Workday Recap for Saturday, April 25, 2020
This past Saturday, April 25th, while practicing social distancing, a few members went out to the site and started the cleanup process of cutting grass, weed eating, and tripping over huge ant hills. The grass was nearly 2 feet tall in a few places especially since it was early March since we have been out to the site to do any work. Upon arrival an issue was found with the pump station (lift station) which led to the fire department being called. All is well and it appears everything is pumping again.
This past Saturday, April 25th, while practicing social distancing, a few members went out to the site and started the cleanup process of cutting grass, weed eating, and tripping over huge ant hills. The grass was nearly 2 feet tall in a few places especially since it was early March since we have been out to the site to do any work. Upon arrival an issue was found with the pump station (lift station) which led to the fire department being called. All is well and it appears everything is pumping again. Norm spent a few minutes talking with a couple of the firefighters who mentioned his kids love to come out and ride trains. It was kind of ironic since Saturday was supposed to be a public ride day.
The club lawnmower needs a little help before our next workday. Robby and Wes got the lawnmower started but after a couple of minutes of running and white puff of smoke the lawnmower stopped. After opening things up and removing a mouse nest they tried again, and it started but again white puff of smoke. They tabled the repair and went back to weed eating the property while Norm took his riding lawnmower and cut the grass for hours. When it was all said and done Norm and Robby did decide that Wes was the king of the string trimmer since he not only trimmed around the property but nearly finished the east loop by the Gauge 1 railroad.
On Sunday, April 26th Dave E. went out and encouraged the ants to leave the property as soon as possible. We would have to see if they took the encourage, he left behind.
A big thanks to the members that made it out and look forward to getting together as a group one day soon. We are looking forward to having a club fun day as soon things get back to normal.
March 14, 2020 Workday Recap
A group of ambitious members went out on Saturday to do some work around the railroad. Work included track repair, tree cutting, and passenger line debate. A great day and appreciate all who was able to come out and take care of a few items around the railroad.
A group of ambitious members went out on Saturday to do some work around the railroad. Work included track repair, tree cutting, and passenger line debate. A great day and appreciate all who was able to come out and take care of a few items around the railroad.
Workday Recap - March 7, 2020
March is turning out to be a busy month around the club. On Saturday, March 7th we had “Bob” and “Bob 2” on hand along with Ben, Gene, Calvin, Elijah, Bill, Joe, and Scott taking care of some necessary maintenance around the railroad as we get ready for the 2020 season.
March is turning out to be a busy month around the club. On Saturday, March 7th we had “Bob” and “Bob 2” on hand along with Ben, Gene, Calvin, Elijah, Bill, Joe, and Scott taking care of some necessary maintenance around the railroad as we get ready for the 2020 season.
Here is a quick list of just some of the work performed:
Club Diesel had an oil change, air filter, and new spark plugs.
Club Diesel was cleaned and polished with riding cars also getting cleaned up.
The “Bob’s” (Ben and Gene) moved rock pile and removed a tree stump
Some gravel was added near the red container to help with drainage
Removed some trees and limbs from around the railroad
Clean up pile of switches and track panels
Finally chased leaves around the railroad in hopes of getting them moved into the wood.
A shout out to the crew for getting many of these projects completed. We still have a few more outstanding projects that need to be completed before our opening on Saturday, March 28th. Our next official workday is scheduled for Saturday, March 21st. During this time, we will finish track work, signal and equipment maintenance.
Workday Recap for February 29, 2020
A great group came out today and performed hundreds of feet of track maintenance as we prepare of our 2020 season. A few debates where had, lunch at our normal place, and dreams of building and operating trains this year where had by all.
A great group came out today and performed hundreds of feet of track maintenance as we prepare of our 2020 season. Work was done on the mainline through the yard, the east loop, and points in between. A few debates where had, lunch at our normal place, and dreams of building and operating trains this year were had by all. Don’t forget that March is a busy month for the club. Don’t forget to check out our calendar for the last list of activities.
Did someone say move the dirt? That apparently was the plan for today's activity at the railroad
A small group of club members went out to the site to move the dirt we piled up last fall and have now relocated the pile into multiple areas around the railroad property.
A small group of club members went out to the site to move the dirt we piled up last fall and have now relocated the pile into multiple areas around the railroad property. From the looks of it we had a little extra muscle with “Bob” and “Bob Jr” helping with the heavy lifting with Ben, Gene, Scott, Wes, Susan, Norm, and some that probably didn’t make the pictures. It was a good thing the extra muscle arrived because they pulled chicken wire and fence post from around Bridge, straightened the retaining wall at ash pit line, scooped dirt at yard head (real term?) from where the dirt ran downhill from rain into the station mainline, graded yard end of retaining wall for culvert between tie wall and bridge, added gravel in culvert to help prevent washout, added extra drain tube to LaVay Bridge culvert area, spread seed and straw just in time for the rain to come tomorrow.
As you may know we are recapturing some land near the bridges so we can one day double track an area for a passenger station along with fill in some dips in the ground near the lift station which will one day be part of the passenger line path. As for the rest of the dirt only mother nature knows the real answer. Next step will be to plant grass and finish the installation of the ash pit line and grey container extension.
Keep an eye out for our next scheduled workday.
First workday recap of the 2020 season - Saturday, January 18, 2020
Our first official workday of the 2020 season took place this past Saturday as we gathered at an offsite location near the railroad. The group of about a dozen built more than 200 feet of track panels, finished pieces for 6 switches, cut railroad ties, dropped everything off at the railroad and lunch at our favorite Subway location.
