Railroad Work Parties 2025

We plan to meet occasionally, through the spring/summer, either Tuesday evenings at 6:30 pm for the metal-work projects at Dan’s, or outdoors at the park on suitable weather days.

Dan has started the Climax coal/water on-board tender.

and Mary cleaned up the water wheel area

Dan moved gravel over to fill some low spots, and also graded the road a bit. He also moved some of the branches from near the tunnel over to the burn pile.

Dave dug a 3′ hole below the gutter spill location to provide better drainage, put in rocks, and Dan added gravel on top. A possible addition would be a chain to minimize splash and serve as a don’t-walk warning.

Russ installed a gutter-to-tank system featuring a large funnel. We’ll monitor for leaf clogging and revise if necessary.

Dan heaped up the gravel closer to the track for future ballasting. We’ll get one more load of gravel for future projects.

Russ got water and got the waterwheel working. ; no more work anticipated this year, but some reconstruction is likely within a few years.

Dan brought mulch for the garden. We still need stuff planted; sunflowers or whatever!

Dave installed the standoffs in the gutter.

Russ fixed the minor hose leak identified last Sunday

A G-scale fan identified himself on Sunday, and current thinking is to do a grove loop rather than a high loop in the station as previously planned. We have permission to go ahead with our G-scale project in the grove near the shed. We can clear salal, but absolutely no cutting of trees over 3″

A project we’ve discussed for a long time is to build a mini-shed for the wheelchair car to free up shop-working space in the shed, using the available infrastructure funds. Latest idea is a miniature drive-thru shed in the wye at this location. (only 4′ clearance) More to come.

Red trim on the shed was done Friday. and the lock hasp was installed on Saturday. Hand cars are now in the extension, so a lock is needed.

1- 1/2″ hidden screws into the 1- 1/2″ wood frames. Could be changed into bolts for strength, but is probably ok as is. Let the risk assessment discussion begin! lol

The key to the shed extension lock is with the hydraulic lift shed key and the picnic table keys. but now on the left side of the shed to make it easier to get them with only one door open. I’ll look into getting a new lock that fits our present shed keys.

FYI for anyone helping RMD set up: The e-loco, wheelchair car and one pax car fit on the left side of the shed. The yellow Thomas car has to be dismounted, but that’s good because it reminds to put the charger on.

Russ picked up two 24×24 tiles, but we deferred installing. Current idea is to
– – – leave the ramp as is
– – – use the “priority loading” area in the wye as the default handicap car loading point, with the “exit” spot only used when two trains are in service and the wheelchair car is parked..
– – – install the 24×24 tiles against the track in the exit area as low as needed to fit the handicap car using the present ramp.

Stop sign installed at Crossing #2
(double track figure 8)

Stop sign installed, coming into Crossing #1
(north-side crossing) Please STOP to show a good example for the handcar riders, and enforce it!

Lost and found department

Job 1 – got the wye track done using Dan’s hopper car. Hmmmm … photographer forgot to take a photo of the hopper car.

Aha – …. but Karl did – thanks!

50 shovels full per load. Gravel can be dumped along sides.

Raked the bed flat and added landscape cloth

Bob and Karl took the lead on another stretch, replacing the ties, and did some on the track in the forest.

We got the last of the broken fence posts fixed. There are still several steel supports in the shed for future repairs.

We got the 5″ boards down; the station surface is now complete! Yea!

The fire looked way better than this a few hours earlier. Thanks, Bob, for starting and managing it.

Dave stained the new wood on the shed extension, and had enough left over for one door. We have another gallon of the same stain. Leif is working on the door etc.

At his sawmill at home, Bob cut the 1/2″ x 5″ boards for the track in the station, but we didn’t have time to install them.

We’re having way too many derailments. Russ made a temporary spring system to keep the mainline reliable at milepost 0

Dave replenished two @5 liters of gas and a quart of 2-cycle oil. The mixed tank uses 100ml oil for 5 liters gas. (spice bottle there is 100ml). Use the two-ended tank for the mixed gas 2-cycle blower and trimmer (the other end is chainsaw oil)

Lots done Sunday, April 13. Thanks to Leif, Russ, Karl, Mary, Bob and Dave for attending.

Karl, Mary and Bob did a once-around the track, replaced some individual ties, and scoped out the priorities for upcoming tie replacement and ballasting.

Mary, Karl, and Bob cleared a lot of weeds, sod and sticks from the garden. We still need a planting plan.

The new springs on the loco look great, thanks Russ! Karl mentioned that Rick is willing to replace the decorative wheel-connectors for more authenticity.

Bob re-installed the repaired truck under pax car #10

Karl blew the track.
Russ had previously taken the two 20″ rails up to the tunnel.

We have two fire extinguishers, one in each shed, both near the doors. Target kindly donated the recharge on both; we listed them as a sponsor. (John Wicks retired)

Dave moved the fire extinguisher nearer the door in the north shed. Mary returned the First Aid kit and will buy some missing items. Please note the locations of these safety items.

Leif did all the purchasing at Rona and Valley, and kindly built the two 10′ wall sections at home yesterday to save time today. Thanks Leif!!

The rafters are 2x4s connecting walls to the shed, covered by two layers of 1×4 to hold the metal roof

Russ cut the metal roof panels using a grinding disk.

The gutter is back on. Leif will finish some minor items and build the door. We discussed mural or battens. Separate email refers.

With sourcing help from Dan, Russ replaced the too-weak springs on the #1 loco. Installed photo above

Flying loco

Back on the tracks

The fleet is ready for action May 4th

Derails are happening to often – some work needed here

Even less fun when working alone, and the derailment is the loco and tender. Loco is over 600 lbs!

