We are ready to begin …
Chairman Bob opened the meeting at 12:42 pm.
We had 14 members Including John & Leo Gorzelany, at the RR today, including a rare and welcome sighting of member Peter Randall.
Treasurer’s report Kevin
Our bank accounts are in good shape.
We do have one outstanding expense for the two new club riding cars; not yet billed for from RMI
We have no Accounts Payable, and no Accounts Receivable.
We have 66 members all of whom have paid their dues!
Project Status Reports
Track Refurbishment Project – Bruce
Our process and results are getting better and better every time. Based on the last refurbishment of 100 feet of track by Bob and Bruce, we have modified the pre-drilling of ties process by tightening up the spacing of screws, and will test that in early May. The field gauging fixtures work very well, and we’re asking Bill to make a longer one for more efficient production on straight track. The refinements that Bill and Mike’s team are doing are producing high quality, repeatable results in the tie pre-drilling and screwing process. Bob notes that we plan to have the whole process in working order so that in late May we will have an all-club work weekend to work on track refurbishment - more on that below in meet planning. The process is now even fun.
We’ll try to have folks on their knees no more than half an hour or so, and rotate out. Bruce noted that the new on the ground process with our jigs and fixtures mean that we might not have to do both tracks at once since we’re placing the new ties on top of the old roadbed, so we don’t need to get a tractor in there to prepare the roadbed.
Bob also noted that as we do the track refurbishment, we may make some minor changes to track layout. Some spurs may become sidings. So, if you see something that you would like to see changed, let a member of the board know.
Bill stated that we no longer need to worry about an engine picking a point on a switch, because our new switch mechanisms are very robust, and are either solidly open or solidly closed.
Bruce mentioned that the old style remote switch mechanisms need oiling from time to time, so they might be good candidates to replace with the new ones.
Ballast & full sized RR ties - Bruce & Bob.
A friend of our railroad (an antique car and tractor collector) Luke Rizzuto has offered his dump truck and trailer to haul ballast for us. It would take several runs to deliver our order. So we’d like to have him deliver one load to test out the feasibility, then decide if we need to go with larger commercial trucks. Luke with his smaller truck could deliver ballast back near Rabbit Flat. Our washed ballast is currently coming from Stevens Creek. When they wind down operations we will need to select a new source for our ballast.
Switches - Kevin
Refurbishment - When the track teams get to each switch, we will decide if we replace them with bench built units, or replace ties on site. Some of the old wood ties are so far gone that if you pull up a switch they break apart. So, it will be a case by case decision. Kevin will be the decider.
Switch production - We have 6 switches complete for Rabbit Flat, and are making 6 more frogs.Tom is helping with the welding. That should be complete in a couple weeks and then it takes one day to finish assembling a switch, after which Ed adds the kick-switch mechanism.
Switch stands - Bill
We have 40 to 50 regular switch mechanisms done, plus 10 remote switches. We are updating the cams to give a broader range of tolerance. Plus, we have made parts for kick switches and assembled many and are planning up to 3 or 4 dozen.
Rabbit Flat - Bill
Carl asked if we plan to build out Rabbit Flat with panels made in the shop or on the ground on-site as with the refurbishment? Bill responded that we can make perfect panels in building 4, but they go out of alignment when moving panels to the site and adjusting the radius as needed. Plus, they often need to be cut to fit, and the ends redrilled in the field. It appears we can build track to spec the first time on the ground without rework. So, building on the ground is the right answer.
Carl also asked if we could then free up some of the space currently by track building benches. Bob agreed that we might free up some space. He also said we will use all the panels we have in inventory. Could use them (modified) to retrofit switches in the tie replacement program.
RF Turntable – Bill
We have almost completed two major pieces, the substructure and the ring. The rotating track section will be next. The design is a very robust single structure, so the entire turntable and support will be installed into our non-engineered fill soil, within eyesight of the San Andreas earthquake fault, and will better tolerate whatever comes its way. We are putting the frame together in Building 4. Bill and Carl will use special techniques early next workday to ensure the heavy steel ring is an accurate circular structure before it is welded to the superstructure. When it is time for the move, it will be done with Bruce's car trailer to the prepared site.
Map Updates - Bob
The schematic maps are complete for maintenance tasks, and can be found on our website, here. If you would like a printed copy, please request from Bob. All the switches are now numbered within each Division (Lake, Mountain, and Redwood). Matt and Dee will be applying colored, numbered labels on every switch. All recent changes have been translated into the geographic map file and we will be printing new ones soon.
News - Bob
New Compressor
Lila Schmidt donated Ron’s 5 hp Air Compressor to the club. A team from the club detached it from his shop, and with ingenuity, a quad and some plywood, dragged it down to the waiting trailer and moved it to bldg 4 where Randy and Ken will wire it in. Then, we will plumb compressed air to the various work stations.
New Club Cars - Bob
Dee and Matt drove to Oxnard to pick up our two new club riding cars. They were delivered, and tested out. Bruce adjusted the springs for better performance. These cars do have air brakes and they are stored in the Lakeside Car Barn, behind Big Red.
Club Engine - Big Red - Bruce
Brandon will take the engine home to complete the installation of the air system.
Event & Run Planning – Bob
April - David will be here with family and friends.
May – We have changed this from a Run weekend to a Work weekend, both Saturday and Sunday, giving members who can’t make it to the Thursday work days a chance to pitch in and help build track. We plan on refurbishing 300’ feet of straight track next to the lake from the current test sections up to the Spillway Crossings over the two days. We may also be hosting Luke Rizzuto and his car club which will work fine alongside the track work.
June – is our Tri-Meet with Sacramento Valley Live Steam and Golden Gate Live Steam. In order to give those traveling a good distance with equipment, we are investigating the possibility of having some folks stay overnight on site. Mike and Bob are going to be recruiting volunteers for the many jobs we need to fill to make this a successful meet with our sister clubs.
July , August and September are normal run weeks.
October is our Annual Night run and Trial Operations meet. Ed and Rich Croll have started to discuss the details. We would like this meet to also have overnight privileges.
Bob ended the meeting at 1:33 pm
Mike Ward
PV&ARR
Secretary