Saturday, July 31, 2010

Fall River & Eastern Derailment

During the operating session on the Fall River & Eastern last weekend, there was a major derailment. The Local Peddler Crew began a reverse motion on the mainline, however the switch for Golden Flame siding was still set for the siding. The accelerating train derailed the two covered hoppers on the siding, pushing the last covered hopper into the Tower, moving it from its foundation. Photo below is from the Management at Fall River & Eastern.



In the accident report the engineer said he was told by his brakeman to back up the train and the switch for Golden Flame siding had been returned to the Main.

Normally the brakeman would have be been responsible for the accident but he works for Fall River & Eastern and is related of the President of the Railroad and the engineer was visiting from another railroad and has a "history".

Clean up crews have been working on site and have the covered hoppers back on the tracks and have been send to the repair shop for inspection. The engineers will be reviewing the fountion and structure of the tower to see if it can be saved.

later

Doug

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Grand Tour

After two months of trying to find a date which worked for all parties, the chosen date of July 24th finally arrived and three members of the Codiac Operators Group , Jim, John and Milne were on their way for the Grand Tour.

The first stop was Dave's Fall River & Eastern. Joining the tour were the three CEOs of the railroads plus one of regulars of the WRS crew, Glen. This will be only the second formal operating session on the railroad, so we not sure how things were going to happen. The session started with Milne running the morning Passenger Train, Jim took the controls of the North Thru Freight, John and Glen started working the River Yard (the main yard on the FR&E) and Wayne when to the North Yard to work the South Peddler. After completing the passenger run, Milne headed to the Brewery to do a little local switching. Jim and Dave headed out with the Meat Plant Local. Wayne was still working the South Peddler. I was still doing the paper work for the rest of the session.

After Jim and Dave finished the Meat Plant Local, Jim headed out with the South Thru Freight. Milne had arrived at the North Yard with his local, so he took a break and ran the RDC service. Wayne was just finishing up the South Peddler and had arrived at River Yard, which was keeping John and Glen busy.

Wayne departed River Yard with the North Peddler, Milne headed back to North Yard to pick up his local to return to the Brewery and complete its run, and Jim and Dave departed with the Local Peddler.

On the right is Dave and Jim working the Local Peddler


Wayne heading out with North Peddler



Glen and John checking out their handy work in River Yard.


Jim and Wayne talking between runs.

Milne was moving so quickly his pictures did not turn out.

After everyone had completed their work, it was time to head out for lunch.

After lunch, we all headed to Wayne's Maine Central Nottingham Sub. After reviewing the lastest additions to the railroad, it was time to operate a few trains on the Sub. A formal operating plan is still in development. (The link to Wayne's Railroad is on the sidebar) Sorry no pictures, forgot the camera in the car.

Now for the last stop, the White River Southern. We lost one operator when Dave had to leave for another appointment.

John chose to operate the Roseton Switcher, Milne took the Dogwood Switcher and Jim got brave and headed for the Paper Mill. After get things setup in the new MEC Yard, Glen joined Jim at the Mill. Wayne fired up his MEC GP40s to run the Mainline Service.


Milne busy at Dogwood


John at Roseton working with Wayne as he makes his pickups and set outs.


Jim and Glen working at the revised Paper Mill
Six hours after they arrived, it was time for Jim, John and Milne to head back North. Hopefully they enjoyed their visit and will make a return trip in the near future.
later
Doug