Large Scale Central

More 2011 American Invasion of Ottawa Pix

Conventions, Shows, Clubs and Get-Togethers
#1

The 2011 American Invasion of Ottawa was a tremendous success. Although the weather was hot, everyone enjoyed themselves running trains, chatting with friends, and relaxing during the lunch and supper breaks. Day 1 The fun started on Thursday, July 14th at Doug Matheson’s, Northland Garden Railroad. The railway is nestled in a garden growing in the shade of a group of pine trees. Here the host poses with his Shay.

Jan Golding operating her Mogal and custom coach.

A live steam Shay crossing the steel, truss bridges which Doug and his sons built.

A big, bold, and beautiful K27 belonging to Ken Brunt. Equally impressive was the quality of sound from this locomotive.

Gaetan and Nicole Charette from Montreal enjoying the evening meal at Doug and Barbara’s with OVGRS members Lela Lyon and Stu Moxley.

Ric Golding relaxing after his long trip north and grilling supper.

#2

Day 2 On Friday, July 15th the action switched to Fred Mill’s, Ironwood, Peter’s Pond and Western Railway and its branch line partner the Rat Portage and Mattawa Railway. These railways are the home base for the Ottawa Valley GRS.

(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Invasion11/Fred.jpg)

Jim and Sue Henrichs of the Finger Lakes Live Steamers, and Ken Brunt our original visitor back in 98, enjoy a jovial moment together.

(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Invasion11/Jim.jpg)

Yardmaster Ric Golding and a young hogger assembling trains in the Craig Leigh Freight Yard.

(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Invasion11/CraigLeigh.jpg)

Don Howard’s new, Live Steam, Mason Bogey by Accucraft.

(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Invasion11/Mason.jpg)

Roger Caiazza of the Finger Lakes Live Steamers using a GP-9 to assemble a train in Dipple Yard, formerly Firgrove. The area has been renamed to honour its ailing yardmaster Ralph Dipple.

(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Invasion11/Roger.jpg)

John Spencer of the Finger Lakes Live Steamers using a GP38-2 for his switching assignments in the re-built yard at Bell. Farther down the yard in the sun is his conductor, OVGRS member Colin Churcher.

(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Invasion11/John.jpg)

Behind John is OVGRS member Moe Coté operating a GP-40 for his switching assignments in Glen Hammond. Later in the day after the standard gauge operation were complete, people took advantage of the break in action with a “run what brung” session. Don Howard with his live steamer rounding the bend at Lily.

(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Invasion11/Don.jpg)

A young engineer in Craig Leigh with an EBT ten wheeler.

(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Invasion11/EBTSteamer.jpg)

John and Linda Spencer in Spruce with an S-4 switcher hauling a train of open cars filled with candy.

(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Invasion11/Linda.jpg)

#3

Day 3 Saturday, July 15th was another hot day with narrow gauge operations planned for the morning and afternoon. Ric and Jan Golding posing in front of their namesake Golding Grains.

(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Invasion11/Golding.jpg)

Roger Caiazza and John Spencer preparing trains in Dipple Yard.

(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Invasion11/Dipple.jpg)

A Bumblebee steamer rumbling through the truss bridge just after Lily.

(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Invasion11/Bumblebee.jpg)

Jim and Sue Henrichs operating at Mount St. Helens.

(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Invasion11/Sue.jpg)

A group photo taken after lunch on Saturday of most of the happy attendees.

(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Invasion11/Group.jpg)

The afternoon was a “run what you brung” session. Ric Golding assembling passenger trains in Craig Leigh.

(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Invasion11/Passengers.jpg)

Lots of motive power in the service facility at Craig Leigh.

(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Invasion11/Power.jpg)

A family from Montreal dropped in to view the railway.

(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Invasion11/Family1.jpg)

After some brief instructions, the kids were off running a train around the railway.

(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Invasion11/Family2.jpg)

As it was an extremely hot day, some of the guests went down the street to Mike and Lorraine Charlesbois’ for a dip in their pool. That evening an elaborate supper featuring grilled chicken and pork steaks served by Ric and Jan Golding topped the weekend off. It was very late before the last members and guests reluctantly called it a night. And so ends another American Invasion of Ottawa, but the attendees are already looking forward to next year’s event. These are but a few a few of the pictures of the event taken by OVGRS member Chris Lyon. To view the rest just click on the link for his blog The Lyon Valley Northern. http://lyonvalleynorthern.blogspot.com

#4

Thanks Paul.
I see many smiling faces.
Wish I was among them :wink:
Ralph

#5

Great lot of photos Paul and the railroad (including Fred) :wink: really looks first rate as we would expect from the OVGRS group.

#6

Thank you, Paul, and thank Chris Lyons for his wonderful pictures. He does an excellent job recording this event. Good lord willin and the crik don’t rise, we will be at it again next year. A great time!!

#7

I commented elsewhere, Paul, about the pics you kindly posted.

But, I see there are a few extra ones here which I also enjoyed viewing. Many thanks.

#8

Looks like a wonderful weekend for all… Thanks for posting…

Maybe next year…

#9

Excellent!

#10
Andy Clarke said:
Looks like a wonderful weekend for all.... Thanks for posting....

Maybe next year…


Exactly. We’re due for a return trip.

#11
Jon Radder said:
Andy Clarke said:
Looks like a wonderful weekend for all.... Thanks for posting....

Maybe next year…


Exactly. We’re due for a return trip.

Don’t take any fire arms while crossing the border…:wink:

#12

We don’t carry firearms, mace or pepper spray. Wasp spray will blind someone from 20 ft. and it takes an antidote at a hospital to restore someone’s sight.

#13

I think Dave is making an obscure reference to a border crossing story I told many years ago. I think we should change his handle to Elephant.

#14

Forget guns…you won’t need them up here…bring bheer instead…!!

#15
Jon Radder said:
I think Dave is making an obscure reference to a border crossing story I told many years ago. I think we should change his handle to Elephant.
""Sister Mary Elephant""????? :)
#16

Andy…we might even train you to be yardmaster at some obscure location, if you get here next year…but you might have to learn to smile, say nice things…and have a cooler full of bheer for any crew that comes near you…!!..ok…ok…you won’t have to smile, but the bheer has to be cold…!!

#17

Thanks for posting the pics of the Invasion. Scheduling problems prevented me from attending again!! Hopefully next year I can come up, heck I’m in the neighborhood being only about 3-4 hours away (down outside of Rochester, NY). By the way the repairs to the layout look great, I can’t believe you got so much done considering the damage done by the falling tree.
Dave

#18
Fred Mills said:
Andy....we might even train you to be yardmaster at some obscure location, if you get here next year....but you might have to learn to smile, say nice things.....and have a cooler full of bheer for any crew that comes near you....!!........ok......ok....you won't have to smile, but the bheer has to be cold....!!
Fred, trust me, it was a huge disappoint, not being able to make it this year.... Smile??? What's that????
#19
Andy Clarke said:
Fred, trust me, it was a huge disappoint
Kinda like the day I was.........awww never mind. ;)
#20
Andy Clarke said:
""Sister Mary Elephant""????? :)
"Dave's not here..."