Ottawa
Valley Associated Railroaders
Celebrating
50 years of railroading!
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On Saturday IPP&W 4-6-0 number 8 was dispatched, with
Vice-President Stuart Moxley aboard, to inspect the line. A short while later
4-6-0 number 9, with yours truly at the throttle, left Craig Leigh with a couple
of empty wooden gondolas and some freshly shopped flat cars in tow. Although
there was a brisk wind out the northwest, it was warm and comfortable in the
cab.
After passing Rat Junction, the throttle was eased off and number 9 began
coasting down the long hill past the siding at Mount St. Helen's.
Leaning out the cab window, I listened the comforting sound of steel
wheels over jointed rail .... kathump, kathump ....kathump, kathump .... like
the slow heart beat of someone close. It felt good to be out on the road again.
As the track turned westward at the bottom of the hill, the bright spring
sun glistened on the grimy front window of the cab. Easing the throttle back and
gently applying the brakes, our train clatters through the switch at the east
end of Ironwood Junction. The stationmaster waves as we pass and we toot hello
with the whistle. After clearing the west switch, we enter a series of the long
downhill curves past Spruce and Hill Siding.
I slam the window shut and pull my bandana over my nose as we approach
the first of two tunnels. The cab quickly begins to heat up as we rattle through
the dark tunnel. I begin to choke on the smoke as it curls in from the back of
the open cab. "Damn" I think to myself, "we should have canvas
curtains for times like this." As we break back into the daylight I slid
the window back open and grab a gulp of fresh air.
As we approach the second tunnel I push on my window but it jambs.
Jumping up from my seat I move forward in the cab to escape the smoke billowing
in through the open window. Number 9 lurches sideways in the darkness of the
tunnel, sending me sideways against the boiler. By the time we clear the second
tunnel my eyes are watering from the smoke and my arm is stinging from the
boiler burn.
The throttle is opened to clear the smoke out the cab and the first of
two trestles appears down the line. Pulling number 9 up to stop beside the fire
barrel, I quickly dismount and plunge my arm into the icy water. "Damn
that's cold!" A quick splash to wash the soot from my face and eyes and I
climb back into the cab. The fireman leans out the far window trying desperately
to hide his laughter.
After releasing the brakes and easing on the throttle, number 9 slips a
bit before finding her footing. By the time we pass Lily, however, we are back
up to speed and rattle across the highest trestle on the line. Rolling by the
Blue Mountain Mine, closed for the winter, we enter a long sweeping curve.
Number 9 is then reined in just before the yard
Once out of Glen Hammond we open it up again as we head for Fir Grove and
the end of the line. A short time passes before we slow for the wye and pass the
water column at the top of the yard. Slowing to stop opposite the station we set
the brakes and hand number 9 over to an eager young hostler.
Climbing down out the cab, we head for the station where we will be
treated to a home cooked dinner and a comfortable night's stay before heading
back to Craig Leigh in the morning. While this was a quiet run, we know this
will not last. Management has plans to re-open the line through Peter's Pond and
extend the main to Cobble Hill this summer. Paul
Norton |
