The welding train had back to the yard at end-of-day
May 21, 2020 Annual Meeting and Operations Council Meeting Minutes
Bob called the meeting to order at 12:33pm for our first outdoor and Zoom Operations Council, with Mike and Rene attending remotely.
Finance Report - Kevin
Bank balance is $7,103.70, with accounts receivable of $50 (1 member)
We have 67 members, 66 are current with their dues. Bruce has spent about ⅓ of this year’s capital funding for the Caboose Loop expansion. Steel, ballast, plumbing, not including tractor rental.
Project Status Reports
Lumber Camp Return Loop
Bridge Installation - Bill: The extreme end of the last segment of the bridge has been moved 9” to provide comfortable passing room for large engines heading up to the Camelback bridge. This also necessitated moving the stairs about 4’ to the south and putting in small footings for the landing. Re-welding of the bridge will be done during our May work weekend by Brandon and Mitchell.
Hand Railing will be installed on May work weekend by Tom.
Switch stands needed for Caboose loop. Extension. Need 2 minimum. Or 3 to use the Mountain Route with Lumber Camp Loop. Tom will check inventory and figure out what is needed for fabrication.
Right-of-Way Track Laying - Kevin: No further action until drainage & irrigation lines and wood trestle are complete.
Grading is complete (as good as it needs to be) on ROW. Bruce is installing fire safety irrigation and rain runoff drainage. Track final leveling will be by ballast - lay track on dirt; add ballast, and then raise track to desired level.
Redwood Trestle at Lumber Camp Bridge - Mike: Two bents have been raised to the correct dimension. Three bents for the future siding must be moved about 20” to properly fit the 50’ radius standard. Concrete foundation extensions are needed and will be done on the May work weekend. Ken and Mike did install the final stringers for the main ROW; will tune up leveling next week and add in the stringers for the future siding.
Caboose Loop
ROW, Tunnel, Bridge and Circle - Bruce: Redwood Canyon Bridge has been moved into place and foundations located, drilled, and poured. Holes for the ROW near the overlook house have been drilled. Grading and trenching for drainage of the tunnel route is stalled due to recent rain.
There is a broken dry Fire Department pipe that the ranch will fix in three weeks.
Little Buildings
Dick Osgood is doing some little building restorations at home;
Miscellaneous
Bruce and Bill removed much of the silt and dirt buildup behind the Rabbit Flat retaining walls with the heavy equipment on hand.
Safety
Recently, we sent out a letter to all members with Covid-19 safety measures we instituted in order to reopen work days. This covered wearing of masks (home made are fine), > six foot distancing whenever possible, minimum use of the station house. Are there any other things we might do that would encourage more of our regular work crew to rejoin us? Please let Bob, Bill, Kevin, Mike or Bruce know. Thanks.
Covid-19 safety implementation: we’re doing pretty good work on people spacing and wearing masks; be sure to coach new folks on Saturday work weekend.
A touchless soap dispenser has been installed in the station house.
Run Days
Run weekend is converted to work days. We expect a small group to work on 4 major projects, each with a project lead, consulting engineer and helpers.
Bridge Welding - Lead Brandon, Eng Bill, Helper Mitchell
Lumber Camp Redwood trestle footings, and rail installation - Lead Peter Blum, Eng Ken, Helpers Bob, Bill, Miles, ...
Switch maintenance; lots of unused switches not working well; needed for an ops meet. Lead Ed Holland, Eng, Bob, Helper Dee.
Curving and drilling rail for #2 track panels. Lead Ken Burns. Helper Chris Burns
Event planning for 2020-2021
All events on hold until San Mateo county gives us guidance. Russ to update the website to reflect this info
Bob opened the floor for Q & A
Rene said thanks for hosting the meeting on Zoom so he could attend.
Meeting ended at 1:13pm - we were done, and Zoom limits us to 45 minutes!