May 2022 Operations Council Minutes

Matt & Bill raised the berm beyond the Silver Bridges to make it safer to walk


President Bob opened the meeting at 12:.45

10 members present.

Treasurer’s report -- Kevin:

We have  $15,907.88  in the bank with Accounts Receivable of  $100 (one dues in arrears)  and Accounts Payable of $41.43.

We’ve spent $877.94 on railroad maintenance so far this year. 

We have 64 members of whom 63 are current .

 

Project Status Reports:

Switch Stands – Tom

We installed one last week but are now welding switch points for new switches. We’ll get back to installing them as the track crew requests them.

New yards & sidings - Bill & Kevin  

Base Rock spreading – Bill will check the Rabbit Flat yard to see if any additional grading is needed. If not, Kevin will do the final leveling with ballast. Ed Saber is still working on the drawing for Rabbit Flat. 

The tunnel yard is ready for final leveling, compacting and track laying. We will level that with base rock already in place, then run the compactor over that. We will do the Tunnel yard first as we have the track and switches on hand for that.

Caboose circle; The drain from the driveway to the creek is in and covered. Now we need to check for needed leveling with fill and gravel before installing the spurs.

The Lumber Camp spur is also ready to go with track and switch available. Kevin asked Tom to put the regular height switch stand on the steel bridge, as the switch will start on the bridge in order to accommodate the needed curve to the spur.

Old high bridge Tie replacement and guard rail - Jerry

Both rails are now complete, so have started working on guard rails for the Redwood Canyon Bridge. Noted that the track was not fastened down and has moved 1” to 2.” Bill says the track is now where it wants to be, so fix it there and add guard rails. We will add guard rails inside the tunnel at a later date. The ties are regular ties, not bridge ties so screws and washers will be adapted to the project.  We have the guard rail material already.

Car Barn stub switch - Jerry

It’s been noted that he has been derailing at the stub switch near Car Barn #1. He will replace the 15 old wood ties there after the Redwood Canyon Bridge.

Tie cutting & routing- Russ & Mike

Have finished cutting ties to length for the first 6 pallets of material, routing trailing behind. We are building considerable inventory for the track building crew. Russ notes that we will be doing this for a long time, so probably don’t need to report the status monthly.  

Track Panels building takes a lot longer, and we don’t have enough people on that. There are enough track panels for some of the sidings and spurs, but not all of them. 

Engine house transfer table hydraulic cylinder - Bill

This project is on the list, but will have to start after a run weekend, as the hoist will be out of service for a couple of weeks. 

Silver Bridge Berm - Bill

Project is going well, we need a few more days of labor. The outside wall is done most of the way, and the inside will be built up to height with ties held in place with angle brackets. Carl suggested just stacking ties and using rebar to keep the width maximized. Bill replied that angle brackets match the existing design and the top walking area by the track is wide enough. Tom suggested tying the two sides together under the track, but Bill feels it is strong enough as is.

Air Compressor leaks - Bob & Bill

Still need to be repaired. Bill suggests we dig a trench and put in a large sleeve for the utilities to accommodate future maintenance under the vehicle road way.

Bovine tunnel (old 1999 tunnel) - Bob

Wooden ties do need to be replaced; we will use bridge-height plastic ties.  Kevin asked if we need to do this now, or can wait till the expansion is complete. Bill suggests that if derailings are being caused, we should do it sooner. Much discussion about the tunnel width and height, but we have tabled that subject for now.

Gritty Gravel barn - Tom & Bruce

Making progress with the wood structure adapting to the reality in the field. It will be 3 tracks wide; two long ones for car consists and one for the two Gritty Gravel cars.

Little Buildings: No report.

 

Ordering stuff - Bob

Screws are nearing delivery. The big order to RMI has been placed including delivery for the first half of the material. We will figure out how to get the second half delivered at the best achievable cost.

 

Run Days 

Next weekend is our May run. Bob and Bill are not here so Bruce will be the host.

On our regular Thursday work day, June 16th, just prior to Train Mountain’s Triennial meet, several guests from New Zealand will come by to enjoy our railroad, and help load up engines for the trek north. 

Our June meet will be Saturday only, June 25th; Bob will be the host.

August is our annual joint meet with Sacramento Valley Live Steamers and Golden Gate Live Steamers.

Bob closed the meeting at 1:13 pm.

Mike Ward (with assistance from Matt Petach)

PV&ARR Secretary