| The Dispatcher |
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| PCR Convention - April 16, 2009 |
| This operating session was a special part of the PCR annual convention held in Fremont this year. We had 8 operations from the convention that were not regular operators and we operated the C&M with only 2 regular crew members. It was somewhat of a challenge but I think a good tome was had by all, and that is the object of operating the C&M. |
| The Operators Our volunteer yardmasters were Bob Ferguson in Grand Rapids and Tom Vanden Bosch in Mackinaw City. We couldn't coax anyone to be the dispatcher, so our C&M Operator Extraordinaire, Andy Schnur volunteered and did a bang up job. The other operators were Pete Cressman, Ted Stephens, Ray Turner, Bill Swindell, Steve Van Meter and Duncan McRee. Our other C&M Operator Extraordinaire, Jeff Osborn, rounded out the crew (of course, the Superintendent, Company Photographer, Chief Greeter and All Around Nice Guy, Bob Osborn was also present)! I want to apologize for not getting very many pictures. Since we also had an open house going, and we had somewhere between 15 and 20 guests visit the layout during the operating session, I was not able to get my usually great variety of photos! I'll to better in the future. |
| Statistics: The total number of cars moved was 163 in a total of 21 trains: 2 1st class passenger trains 0 2nd class Fast Freights (#210) 11 turns (out plus back) 4 through freight 2 PRR interchanger's (out and back) 2 boat interchanger's (estimated - out and back) Online customer deliveries/pick ups totalled 61 cars at industrial sidings and in addition, we even picked up/setout a total of 0 express loads in our passenger operations. |
| The Yardmasters |
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| Bob volunteered to be the Grand Rapids Yardmaster and did a great job. Here is Bob getting a hand from Ted manning the yard. Bob kept things moving all evening, but toward the end of the session his yard started to get a bit full (see below photo). Good job Bob. |
| Andy, a regular C&M operator, volunteered to be the dispatcher after none of our guests would take the plunge. Andy, an experience C&M operator did an excellent job as expected. In fact, his trains sheet was the best one I have seen in years. You could actually read it! |
| Here are a couple of hard working crew members. On the left is Bill working the Petoskey turn. In the center, is Ray working the Cadillac turn with Duncan looking over his shoulder. On the right is Steve working the Walton Junction turn. These guys kept the freight moving all evening. |
| Below is Tom manning the Mackinaw City Yard with Jeff lending a hand. Tom, a Michigan native, was right at home on the C&M and did a great job of keeping the traffic moving in and out of the yard. GREAT JOB YARDMASTERS. |
| Here is Pete, he is taking a rest while waiting in the hole at Walton Jct for a meet. Pete is working a northbound through freight. |
| The dispatcher and the local Grind Job crew are kibitzing. Hey guys, get to work, we need the revenue! |
This is the crew. From the
looks of things everyone had a
good time. I hope so, as I sure
did. I'm glad everyone could
make it to the operating
session and hopefully
everyone learned a little.
Again, thanks to Jeff and Andy
for helping out and until next
time, thanks for being here.
looks of things everyone had a
good time. I hope so, as I sure
did. I'm glad everyone could
make it to the operating
session and hopefully
everyone learned a little.
Again, thanks to Jeff and Andy
for helping out and until next
time, thanks for being here.
Before
After
| The workbench |