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| Photos of August 26, 2008 Ops |
| Hello everyone. The trains were running on the Chicago & Mackinac with a good crew. Again this month, we had a last minute crew cancellation so the crew was one man short and the Superintendent had to step down from his management position and grab a throttle. The superintendent had a good time running trains and didn't mess up too bad, however, like last month, the pictures were a bit sparse. We seemed to have more derailments than in the past while but David stepped in & lent a hand (see photos). |
| The Operators Steve Williams took on the dispatcher's duties. This was his first time as the dispatcher on the Chicago and Mackinac but his has operated on the railroad many time (although usually as a yardmaster). Steve did the job well and trains ran smoothly all evening. We were inundated with Jim's at the session. Jim Radkey, Jim Diaz and Jim Betz. Jim R usually volunteers for a yardmaster job but he wanted to get out on the road. Jim D and Jim B were also road engineers taking on various duties. The Grand Rapids Yardmaster was first timer, Stanley Keiser who did a good job. Andy Schnur was a real trooper and reluctantly volunteered for the Mackinaw City yardmaster when no-one else would. Thanks Andy. Usually it isn't hard to get the DS and yardmaster positions filled but without Jeff O. & Les D. present (they will take any open position) we had some reluctant operators. Rounding out the crew was David Parks and Bart Thurber. As usual the Superintendent was Bob Osborn who also ran many through trains. Here are some pictures: |
| Statistics: 4 1st class passenger trains 2 2nd class Fast Freights (#210 & #211) 10 turns (out and back) 6 through freight 2 PRR interchanger's Online customer deliveries/pick ups totalled 71 cars at industrial sidings and in addition, we even picked up/setout a total of 11 express loads in our passenger operations. |
| As mentioned, we had a reluctant group of volunteers, but Steve dispatcher job. Although he has dispatched on other railroads, this was the first time on the C&M. He did a great job. Things ran very smoothly (from a dispatching standpoint) and the trains kept moving. |
| The Yardmasters |
| The Dispatcher |
City yardmaster and he
clear all session. In
fact, the yard was
ready to go at the end
of the session. Usually,
I have to do a little
cleanup between ops,
Andy was the Mackinaw
but looks like I won't
have anything to do in
Mackinaw City. Andy a
variety of people. Left
below, see Jim D and
Jim R (in the back with
his hat on backwards!)
lending a hand (or are
they getting in the
way???).
clear all session. In
fact, the yard was
ready to go at the end
of the session. Usually,
I have to do a little
cleanup between ops,
Andy was the Mackinaw
but looks like I won't
have anything to do in
Mackinaw City. Andy a
variety of people. Left
below, see Jim D and
Jim R (in the back with
his hat on backwards!)
lending a hand (or are
they getting in the
way???).
| The move of the day: |
| The crew: Jim R, David, Bart, Steve, Stanley, Jim D, Andy and Jim B. What a group! Well, that's it for now. Thanks everyone, See you next month.f |
| Click images to Enlarge: |
| Here comes the northbound PRR interchanger lead by two Pennsy high powered C-425's and running through the GR industrial district. No big deal here, it runs every op session. (right) |
| interchanger crew, David Parks (right). Nothing gets past David, and it's a good It is all being taken in by the PRR Nothing gets past David, and it's a good It Nothing gets past David, and it's a good is all being taken in by the PRR thing, as we could have had a big wreck in interchanger crew, David Parks (right). the dispatcher who notified the Grand the dispatcher who notified the Grand Rapids YM who drove down to the GRI Rapids YM who drove down to the GRI and moved C&M 325 back to the yard. |
| Here is a shot of the DS before things got going. |
| Here is shot of the DS after things got going. Notice a difference? No wonder no-one wants to be the DS! <g> |
| Stanley took on the Grand Rapids YM duties. As mentioned, this was his first time yardmastering on the C&M. He also left his yard ready to go for the next session. Our yardmasters are getting too good. I don't have much to do between ops. Come on guys, leave the superintendent something to do!! |
O
O
D
J
O
B
G
U
Y
S
O
D
J
O
B
G
U
Y
S
But wait, what is this? It's C&M engine
325 sitting on the mainline between
Joe Brown & Son's Scrap yard and
(left)
A phantom engine - how did it get
there? (we will never kinow)
325 sitting on the mainline between
Joe Brown & Son's Scrap yard and
(left)
A phantom engine - how did it get
there? (we will never kinow)
Finally, the PRR
interchanger continues
on it's way thru the GRI,
to Comstock Yard (left).
interchanger continues
on it's way thru the GRI,
to Comstock Yard (left).
| Top - Jim B is busy working the Cadillac Turn. Above, Bart is busy working the Petoskey Turn. Both are making money for the C&M. |
| Did I ever mention that I like the North Woods Fast Freight, C&M trains 210 and 211? These trains are hotshots direct from Fort Wayne all the way to the Mackinaw City Boat - an all reefer express train running as a 2nd class train with timetable authority. Well, here is the 210 running north through Comstock Park Yard in Grand Rapids (above). Here is the southbound 211 running between Petoskey and Traverse City (through the great northwoods forest) (below). |
Here's Jim D
clearance &
then leaving CP
then leaving CP
Yard heading
north with a
through freight
train
clearance &
then leaving CP
then leaving CP
Yard heading
north with a
through freight
train
| Here is the big hook, 0-5-0, re-railing the reefer (left). The train, lead by the pair of Detroit & Mackinac RS-3's (on lease from the D&M) is finally leaving Cadillac after the big hook completed it's work (center and left). This was, unfortunately, a foretaste of things to come. For whatever reason, David seem to have more derailments than anyone should ever have. He ended up repairing, what seemed like, half of the rolling stock fleet. Thanks David. Looks like we need a session for rolling stock maintenance! |
| Petoskey past the McLaughlin Company |