Yard operators 'Diamond' Bill Howard and Rich Wojcik are sorting out paperwork and appear to have their hands full! Looks like they just sent out S-351, which is making it's way out of the yard at the bottom of the picture on it's way to Glen Burn Colliery with more empties.
In the meantime, Bruce Barrett, who is operating Buttonwood Yard, is apparently enjoying some 'down time' by playing with his new toy, the Lenz Crane! Real nice Bruce, now get back to work!
Later on in the session, we find Ralph DeBlasi operating one of the better switch jobs on the layout, S-81, the local out of Buttonwood that services Wilkes-Barre. From the looks of things, with all the cards spread out all over the place, Ralph is in the middle of figuring things out, but to his credit, he got the job done with no mistakes!
About the same time, we find John Rahenkamp at Glen Burn Colliery operating train S-351, another great switch job. With empties sitting on the main, looks like John is just getting started with his work.
Later on in the night, we catch John operating train NB-6, the through freight from Northumberland to Buttonwood, always a nice train!
Joe Hueber is operating S-72, the SD local to Sunbury. It looks like he had just arrived and is trying to figure out what to do now!
Meanwhile, John is making his way into Buttonwood Yard while Bruce is in the backround focusing on the job at hand in the yard.
Meanwhile, back at Northumberland, things are coming to a halt while Bill tries to figure out what cars go where! Rich looks on as he thinks Bill knows more than he does!
Joe Calderone brings one of the many through freights, most likely train BF-3, the Enola to Buffalo through freight into Northumberland. He will stop here, set out the Northumberland Block, pickup the Buffalo block, and proceed north.
I only got to hold 5 'official' operating sessions, but every one of them was a fantastic experience! Watching the layout come to life, better than I had ever imagined, was a thrill. There were some hiccups here and there, like the dirty track, but all in all, things worked out well.
I also captured some 'overall' photo's of the layout as it was after the last operating session. I hope you enjoy this photo tour of the old Northern Division and check back soon for pics of the NEW Northern Division as I begin construction in the near future!
Northumberland Yard
Note the Shamokin Secondary in the backround going upgrade towards Mt. Carmel
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