This is one of those events that just keeps getting better over the years.   Perhaps it’s because we get to renew old acquaintances while making new ones.  Or, maybe it’s the joy of operating on some great garden railroads. 

We start with a Thursday afternoon session on Doug’s Northland Railroad.

In addition to 25 yards of soil, Doug’s layout also sported a fancy new sign.

While it is currently “only” a basic loop, he has a grand vision in mind.

For operation, the loop will be operated in a point to point fashion

Stakes have been placed to indicated the path of a future logging line.  To get to the lower level, there will be an 8 percent grade, so this line will operated by geared locomotives, such as the Shay.

It was a time to renew old acquaintances and form new friendships.  Here Don Howard, Terry Foley, Gaetan Charette and Fred Mills discuss the latest in operations.

Terry came from England to visit the railroad and participate in the events of the weekend.

After running trains on Doug’s layout, we all gathered for another great barbeque at his patio overlooking the river.  

It was the start of another great Invasion.

Operations was expanded this year from previous sessions.  Friday, we started with standard gauge operations on the IPP&W.   This meant that we used more modern rolling stock, and most of the trains were powered by diesel engines.

Ric Golding typically assumes the yardmaster duties at Craig Leigh and this year was no exception.   Somehow he manages to not only perform this task but is also often seen at the grill helping to cook the food, along with his wife Jan.

As usual, Jean is the engineer, while I act as the conductor.   What this means is that Jean operates the train, controlling speed and direction.  I take care of throwing the switches and uncoupling the cars. 

Some operations are fairly simple when you just drop off a car.  Others, such as the one to the right, require that the engine “run around” the train to move a car on a facing point switch.

All in all it’s great fun and often quite challenging to figure out how you’re going to switch a particular siding, while keeping the main line clear.

We held two operating session that day, each lasting over two hours.  Somehow we managed to squeeze in a meal and a few beers in between the sessions. 

There are lots of trains to choose from. You might choose a through freight that travels from one end of the layout to the other, with very limited switching in between.

We ran way freights, as there is a lot more switching on them and I really enjoy doing that.

It does get rather crowded. In this shot on the left, our train is running light out of Nelson Yard so we were able to sneak in behind John's live steam train for a meet at Mercer with Ken and Don's train.

Saturday was a day for narrow gauge operations, and we got to repeat the fun of Friday!