Friday, November 19th marked another exciting day around the railroad as we took delivery of two more containers and placement of two existing containers. We now have placed three of the four containers in the spot of our new club workshop and the remaining container has been placed in the member container area. The work crew today consisted of Gene, “Bob2”, Rick, “Bob Jr.”, Norm, Wes, Calvin, and Scott. Next step is to begin working on the shop and member container which will most likely be our winter project.

The day has finally come to take delivery and place containers that will become part of our shop and a member container. We will be placing three 40’ containers side by side and then place a 40’ high cube next to the member container area on the railroad. Bring tools, lunch, water, and a good sense of humor we are probably going to need all we can get as thing come together.

Another busy workday around the railroad as we get another weekend closer to re-opening the railroad after nearly two years. Today’s work consisted of installing the fencing at the station, installing a drainpipe in the drive way, installing new insulators for signal system, gauge 1 guys worked on the track, and preparing the replacement truck for the sulky to round out just a few things done today.

What an incredible day. After 42 workdays over 14 months of work the passenger line is now complete. Today’s crew consisted of Wes, Gene, “Bob2”, Scott, Norm, David E., and Robby installed the last 55’ of track.

We had a rare workday during the week today as a small crew went out and finished ballasting, leveling, fixing drainage, and setting forms so the final 6 panels will go in easy during our next workday. The crew consisted of Ben, “Bob”, Peter, Dave E., Norm, Wes, and Robby. The crew focused on a few different areas throughout the day starting with finishing ballasting from the end of the passenger station area and worked towards the pedestrian crossing.

On Saturday, August 14th we began the last 170’ of preparation work needed to complete the passenger line project. Gene, “Bob2”, Norm, and Robby came out to do grading work ahead of our next official workday which is on Saturday, August 21st. Dave E. was out, and he continued to work on making sure the new drain that was installed has a place to drain into the “dry pond” area under the bridges on the west end of the railroad. Dave and Dale also spent a little time looking at Dave’s locomotive in preparation of our annual club fun night event on August 28th.

Back in July 2020 construction began on the passenger line with the installation of a switch leaving the yard on the west end of the railroad. Soon after a switch in the inner east loop and our first diamond was also installed. Fast forward to July 2021 with more than 30 weekends worked we have installed more than 1,400’ of rail, 1,590 railroad ties (give or take), 5,320 screws (give or take), more than 70 track panels, 6 switches, 60’ concrete grade crossing, 30’ pedestrian crossing, a diamond, and countless loads of gravel.

Our “Bring A Friend” workday on Saturday, July 24th was very productive. The crew which consisted of Ben, “Bob”, Gene, Norm, Calvin, Wes, Scott, David E, and special guests Eric and Bradley. The crew worked on connecting the east end to the gate crossing extending the passenger line nearly 200-feet plus added an additional 40-feet on the west side of the new man crossing allowing the crew to set the switch for the station bypass track. This leaves only 75-feet of track to finish the passenger line station bypass track and an additional 125-feet to complete the passenger line.

Another productive day was had this past Saturday, at least before it started raining around 2 p.m. The crew consisted of Norm, Ben, a healthier “Bob”, Calvin, Wes, David E., Scott, and Bob C. They split up and took care of a few things including the 50-foot section of track that needs to be finished to connect the east loop with the gate crossing. Wes took care of cutting most of the grass while Bob C. spent time with the club steamer making sure she was feeling good. Scott also took time to clean the rust of the gate crossing rail and treated it with a product that should keep it looking good for a while.

What a great turn out we had today including the rain. The morning started earlier than normal as the crew started arriving before 8 a.m. and went right to work to connect the last fifty feet of track at the man crossing. Scott and David E. spent time on address future drainage needs closer to the station area by digging a trench for a drainage pipe.

What a difference just a couple of weeks make. We now have a new 60-foot gate grade crossing at the main entrance to the property which is part of the new passenger line. The crew, which consisted of Wes, Norm, Gene, “Bob"2”, Scott, Robby, and Calvin, spent the day working on finishing the grade crossing grading and packed in about 120-feet of crusher run in the forms between the gate crossing and the man crossing. The crew also installed about 70-feet of track between the crossings.

The “Big Dig” continued on the passenger line project as a small group went to the site to pull the form boards on the grade crossing and set forms for track laying to begin between the new main gate crossing and the man crossing. I’m being told that Scott performed miracles with the wire wheel and grinder to clean the concrete off the rails. Be on the look out for a workday to lay track in the coming days and weeks.

Big shout out to Scott for going out and checking on the concrete the past couple of days. Wednesday’s visit included checking the drying of the gate crossing and the drain near the end of the yard that received some of our extra concrete. While fixing tarps and watering a special visitor also appeared to take in a little of that water Scott had.

Wow what a hot day but we did get the new grade crossing poured. The crew consisted of Wes, Gene, Norm, Scott, Robby, Ben, “Bob”, and Joe. In typically fashion for us the concrete truck was delayed several hours which pushed us into the hottest part of the day. Progress was slow but the team pushed through it. As you might imagine the concrete will not be ready to drive on for a week or so. We had a little extra concrete which gave Joe and Norm the opportunity to use it near the west end of the yard that has a drain that keeps clogging with dirt. Now the concreate should help reduce the clogging.

