February Operations Session

Today was the first operations session for 2015. Mark, Hank, and Rick showed up for some fun. The session started off with a presentation on Narrow Gauges in Pulaski, VA. With some pictures and information on a narrow gauge coal and logging railroad.

The following trains were run over a 3-1/2 hour session: Morning Passenger Train, Morning Log Train, Daily Mixed, Coal Turn, Bark Train, Afternoon Log Train. We ran out of time and did not run the Slate Train or the Afternoon Passenger Train. I think the trains ran well, trackwork is getting better and the overall operations scheme seems to work well.

Rick prepares the mixed train in Laurel Jct. using a switchlist as Hank re-assembles the morning passenger train in Deer Creek

 Mark prepares the morning log train. Ready to leave Laurel for a long day in the mountains

 The morning passenger train comes in as the mixed freight waits for clearance.

 Mark's working the log train out of Hawley Junction. Tough job keeping the main clear.

 The logging camp on Flat Top mountain seems empty as the morning log train passes up the switchback

 The coal train with giant engine number 9 crosses the Laurel Creek trestle

 Mark works the coal turn, re-arranging the train in Deer Creek prior to heading up to Collin's as Rick finishes up the bark train.

Coal train working Collins

Hank, having thought he was done with the afternoon log train realizes there is still a car up on the mountain to deal with...