Sunday
Still clear and much nicer than Saturday. I come bundled up, but soon remove my sweatshirt and jacket. There’s very little wind today.
Normally, the ops session doesn’t start until about noon, but a car club comes to visit around 1030, so we need to get some trains running to give them something to view.
Jean and I decide to take out the local, which pretty much runs over the entire layout. It proves to be a very fun train.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/BS_Ops/2014/IMG_2307.JPG)
The work sheet allows you to write in the cars you take out - which is helpful when you get to a switching location, just to make sure you’re dropping cars you brought. 
Our journey starts in Evansville and Ric works to get the train ready to go.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/BS_Ops/2014/IMG_2313.JPG)
(I start humming…16 cars and 16 restless riders…even though it’s a freight train.)
We climb the hill out of Memphis and soon come up to Overlook - where we switched yesterday. Today, Ken and Doug have the job, while the car club members look on.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/BS_Ops/2014/IMG_2317.JPG)
After crossing the bridge, we run through Bluefield.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/BS_Ops/2014/IMG_2318.JPG)
We set the switch, cross the Wye Bridge and head into Sparta where we set out and pick up three boxcars.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/BS_Ops/2014/IMG_2320.JPG)
Then it’s down the grade as we pass Hadley Forest.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/BS_Ops/2014/IMG_2321.JPG)
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/BS_Ops/2014/IMG_2322.JPG)
Next, we cross the diamond at Woodlawn.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/BS_Ops/2014/IMG_2327.JPG)
Climbing the hill into Nashville.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/BS_Ops/2014/IMG_2329.JPG)
There’s a bit of switching the covered hoppers at Nashville. Addieville has four more that we have to replace. There’s a very long passing siding to help get the job done.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/BS_Ops/2014/IMG_2331.JPG)
Once our work is complete, we reassemble our train and head back towards Woodlawn. Here we set out 3 boxcars on the Northbound Interchange (shown on the right) and pick up 3 boxcars from the Southbound Interchange (the track to the left)
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/BS_Ops/2014/IMG_2335.JPG)
Leaving Woodlawn, we head up the long grade towards Sparta.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/BS_Ops/2014/IMG_2336.JPG)
Around the bend and we’re almost there.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/BS_Ops/2014/IMG_2338.JPG)
Just passing Sparta and the track starts to level out.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/BS_Ops/2014/IMG_2345.JPG)
Roger gets a shot of our train as it passes over his coal train.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/BS_Ops/2014/IMG_2346.JPG)
I take a similar shot.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/BS_Ops/2014/IMG_2347.JPG)
Next we head past Overlook again on our way to Evansville.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/BS_Ops/2014/IMG_2350.JPG)
The railroad is just not large enough yet, so Andy and Jane have more plans for expansion.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/BS_Ops/2014/IMG_2349.JPG)
After that run, there’s just enough time to grab something to eat in the crew lounge before our early departure. L-R: Rita and Dan Patterson, Doug Matheson, and Andy.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/BS_Ops/2014/IMG_2356.JPG)
It was a great time to meet folks and I really enjoyed the longer trains. Thanks to Andy and Jane for hosting such a great event.
