The Little Train That Couldn't Did - Last Episode

Well, it's been awhile since we checked in with Engine 7358 and its 4 Canadian National cars desperately seeking the magic switch back to the Sub. When last seen, the little train had endured diesel jeers on the Ontario Western and the pas-sengers, despite seeing great vistas and having interesting experiences, just wanted to go home. They were giving the conductor a hard time. Just at that point, the little engine saw a right hand switch that looked vaguely familiar. Instead of saying "Peco" as the magic word, the engine tried "Atlas" and his steam pressure soared as the switch points opened. Was the little train back on the Sub?? Nobody knew at this point but were very hopeful.


Up the line went Engine 7358 and everybody on the little train held their breath until the town of Nowhere hove into view. Oh yes, there were the familar stores and the Ford Transit bus of the Bluebird Coach Lines. Why, even a White Rose truck drove alongside. They hadn't been seen since Shell Oil bought them out in the 60's. This was truly the Sub called the Nothing and Nowhere RR and they were home again. Cheers rang out from the passenger cars as they slowly steamed down the main drag. Horns honked and there was great excitement as Engine 7358 slowly pulled the little train into the station and the conductor helped the passengers off.

All too soon the celebration was over and the passengers had departed. The parking lot was empty of vehicles. The little train was left all alone huffing almost silently except for the occasional cylinder pop off valve letting off little steam blasts. The conductor had not returned from the station with a train order and the little engine had a disturbing hunch that something was up. Finally the conductor returned and, with a sad look, told Engine 7358 the CNR was closing out the Sub and he was to go park on a yard lead with all the other retired equipment.


With great regret, the engineer made his last run by taking the little train the short distance to the yard. It was a sad day for the N & N RR Sub. and even sadder that Engine 7358 was having to park beside "those diesels", especially a CPR RDC. Where did that come from?? A lot seemed to have happened since the little train wandered off the Sub and, now, only the memories would remain. But they were mostly good memories
that would never have occurred if the switch mistake hadn't taken place. Like they say, "it's an ill wind that doesn't bring forth good weather"or
something like that. RIP Engine 7358 . . . . .

Start of the new Wellington

The concept plan above is for the east end of Wellington only. It shows both the industrial part (in orange) and the inbound/outbound yard. The coal delivery track to the coaling tower is also the engine loading track. There is only 1 coal loading track under the tower and a new track from the turntable to the east end of the yard ladder. The yard ladder at both ends consist of long, right hand turnouts, eliminating any s curves. All of the yard tracks are at least 5 feet long or more. This could be 6 feet if need be. The track at the bottom right leads to the main yard. The layout of the industrial section is also subject to change. In this case it has its own run around and switching leads at both ends. I know there may be changes to this plan, but if we agree on the basic plan of the yard layout, we can buy the turnouts needed and put in the first 3 tracks, enhancing daily running.

Tuesday night at the Huff & Puff

People still managed to run among the the chaos. All of the track was removed from Wellington clearing the path to redesign the whole area. The rock wall was completed below the logging camp and the run around track was installed after the area was levelled. Preparation work has been done to put back the scenery at the ore siding.

A grass slope will be added and then the siding will be installed.

Hard at work removing track from Wellington.

Rock wall in place, needs to be painted and scenery added.

Yard sorting

Forgot to mention Jims idea about sorting car types in the new yard. Our card system works well with this idea. Box cars on 1 track, tank cars on another, and so on. This would help when making up trains sort of like blocking cars for a specific industry.

Friday fun

Rock work added

Glen, Jim and I looked long and hard at the now bare landscape of the now bare Wellington. We all agree with Don that we need to start at the east end to see where the main run arounds will be. The turnouts at the east end should be powered, Jim said he would supply the tortoise machines and then we can add signals to show what line is open to incoming trains. We need to be decide what type of turnouts we want for the yard ladder and how many. There is some tracks that can remain where they are, like the one to Reliable electric, to be discussed further. The area has been cleared for the new siding to Great Lakes Steel. The ore train will start by picking up the empty ore cars at this siding, deliver them to the mine and return with loads to the mill siding. I put in the second turnout at the new logging camp and added some rock molds to the cliff. 