Our first official workday of the 2020 season took place this past Saturday as we gathered at an offsite location near the railroad. The group of about a dozen built more than 200 feet of track panels, finished pieces for 6 switches, cut railroad ties, dropped everything off at the railroad and lunch at our favorite Subway location.
Our next club activity will be on Saturday, January 25th and 26th as we travel to the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History museum for Trains! Trains! Trains! event. Then our next club member meeting will be on Saturday, February 1st at 1 p.m.
Long Radius Switch Repair
When the weather is in the 60’s in January what do some of our members do? They go to the site and rebuild a long radius switch and handles. Our next official workday is Saturday, January 18th at 9 a.m. at an offsite location rain or shine.
When the weather is in the 60’s in January what do some of our members do? They go to the site and rebuild a long radius switch and handles. Our next official workday is Saturday, January 18th at 9 a.m. at an offsite location rain or shine. If you are interested in coming out and helping us with additional track panel construction and repairs, contact Norm for details on how to get to the alternate location.
Work Day - November 16, 2019
The day was full of activity with two bobcats, multiple chainsaws, and a work crew. The work crew first cut down trees near the container and steaming bay area while the bobcats started digging and preparing the area around the steaming bay area for new track and container.
The day was full of activity with two bobcats, multiple chainsaws, and a work crew. The work crew first cut down trees near the container and steaming bay area while the bobcats started digging and preparing the area around the steaming bay area for new track and container.
Construction Video of the Ash Pit & New 20-foot Shipping Container Project - November 16, 2019
This is day one of a project that will allow us to extend what we call the Ash Pit line down to the main part of the railroad and add an additional 20-foot container that will attach to an existing 40-foot container. This will provided a central place of storage for club locomotives and rolling stock.
This is day one of a project that will allow us to extend what we call the Ash Pit line down to the main part of the railroad and add an additional 20-foot container that will attach to an existing 40-foot container. This will provided a central place of storage for club locomotives and rolling stock.
Big Build Saturday, November 16th Planned Starting at 8:30 a.m.
Now that the weather is cooler and we have access to some heavy machinery we are planning on a major work day on Saturday, November 16th.
Now that the weather is cooler and we have access to some heavy machinery we are planning on a major work day on Saturday, November 16th. The plan is to prep a space for a new 20ft container and the new mainline grade crossing. We are looking to see who is available on Saturday. We are also looking for bobcats, dump trucks or dump trailers, chainsaws, and other tools. If you are available or have equipment you can bring please let Norm know.
Boiler Inspection Day - October 26, 2019
The annual boiler inspection day was today. We had 6 steam engines inspected today making them all ready for our next run day and lots of fun.
Inner West Loop & LaVay Bridge Project
LaVay Bridge on the East side of the railroad when it was being used for loading and unloading.
As many of you know we've been working on completing the inner west loop of the railroad which includes installing a bridge that had originally been located at our old home nearly 20 years ago. When our current railroad was being built one of the bridges from the old railroad was repurposed to get trains on and off the railroad. As the story goes one of our members LaVay was looking to be one of the first to run his train on our new railroad but needed a way to get his train from a trailer to the track. Here is LaVay's account of the events that ultimately created the "LaVay Bridge".
"As I looked around the track, I saw a potential to use a trestle from Duluth, a couple of used track sections, some blocks, a metal ramp and a siding to create a stationary loading ramp. As the time for running trains approached, I wanted to run one of the first trains. So, using my truck and trailer as heights limits, I dragged the old trestle over. Built a ramp with blocks and dirt. With help from club members and grandkids the ramp was ready to go."
Since then our railroad has grown but LaVay continued to use the bridge to load and unload his train each time he came to the railroad instead of using our new loader. A few years ago, onsite storage became available for his train which meant the bridge use was no longer needed. That was until a few weeks ago when the project to complete the Inner West Loop began.
LaVay recently shared some pictures of what the bridges looked like when it was at the old railroad site. The bridge will soon be installed in its new home on the Conyers & Hightower Trail Railroad as part of the inner west loop. Come help us reposition this “historic” bridge in its new home this Saturday, September 21, 2019.
Pictured (Top Row): James C., Peter C., Gene L., Rick K., Bob C., Scott M.
On Train: LaVay S.
Front Row: Ben K., John T., Joe F., Bill L.
Not Pictured: Norm W., Wayne L., and Robby M.
Construction of Gauge 1 Railroad 2019
In 2018 an elevated Gauge 1 railroad was donated to NGLS. In the Spring of 2019 the elevated Gauge 1 railroad construction began.
MOW Car Construction
A new MOW car was construction in April 2018. Special thanks to Norm W. and Bill L. for putting this car together.
Siding Construction Time Lapse from Spring 2019
In March of 2019 work began on a new siding on the west side of the railroad. The siding is just down from the passenger station area as you travel down towards the grade crossing. Here is a time lapse video of one of our workdays.
In March of 2019 work began on a new siding on the west side of the railroad. The siding is just down from the passenger station area as you travel down towards the grade crossing. Here is a time lapse video of one of our workdays.
March 9, 2019 Work Day
This was a lite work day as we checked on the club diesel, riding cars, and a little track work.
January 19, 2019 Work Day
Track panel construction has begun as part of the container expansion and ash pit line.
Inner West Loop Construction 2018
In order to help with a bottle neck on the railroad during public run days an inner west loop was installed along with a double grade crossing. This project started in April 2018 and was completed in September 2018.
