lunch munching before the meeting gets started
Chairman Bob opened the monthly meeting of the Railroad Club on Thursday at 12:40 pm, with 15 members present.
Treasurer’s report -- Bob for Kevin
Our bank account is still healthy. Membership is now at 72 as we removed the 3 non responding people as we announced last month. This brings our Accounts Receivable to $0.
Project Status Reports
Turntable - Tom The last of the 5.5" concrete blocks will be finished by the end of Thursday. The final gap will be filled with mortar, ready to pour the fill. Steel rod is all curved and ready.
Bruce commented that the ground is still too wet to support heavy equipment for the pour, which relates to the roundhouse as the turntable will be poured by hand.. Mike Ward asked if the interior surface would be faced or finished, the plan is to leave it as is.
Rabbit Flat - Kevin Working on the turntable’s cinder block base with Tom.
Round House - Mike. We are still making parts for the 17 windows, and will start putting them together in a week or two. Bruno is working on the elevation sketches so Kevin can figure out the stud plan. Kevin has also translated the drawings into a foundation plan for our 4” (at the center) slab, with perimeter wall and piers under each post. Will and Peter put the hold down brackets on the posts. And, the team prepped a couple of hundred ties for the May work weekend.
Switch Stands and Remotes - Bill Marty We completed the new style kick switch for S210 at Alpine Summit to reduce clutter. We will install a new remote switch stand for S111 next. There may be some minor changes to the switch points’ hinges with a larger chamfer rail (Tom Miller) required when installing hinges with certain sections of older track.
Signals system - Matt. Prototype board is built and looking good, but our contact at Train Mountain is tied up now, so no further progress.
Signage - Bill for Steve Bill Complimented Steve for all his recent work - documenting, organizing and testing. Steve created a workbook of data for the signs. We need to measure the actual length of every spur. These signs will be screwed flat to the ties to tell how long they are, and where the consist must clear (the foul point) to avoid interference with passing trains. Kevin and Bruce will measure elevations to document % grade between every mile post. Steam engineers understand the need for slope on the mile markers to help them manage upcoming water and power requirements. Mile markers will be 100’ apart. We do not yet know the cost of powder coating but have simplified the job by providing pre-coated material, punching all the holes and easing the corners. Bill has created a fixture to precisely drill holes in rebar for the self tapping screws to make assembly fairly easy. THere are now 6 sign blank sizes which are on display in the Station House. We will have two colors. White for all RR signs except yield and slow which are yellow. We are exploring the idea of making scenic signs with brown backgrounds and white letters (like national parks) to better fit in with our scenic ROW. If you know of, or think of other signs that should be made, please let Seve, Ed or Bill know soon.
The signs’ Sizes are:
3.5 x 3.5 Mile markers
3.5 x 4 for W (whistle) with underline
2.5x12 for scenic location
6x6 fastened flat on track for each spur and siding
6x6 on diagonal for Yield signs
6x9 for general naming of things
“V” for yard limits
New shop machines - Ken
We are close to getting the press brake back together. Carl and Ken think some shims are needed, and will try today.
The surface grinder is functional, cleaned out oil sump, needs cover plates and some fine tuning on the magnetic clutch.
One of our big drill presses has a bad bearing which we will replace.
Lathe is repaired with speed control.
A Grinding wheel by the bead blaster needs balancing before any further use.
Air compressor line over to the mill area has a couple of leaks, not critical.
Shop and Shed Carl - No news
New member training - Marty Training will start June 19th - for two or three or four new members. Two hours each session, 3 sessions.
Compressor leak in the steaming bay area - Bruce Fixing the air line may be part of May work weekend. Bruce found some unglued joints in the plastic line. We will lay a new line from Engine House 2 to the steaming bay, This may require a second electric hammer.
News, Safety and Policies
Safety. Bruce Steaming bay area should be off limits to children. Bob. When you invite guests, it is the hosts’ responsibility to advise them to keep any kids out of dangerous areas at all times.
Sonoma Adventure - Bill. We were given the opportunity to get a new (5 year old) full sized, real crossing gate, lights and bell for a bargain price. Dee, Matt, Ken and Bill drove up to dismantle, load, and demo the foundation (for the previous owner) on the weekend and delivered it Thursday. A possible location might be at the Mountain Division. crossover on the dam, where it is at an angle with the track. There is electric power there and it is a legitimate crossing. Or, next to the Ron Schmidt car barn, but that might be annoying that close to the neighbors.
Club engines - Bob
Contraption. Has not been operated for at least a year. If we do not have someone who can actively take care of it, we may consider selling it.
Big Red - Is at Brandon’s home for design and installation of an airbrake system. Most parts are on hand, but the control deck needs to be thought out, and an interconnection system and some gauging. Discussions offline with Brandon conclude that he can move this project to the top of his list after Train Mountain’s Triennial - early July, and it will take a couple of weeks of part time work.
Trees - Bruce The three dead oak trees by the Bovine tunnel have been removed, a safety concern. The dirt outside the tunnel is rough graded, more grading required so we can make a bypass and single track the tunnel in the future.
Run days Meets and work days
April - Car club Weather will be ok, some drizzle. Coming rain or shine. Friday is a special open day at the RR. to run trains, as Mike Massey is delivering his trains that day.. If the gate is closed, call Bruce from the keypad, 003, who will open the gate.
May has two events:
All club work day on May 17th. Please send a note to Bob if you are available. We will focus on RR maintenance projects. Bob will figure out prep work needed.
Normal May run day
June will have two events
Normal run weekend
A week later, some Train Mountain attendees will come by for a special run on Monday and Tuesday, June 30th and July 1
Bob closed the meeting at 1:30 PM
Mike Ward
PV&ARR
Secretary
(With much help from Matt Petach)