No "Standing Still Stanley"!

Yes boys, we often tease Stanley about getting that layout of his done so we can finally hold an operating session at his place. No need to worry however...as, when the time comes, Stan's layout will be one of quality as opposed to quantity. You see, Stan has kept his hands busy in the hobby leading up our St. Lawrence Division of the NMRA, but now that his term is up, he has more time to devote to layout building. (Am I putting words in young Stanley's mouth?) Seriously, Stan devotes his time to constructing high end rolling stock, and when these little critters populate his layout, why, the wait will have been worth it!

Yes, Stan has much to smile about because he is a valued member of the Friday Night Group. He is pictured here in his office/railroad room where he is in the process of constructing a double tiered layout with an interesting elevator system to lift trains from one level to the next! (That will be shown after out next visit to Stan's place.

This Otis gondola, a resin kit, is a prime example of Stan's modelling skills. While Stan tells us it requires weathering to be applied, we still are impressed with his talents!

Here's the model from the other end. Stan has constructed this mini module to display rolling stock.

Well, the two Mikes in the group...that would be Hamer and Mueller, never give up in their attempts to convert the unconverted.

Yes, it is the goal of these two lads to have all members of the FNG modelling New England lines before the turn of the next century!Indeed, we'll live that long as I've heard that the act of model rairoading offers anti-oxidant properties to the system!

Mike M. converted two standard Athearn cabeese into these lovely beauties. I really like the transfer caboose on the far end!

The rest of the evening was devoted to an eclectic mix of slides Mike brought along. He took us on a journey from Welsh slate hauling railroads to Edaville to streetcar times in Ottawa as well as an historical perpective of buses over the years around the nation's capital. Thanks to Stan for hosting and to Mike for the great models and slides! (I had more fun pics, but somehow blogger is being a pain!)

An E&N "Two Dog Night!"

Eleven lads descended Jim's basement stairs to partake in a great train ops session on the E&N Railroad depicting rail activity on Vancouver Island. Crews could sign up for a number of jobs which varied greatly. Train #2 began the session, the Nanaimo to Victoria passenger service with stops at Ladysmith and Chemainus. A couple of "Shawnigan Lake Lumber Co." jobs were offered...one being the run up to the mine and the log show, both areas under varying degrees of development. Another assignment was the "Ladysmith Transfer Wharf and Industry Switcher" with a morning shift and a "later in the day" shift. For those who like hauling freight and stopping along the route to exchange traffic, two trains were available, Extra #8008 and #8012, the northbound and southbound E&N freights . Indeed, Jim's handlaid track and turnouts look beautiful and the trains run very well. Jim, you should be a proud layout papa!



Stan and Mike M. are enjoying a story or two as Mike prepares to place some cars he has brought along for the session (which was greatly appreciated by Jim). Note the mountain forms developing in the background behind the lads.

This peninsula serves as both north and south terminal points on the layout...Nanaimo and Victoria. When you leave the yard northbound traffic turns right and southbound traffic proceeds on the straight by staying left. The track to the right in the immediate foreground is a new escape track allowing locomotives to head to the soon to be developed turntable and roundhouse. That's Rick and Jim on the left and John on the right with Joel and Bob far off in the background. Jim tells us he will be extending the peninsula to increase yard capacity here.

Jim is practising his painting techniques thanks to Chris's influence. He did this wall section all on his own. Looks like Jim's developing those necessary painting skills and the rest of the layout should follow suit...although the high hills and mountains won't leave too much of a canvas for this eager Fogg!

Here's the new turntable pit. It is yet to be wired, but we used it manually to turn locomotives byphysically pushing them onto the table...fun just the same!

Jim thinks highly of his visitors and so he places images of what his coal mine area will look like when complete.

I've brought the camera angle back to show you the yard at Chemainus and the Bright Mine. The track in the foreground heads out of the image to the lower right towards the log dump. After the track enters the upper of the two tunnels it continues to climb up to the logging camp.

Speaking of dogs, yes...it was a "Two Dog Night" as Jim and his wife, Pat...had these two train buffs delivered for the session. Their son needed them "dogsat" for a couple of days and the canine couple seemed to enjoyed the company of those weirdos known as the "Friday Nighters!"

The New Kid on the Block!

Yes, it can safely be said that Fred's layout, the Madeleinesburg Subdivision of the CNR is the "New Kid on the Block". Indeed, the Friday Night Group is alive and well with many a layout coming on board and Fred's will be a blast to operate when all is said and done!

