We arrived early Thursday morning… Doug’s garden railroad is so inviting…
Our task this morning was to lay a loop of track. While Doug and Gaètan worked on that, I did some work on Doug’s switches.
I did manage to get a shot of my parlor car in front of Doug’s neat station…
And the Mikado…
By early afternoon, we had most of the crew…
Left to right: Lela, Jean, Fred, Stu, Jim, and Sue.
…grinning…
After a great barbeque over at Doug’s on Thursday, we headed to the IPP&W. Jean and I arrived early to help set up the cars, but I first had to look around to check out the changes from last year. One of the coolest things this year is this switchstand…
(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2010/IMG_8220.JPG)
It’s been there for awhile, but now it actually operates the switch into Nelson Yard! It’s neat to turn the handle…and watch this little switch operate. There’s a short briefing before the operations session and folks gather under the awning.
(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2010/IMG_8224.JPG)
Left to right: Coin, Lawrence, Stu, and Bill
(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2010/IMG_8225.JPG)
Left to right: Gaètan, Doug (complete with diet Coke) , Paul. Fred was presented with an IPP&W cap…but the back was lettered for the Rat Portage.
(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2010/IMG_8231.JPG)
Left to right: Gord (hidden), Bud, Fred, Ken The RP&M crew gets a photo op…
(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2010/IMG_8239.JPG)
Left to right: Ralph (seated), Brad, Tyler, Fred, Bud, Colin, Metin, Gord, Ken (far right) They’re staggering the trains this year, so I had a bit of a wait before we started. I wandered over to Craig Leigh and took a look at some of the cars there…
(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2010/IMG_8245.JPG)
Carl and Roger were getting their live steam engine ready, while Ric used his live steam engine as a yard switcher.
(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2010/IMG_8249.JPG)
Ironwood Junction is across the aisle; Spruce is in the foreground. Brad is hidden in the dispatcher shed…
(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2010/IMG_8250.JPG)
At this point, Nelson Yard is empty. Nelson Yard is new this year and it’s a fun place to work.
(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2010/IMG_8252.JPG)
Left to right: Jim, Paul, Bud (the Nelson Yard Master) is leaning in front of Gaètan… Gaètan switches his freight. In the background you can see the hole in the fence cut to extend the yard lead at Rat Portage.
(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2010/IMG_8253.JPG)
To his left, Ralph and Roger work Firgrove Yard. Clamps are used for protecting the diamond…
(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2010/IMG_8254.JPG)
Guard rails have been installed!
(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2010/IMG_8255.JPG)
Ralph and Roger working Fir Grove…
(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2010/IMG_8257.JPG)
My parlor car behind Ric’s live steam Shay…
(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2010/IMG_8262.JPG)
Ric wanted this shot 
- taken under the bridge…
(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2010/IMG_8264.JPG)
Carl and John switching Bellamy
(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2010/IMG_8267.JPG)
…more later!
Too much fun. The shot of your parlor car and Doug’s station is great.
Double 
good shots Bruce! The switch stand at Nelson is very cool and I like the bridge shot that Ric wanted you too take!
Friday afternoon… I worked with Stu in the morning session, since Jean was helping Jan with the food. For the afternoon session, Jean and I took train 301 out Craig Leigh, headed for Nelson Yard. Jean acts as the engineer while I am the conductor. Here we’re switching Spruce…
(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2010/IMG_8268.JPG)
Since not all trains run at once, there’s a chance to shoot the bull while waiting.
(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2010/IMG_8275.JPG)
Paul and Stu relax in Mount St. Helens… Jan poses with her engine (the Bachmann Industrial Mogul) next to my parlor car in Craig Leigh
(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2010/IMG_8283.JPG)
After a great dinner, Mike Smithson brought over his scratchbuilt locomotive. He’s been working on it for 7 years and it is unbelievable.
(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2010/IMG_8302.JPG)
Left to right: Doug, Roger, Mike Everything is so detailed! The bell actually moves in synchronization with the sound.
(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2010/IMG_8311.JPG)
I wish I had a shot - the steam dome lifts off to show the detail underneath.
(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2010/IMG_8314.JPG)
And that was Friday…
Looks like all enjoyed. Thanks for the early pics Bruce
Thanks, Bruce. Someday, my PO will let me go. 
