Exiting the Redwood tunnel and now headed for the trestle
President Bob opened the meeting at 12:37 pm.
14 members present: Bob, Kevin, Russ, Mike, Tom, Carl, Dee, Matt, Evan Batista, Jerry, Lance, Bruce, Ed, Bill
Treasurer’s report -- Kevin:
Our bank account has $11,066.22 with no Accounts Receivable, no Accounts Payable.
RR Maintenance expenses year to date are $3,500. The RR has various other expenses from dues such as food for the meets, small tools and such which are unreported.
2022 Dues notices will be sent out to all members in December. There are no changes to the dues structure.
We have 72 members, all current in their dues.
Project Status Reports --
Switch stands. Tom & Carl:
The one coming off the Redwood Trestle switch to the caboose sidings is done, but locked, since the sidings are not yet in place. Finished the railing end and will add a railing to protect the gap at the end of the caboose.
The next remote switch will be by the office in the Caboose loop which will allow reverse running the Redwood Trestle around the caboose. Following that will be the first of three switches to the yard outside the tunnel.
Ballasting and leveling. Kevin: Still doing some work to fill low spots, mostly done plus a little levelling. We will ballast the sidings as we put them in. We need to repair the Overlook Ridge siding switch. Evan helped with the ballasting.
Signage. Russ:
All but 18 are printed and delivered and being installed. Some need to be on sheet metal and Carl will help with mounting.
We will have elevation signs for the Alpine summit, the Overlook Ridge Summit and at the Littlefield Station house. Plus we’ll add 8 whistle signs to each end of major bridges which is prototypical.
Mike will procure a Caboose Camp wood sign.
Little buildings: Ron is still out, so no progress.
New project. Jerry is replacing the old wood ties on the Old High Bridge with plastic low profile ties. Each track needs 120 ties. He is doing them in place so that the ROW is always available for running. They will be fastened to the wood deck with two screws every few feet to allow movement.
New member training. Bob: Evan Batista and Steve Dunn received basic PV&ARR training. Once training is complete, members are allowed to use club engines or their own trains on the RR track. Kevin suggests that training include dumping ballast from ballast cars, and re-railing them.
Car storage policy. Bob:
Reminded us that engine and rolling stock owners must use their equipment a couple of times a year in order to stay eligible for using club storage. We are quite full now, and need space for active and new members to store their equipment that will be operational. Some members have been contacted about this so they can retire their equipment and open up needed space.
Dee just bought a new engine and will store it in Engine House 1. Congratulations!
We may also split the cars off from engines in Engine House 1 to provide engine space.
New Pony Tracks Ranch operational rules.
The complete list is on our website. These apply to both members and guests. Members are responsible for insuring compliance.
Some highlights are:
Gator - Drivers must have a check ride, and all drivers and passengers must provide and wear a helmet. We will provide helmets for Ron Schmidt and his helpers.
Covid - Station is not a meeting place. Please don’t eat there or gather. Don’t share popcorn, chips, etc.
When weather gets bad, we will use Building 4 for indoor eating. We have tables in place. May move some chairs as needed.
Beginning 2022, the ranch may require all members and guests to be able to show Proof of COVID Vaccination, Negative Test Result or Documentation of Recovery
Waivers must now be resigned annually, starting on Jan 1st. We can start now and post date to Jan 1, 2022.
An Adult (25+) must accompany all people under 25 while on the ranch.
Safety and protocol.
Building consists on run days. Be sure to build safe consists that can be braked on hills, especially when the track is wet. For the club engine this means only 2 passenger cars, same for speeders using only the smaller passenger cars. Bill is exploring adding brakes to the club engine trailing car which would then allow larger consists.
Water out of the station tap is now labeled as ‘non-potable’ Individual bottled water is provided and there will be a hot and cold water dispenser at the Station house and Building 4. Please use bottled water to make coffee.
Guests rules. Bob: Rather than have a specific number of guest limitations, we will use common sense and courtesy- both to other members, and your guests. We do like to offer rides to all who attend, which was not the case for our 2021 joint meet. So, if you invite guests, you must be able to host all your guests, which includes seeing that they are able to get rides. If you need help, you must arrange for it ahead of time. If you plan on inviting a larger number of people they should be either your friends, or in a contiguous group, like a car club. And do let a member of the operations council know.
Engines using club riding cars are obliged to share in the load of giving rides.
For extra large meets we will consider having a conductor at the station and a flag man on each train. Evan volunteered to help as a conductor.
Budget items
New engine. The RR has been pondering purchasing a 3rd engine. Not new so we can purchase at a reasonable price. Tom noted that his engine has gone up 50% in price. No decision has been made.
Caboose Expansion Budget. 2021 is pretty much complete.
Remaining items would be to acquire full size ties (150) from the City of San Jose. Brandon will deliver them sometime.
PV&A RR shirts. Bruce: On hold now due to no response from the vendor. Evan offered that he could help in this area and will work with Bruce.
Run and Work days
A Golden Gate member made a video of the October Joint Meet which is posted on the website and here.
November run is the 20th & 21st.
Members will attend both Saturday and Sunday.
Thanksgiving week work day will be Wednesday the 24th
December run day will be the 18th to separate it from Christmas week
Special run day on Thursday, December 30th, Bruce’s friends will host a lunch potluck. His guests will bring food for all of themselves and any members who would like to join. Not 1/1 as previously discussed.
Annual meeting and election. Will be held as usual on our January Saturday run day January 22nd.
Summer of 2022. Bob is working on the GG SVLS joint meet. Traditionally, we have had it in June; but Train Mtn. has big events in June and July, so August is possible, but hot.
Safety. 10 mph on the ranch. Please advise anybody you see speeding. We are at risk of having our privileges pulled if we do not abide by this.
Bob closed the meeting at 1:33
Mike Ward (with help from Matt Petach)
Secretary