May 4 Operating Session

With the skill and expertise that always characterizes the Carleton Railway's crew, the May 4 operating session saw fourteen scheduled trains move freight and passengers, along with an extra freight that worked for most of the morning switching cars in Waterville, and an extra passenger train that caught everyone's attention.   

In the above photo, in the distance the westbound Valley Local (Lawrence and Norm) is picking up a couple of loaded reefers from the potato house beside the Rosedale Road crossing.  The Carleton-York Peddler (Bill and Bob B.) has completed its switching in Waterville and waits in the siding.  Matt enjoys a few minutes of railfanning before heading out on the Northampton local.

Efficient yard crews are essential to a successful operating session.  After morning yard duties in Waterville, Wendell worked as assistant yardmaster in Avondale for the rest of the session.  Bruce did a great job as a very busy yardmaster in Avondale, and Peter kept everything running smoothly in South Newbridge.

The highlight of the evening was the inaugural run of "Extra 71 West" -- an Island Central Railway passenger train filled with well-healed business leaders from the foggy city seeking a weekend escape at the Carleton Railway's posh resort in Nortondale.  With engineer Doug Devine at the throttle, the ICR's dilapidated Osgood-Bradley coaches were pulled by a trio of aging locos that limped into the station at Nortondale at mid-day.    

Thanks guys for making another Carleton Railway operating session successful. The next operating session will be on Friday, May 25.