This year has been an interesting year in so many ways. For our club and railroad, it has been an extra busy year which has produced more than 30 weekend workdays. This past July marked 10 years since the first sections of track where laid along with some of that very track being modified almost 10 years to the day later. Here is a short list of some of the items that took place this year:

Track panel construction for container extension project
Installation of 20’ container to the end of the existing 40’ gray container
Ash pit line completed
Removal of part of the mainline coming up from the Nicol bridge in preparation of the “Grandma” line
Work began on the “Passenger” line
Sheppard Trucking delivered loads of dirt that was used to fill in near the green containers
Donation of two 40’ containers to be turned into a shop
…and a lot more

We hope to be able to share our railroad again with others in 2021 until then here are some pictures taken over the the course of 2020 to show just some of the work done.

January

The crew spent time building track panels for the 20’ container extension project and also displayed at the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History.

February

Work on the ash pit line and prep work for the 20’ container project took place in February along with some much needed track maintenance.

March

Just as the world was about to take an interesting twist the crew spent time working on the water hydrant, clearing trees for more fill dirt and next storage container.

May

With the ash pit line complete work began on the 20’ container extension project. The track work included installing a switch off the ash pit line and one additional switch to provide two tracks into the container for storage.

June

The 20’ container was placed and now work began to cut the ends out of the container and finish the track work up the hill to the container.

July

Track work going into the new 20’ container extension was completed and things began to shift to other projects including landscaping and making adjustments to the mainline for the “Grandma” line project.

August

Another busy month with building a new railroad tie wall coming out of the woods on the west end of the railroad heading towards the east loop. More work continued on the container and with the added momentum things started happening on the passenger line project which will add an additional 900’ of track to the railroad.

September

This month saw a great deal of work on the new passenger line expansion project which calls for more than 600 feet of track plus sidings to be installed. This project also introduced our first diamond on the railroad. The month however started off with the delivery of the completely rebuilt “Doe” bridge. This bridge has a long history which includes being used at our original location nearly 30 years ago. The container extension project also received some additional electrical work and the club steamer had a few adjustments made.

October

By the time the end of October happened the club had worked more than 30 days around the railroad. Things continue to move forward on the passenger line project with nearly 300 feet of track laid and nearing the halfway point. More than 500 railroad ties cut, nearly two dozen track panels built, and countless loads of gravel. Work was done on two switches that will be built in November for the next container project. As October ended the members of North Georgia Live Steamers had put in nearly 1,500 volunteer hours.

November

November marked the last official / unofficial workday of the 2020 season. The passenger line siding was completed and work continued on preparing for the “Grandma” line.

December

As the year began to come to a close 120’ of straight panels where built and two 40’ containers have been donated by Norm W. to eventually make a 16 x 40’ shop in the east loop.

What’s next?

It is anyone’s guess but most likely finish up the passenger line, install the next member storage container, build three new passenger cars, continue working on the “Grandma” line, start construction on the shop, and whatever else we can think of.

Even with all that has been going on around us it has been great to get out and enjoy the company of so many in the club this year and have a sense of accomplishment all at the same time. For those that could not get out with us this year we thank you for your continued to support and encouragement throughout the year. We look forward to seeing everyone in 2021 with a goal of having so much fun we won’t be able to stand it.

A look back at 2020 - What an unusually busy year around the railroad.