Click images to Enlarge:
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Photos of October 16, 2007 Ops Session |
| We had first time C&M yardmasters in Grand Rapids and in Mackinac City, our dispatcher, although experienced, was the first time dispatching the C&M, we had two first time C&M operators and we were two crew members short of a full crew. Wow, despite all of that, things moved along pretty well. Our other operators have operated on the C&M before, and did a great job of making the railroad hum. |
| We had 6 operators and a Superintendent. The dispatcher was Seth Neumann who did a great job, even dispatching, which he polished off with not problem. Les Dahlstedt handled the Mackinac City yardmaster job and Andy Schnur handled the Grand Rapids (Comstock Park) Yardmaster job. The other operators functioned as the train crews and included John Blunden, along with first time C&M operators, Dick Roberts (who came in from the San Diego area) and Stanley Keiser. Again this session, we had problems with the radios, however, I now believe I know how to take them off of VOX (I had to read the instructions). Next session, we should not have that problem at the beginning of the sessions. The two Pere Marquette passenger E-7's both mysteriously died at the same time up in Mackinac City Yard. Still do not know what happened, but I reset the decoders back to the original factory settings and after some quick programming, both units run just fine. Unfortunately, I have no idea what caused the problem so I cannot figure out how to prevent it happening again in the future. Although the problem did facilitate the Move of the Day. |
4 passenger trains 6 turns (out and back) 6 through freight 2 PRR interchanger's (out and back) 2 boat interchanger's (estimated - out and back) Our on-line customers were served well, as we delivered and picked up a total of 43 cars at industrial sidings (not including the Walton Junction and Kalkaska Branch setouts/pickups) and in addition, we even picked up/setout a total of 10 express loads in our passenger operations. Considering the issues noted above, the session went extremely well! |
| Click images to Enlarge: |
| Another great ops session - Thanks Everyone |
the dispatcher. Since
we were short a couple
of crews, Seth had the
opportunity to run the
Grand Rapids Industrial
Turn, while he was
dispatching. He did both
jobs very well.
The Grand Rapids
Industrial area is
located just behind the
DS panel so he didn't
have to go very far from
his DS office.
we were short a couple
of crews, Seth had the
opportunity to run the
Grand Rapids Industrial
Turn, while he was
dispatching. He did both
jobs very well.
The Grand Rapids
Industrial area is
located just behind the
DS panel so he didn't
have to go very far from
his DS office.
| The move of the day: |
| 1 |
| 2 |
| 3 |
| 4 |
| 5 |
Marquette passenger E-7 locomotives were bad ordered.
That forced the First Class Train #101 to be pulled by a
lowly C&M 150 class RS-3 (engine number 156). #101
had at least 5 head end express cars and 3 passenger
cars. A profitable run for the C&M.
1. #101 eases out of Mackinac City Yard
2. It moves out of the Mackinac City A/D Yard between
two in bound freights.
3. The RS-3 is working hard up the Carp Lake grade.
4. Engineer Stanley approaching Petoskey with #101.
5. The tail end of #101 passing the north bound freight
in Cadillac as John checks out the meet.
That forced the First Class Train #101 to be pulled by a
lowly C&M 150 class RS-3 (engine number 156). #101
had at least 5 head end express cars and 3 passenger
cars. A profitable run for the C&M.
1. #101 eases out of Mackinac City Yard
2. It moves out of the Mackinac City A/D Yard between
two in bound freights.
3. The RS-3 is working hard up the Carp Lake grade.
4. Engineer Stanley approaching Petoskey with #101.
5. The tail end of #101 passing the north bound freight
in Cadillac as John checks out the meet.
| Here is visitor Dick working the Petoskey turn. He looks like he is enjoying the work. |
| southbound PRR interchanger, with 2 Centuries meeting Seth's GRI siding. |
| Here is Andy, the Grand Rapids, Although it looks like the yard is pretty full now, he kept the yard pretty clear with a good flow all night. Good job Andy! |
| Here's John checking his waybills in Cadillac - Turn. John went out and back in record time. |
| Les volunteered for the Mackinac City Yardmaster job. It was a tough job. You can see the yard is pretty full at this time. And it gets worse! I see the Superintendent in the background. He looks like he is having a good time. Things must be running well!!! |
heard "Hey,
how did all
of get into
my yard?",
as he looks
over things
Les was
trying to
figure out a
strategy.
how did all
of get into
my yard?",
as he looks
over things
Les was
trying to
figure out a
strategy.
Here is John and Les
trying to squeeze the
double headed freight
(Gray & maroon D&M
trying to squeeze the
double headed freight
(Gray & maroon D&M
| Here's John checking his waybills on a NB Through Freight in Grand Rapids Yard. |
| John & Andy discuss John's next assignment. Boy, GR Comstock Park Yard (at the right of the photo) looks really clean! |
| At the end of the night a mini bull session broke out in the Dispatchers area. Here are Les, John, Dick, Seth and Stanley. |
| the above photos. I need all the help I can get! |
