The after meeting; where the real stuff gets done
Chairman Bob opened the monthly meeting of the Railroad Club on Thursday at 12:33 pm, with 16 members present plus John and Leo arrived later to check the switches before our run on Saturday.
Treasurer’s report -- Kevin
Our bank account continues to be healthy. We do have the two riding cars we purchased last year that are not yet settled (for payment). The new Roundhouse foundation costs will be due in the early fall. There are no accounts receivable or payable. We have 77 members
Project Status Reports
Turntable - Bill
Mike, Will and Robert installed the wood decking. We have to decide on the edge treatment and hand rails. While we are building a scale model of the D&RGW Gunnison turntable, their handrails are not suitable for our installation. The turntable will be moved by hand, using wood handles at each end, which will be foldable. The hInge design and mounting are to be determined. Wood will be scale IPE so it is quite strong.
Round House - Mike & Kevin
Window fabrication is moving along, and we are preinstalling the roof joist hangers on the bay dividers while still in building 4. \The roundhouse doors will be 24 feet from the center of the turntable. We’re starting the foundation forms this afternoon. It will be a while before we do the pouring, as Bruce and Kevin are measuring the ROW slopes so Steve can make the vinyl labels for the milepost signs. After pouring, we’ll let the concrete cure a bit so it will be strong when we drill for the post brackets. The Roundhouse building construction will commence probably in September. Track laying will be done later. Bruno’s drawings are being updated to match Kevin’s foundation drawings.
Switch Stands and Remotes - Bruno
All reworked switches get new hinges. The curved switches get their points reworked. The straight switches get new points installed. Bill is reworking all new remote switch indicators to be of the short flavor.The lower remote stand makes more sense to the engineer. Today we reworked switch 201. We have 42 point bars machined and ready for use after painting. Next week we will rework switch 214 at the spillway by the dam. Bob found a couple of switches that will be next on the nearly endless list. Note that placing orange blocks by trouble spots isn't useful unless the details are then written down on the trouble sheet in the station house. Tom suggests that people might put Post-It notes on the blocks stating the issue. Dee noted that the blocks do help drivers a bit during a run. If they see one, they can proceed with more caution. The orange trouble blocks get removed after the switch is repaired.
Signals system - Bob for Matt
Train Mountain has a prototype board ready, and Matt has the software ready to download. However, installation is delayed for a while until Matt is back. When done, Train Mountain will test the new system and we may adopt it for use at PV&A RR.
Signage - Steve
120 signs are labeled and ready for installation. Stakes are almost all done. The mile markers are awaiting data collection - elevation changes. Spur signs are awaiting spur measurements to aid engineers. Final lengths will be done after installation. Bill will take Kevin’s list for Rabbit Flat and add to Steve’s build spreadsheet table. We have spare sign blanks. A question was raised as to what is the difference between a short whistle sign and a long whistle sign. The " W " is for grade crossings. It gets positioned at the correct distance before a road crossing to allow the locomotive engineer time, at track speed, to start blowing two Longs, a Short and another Long whistle, horn, etc. prior to the train crossing the road, and ending on the road. The " W " with a line under it is positioned just prior to tunnels, bridges and dangerous, or obstructed view, locations to allow for the locomotive engineer time to blow one Long warning whistle, horn, etc. before entering the structure or obstructed view area.Tom suggested we add blue signs for water availability along the ROW. Bob noted that all watering locations are listed in the map booklet. Also, we only have conditioned water for steam engines at the station.
Radios - Robert
The new radios work well all over the ROW and building 4, Earlier static interference has been greatly reduced since Robert has changed the channels we use. Non-PV&ARR conversations are now muted as he added a privacy tone to each channel. Robert a short manual for how to use and how to maintain the radios. Russ added it to our website. Do use new radios every time you take an engine out, and help our visiting engineers do the same. They are also handy on work days. We’re moving the radios to the left of the OVEN near the sign in sheets so they will be more available. Marty is designing a caddy system to hold the radios while being charged. Dee suggested we make an elevated stand so we can keep the signout sheet under them. The old radios and extra bits are in the top drawer on the right if you need an ear piece. We may use the old radios on future Ops meets. Be sure to have two radios on long trains, one radio is adequate on short trains. Holsters for carrying radios are available for trial at the right end of the counter. Please give feedback to Bob about your preferences.
Big Red Engine - Mike
Will and Robert removed the body to assess the running rich report. Found a large mouse nest and gnawed wire. Removed the former and spliced the latter. Cleaned the air filter, oiled the choke and throttle linkages, engine running well now. [later news from Run Day. Horn connection intermittent, throttle linkage disconnected - will fix next week.]
Shop and Shed - Carl
No news, things seem to be going good. Press brake working now.
New member training - Marty
2025 new member complete for seven new members. Training includes 3 two hour sessions, homework, tests and practical experience on a speeder, the blue club engine and big red. Everybody passed.
Club steam engine - the Contraption - Bob
It is for sale for $9,000. Dee may post in Discover Live Steam.See our notice at https://www.pvarr.org/forsale
News, Safety and Policies
Carl asked that we all drive slowly on the ranch dirt roads to keep the dust down. Bruce does water the roads from time to time but slow driving will help.
Train Mountain Triennial trip report and ramble - Bill
PV&A was well represented at the meet and presented 2 seminars as well. Ed gave a demo and explained the newly designed Kick Switch and points we have been installing all along our ROW. Bill gave a 1-½ hour keynote talk about the science and design for switching to Propane for steam engines burning coal. PV&A is getting some nice accolades and recognition after the Live Steam cover article.
We hosted a Ramble after the Train Mountain meet. Some attendees drove down to PV&ARR on Monday, saying that this RR was on their bucket list for a long time. One group was from as far as Pennsylvania. We had about 9 visitors and 6 PV&A members hosting. We may formalize this and do another one after the next Triennial at Train Mountain. The other Bruno (well known master builder) was very impressed; he lives in Las Vegas and has now joined our club! He really appreciates our extensive and well done infrastructure.
Ed is on the board at Train Mountain. He noted that it is very hard to run a Triennia and get all the volunteers needed to care for hundreds of guests and their trains. Bill noted that if you put all the trains and cars brought to Train Mountain, the consist would exceed the full length of our ROW!
For sale
Bruce has a 26 foot long enclosed train trailer for sale. Center rail 24’ clear inside, side rails 22’
Run days, Meets and work days
Steve suggests that we can make permanent parking signs for the September meet with the new vinyl sign maker. We can use painted plywood. Mike will work with Steve.
September is our joint meet with Golden Gate LS + Sacramento Valley LS. Lunch will be available for purchase. Volunteers will be needed for these two meets.
October night run. Mike will check in with Jalisco; we’ll need to establish the approx attendance.
Bob closed the meeting at 1:17 PM
Mike Ward
PV&ARR
Secretary