More Pics from Don's Layout

Well, I've been able to successfully upload some more pics from the session at Don's place last evening. We all know the lads in this classic image. That's Howard (the Pope) on the left with Chris in the middle and Don, the man himself on the left.

Don was really excited to have some of the Friday Night lads over to put his layout through the paces of an operating session for the first time. Don asked for a smaller group to attend as he was concerned with the fact that he has no crew lounge in the basement...but the nine in attendance found that room was more than ample! Judging by all the smiles everyone is having a good time!

Let's learn about Don's layout from his own description.The Shadetree and Nepean branch line was created from the cast-offs of major players in Ottawa, Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec. It is a Freelance railroad designed to represent several well-established railroads of the past. Both CN and CP Rail originally served this area, but these were taken over by the Ottawa Central Railway during the 1990’s. The Ottawa Central interchanges with CP and the Quebec Gatineau Railway. The QGR interchanges between Montreal and Hull and Ottawa through the Walkley yard.
Major commodities carried by the Ottawa Central include newsprint, linerboard, forest products, pulp, wire rod, billets and scrap.

The second image to the right shows the standard Redwing Milling Co. facility located on the large peninsula which makes up the industrial switching area known as Viewmount.

Don had a friend, Chris Butler, create the large complex which is used to mask the two poles in his basement. This area takes some time to switch even though most industries here are facing in nature. A runaround track with a short lead near the far end of the peninsula certainly aids the crew with their car movements.

You can just make out Stanley off in the distance. He is talking with a couple of the boys near the bookshelves and computer bench. We found a nice comfort level with the nine operators around the room.

What are these two boys grinning about, you ask? Well...to tell you the truth, they had been saying some rather unsavory things about the lad with the camera taking so many pictures...those cursed railroad papparazzi!

Andreas and Bill are busy switching out the town of Nepean with its three trailing sidings and one facing spur. CP power is spotted on their train on this day! Yes, the lads are fowling a road crossing, but seeing as how Don has yet to pave the artery, it's fair game for the railroad employees!

Ian McCord worked for the OCR, aka the Ottawa Central Railway for four years, so he has many a story to tell the boys. Here he is seated at the computer desk showing some of the lads some great rail pics from the net.

Ian lives on the same street as Don. Chris actually purchased two CN vans from Ian off E-Bay without realizing that it was this lad! Small world, indeed.

Thanks to Don for hosting the boys on this night. We all look forward to seeing some scenery shortly!