Fred had a woodcarving friend create this lovely sign which adorns the valence in the train room. His layout will depict the Southern Ontario landscaope in and around Palmerston and Listowel.

Fred knows how to do things right. He has followed the Chris Lyon approach to a bright basement layout room with lots of flourescents to showcase the layout. A Berber carpet ensures all operators stand in comfortable surroundings to boot!

Not only can the "Man of the House" build a layout...why, he can think up a culinary storm as the lads were well fed throughout the evening. I'm surprised we're all as thin as we are!

You can follow the layout's flow around the room with the crew seating area religated to the center of things. After all, isn't food and drink the center of the universe?

Stanley and Andrew enjoy a chat. Sooner or later, Stan won't be able to place all elbows where they are now...how long will that be, Fred?

Just had to throw in this shot of Fred's first switcher, a CN rarity in the orange scheme. Maybe I'll run this puppy in late October!

Fred is having fun with his first sound acquisition, the CN C-Liner...a beauty of a diesel engine. Well, Fred...we look forward to another visit to the Madeleinesburg sub of the CNR when we'll be surprised by more developments along the right of way! Thanks for hosting the lads!

The Ottawa Central Rules!

A review of our Friday Night train ops session once again covers two separate postings. It seems that I can only place a specific number of photos and then blogger does not allow any more...some technical glitch I presume.

At any rate, the Ottawa Central exists and the railroad is alive and well in Bill's basement judging by the neat and clean appearance of its diesel locomotives in the photo above!

The Friday Night boys certainly know how to enjoy themselves in the crew lounge and Fred is no different. Always carrying a wide smile, Fred helps to liven up any and all sessions. Bob is in the background contemplating just how good life is if you are a Friday Nighter!

Is that a B&M Bulletin Mike M. has his nose in? No, it's the latest edition of Model Railroader magazine. Hey Mike, have you checked out that insert along with the Model Railroad Planning issue yet? If you haven't...then you're missing something!

No...that can't be Fred again! Bill is looking on while Rick's head is in a blur. No wonder The lads are conducting the exchange at Glen Robertson! I might add that the exchange went well on this night!
Check out the graffiti on the boxcar over on the far siding. Nice job, Bill. The L'Orignal train must've arrived town judging by the amount of traffic in the picture!

I never tire of looking at this marvellous farm scene on Bill's layout! Trevor's television antenna certainly adds to the scene as does the stone walkway.

To learn more about our session on this Friday, check out the next posting as well! Cheers, Mike

The OLOR in February

We've just turned the calendar to the second month of the year as we visit Bill's OLOR. For those who do not know, the OLOR stands for the "Ontario L'Orignal Railroad". This is a colourful railroad to railfan and Bill has covered the line in an equally colourful fashion! Coming from someone who models the 1950's with the varience in colour being boxcar red, black and the odd white covered hopper, these modern railroads resemble a rainbow of colour!

In the photograph above we spot the L'Orignal train on the main in Hawksbury sandwiched between cars on the Fib-Pak siding and the IKO siding.

The crew conveniently placed all traffic for the large rolling mill at the tailend of the train. After arriving Hawksbury, they will exchange traffic in the local sidings first before heading the seven kilometres or so westward to the IVACO rolling mill.

In recent weeks we've been discussing gondola loads and Bill's layout offers numerous and varied examples for study. All gons loaded with scrap metal are destined for the plant where the metal will be turned into coil. Note the graffiti on the side of the Conrail gon.

We've managed to spot this gondola sharing track eight with a covered hopper. There's another loaded gon on track nine. Man, this plant is a busy place 24/7!

Much of the traffic destined for Hawksbury and the plant in L'Orignal originates at Coteau, a junction point on the mainline between Toronto and Montreal. Bill staging area in the furnace room simulates the action at Coteau. I can attest that it's a lot of fun making up and breaking down trains here in the furnace room staging area. Five tracks are located here, three stubend jobbies and the two tracks serving as a runaround in the foreground which bend around the far wall where a couple of diesels and a caboose are housed.

Thanks Bill for hosting! All the lads enjoyed a wonderful evening! Mike

Mike - The "Eclectic" Modeller!

In this first part of a two-part post, we examine the eclectic nature of a model railroader near and dear to our hearts, Mike Mueller aka the Mueller Man!

Mike's large and ever-present windmill is a welcome beacon for the Friday Night Boys who try to locate his home in the rural area just south of the airport runways. While we certainly encounter no difficulties in finding Mike's place...I'd love to be a fly on the cabin wall of an incoming Airbus 380 on its final approach to Ottawa Airport!

