Members Steve & Lance take a small group of enthusiasts for a track inspection
President Bob opened the meeting at 12:38 pm with 12 members present.
The monthly meeting is one week earlier than usual to prepare for our June Joint Meet on Saturday and Sunday the 17th and 18th.
Bob noted that Carl Herrera is coming along well after his shoulder operation - he is in rehab now. Do give him a call to say hello.
Treasurer’s report -- Kevin
Bob, (standing in for Kevin) All members have paid their dues.
Our checking and savings accounts are all healthy, no Accounts Receivable nor Accounts Payable.
We now have 64 Members including 2 new ones, Michael Ford and Pamela Levine who will be joining us at our Joint meet. Please introduce yourselves to them and help acclimate them to the club.
Project Status
Caboose Circle:
New yards & siding - Kevin is actively working on the new Caboose siding - now designed with only one switch off the main loop, Matt is infilling ties and we will be close to ready for the run, but lots of ballast needs to be added.
Gritty Gravel cars
Car # 2 is almost done, primer painted today. Tom and Jerry installed new sheet metal guides for better ballast distribution. Car #1 is currently in heavy use, but had previously been repaired to the upgrade with turned wheels and new bearings, and is only in need of new paint and guides. It will be done when we get a lull in ballast laying
Little Buildings
Ron is feeling better and wants to return in about a month to continue his work on little buildings.
Gritty Gravel Barn
The building project is complete, Building done, doors on, paint and trim done. Track, power and lighting are inside, bridges widened and a new siding added.
The Lakeside Barn was named last September and we discussed providing signage for it., as it will house the new club engine and consist as well as the Gritty Gravel cars.
The track along the lake was raised 6 to 8” by Kevin to provide the proper slope from the Feather River bridge to the Lakeside Barn.
Club Motive Power -
New Club Engine - Brandon is putting brakes on the riding cars, but awaiting parts to complete the install.
Engine is running now - after lots of winter refurbishment work. Clean out the animal litter, change oil, rewired, new gas lines, battery cables and battery. Pretty much ready to reassemble and put into service as we now have its new home ready.
The speeder is still down - awaiting a new RMI controller and it needs new Accucraft couplers installed to match our passenger cars. Awaiting delivery, hopefully in time for the joint June Run.
Switch Stands
Not discussed, but lots of progress in making new parts and installing in critical locations.
Redwood Canyon pedestrian bridge - Mike
Work has begun on the bridge. Last year, Bill and Kevin W. set out the general location for the bridge and pioneered the approach path to the creek. We’ve laid out a 20’ sample board where we will span the chasm. Redwood logs that were milled to thickness last year have been air drying for almost a year now, so are dry enough to continue processing for our rustic bridge and stairs. It will take pedestrians from the Caboose across the creek, and up a few steps to the Tunnel switchyard.
The base for the bridge will be made from two 6” x 12” redwood beams, with a minimum foundation, planking will be 6’ wide made from 2” thick rough, random width redwood slabs including their bark for that rustic feeling.
Safety and announcements
We have been asked to empty the food trash bin right after lunch to reduce varmint problems. Put unopened chip bags in the cupboard.
Denise Littlefield will be here next Thursday - Bill will host
Reminder, the PV&ARR is a private train club as stated on our website. We are train enthusiasts who have, and facilitate the operation and enjoyment of model trains.
Only PV&ARR members may host other train enthusiasts, and then you are responsible for their safety and behavior. Recruit help if you need it. Do not promise train rides if you do not own an engine and cars or have arranged for this with train owners. We only have one club engine right now, and it takes 30 to 40 minutes for one full circuit.
We will always meet the requirements of our agreement with the Ranch
PVA&RR 2020-2023 Expansion Project -
Bill reports that the 3-year Expansion Project is now complete as of this month. Here is a brief summary.
Although the most recent three-year project is singularly significant and had a separate formal agreement, it culminated work that had been done previously, since the full-sized caboose was moved to the PTR office area and it was agreed to extend the PV&A RR to this location.
The fully completed expansion roughly doubled the total track length with the addition of over one mile of track. However, in terms of interesting features, intrigue, views, enjoyment and engineering accomplishment, the completed project far more than doubled the impression and pleasure it provides to enthusiasts. It certainly gives credence to the founding desire of Jacques Littlefield that it be recognized not as the largest of its kind, but rather among the very best of its kind.
The entire expansion project more than doubled the number of bridges with the addition of seven including the spectacular arched Lumber Camp Bridge, the number of trestles with the addition of two including the spectacular redwood Caboose Trestle, the number of tunnels with the spectacular Redwood Canyon Tunnel, three new rail yards, several new spurs and sidings, and a new engine/car building.
It required an unknown number of volunteer labor hours from a large group of enthusiasts with extremely diverse knowledge and skills, completing tasks equal or superior to externally contracted quotations. Many innovations and improvements over standard practice were developed by the talented group through the combination of professional skill and knowledge of standard as well as model railroad processes. With costs limited to primarily materials, the final three years were completed for 10% of outside quoted costs.
The volunteer group managed the project completion on time, on budget and with no injuries. We remain extremely thankful for being afforded this opportunity and are pleased to share the achievement to be enjoyed by many more for many years.
There will be no organized celebration at this meet, as we have already had the golden spike ceremony. This will give us the maximum time to enjoy the fruits of this great project. There is however a rumor about ice cream in the afternoon.
Please note that we have ongoing normal RR maintenance projects. In addition, we are now beginning a multi-year project called Railroad Sustainability. We will apply the new materials and processes developed during the Expansion Project to the pre-existing track in support of a planned 50-year life throughout, with reduced maintenance. Current noteworthy improvements will include wooden tie replacement with plastic, new switching mechanisms, improved roadbed, drainage, and ballasting, improved fire prevention and automatic sprinklers, among other things. This project will continue for several years to completion.
Joint June Run planning and execution
Our big meet is on the 17th & 18th of June Saturday
Running may be done from 8 am to 6 pm Saturday & Sunday 8 am to 4 pm.
We’re expecting 10 or more folks from Sacramento Valley Live Steamers
And more from GGLS. There should be lots of great looking and fun riding iron here on Saturday.
We will be running in the normal forward direction
Equipment trailers may be left in designated parking overnight at the RR
Preparation -
Deploy fire extinguishers (Bruce).
Making sure all the switches needed for the meet are working - (Ed).
Note that some switches are tie-wrapped in one position, Please leave them as is.
ROW watering will not be required due to cool weather and weed abatement work.
Extra tables and cones for traffic management - (Bruce).
Place the signs and cones for parking by 8 am Saturday - (Steve Dunn).
Lunches; As of June 8th, twelve lunches have been ordered. Cutoff is Tuesday June 13th - (Bob).
Day of the Joint Meet tasks
Station Master - (Ed)
Unloading host - (Jerry)
Lunch setup and service - ( Bob, Kevin, Mike F. & Pamela)
Parking - around station house and Bldg 1-2-3-4 - (need someone here)
Parking Signs placement and pickup (Steve)
Sign-in Desk - (Steve, Peter, Dee, Mike W.)
Protocol
Radio must be carried by all engineers, Ed will give each engineer our Rules of the Road.
Volunteers at the greeting desk, Ed and Bob will also have radios to help coordinate activities.
All members and train enthusiasts must sign a Ranch waiver, every calendar year.
All PV&ARR members are hosts and stewards, please help make people welcome and safe.
The donation box will be out.
Bob ended the meeting at 1:30 pm
Mike Ward
PV&ARR
Secretary