Sunday, October 4, 2009

Oct. 4th Operating Session

Another VBR&S op session is on the books! I hope everyone had as much fun as I did. Time flew by as there were a number of issues I had to address, but trains ran, and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.
We had a new crew at Monroe Yard, and it looks like they did a fine job. In fact the only real problem I was aware of was that I forgot to explain the detector operation for the Wye to our Yard Master, Wayland Moore. Here with Wayland (middle) is Jim Hogan (front), and Dan Mulhearn.
The Yard guys even employed a fourth member to assist in some of the more mundane jobs like checking the air and MU hoses between diesel units. His name is Stink Bug, so naturally they called him "Stinky" I understand he did some walkway walking on moving freight cars, so watch for more pictures of the "Fourth Yard Crew Member".
Deep in discussion around Charlottesville we find from left to right Clint Foster, Mike Cathy, and Steve Robbins.
Dan George decided to take a break from the yard and run trains this time, and here he has a southbound Southern Railway Varnish at Charlottesville.
Bob Burke was our dispatcher again, so he got to play with all the new stuff that controls the signals at Rio and Montview. He seems pleased.
Cary Campbell is ready to find his train at Montview.
Derek Wimberly is ready at Rio, just waiting for the time to roll south with another train.
After running some passenger trains Mike Garber and Howard Heltman ran the Lynchburg Switcher. Here they're waiting for the Monroe Yard crew to work their train so it can return to Lynchburg.
Finally, the best part of the whole afternoon as we descend upon Tina's kitchen to see what's for dinner.