 Short manifest Maine Central train which stops on North Dover to interchange traffic.
This is but a sampling of the offerings of freight action along my version of the Boston and Maine and Maine Central! Have a great week everyone and here's to another ten years with the Friday Night Gang!
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