🚂 Storm Cleanup & Shop Project Update – July 2, 2026 🌳
The momentum continues! On Wednesday, July 1st, more progress was made clearing storm damage throughout the railroad. By getting an early start each morning before the summer heat sets in, our volunteers have been able to accomplish a tremendous amount in just a few hours. Those cooler morning temperatures have made it much easier to tackle the physically demanding work, and the difference is becoming more noticeable every day.
The cleanup has continued with additional trees, limbs, and storm debris being removed, and the property is beginning to recover from the damage left behind by the recent storms. We still have a few large trees that will require professional removal, and we're continuing to work through those plans with a tree service. We expect to have more information after the July 4th holiday weekend.
Friday will be another busy and exciting day at the railroad. While we'll continue removing storm debris where possible, our focus will also shift to an important milestone for the future of North Georgia Live Steamers. The third shop container is scheduled to be moved into its permanent location, and we are also expecting delivery of the building materials that will become the workshop structure built around the containers. It's another major step toward creating a permanent maintenance and workshop facility for the club.
If you're available first thing Friday morning, we'd love to have a few extra volunteers on hand to help with the container placement, building material delivery, and any remaining cleanup efforts. The more hands we have, the smoother the day will go.
After everyone enjoys a safe and relaxing Independence Day weekend, we'll be turning our attention to rebuilding the railroad. Current plans are to begin track repairs in the yard area, then move to the Grandma Line, before tackling repairs on the Outer Loop. While there is still plenty of work ahead, we're making steady progress and moving closer to getting trains back on the rails.
Thank you to Wes, Dave E., and every volunteer who has donated their time, equipment, and hard work over the past week. Your dedication is making an incredible difference—not only in recovering from the storm but also in building the future of North Georgia Live Steamers.
Have a safe and happy Fourth of July, and we'll see everyone back at the railroad soon! 🇺🇸🚂
