Last Sunday saw my first operating session on the layout since reassembly in the new apartment. It was two years to the day since the previous session in the old location. The Vancouver-Peace Freight brought the first revenue freight cars onto the layout, many of which were making their first operational appearance. The NARC 5077 and 5092 boxcars, woodchip cars and Rapido tank cars were all acquired or completed after dismantling the layout. The train was powered by MLW M-630s 710 and 708:
NAR Train 51/52 also brought freight cars onto the layout at Dawson Creek. Michael (Dayliner)'s CP Rail GP9 is paying back horsepower hours for the BCR power currently on his layout. It was not uncommon to see CN and CP GP9s in use on the NAR:
For this session I trialled having four operators as there are more operational possibilities now. Friends Nolan, Michael, Doug and John were in attendance:
The first Dawson Creek Switcher is seen on its way to Dawson Creek behind C-420 632. The fire protection car ahead of the caboose is in response to serious wildfires currently raging in the South Peace region:
Michael gets a ballast train underway at Septimus. This train ran south to Chetwynd and then on to the gravel pit at Sundance which made for an interesting operation:
Work Extra 567 is seen here running around its consist in Chetwynd Yard:
The first Septimus Turn arrives at Septimus behind C-425s 812 and 804. This being the first session, there are no cars to take back to Chetwynd today:
At the end of the session, 708 and 710 prepare to return to Prince George with the Peace-Vancouver Freight:
It is great to be operating once again!
Tim