Another big day working on the passenger line project. The day consisted of grading nearly 200’, setting the man crossing, and adding more conduit under the new 60’ gate crossing. The crew, which consisted of Gene, “Bob2”, Norm, Calvin, Elijah, David E., Wes, Robby, Tyler, James, and Jaxon also spent time saying goodbye to James and Jaxon as the family moves out of the area onto a new adventure. We wish them the best and hope to see the family around a railroad in the future. The crew also visited with James and Jaxon as they prepare to move out of the area onto a new adventure and hope to see them around the hobby one day in the near future.

Check out these pictures from the day’s activities. Don’t forget if you are available on Monday, May 24th the 60’ gate crossing will get nearly 7 yards of concrete and could use all of the extra hands as possible. The plan is to arrive around 8:30 a.m. with the concrete truck arriving in the 9 o’clock hour. If all goes well, we should be done around lunch time.

We had a small crew on hand today to take care of a few preparation items for next weekend’s work and concrete pour on Monday, May 24th. The crew, which consisted of Elijah, Norm, Scott, Ben, and “Bob”, took a divide an concur approach to the day working on the unofficial driveway entrance from the street, spread and leveled gravel for the next member container, and dug out 160’ west of the new grade crossing towards to man crossing.

One thing that is constant is change when you are planning things. This past weekend we had planned on working on getting the next member container area ready, which we did, however delivery of the container was delayed because of the quality of the container available was not as good as we had hoped. While continue to search for the next container we pivoted on Friday and put together a crew for Saturday impromptu workday and started the “Big Dig” portion of the passenger line project. The crew consisted of Ben, “Bob”, Gene, “Bob2”, Norm, Robby, Wes, and John. Scott was also at the site working on installing some additional electrical in the grey container. About 90% of everything was completed but we are looking for any individuals who are available this week to install the rebar so we can schedule a concrete truck to pour on Saturday, May 15th. Contact Norm if you have time this week as he will be coordinating the installation of the rebar.

On Saturday, a crew went out to the site to take care of some preparation work for next weekends “big dig” and finish preparation for the next member container to be delivered. With the help from Ben and “Bob” much dirt was moved and dug. The rest of the crew consisted of Wes, Gene, Robby, Norm, and David E. who at times seemed to be supervising and contemplating life. Not really a great deal was done by all including determining elevation, confirming placement of grade crossing, location of future man crossing and a whole lot more. The crew surprised themselves on the amount of progress that was made on throughout the day including digging about 30 of the 60 feet needed for the grade crossing.

Our last workday of the month is in the books. The work crew built more track panels, cut more than 500 ties, repaired the railroad, dreamed a lot, and had fun. The crew consisted of Scott, Calvin, Robby, Norm, Elijah, Tyler, Dave E., John, a lizard, and a snake. Joe also stopped by to check on the new riding car frames and from what many of us could tell he loaded his van with some additional supplies to make additional progress on the cars.

The railroad is about 99% operational for our club fun day next Saturday, April 3rd. We need some help with getting the grass cut and getting the club lawnmower running. If you are available to go out and cut grass or work on the club lawnmower let us know. Please note that the motorized switches are still in need of repair and Robby hopes to have them running by Saturday.

As a reminder Saturday, April 3rd is also our next club meeting which is scheduled for 1 p.m. We are expecting a visitor or two from within the hobby along with family and friends. Let us make sure we welcome them. As a reminder this is not a public run day.

What an incredible day we had this past Saturday, March 12th. The crew arrived early, like before 8:30 a.m., ready to go and take advantage of a beautiful day. The crew included the dynamic duo of Ben and “Bob”, Wes, Scott, Peter, Norm, Gene, Robby, Calvin, Bob C, David E., Rick, John T., John H., and others. The team split up into several crews and took care of repairing track sections in the yard, modifying our diamond to ensure a smoother ride, cut more than 500 railroad ties, constructed 27 track panels totaling 270 feet of track for the passenger line, moved dirt, and dreamed about current and future projects.

If you are wondering what is next. We are working on arranging equipment to dig the grade crossing and grade the passenger line area heading towards the station in the coming weeks. We also have some additional track repair that is needed before we can have our club fun day the first weekend in April. If you have a free weekday that you are interested in doing some work at the railroad let Norm or Robby know.

Our 2nd club workday of the year was this past Saturday, February 27th. We had a good size crew with Calvin, Wes, Elijah, Tyler, Norm, Robby, Scott, and Bob helping out throughout the day. The crew built 200 feet of track panels, work on the club steamers and caught up since the last time we got together. The crew also sorted most of the old rail and talked about plans for the passenger line, member container and workshop project.

As we move into March our next official workday is planned for Saturday, March 27th but based on conversations yesterday we are going to try and have another workday sooner than that. Be on the lookout for communications around our next workday.

Another start to another great year. This past Saturday, January 23rd a small group came out to build a couple of switches and layout the track for the next storage container. The crew consisted of Calvin, Dave E., Scott, Norm, and Robby. Together they worked through remembering how to build switches and an occasional geometry lesson but by the end of the day progress was made. The crew identified the need to build an additional dozen or so curve panels, some ground work, and the never ending need to cut more railroad ties.