While the focus of Mike's railroad is the area in and around Claremont and its junction with the B&M, Mike is thrilled to see friend's equipment grace his layout. This past Friday was no different as Rick Craig brought out this beautiful CN passenger train which will run on his CV layout currently in the planning phase.

No, you would not likely see the Green Mountain at the junction, but Mike doesn't mind. He loves this locomotive and so it will reside here for a while giving Mike the railroad pleasure he wants. Man, you''ve gotta love that attitude and enthusiasm! PS: Mike just e-mailed me indicating that the Claremont and Concord would lease the 405 when all its power would be tucked away in the shops for repair!

Well...it's bright...it's colourful...and, most of all...it's B&M...so Mikey's gotta have it. Hmmm...although it is out of my era, maybe I should follow in the Mueller Man's footsteps and pick one of these puppies up as well!

Well, I think I'd put my foot down here! After all...enough's enough! Mike...you wouldn't...you couldn't...you shouldn't...you did! Run a diesel locomotive in Guilford colours...hmmm, I wonder what Trevor and Marty would say!

No Mike..it won't fit on your two-foot rails in behind. Well, it looks like a locomotive...so Mikey's gotta have it! Well done Mike, I know Wally would be proud!

Geez, just when we thought we'd seen it all! Sure Mike...try and get that thing on the HO rails below! Indeed, the Mueller Man is a genius...he can fabricate anything out of anything and the copper on this little puppy came from the Parliament Buildings here in Ottawa after a restoration! Go figure!

Meanwhile...back in the layout room Bill is admiring the scenery along Mike's two-foot branch. That covered bridge and church look fabulous Mike!

Rick and Peter are all smiles! You couldn't help but be like this when you visit Mike's amazing layout! The trains run beautifully and Mike sets up enough orders beforehand to keep all visitors suitably entertained!

Marty, Mike hauled this train out especially for you! Did I say "eclectic" modeller? Indeed, the Mueller Man is...for who else would ship ice by flatcar...pure pond ice from shippers in Somerville!

Final note: Wally has an article in the February Issue of Trains magazine about the New York & Ogdensburg RR based on the trip he and Mike took earlier into northern New York. Mike tells us that locals affectionately call the line the "Not Your O Guage" RR. Apparently a "jackhammer" figures prominently in the story. Mike had the issue in the crew lounge last evening. Great job Wally!

Editor's Note: Follow part two from the evening in the post immediately following this one!

Mike's Claremont and Concord RR.

In part two of our posting we learned that this past Friday evening, the lads of the Friday Night Group visited Mike Mueller's fabulous Claremont and Concord layout. Mike has shown us over the years his unique views of model railroading and this past Friday was no different! Let's examine his beautiful layout and warm crew lounge.

This waterfront scene is enough to take ones breath away. Mike has incorported many high end kits and wonderful scratchbuilt structures that certainly help bring the scen alive!

Lower town is a blast to switch using the Claremont and Concord 44-tonners...and Mike has a large number of these beasts in his stable. A short runaround allows for a couple of cars to be worked at a time. The diminutive 44-tonner can haul only a couple up the steep grade and back to the junction. Peter Cunningham's fabulous backdrop painted can be appreciated in this photo.

The town of Abbott is a new area on Mike's expanding layout. His superb modelling skills are evident in the above photograph.
Gus's "Genral" Store is named in honour of Gus, the cat. This scratchbuild is loaded with interior detailing. We especially like the hanging planter on the deck out front!
Chris, Peter and Jim enjoy the camaraderie of the boys as they sit in the crew lounge. The shelf layout above is Mike's latest expansion into Claremont.
Don, Bill and Rick enjoy each other's comapny as they sit below the gigantic print of Streetcar 696, the project Mike, Barry and the streetcar boys are heading up. The restoration is a labour of love for the lads!
Here we see Mike, the man himself holding court with Don and Bill. Mike is never short on stories which are always entertaining to say the least!

Sandi's treats certainly warm the hearts (and tummies) of the boys! Hey Mike...why don't you deliver them in an oversized gondola!
And...if you're a bad boy and don't follow train orders as laid out by the Mueller Man, then you are relegated to spending time in the B&HR (Bridgeton and Harrison) boxcar. Hmmm...I wonder which Friday Nighter resides there this evening!

Friday Nighters Celebrate 10 Years!

Seventeen gentlemen descended upon Mike's place to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Friday Night Group, and of course, the 10th birthday of his Boston and Maine model railroad! As the message on the cake indicates, we are a train loving group with aims to steam ahead forward for another ten years!

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!