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.

One Hot Operating Session!

Saturday afternoon I discovered the train room air conditioning was not working. I had just had it serviced the previous Monday! An e-mail was dispatched advising VBR&S operators to dress to sweat. Not only did they come but we had a really good session.
I convinced Bob Burke to try dispatching, and he jumped right in and did a fine job.

Dan George, our Yard Master at Monroe, drank lots of water to deal with the heat...at least we think it was water. Every time I walked over to see what was going on at Monroe, someone would say, "Here comes Sir Topham Hat, don't do that right now."

Derek Wimberly has a southbound xtra coming into Tye River.

Gary Quale had both the Southern and C&O yard jobs covered at Charlottesville.

Gene Browning has a southbound loading passengers at Charlottesville.

Howard Heltman has a N&W passenger train rolling out of Kemper Street Station in Lynchburg heading for a loco and crew change at Monroe.

Jerry Ritter has northbound freight rolling through Kemper Street.

Jim Hogan is performing some complicated switching moves in Charlottesville's Southern Yard.

Keith Stillman keeps his eye on the Yard Master as he handles the south end of Monroe Yard.

Mike Garber has a southbound Southern passenger train almost to a stop at Kemper Street.

Steve Robbins has a northbound rolling through Kemper Street.

Tom Buckingham handled the north end of Monroe Yard.

Wayland Moore tackled the Lynchburg Switcher. Here he's switching along Jefferson Street in Lynchburg's Lower Basin.

Despite the heat I think we all had a good time on the VBR&S. After operating we were served a fine dinner by my wife Tina. I'm convinced her food is real reason they keep coming back.

Thanks for a great session guys!

Sunday March 29th, 2009

The first VBR&S operating session of 2009 is in the books. A total of eight operators participated, and hopefully all had a good time.

Rick Lull, from Chesterfield, VA was our newest operator, but he was running trains by himself in no time. Welcome on board Rick!

Monroe Yard had two VBR&S vets running it, Dan George....

and Bob Burke. Both complained when I interrupted their work for the photographs.

Wayland Moore has a northbound at Monroe. He is no doubt watching the Yard Crew swiftly switch his train.

Gary Quale has an Extra northbound at Rockfish. Gordon Watkins watches with the ever growing Lower Basin of Lynchburg in the background.

Derek Wimberly has the Lynchburg Switcher working the Lower Basin area.

Finally our dispatcher today was Bill Cox, here hard at work trying to remember how to fill out the Dispatcher's Sheet.

October 8, 2008

The VBR&S hosted a group of Richmond area modelers operating on several Lynchburg area layouts on this Saturday. Chris Schieck was to have hosted the guys for the morning op session, and Tom Nelson in the afternoon. Chris is taking Cancer treatments in Texas however, so the VBR&S agreed to be the morning substitute.

Tom Nelson brought one of Chris' favorite cars over bring up the markers on a southbound Southern passenger train. We're all thinking of you Chris, and hope to have you back hosting sessions soon.

Wayland Moore agreed to be our dispatcher, and looks like he has the chore totally under control.

Robbie Alvis worked Monroe Yard with Bob Burke. In fact he and Bob handled the entire yard themselves successfully. Usually we assign three guys here.

Phil Taylor seems to be enjoying a meet on James River Trestle. Well, as soon as Bill Cox gets around to building the Trestle. Right now it's a bridge with no visible means of support over track cleaning supplies.

The ever elusive Mike Garber has turned his back on the camera, but we did catch the equally elusive Bill McMillian.

Ahh, there's Mike Garber, also pleased with the meet on James River Trestle.

Ken Montero is helping out in Monroe Yard. He's getting a local ready to head north.

Keith Stillman has passengers loading at Charlottesville with a south bound passenger train.

Jerry Ritter did the Yard duties in Charlottesville for the Southern and the C&O.

It was good to have Howard Heltman back on the VBR&S. He moved to PA a few years ago, but missed operating with us, so he took his old job in Richmond back at least for a while. Not that's a model railroader!

Bob Burke is supervising in Monroe as a Yard Master should. Robbie and Howie are doing the work.

I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did. Good job guys...see you next time.

May 4, 2008 Session

It has been a while since the regular VBR&S crew had run the layout. Operations got under way at 2pm real time (12:00 midnight fast time).

Keith Stillman is watching his train roll through Charlottesville.

Mike Garber has a northbound N&W/Southern passenger train crossing Blackwater Creek in Lynchburg.

Steve Canfield is at Charlottesville watching his train approach the C&O Crossing.

Steve Robbins is doing local switching at Rockfish.

Wayland Moore not only wore the proper attire, but he has his northbound passenger train rolling just past Black Water Creek in Lynchburg.

Our Yardmaster Dan George (the hardest working guy on the railroad...he says) has everything under control at Monroe Yard as Gary Quale looks on.

Dan Mulhearn was our dispatcher, and kept the railroad moving.

Derek Wimberly is sitting down on the job, of course that's what you do when working Piney River on the Virginia Blue Ridge portion of the VBR&S. It's on the lower level.

Gary Quale must be watching Dan George again. Gary ran the north end of Monroe Yard.

Jerry Ritter has the Lynchburg Local heading for Monroe.

Bob Burke worked the south end of Monroe Yard.

After the session we all adjourned to the house for the real reason these guys drive this far...another fantastic dinner prepared my my lovely wife Tina!

That's her discussing those roses Steve Canfield brought her. He is no doubt getting a second helping of spaghetti!

Wayland, Dan, Jim, Steve and Jerry are filling their plates.

Thanks to everyone who came. It makes it all worthwhile when I see the layout come alive.