Ore siding area

Wellington unplugged 

Sort of Minutes - January Membership Meeting

In the absence of Larry who was home with a bad cold, the following is a general outline of the Tuesday night meeting.
*Chair/Treas. Don could hardly handle all the money flowing in as 2017 dues. He updated the treasury total several times as members arrived with cash in hand. When arrivals settled down he announced the kitty total as $1200.00 with 2 dues yet to be collected. This does not include the rent for the 1st quarter which he had in his shirt pocket. Since Ralph was unable to attend this meeting, Don will pay the rent. Jim F. suggested we should consider paying the whole year's rent so that we have an accurate picture of funds for alterations and upgrades. No action was taken on this suggestion.
*Jim F. wondered about upgrading our Digitrax Command Station with the recently announced DCS210 Evolution Advanced Station with a one button reset if and when they can be purchased
separately from the whole system [ which includes a DT500D Adv.Duplex Throttle, UR92 Univ. Panel, PS615 Power Supply and a LT1 Loconet Tester] retailing for US$660 MRSP. Jim offered to buy our current command station if we go this route and Don S. said he was also interested. When
queried recently, Gord King said he had no details or Cdn pricing as yet. There was some discussion whether it might be bought stateside?
*The Chair brought up the possibility of Sunday afternoon operation. Consensus after discussion was to start it January 8 from 2 - 4 pm on every other Sunday. An email in this regard has been sent out.
Concern was voiced about the key "floating around" so Glen will open up for the time being.
*On behalf of Larry, Glen brought up the timing to redo Wellington Yard, i.e. could it be done before the May open house? Consensus was that it could so it was cleared following the meeting with all buildings stored underneath and rail cars distributed around the layout in yards and some switch leads. Operation will be restricted to main lines only to and from Elsewhere Yard. The branch line is not operable as well at this time.
*Some of the ore train track was lifted and the landscaping removed so that another low level switch and track can be added in that area to replace the lifted track.
*Jim F and Don W soldered leads on several dead switchpoints and installed a runaround switch at the logging camp area.

The Little Train That Couldn't - Part 5

Rejected and dejected, Engine 7358 continued rumbling up and down steep grades along unfamiliar tracks and tunnels. Despite
their concern at being totally lost, the conductor and passengers were in total awe at the impressive scenery they were passing through on this Ontario Western Railroad. It was totally the opposite of the flatscape of the Sub. But where were they to end up?    Nobody knew. . . .


By this twist of fate, the little engine felt very important travelling through this rugged landscape and through impressive bridges like this one. The Sub only has a couple of low level frame trestles along with simple culverts for the most part; nothing to get very excited about. The passengers continued to be distracted by scenery they'd never seen the likes of before. . . . .

Why, they even passed through a port area with a lighthouse and a
boat channel. Boats were even tied up in the harbour; things never to be seen on the Sub. An Ontario Western freight train was spotted shunting cars on the lower level but Engine 7358 didn't want to have anything to do with another arrogant diesel. Side rod clank was kept to a minimum so it wouldn't look up and see the little train running the high line.


Eventually, the little train arrived at a station called South Durham.
Knowing that both water and coal supplies were running short, the conductor herded the passengers off the train and into the station for a meal and restroom break. Engine 7358 was able to replenish its needs nearby. The conductor asked the station agent about a way back to the Sub. He didn't know himself but thought that the agent at the Oxford Station ahead might have a suggestion.


Eventually, the country landscape changed into an urban one and the little train slowed and then stopped at an impressive train station called Oxford. It even had a clock tower but, like many others, the hands were stopped at 12 [am or pm?]. This was a busy station and the passengers were glad they had their break at South Durham. The conductor wasted no time in finding the station agent who thought one of the three tracks would take them to the Sub. But which one?  Nobody really knew. . . .

Stay tuned for Part 6