Tom & Kevin work on switches for yards & sidings
President Bob opened the meeting at 12:.37 PM with 11 members present, picnicking on a warm afternoon outside at the steaming bay tables.
Treasurer’s report -- Kevin
We have $15,690.27 in the bank, with Accounts Receivable of $793.93 and Accounts Payable of $5,108.56.
We have 64 members with 63 fully paid.
To date this year, we’ve spent $973.43 on RR maintenance.
Project Status Reports:
Caboose Camp
Sign: Mike. [Ed note, not discussed, but exploring several styles, no other progress]
New yards & Sidings: Kevin
We just started laying the tunnel yard July 21. Having to mix in old switches (Tom MIller’s larger rail) with our standard track which means we have to carefully adapt each interface.
Also working on the stub switch for Caboose Camp yard. Tom has welded frogs, Kevin will grind and then start fitting them together.
Rabbit Flat will be next. Design being done by Ed, Bill, Kevin and Bruce.
Base Rock spreading as the track is laid.
Little Buildings: Ron.
i’ll never run out of little buildings to rebuild. On the current large white building, we’ve installed the windows. Finally, we’ll put on the roof and balcony supports and then it’ll be done.
Lift status (between Engine house 1 and Engine house 2: Bill & Ken
Cylinder is repaired, reinstalled and running. Works better than ever. Thanks Ken and Bill!
Ken noted that the brake press in building 4 may need some repair. Bill will check it out as it might be the pump. Ken will do any dismantling needed.
Track panel production. Bob
Kevin’s order for straight panels is done, now working on 12 more curved panels. After this order is complete, track building will take a break in production..
Bob noted that some new rails from Train Mountain are 1 to 4” longer than 10’ and cautioned people to be sure to get semi-matched pairs when you start a new panel.
Gritty Gravel Barn Tom
Most of the front side T1-11 siding is installed. We will continue with siding install, then we’ll need fascia boards, plastic for windows, flashing and roofing. Tom will create a materials shopping list for Bruce.
Silver bridge Berm. Bill
Matt and Dee are ballesting the last portion today. We need to decide if we are going to extend the outside row of ties and add more ballast. It is adequate as it is. Further modifications will constitute a new project which will need a project lead. Bill noted that the nearby water main will have to be located before pounding steel stakes into the ground.
Gritty Gravel Barn bridge rebuild: Bill
Will start design. Tom suggests we just widen the old one. TBD.
Compressor line leaks. Ken
We have a plan, but won’t do anything till we get a ditch witch; Bruce will hand dig across the road when weather changes and the ground softens up.
Right of Way Map. Russ / Bob
It has been reprinted and installed in the frame with more than 100 updates. When the Rabbit Flat design proposal is a bit more solid, we will do another turn.
Bovine Tunnel (1999) Bruce:
Bill & Bruce are looking at ties to see how soon they need replacing. Bruce thinks they will last another winter. (so we will delete from the list of current projects for now)
Work Priorities Bill & Bob
Thru next June
Number one is to work on all the sidings and yards. Caboose, tunnel, riding arena, & Gritty Gravel barn.
We are on or ahead of schedule and budget to complete the Expansion Project on time in ~ 10 more months for work. The current budget ends in 4 months..
The Tie Replacement program is independent of the Expansion Project and will go on until all the wooden ties are replaced with our new plastic material.
Upcoming Meets: Bob
July meet. Bruce and Kevin have blown the track. We will pre-water the ROW.
August 27th Joint meet - with Golden Gate and Sacramento Valley Live Steamers.
We will presale reservations for Dinner, (not lunch). We’re not going to get lots of extra food this time for walkup customers as we had too many leftovers last year. Guests will be asked to pay ahead of time, choosing between chicken or stuffed salmon. Sides and drinks are included at $15 per person, no change in price from last year.
Per Covid protocol, food will be dished up and served, as before.
As we get closer, we will fill out the volunteer slots, but so far, we have:
Sign in tables - 2 hour shifts: Ron; maybe Tom.
Food servers: Bob, Mike, Carl
Car & Trailer Parking
Steaming bay & siding Assignments for visiting engines: Ed Sarber?
September. Possible School Groups from PV
Safety and Procedures
Fire Preparedness
Fire season is here:
Extinguishers - Ron will complete filling and charging them today; we will distribute them promptly.
Tools: We will distribute the fire tools (shovels and McLeod hoe/rake) so they will be where needed most. We will figure out how to house them neatly at a later time.
Covid Protocol: Bill
Continues as usual: Proof of vaccine or current negative tests for ALL guests must be shown to Bill or Bruce. If they are unavailable, show proof to your PV&A-RR member/host who will pass it on to Bill or Bruce that day.
Ordering stuff: Bob
Bill is in contact with RMI who has 5 pallets of materials left from an order previously placed, about 12,000 lbs - tie materials, rail connectors, etc. Shipping TBD.
We have all the steel rail we need on hand from TM. Many thanks to those who drive the rail here from Train Mountain.
Mike Massey has the stainless steel screws and will deliver them in August along with the club’s Contraption engine.
Questions: Bob asked if anybody had questions.
Re-railers. Tom will make “small” rer-ailers around the ROW (but will do fire equipment holders first). We need 2 or three, and some are missing. We need to leave one at RF.
Bob ended the meeting at 1:13 pm
Mike Ward
Secretary