Track
Aristo-Craft Wide Radius Switches
In August 1998, Aristo-Craft released their new 10 foot diameter wide-radius switches: ART20370 right and ART20380 left. We will call them 5 foot radius to be consistent with the rest of the industry. There is one curious thing though. The length of the diverging route curve is shorter than Aristo-Craft’s or any other manufacturer’s 5 …
Track Work – Introduction
The Ironwood, Peter’s Pond and Western Railway is more than 20 years old. The railway has been designed to endure the climate extremes of the Ottawa area which range from -40 C (-40 F) to 35 C (100 F). The railway is covered with snow and ice from December to March, endures frost heaves and …
Bell
Each spring OVGRS members undertake a major track work project, and this year Bell was the site chosen by management. Bell is situated in the southwest corner of the IPP&W Railway on the mainline south of Fir Grove. Bell, with its facing point switching moves and limited space, has always been a challenge. Last year …
Bellamy
Early in May 2004, an MOW crew began work on a new industrial area at Bellamy just west of Glen Hammond and Nelson Yard. The main line was temporarily severed, as new roadbed and switches were installed. The road bed was carefully prepared and all end cuts treated with wood preservative (Pentox) in order to …
Cedarock Industries
A new industrial area named Cedarock Industries is being built south of Peter’s Pond. Three spurs have been installed to serve the local industries. An overview of the new Cedarock Industries switching area. The areas on the side of the spurs are for the construction of buildings.
Craig Leigh Yard
Now that Glen Hammond Junction and bypass has been completed, Fred and Gord have started working on the new freight yard at Craig Leigh. Raised deck of 2x8s on 2x4s with 4×4 legs in concrete blocks on patio stones Passenger tarck and yard lead in the background, and Lattice work on chain link fence for …
Glen Hammond Junction
An unfortunate accident at the crossing between the tunnels, west of Hill Siding and east of Glen Hammond, resulted in the planned repair of the roadbed in the second tunnel being expedited. Damaged track between tunnels Track lifted, tunnel daylighted Closer view of skylighted tunnel View from low trestle New retaining wall below Blue Mountain …
Ironwood Junction
After a railway photographer recently stated he was too embarrassed to take a front view of the dilapidated passenger station at Ironwood Junction, railway management decided that it was time to update this once thriving community. The walls between Mount St. Helens and the eastern entrance of Ironwood Junction show signs of 15 years of …
Larabie Fuels
The IPP&W destruction/construction crews are at it again. The short spur at Larabie Fuels has been torn out The roadbed for a longer spur is roughed in The track and coal conveyer installed The yard and sales office tested for fit The foundation for the yard installed Another view of the foundation The yard added …
Lily
After fire destroyed the smaller wooden trestle at Lily, IPP&W management decided to replace both wooden trestles with steel bridges. As it was safer and more cost effective to build around the trestles than tear them down, the mainline around Lily will be re-aligned. The new alignment (in yellow) will remove the dog bone (in …
Nelson Yard
Nelson Yard, in the center of Ironwood Peter’s Pond & Western Railway, is also the eastern interchange point with the Rat Portage & Mattawa Railway. In the left of the picture is the IPP&W mainline to Glen Hammond and the eastern lead to Nelson Yard. In the foreground is the Blue Mountain Mine. RP&M President …
Peter’s Pond
In the spring of ’13 an MOW crew replaced the old road bed and track at Peter’s Pond. Roadmaster, Gordon Bellamy oversaw the installation of the roadbed and track laying. IPP&W Railway President, Fred Mills inspected the roadbed to ensure it meets railway standards. Gord and Fred are still pondering the track alignment of a …
Rat Portage
Rat Junction, where the Rat Portage & Mattawa Railway now crosses over the Ironwood Peter’s Pond & Western Railway. New construction shown on the bottom right extends the RP&M mainline and adds a spur. New mainline roadbed reaches across to new Rat Portage Yard. The track bed for the northern end of the yard is …
Spruce
Work has begun upgrading the track around Spruce. On the left, a westbound CNR FA-1 exits the tunnel at the bottom of the hill behind Spruce. On the right, the tunnel, track and roadbed have been excavated. On the left, a CPR GP-7 at the top of the hill starts around the curve to Spruce. …
Switch Throws
Plastic switch throws did not stand up well here in our northern climate. Over the years we tried a number of different store-bought replacements, but none had the durability we sought. A number of years ago, we adapted brass, barrel-bolts as switch throws. They proved to be rugged enough for both our climate and constant …
Turntables
Number 11 enters the new turntable in the Glen Hammond Yard, and the crew gives the armstrong table a spin. Number 11 heads off in a new direction from this space saving designed turntable. On the top is a plaque honoring Dave Goodson for his design suggestion, and underneath guides provide a stable and level …