Things look kinda relaxed in this shot before the start of the session.
Dennis was Yard Master at La Crosse yard today.
George was one of the crew members working for Dennis today.
Looks like Al had nothing to do today. He got busier later in the session staging all of the trains for arrivals and departures.
For those of us who are taller that "normal", Al's basement can get to be a headache at times. Looks like everybody was busy working their trains in this picture.
Shane was busy doing whatever while Ed looks like he just arrived at the session.
Shane was working Red Wing today. Red Wing is one of Al's plugs on his layout. Trains will backup a bit while Red Wing gets worked.
Here are some of the trains that needed to be run today.
Amtrak was in existence during this era. Paul is running a passenger train here but the dispatcher made it impossible to run it on schedule.
Iowa Dave also was working the La Crosse yard with Dennis. There are a lot of car moves to make as Dave will attest to after this session. You do not have to do a certain job. You can pick out what you want to do. Some trains do work aloing the way while others just run straight through. Iowa Dave had double duty today. He was working the La Crosse yard as well as keeping his head low enough to avoid hitting it while working this end of the yard.
Ron works for the BNSF in real life. He also enjoys running model trains with the guys. He is not much into switching so he picks some trains with little or no work along the way. There is a job for everybody. The number one rule during a session is TO HAVE FUN!!
There are times when it can get a bit congested.
Laura's train was heading back to Iowa on this trip.
Yes the dispatcher, after working for almost 24 fast clock hours, lost track of a train in this shot. "I" thought a train would be farther along on his route than he was. This is why they make a reverse button on the hand held throttles.
It was nice that this mistake took place on this long stretch of straight track. Good visibility and good brakes.
Some nice looking colors on these engines sitting at the La Crosse Depot.
One train is pulling into the passing siding while the other is waiting for the go ahead to move on. This is how trains are supposed to meet and pass each other.
See what some scenery adds to this picture. It is nice that these trains are passing each other, but this photo is all the more enjoyable with some scenery. Nice job Al!!
Normally things are not this serious. Rob and Neil are mesmerized by something here.
Different generations of power on the Milwaukee.
Notice how the scenery adds to this picture.
The Milwaukee orange color, front and rear.
Mike captured some very nice scenery while shooting this picture. The camera was very well placed for this shot Nice job, Al, on the scenery. Keep up the good work!!