Here is link to the local newspaper article and videos of day 1 of the 2014 American Invasion of Ottawa at Barry Birkett’s railway in Belleville.
If you click on the arrow at the bottom left hand corner of the first picture, it will show the other twelve pictures.
Great stuff, Paul and all! Me and the boys missed out this year, but are planing on making it next time.
Best
tac
Ottawa Valley GRS
Nice coverage of Day 1. Thanks for posting Paul.
A short video of Barry’s garden railway in Belleville.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCwy2AXSmpg&feature=youtu.be
It is amazing how much he has built in one year since leaving Ottawa.
A-mazing. Mind you, anyone quitting the great O for the leisurely way of life down on the Bay of Quinté is going to feel a lot more relaxed about stuff like building a railraod.
tac
Ottawa Valley GRS - driving Route 2 in my mind…
We drove up Wednesday and spent the night in Belleville before heading over Thursday morning.
Barry gave us a tour of the railroad before we started operating. It’s quite a bit different from Fred’s, as there is no dispatcher; but, no wrecks so everything worked out.
It’s quite the impressive layout - even more so considering that it was built in one year!
We’re waiting for everyone to listen up… 
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2014/IMG_2024.JPG)
And the tour begins… The town of Boyce is off to the right.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2014/IMG_2028.JPG)
Then it’s down to Cora’s Corners. There’s a wye here that is used to turn locomotives from either end of the railroad. Quite clever.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2014/IMG_2030.JPG)
From West Ben, you can take some steps over to Cumberland.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2014/IMG_2031.JPG)
Here’s a look at Cumberland
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2014/IMG_2032.JPG)
The line goes up and around the pool to the right. Here we have HAYES FUELS and TATTERS ALL WAREHOUSE. TRISTA CENTER is up at the side of the house.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2014/IMG_2035.JPG)
Then it’s down to Kamaron City.
From there, through the tunnel with a waterfall over it.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2014/IMG_2037.JPG)
After that, there’s a small peninsula housing PICTON INDUSTRIES
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2014/IMG_2038.JPG)
Barry shows us the town of BELLEVILLE.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2014/IMG_2039.JPG)
I brought my little 25 Ton Boxcab up to run and it did very well.
We started with Train #11, Boyce to Belleville. Barry prepared switch lists for all of the runs.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2014/IMG_2051.JPG)
Here we are ready to leave BOYCE. Paul and Doug watch us depart, while Ric and Jan wait for us to leave.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2014/IMG_2043.JPG)
Leaving WEST BEN we cross the bridge over to CUMBERLAND.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2014/IMG_2044.JPG)
There’s a bit of work to do in CUMBERLAND. It was a sunny day and the umbrellas were much appreciated.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2014/IMG_2046.JPG)
Over at HAYES FUEL we meet John and Stu and wait for them to finish switching before we move in.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2014/IMG_2047.JPG)
After we completed our run to BELLEVILLE, we took Train #12 BELLEVILLE to TRISTA CENTRE.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2014/IMG_2050.JPG)
First, there was some switching in BELLEVILLE.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2014/IMG_2048.JPG)
Train #12 approaching the tunnel to KAMARON CITY.
Ric was apparently available for autographs.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2014/IMG_2053.JPG)
Even Ken showed up a bit later in the day, to be greeted by Johnny Chuff Chuff.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2014/IMG_2054.JPG)
It was a great day and lots of fun. Thanks Barry!
Great pictures! looks like fun was had by all. By the way, that can’t be Ken. He’s not telling folks they’re number one.
Terry
Terry, I’m pretty sure Bruce snapped that pic just a few seconds early, before Ken had a chance to react!
Question - What is the raised track at Cumberland?
Great pictures Bruce. Thanks everyone for the updates. It’s been awful quiet around here for a few days!
Jon Radder said:
Terry, I’m pretty sure Bruce snapped that pic just a few seconds early, before Ken had a chance to react!
Question - What is the raised track at Cumberland?
Great pictures Bruce. Thanks everyone for the updates. It’s been awful quiet around here for a few days!
We missed you, Jon.
The raised track was a powered section that allowed Grant to run his Big Boys.
One was 1/29, the other 1/32. You can just see them in this picture.
Great pictures. Bruce you should stop by with Ric, Ken and Jon tomorrow if you passing close to Jersey.
Shawn (napkin builder) Viggiano said:
Great pictures. Bruce you should stop by with Ric, Ken and Jon tomorrow if you passing close to Jersey.
Shawn,
Thanks for the invite. One of these days… We passed through PA late yesterday on our way back; not quite close enough.
Jean has major surgery scheduled for Thursday and didn’t want to spend any more time away from home.
Missed you guys too. Everyone is wishing Jean well on her surgery. Hoping for a quick recovery so we can see you in August at Bob’s.
Bruce Chandler said:
Shawn (napkin builder) Viggiano said:
Great pictures. Bruce you should stop by with Ric, Ken and Jon tomorrow if you passing close to Jersey.
Shawn,
Thanks for the invite. One of these days… We passed through PA late yesterday on our way back; not quite close enough.
Jean has major surgery scheduled for Thursday and didn’t want to spend any more time away from home.
Tell Jean good luck with her surgery and hope for a fast recovery.
T’was a great day with wonderful hostess and host. As for the autographs, yeah right.
Barry’s layout is a fantastic Operations with great ideas. Their yard and railroad, for only being one year old, was in great shape and I’m sure will mature to a great mixture of trains and plants. I hope they continues to include us in the annual Invasion.
