📰 May 21, 2026 Operations Council Meeting Minutes

Operations Council Meeting Summary

Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026     Time: 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM     Attendees: 12 members     Chaired by: Bill

Financial Report — Kevin via Bill

  • Accounts Receivable: $250 — 3 members have not paid dues; collection agents to be assigned by Kevin

  • We have 78 Members

Project Status

Rabbit Flat — Roundhouse — Mike

  •  Roof sheathing going on; reddish-brown stain today, aiming to finish by this weekend. Interior track work underway (Bill, Kevin, Jerry, Carl; Tom welding rail).. 

Rabbit Flat Yard Lead — Bruce / Kevin 

  • Middle-track installation started; leveling continues. ~31 switches still to install at Rabbit Flat.

Track Signals Update — Ed

  • No update

Speeder Repair — Bruce

  • RMI unresponsive despite 3–4 contact attempts/week; no shipment.

New Signs — Steve

  • Measured the spurs; awaiting Bill’s confirmation of sign abbreviations. Special signs in progress for Purina and Portola Valley Growers. Elevation signs to be added as separate signs below existing ones.

Big Red Engine Status — Mike

  • Engine on site; Brandon may pick up this weekend.

Operations Meet Planning — Ed

  • No update

Switches — bruno

  • Nearly all upgraded for normal-run mode; only Rabbit Flat and one Wye switch remain

  • Stub switch fixed

  • Switch flag corners (carryover from March): Carl grinding ~5 at a time; Marty painting

Work Week — November 7–13

  • 1,200 ties on hand; Realistic install target: 1,800 ties, Mike says they will be ready for work week

  • Robert to send recruiting email and coordinate with Marty.

  • Food: likely Costco sandwich trays (food truck not viable up the hill); Robert to recommend

  • Lodging available for out-of-town attendees: Caboose, campers, ranch house

T-Shirt Sales

  • $25; Dee sold 14 in SoCal; Bob has ordered more (Size M, etc. en route)

Meet & Event Planning — 2026 Schedule

Date

Event

Notes

May 23–25

3-day camping


June

Triumph Travelers Sports Car Club

~10 cars / 24 people Sat ~10:30 AM. Bill chief host if in town; needs assistance.

Sept 26–27

Tri Club Meet

Confirmed; lunch served.

Oct. 24

Operations Meet

Ed organizing.

Nov 7–13

Work Week


Nov 21–22 (tentative — likely moving)

Roundhouse Dedication

See below.

Nov 28–29

Thanksgiving Holiday Run

Cannot be moved.

Jan 23–24, 2027

Annual Meeting


 

Roundhouse dedication

The highlight of the Roundhouse dedication will be to show big engines in front of the Roundhouse.  Bill will contact the visiting engine groups and will move the event to 2027 when the completed track changes allow full use of the railroad for all visitors.

Other

Tool stewardship (Carl): Carl requests that Building 4 tools stay in Building 4 and that members should generally refrain from taking tools out of Building 4 for field work without a good reason for doing so.

Open Questions

  • Reverse run trial this weekend Date for Roundhouse dedication

  • Add Friday to Nov 28–29 holiday run?

  • Lunch served Sat/Sun of work week?

Meeting Adjourned 1:11 PM