The Redwood Tunnel looks great when Frankie is visiting
President Bob opened the meeting at 12:40
Eleven members present.
Treasurer’s report -- Kevin, Bill, Bob
Reports that we have $10,540.98 in the bank, with Accounts Receivable of $192.20, and Accounts Payable of $22.17
We have 66 Members all of whom are current
The RR has spent $2,344.09 on maintenance, year to date.
Bill reports that we have tentative agreement with family for next year for our proposed activities. We will complete the 3 year Expansion Project in June 2023; on time and on budget even with current inflation on materials. Future RR work activities will be for Upgrade & Sustainability like tie replacement; for which most major materials are already purchased except ballast gravel. Any needed tractor work will be coordinated with normal ranch usage and schedules.
Bill also mentioned that Luke Rizzuto (a tractor friend of Bill’s) will come to our October Run with family. Luke has agreed to drive to Oxnard to pick up plastic tie material for us at his own expense, which might require two trips. If you see him; thank him for his help!
Bob reported that the Operations Council met in early October to review and prioritize our list of Upgrade and Sustainability projects for 2023 & 2024.
Project Status Reports
New yards & siding - Kevin
Working on the stub switch for the Caboose yard which will go on hold to focus on the switches needed for the new siding at the Gritty Gravel Barn.
Gritty Gravel Barn - Kevin, Tom
The Main line will be out of service for a few weeks while we are adding the switches and modifying the existing bridge. It will be widened with a new bridge girder attached . This will be an all hands on deck project to remove the existing bridge for updating and painting in the Building 4 shop. We will have the ROW back together in time for the November Run.
Bob asked to have the processes detailed before moving the bridge out.
Ed asked how we will match the new switch rail with the taller Tom Miller rail currently in that part of the ROW.
Bill agreed to meet after the Ops Council meeting to discuss all details.
The concrete foundations for the wider bridge have been poured (Bruce, Matt, & Dee) and earthwork and gravel have been installed and tamped for the new siding (Bill).
Wood building is complete (Tom, et al), except for doors. Painting (Bruce) and caulking (Dee) are in process. Mike is fabricating the windows. Bruce has started laying the roofing shingles
Bill suggested that we use the wye at Cranna’s corners to allow reversing and returning to the station in a forward configuration if there is a problem with completing the Gritty Gravel siding in advance of the November run. All switches there should be checked for operation in both directions.
Rabbit Flat yard design - Kevin
Ed and Kevin are still discussing the design which may not start until next year.
New club engine - Bob for Bruce
Parts for the fuel pump, hoses and electrical are now here, but not installed; pending Bruce’s availability and parking space in the soon to be finished Gritty Gravel (and storage) Barn. Many members are excited to see it get on the road again.
Little Buildings - Mike for Ron
The (large) Rabbit Flat station has been moved into building 4.
Safety and Procedures
Radios - Bob. The RR has purchased 12 GMRS radios so that all engine drivers may communicate while on the ROW. They have been tested and work all over the ROW, batteries will last all day, and we have spares.
This will increase safety and efficiency in case of derailments or emergencies that occur while running. Each train will have a minimum of one radio, long trains will have two. Engineers will check out a radio at the beginning of the day, and return when runs are complete.
New member orientation and training - Bob. Folks have been recruiting new members, and we have been successful in getting a few interested and several have joined. We would like to have a process to vet potential members whereby they meet at least one of the board members before signing up. Then after they join we mentor them on our procedures and standards. We do have a training program already in place and will recruit mentors for them to shadow for a period of time. As an example, new member Frank Fine will shadow Peter and Bill during the October run until they (and we) are comfortable to let them operate on their own.
Run days
October meet preparation - Bob reports that signups have been bigger than we thought. 71 signed up for dinner, and we will have more for the daytime run, possibly 100 over the day.
Etiquette . There have been some examples of people borrowing or moving other people’s equipment, as well as removing safety chains and not replacing them. Please see that the owners are contacted before attempting to move / borrow equipment.
The two long passenger cars must stay on the gas club engine and may not be borrowed. No additional cars should be added to this consist.
If needed, you may add one short passenger car to the speeder train consist. That is all that is safe with just regenerative braking.
The three green PV&A RR cars can be loaned out to other train consists
Carl and Jerry prepared one more Gray passenger car for October and it may now be used.
Steve Dunn mentioned that Vista Verde neighbors Don and Amanda Lee would like to bring up his Shelby club to visit the RR sometime in the future. We agreed that this is a good idea.
Luke Rizzuto has tentatively requested that his antique car club visit the RR in November in exchange for the tie material pickup.
November run is Thanksgiving week 11/26 & 27
December run is 12/17 & 18
Bob ended 1:25pm