Kicking off what was a very busy railroad month of March was my regular monthly operating session on the first of the month. The session had a modest crew size as a number of regulars had other duties as they prepared for the rest of the busy month. This cleared the way for several in the crew to experience new operating positions. This was the 81stoperating session on my full railroad.
Occupying the Dispatcher’s chair was Dave H., one of the regular Dispatchers for the railroad.
Serving as the switch crew for the Eugene Arrival-Departure Yard was Pat LT, shown here setting switches in the complex trackage between the Arrival-Departure Yard and the Depot and Classification Yard. Arrival Departure Yardmaster Craig L. has his back to the camera in the distance.
The Eugene Classification Yard crew works their yard with West Switcher Gary N. in the rear, Yardmaster Rick A. in front of him, and East Switcher Loren M. in the foreground.
Mike L. works the Marcola Turn, one of three Springfield area locals.
A different Mike L. works the mill at Westfir with the Oakridge Turn. The Oakridge Turn plugs the mainline as it works Westfir on its return to Eugene from Oakridge.
Jim M. receives track authority from the Dispatcher as he waits at Crescent Lake. Crescent Lake is the RR-West end of the railroad.
Steve K. guides his train through the Eugene depot area on his way westbound toward Crescent Lake and California destinations.
Mike W. watches his train leave Cascade Summit on its way to Crescent Lake and RR-West (upper) staging. Trevor P. is below Mike at Oakridge, watching his train leave Oakridge and begin the climb toward the summit.
Keith K. (left) and Jim L. guide their train past Montieth Rock as it climbs out of Oakridge. Keith is the road engineer and Jim is the helper engineer. I have been working on Montieth Rock and the scenery is this area which will be reported upon in another blogpost.
Trevor P. has made it to McCredie Springs on his climb up “the Hill.”
Rodger C. watches his mid-train helper locomotives as they cross Shady Creek Trestle on their way up toward the summit.
This March session was a “good” session with minimal problems. That often happens with a smaller crew count. Still, there are good reasons to let the crew count float upward to allow more folk to operate and train individuals in new roles, often by doubling up on a crew.
Winterail—the priemier photo with music and narration event is March 15 at Corvallis High!