Saturday morning and we’re back at Fred’s IPP&W. Yesterday was a narrow gauge operations session. Today, we’re running standard gauge. This means a different set of cars. Doug lets Jean and I have a nice A-B unit and we use that for the morning session. We take train 301 again, but of course the switching is different from yesterday. Lots of fun, of course! Too much so, as I don’t have many shots! It IS hot and we try to stay in the shade as much as possible. A rare shot of Jan standing still…
(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2010/IMG_8323.JPG)
After the morning session is over, we get deluged with a short downpour for about 30 minutes… There’s a mad rush to bring in all the locomotives from the layout.
(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2010/IMG_8337.JPG)
Even this doesn’t discourage Ric. I think he had a smile for the whole time! Lawrence and Doug take shelter in the shed when the awning proves not quite dry enough…
(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2010/IMG_8339.JPG)
The rain stops and we get ready for another operating session, which includes another briefing
(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2010/IMG_8341.JPG)
Left to right seated: John, Jim, Carl. In the background is Tyler and Gary. And some just relax
(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2010/IMG_8347.JPG)
Debra Ann and Fred I worked in Nelson Yard.
(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2010/IMG_8354.JPG)
Ken and Bruce discuss moving Ken’s train…
(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2010/IMG_8358.JPG)
Gord and Bud hide in the shade, while I have to work out in the hot sun. I used the diesel in the foreground. It was equipped with the Revolution. I was surprised by how many people there had converted to this new system. I found it very nice to use. After the session, it’s time to eat again!
(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2010/IMG_8368.JPG)
Sue, Jim, Barry, Linda… Ric seemed to do most of the grilling…
(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2010/IMG_8369.JPG)
The good food was enjoyed by all
(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2010/IMG_8372.JPG)
Jean and I stayed around after dinner. It was a great chance to chat with folks; some we hadn’t seen for a year. Once again, the Invasion just keeps getting better and better.
Bruce Chandler said:You liked it didn't you!! Tell the truth! ;)
I used the diesel in the foreground.
Great shots !!!
Great pictures Bruce. You must have taken the Express home to scoop Ken 
Thanks, guys.
Jean and I left Sunday. I think Ken left Monday…
How neat!!! That’s got to be one of the greatest RR events of all. Just think, days of fellowship, food and trains. What could be better?
Thanks for the swell photos Bruce.
Bruce, thanks for the pictures… Looks like a great time had by all…
Mumbling… I gotta get a passport…
Andy Clarke said:Yes, you do!!
Mumbling...... I gotta get a passport......
I arrived home yesterday about 4, unloaded the van, had dinner, read some email, and haven’t had a chance to download the camera yet.
While we didn’t run any trains on sunday, I was invited by Fred’s neighbor Paul across the street to check out his new toy, an 18’ Wayfarer sailboat and managed to get roped into crewing for him…what a blast that was. Paul’s wife Marilyn (sp?) got some pix of that event for me.
As for pictures, Bruce has done a great job of documenting the weekend.
Thanks for the pics Bruce. Everyone had a great time I see - no long faces. lol
I only recognized a couple of faces (from previous pics) but did spot the time on the clock. A nice time just after four that, traditionally amongst the more refined. is tea time. lol
While Bruce was driving home on Sunday, I was busy getting soaked and zonked on the head while crewing this little beauty!
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/Invasion%202010/Sunday/sailboat01.jpg)
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/Invasion%202010/Sunday/sailboat04.jpg)
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/Invasion%202010/Sunday/sailboat05.jpg)
Saturday at Fred’s was a standard gauge operating session. Here the dispatcher, Gordon Larabie, tries to straighten out the mess in Bell, while Roger, Paul and Gaeton look on.
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/Invasion%202010/freds2010002.jpg)
Bud and Colin oversee the action in Nelson Yard.
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/Invasion%202010/freds2010004.jpg)
John runs his B&O passenger train through Ironwood.
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/Invasion%202010/freds2010009.jpg)
Bruce and Jean working Mt. St. Helen’s.
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/Invasion%202010/freds20100012.jpg)
A newcomer this year, Gary Buchanan decided to watch the action for awhile as Roger looks on.
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/Invasion%202010/freds20100018.jpg)
Wow, Looks like a GREAT time, I for one am really jealous. Thanks for all the great pictures and commentary !
More nice photos to enjoy. Thanks Ken!
