Now that the weather has finally warmed up enough to work outside, we're ready to add the tracks to the racks!
The last dozen Saturdays have seen great progress on the inside of the building, installing all of the engine racks, and the heavy framing for the upper level. Switch master Larry has built all the turnouts for the south yard, and the last two workdays saw the construction of enough track panels to get the yard started. Bill McLaughlin has built and installed most of the drop down bridges to the transfer table so the engines can come out to play. Bill Hesse built the rough framing for the compressor room. About a third of the welds on the racks and transfer table still need to be finished, and drain pans installed, but the finish line is clearly in sight.
On 8/9 the rough grading was done for the track leading to Allen's valley, and on 8/16 Rich Casford did the final grading to level the area on the south end of the new building. The first two wye turnouts were laid to track 6, 7, 8, & 9 and extended about 30 feet toward the gate. Track 5 (The Hunter track) was started. The remaining two wye's, and track sections, were laid in place before the lunch bell rang, and are ready to bolt together.
The next two 'extra' Saturdays (8/23 and 8/30) we'll concentrate on the yard. The real optimists are betting we can have it done before the fall meet. Once the wye's are in place, five straight tracks will run out to merge together near the gate. That means a need for about 20 more track panels. Being straight and level, a dedicated group of RLS track layers could probably get them down as fast as they can be built. After that, another hundred feet then head up the hill to the railroad. Shade will be provided for the panel building crew. We're going to have a load of ballast delivered directly to the yard in order to minimize the shovel work.
We have the material on hand to dry wall the compressor room. This is the final requirement to sign off the building permits. Anyone with some knowledge of dry walling who can take on this project will earn the eternal gratitude of the building crew!
Don't forget there is still time to reserve space in the new building for both trains and engines at the special advanced lease rate for up to 5 years. See Rich Casford for details.
- Bill Hesse