Shed back in working order

Russ built a hoist to lift the loco. Task one was to replace the springs on the wheel axles – not sufficient strength remaining to keep the loco’s six wheels on twisted track; hence contributing to the recent derailments.

up, up and away

safe and sound on saw horses

Some general cleanup. Hey guys, let’s put the toys away when it’s going-home time

Also on Wednesday, April 8, Russ shaved the two tiles that didn’t fit; they do now!

On Tuesday, April 1, Bob and Dave took up the track where we had derailments on Sunday. We went the full 50′ or so between the two “wye” switches. (Step two will be with Dan and with hopper car for ballast. (next work Tues. Apr 15)

We raked it flat, connected ties at 8″ spacing to one side, and reinstalled that rail.

We then connected the other side of the ties, and crimped them in place. We cut landscape cloth, but stopped at that point because we had no ballast. We’ll wait for the hopper car or tractor to be on site, install the landscape cloth, and finish at a future work party. We also cleared the bonfire ashes and, enjoyed pizza with the Farmers Market folks.

On Sunday, March 30 at 11 am, Hydraulic Loco Show
ROLL OUT DAY!!!

Russ, Karl and Brian presented the revised loco, and engineers Bob, Rob, Stephen and Dave took it for a ride. Unfortunately, key crew member Rick was unavailable,
The loco works Great!!! Thanks, hydraulic crew!

We tested the stop signs, and decided they are the correct size and height from the ground. Dave will laminated and return them to their place near the crossings.

We found the first aid kit, Mary has it at home to see if further purchases are necessary.

On Sunday, March 30 at 10 am, Leif, Bob, Rob, Dave installed the twenty-two 16×16 tiles under the ticket-selling table and on the north side of the handcar track (brown to the hand car location, grey to the ticket table)

Laura and Mary joined us later to clear out the gravel near the rails.

Two tiles need trimming; Russ is on it. And we need 30′ of 1/2″ x 5″ boards to install on the handcar track in the station. (Bob Johnson)

Stephen is looking into recovering both tender seat covers.

Dan refurbished the gas loco wheel sets from the hydraulic project in late March; they are reinstalled on the loco. Minor lathe trimming was needed, less than expected, but the bearings were all bad, so they were replaced..

Rick Lundgren completed four more switch posts, ready to be integrated on-site at future work parties..

The 16×16″ patio stones are on-site ready for Sunday Mar 30

In case we lose the air compressor, shoes on four of the six loco wheels are activated by a mechanical lever. (all six wheels do the braking because they are connected by chain/sprockets). The mechanical system also provides the “emergency brake” for trains parked on a slope.

The loco is back in the shed looking much like before

Mar 12: Dan completed the Second Truck repair on Pax-car #10 Several 6202 2rs bearings were needed. Dan smoothed the treads on the lathe and re-assembled the truck. Flanges are worn, so wheel replacement will be required in a few years .

Early March. Rick and Dan met to discuss braking techniques on the hydraulic loco. With the hydraulic drive freewheeling, the team is being especially careful to ensure their are reliable braking air and mechanical brakes.

On Sunday, Mar 2, Leif, Bob, Russ, Rob and Dave got the patio tiles down and the ledger board up.

Bob and Rob led the 16×16 tile installation

Leif did the 24×24 tiles

We’ll add six more 16×16 to complete under the ticket-takers table

The ledgerboard is up. The remainder of the shed should take only one day.

We now have a set of Robertson drivers in the shed; 5@ #2, plus #3s and #1s

Climax: We fastened the two main plates down with 12 socket cap screws. The 8″ pipe size (sample test) for the boiler looks in proportion. The wood cab will be replicated in either wood or metal. The mock-up cardboard tender box is at the back.

Cap-screws Combination drill-tap 10-32 works great!. Looks good on our 1/5 scale using Allen-wrench socket-cap screws.

Second Truck repair on Pax-car #10 We disassembled the truck with much difficulty. Several 6202 2rs bearings are needed. Dan will smooth the treads on the lathe and re-assemble the truck. Flanges are worn, so wheel replacement will be required in a few years .

After 20 years, it’s amazing the wheel sets were still working. It took heat and much pulling to remove the bearings.

Follow-on car. We talked about it. Latest sketch:

Rick Lundgren has been working on the switch lever stands at his shop in mid January.

Gas loco hydraulic conversion

Russ trimmed the composite wood to make the gap between the tracks 32 inches and we installed the first two 16×16 pavers. We’ll delay the follow-on pavers until a warmer day.

After re-positioning them to the correct height and distance to the shed wall, Leif and Rob installed the pressure treated 2x4s on the desk blocks.

We removed the gutter and battens. Russ took the battens home to store them and will return them when their height is known (for shed wall)

Bob and Dan installed and ballasted the switch and the 40′ of track. Many clubs would marvel at the quality and speed of what got done today.

Lots of grinding, drilling and bolting.

Using the wood ties for the first time

Post blocks partially installed

Battens came off best with a shovel. Only two nails each batten

Russ and Karl had moved the loco to Rick’s place, and stripped it down. Russ brought the wheel sets to the work party. They have been taken to Dan’s place where they will be refurbished, probably by smoothing the surface on the lathe and sweating on a tread made from a pipe.

The gutters are in reasonable shape and can probably be reused.

We had originally planned to put the post blocks flat side up like Dave Banks did in the other shed, but current thinking is to put them this way and have a 2×4 spine under the wall.