LVN - Just As Sweet Second Time Around

Seeing as all the other fellows in the group wanted their layouts down for some work, Chris offered to invite the boys back for a second session even though we visited last week. And, what an enjoyable session it was! Hey Chris...there were no shorts this time...zero...zippo! You know what that means? Yes, the culprits from last week must be the lads who did not attend this week! (Big Grin)

Let's kick things off with this shot I will refer to as the "Blue Boy". Indeed the composition and colour coordination seem perfect with the blue BCRail unit passing the Cobalt blue freight doors on the station and handcar shed I had built and painted for Chris. The roof of the bunkhouse is just noticeable in the bottom right of the image. My crewmate, Joel, and I are in command of Grain Train #301 and we are travelling northbound on the outside main as we pass Elspeth station near Alder.

Hot on our heals was Train #501 a mixed freight handled admirably by the ever-gregarious Mr. Hobbs. We spot Bob's train rounding the huge curve near the large Port Mine complex travelling northbound having just passed Elspeth depot. This curve has now been coined "Hamer Bend" or "Hamer Curve" due to the fact it reflects the young lad's warped personality, shall we say! (Another big grin!) Indeed, skipper Bob Hobbs has his "green train" well in control behind that unique looking Burlington Northern center cab diesel.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in Lyon Valley territory, the crew aboard coal train BNSF #701 are occupied switching out the huge Starboard Mining compex. After dropping their empties, they will lift the loaded hoppers and return to the Classification Yard.

Those units in the "Executive Scheme" certainly look very handsome performing their work. Chris has managed to install the handrails on one of the units and weather its flanks.

This coal train is a joy to handle and it keeps the operators very busy throughout the entire evening. Your job on this run entails classifying all coal cars using the colour of the hoppers as the criteria...either red or green. You must work both mines, Port and Starboard and swap out power part way through the evening. Chris and Fred handled this job on the night. Yes, that executive scheme is a delight on the eyes! As is that beautifully handcrafted backdrop Chris has painted on the walls. That's the huge open pit mine in behind the diesel locomotives.

We've examined the grain train, the mixed freight and the coal train. There is one other job, the container train. This was not run, but the fifth position is a necessary one and Jim handled it admirably. This job is referred to as the Richmond Yard Assignment. This is the "time saver" Chris has built into the layout and it can get pretty hectic at times. Chris has found that by removing some of the traffic in the yard, the job is now more enjoyable for crews. Jim handled all exchanges at the Printing Company, Lumber Mill, Bakery Track and the Oil Refinery.


His other job here was to set out traffic for the mixed freight and to spot traffic dropped off by this train. Jim did so well, he even had time to run a train at the end of the evening! Judging by the look in Jim's eyes, well...he can tell you how he felt about handling the position!

We're looking down the length of the 27 foot wall and Jim is standing in the aisle between the scenicked portion of the layout (to the right) and Richmond Yard (to the left).


Joel and I completed our work in time to enjoy the bonus of taking the VIA rail train out for a workout around the western territory...and what a joy that was! I'll let the following pictures speak for themselves.

Our passenger consist is rounding "Hamer Bend" on the outside main on its southbound approach to Elspeth Depot. That's the Port Mine complex in the background.

An eager railfan at trackside managed to capture this shot of the unit just before it passed behind the old car shed. I handed the shed to Chris last Friday and it sure looks good nestled into the scene. A little bit of grass and clutter will help complete the overall look!

The VIA sign is indicative of the time period Chris is modelling. It's always nice to experience a meet of two trains.

Indeed, when you model the modern era, your equipment can be very colourful as this boxcar illustrates. Chris is awaiting the arrival of a special weathering pen he has ordered to complete the weathering of the rail.

We close with this fun shot of some of the boys post train ops! Not only are the train sessions lively and entertaining...so are the post ops conversations! Yes, Chris's trains are very colourful...as are the operators who run them! Thanks to Chris for offering to host again on such short notice!