Boiler Inspection Day - October 26, 2019
The annual boiler inspection day was today. We had 6 steam engines inspected today making them all ready for our next run day and lots of fun.
Inner West Loop & LaVay Bridge Project
LaVay Bridge on the East side of the railroad when it was being used for loading and unloading.
As many of you know we've been working on completing the inner west loop of the railroad which includes installing a bridge that had originally been located at our old home nearly 20 years ago. When our current railroad was being built one of the bridges from the old railroad was repurposed to get trains on and off the railroad. As the story goes one of our members LaVay was looking to be one of the first to run his train on our new railroad but needed a way to get his train from a trailer to the track. Here is LaVay's account of the events that ultimately created the "LaVay Bridge".
"As I looked around the track, I saw a potential to use a trestle from Duluth, a couple of used track sections, some blocks, a metal ramp and a siding to create a stationary loading ramp. As the time for running trains approached, I wanted to run one of the first trains. So, using my truck and trailer as heights limits, I dragged the old trestle over. Built a ramp with blocks and dirt. With help from club members and grandkids the ramp was ready to go."
Since then our railroad has grown but LaVay continued to use the bridge to load and unload his train each time he came to the railroad instead of using our new loader. A few years ago, onsite storage became available for his train which meant the bridge use was no longer needed. That was until a few weeks ago when the project to complete the Inner West Loop began.
LaVay recently shared some pictures of what the bridges looked like when it was at the old railroad site. The bridge will soon be installed in its new home on the Conyers & Hightower Trail Railroad as part of the inner west loop. Come help us reposition this “historic” bridge in its new home this Saturday, September 21, 2019.
Pictured (Top Row): James C., Peter C., Gene L., Rick K., Bob C., Scott M.
On Train: LaVay S.
Front Row: Ben K., John T., Joe F., Bill L.
Not Pictured: Norm W., Wayne L., and Robby M.
Construction of Gauge 1 Railroad 2019
In 2018 an elevated Gauge 1 railroad was donated to NGLS. In the Spring of 2019 the elevated Gauge 1 railroad construction began.
MOW Car Construction
A new MOW car was construction in April 2018. Special thanks to Norm W. and Bill L. for putting this car together.
Siding Construction Time Lapse from Spring 2019
In March of 2019 work began on a new siding on the west side of the railroad. The siding is just down from the passenger station area as you travel down towards the grade crossing. Here is a time lapse video of one of our workdays.
In March of 2019 work began on a new siding on the west side of the railroad. The siding is just down from the passenger station area as you travel down towards the grade crossing. Here is a time lapse video of one of our workdays.
March 9, 2019 Work Day
This was a lite work day as we checked on the club diesel, riding cars, and a little track work.
January 19, 2019 Work Day
Track panel construction has begun as part of the container expansion and ash pit line.
Inner West Loop Construction 2018
In order to help with a bottle neck on the railroad during public run days an inner west loop was installed along with a double grade crossing. This project started in April 2018 and was completed in September 2018.
June 16, 2018 Work Day
Installation of a couple of switches in preparation of the inner west loop.
Work Day - May 5, 2018 West Loop Grade Crossing
Work continues on the Inner West Loop project. Here a quick video testing out the outer loop connecting to the new grade crossing.
April 14, 2018 Work Day
Work day around the railroad as we get ready for next public run day.
January 20, 2018 Work Day
Work was done on the new interlocking tower and track work for new storage container.
New Member Storage Container Project Work Day - October 28, 2017
A group of club members have gotten together to purchase a new 45-foot high cube storage container.
A group of club members have gotten together to purchase a new 45-foot high cube storage container. With this they will be able to store personal equipment to be used on the railroad at anytime.
Electrical Project Work Days - September 23rd and 30th 2017
Now that we have electricity into our primary container we are now going to extend the power to the remaining containers and other areas of the railroad on the east side of the property.
Now that we have electricity into our primary container we are now going to extend the power to the remaining containers and other areas of the railroad on the east side of the property.
Work Day - September 2, 2017
The focus of the day was to paint the new picnic benches and build a work bench.
The focus of the day was to paint the new picnic benches and build a work bench.
