Report No. 36

Merry Christrmas. 

Everything is running well, No.9 and 10 got some grease and oil last week, No.8 is due next.

I had run a train on Christmas Day and today the 26th before rain is scheduled to arrive tonight. Of course I have the week off and it will rain most of the time like last year. 

While running today, the Sierra Northern, (Sierra Railroad), ran up the hill to Fassler and back. 

I stopped to catch the audio of them crossing Tuolumne Rd from my roundhouse.

Here is the video.

Here is train 22 east ready to leave Jamestown for Melones today.

This is the newly finished watertank at Melones.

Train 22 west on Woods Creek bridge returning from Melones.

This was the 4th year I played the North Pole Santa for the Polar Express.

Here is an great picture taken by Kelly Huston of me and my Elves Saturday the 17th as No.28 pushes the Polar Express into the North Pole.

It was lots of fun as always this year.

Happy New Year from the crew on the Angels Branch.

Report No. 35

 Two annual local railroad conventions are back on track this year.

Saturday Oct. 1 was the Westside Reunion  in Sonora, http://www.westsidereunion.com/

That afternoon John Zach and I hosted open house at our railroads. I was 3-6 and his 7-9. 15+ rail history fans arrived and checked out the Angels Branch while I ran trains. Unforunutly I took no pictures. If you took one, please forward it and I will post it here.                  

Thank you all for comming, it was nice to share the history of the Angels Branch.

The next day was the Sierra Railway Historical Seminar, also in Sonora. I brought my Sierra Ry. engines, rolling stock and some buildings to display. It was fun to see and talk to old and new freinds.

I did take a picture of the first scheduled run to Melones at the beginning of the open house, Train 22 East with No. 9 on the head end.

After that I ran another train with Shay No. 10.

I did finish the General Office in time for the open house.

I also made a water tank like the prototype at Melones. I just need to make the spout and details for it.

I see I need to move the frame down so its at the top of the tank. Yea, I need more bands, I ran out if wire Friday night.

It was 18 ft. dia. and 5 ft. high. For comparison, the Jamestown tank was 16 ft. dia. and 12 ft. high. 

Here is the real one with No. 10 taking water. It is just in a cut on the hillside. No tower.

I have a picture of the site some where taken during the low water year 1991.

Again, thanks for comming and the nice compliments.

.

Report No. 34

 First train across the Stanislaus River Bridge and into Melones.

After arrival at Melones, No. 9 goes onto the unfinished turntable to test. It works just fine. No. 9 then turns combine 5.

The train is made back up and is ready to leave for Jamestown.

Crossing the bridge again heading, (rail), west.

Leaving the McArdles Switch.

Report No. 33

The new McArdles Switch, (switchback), is tested.

I just installed this weekend the switchback on the McArdles ranch. 

The Sierra Ry. called it the McArdles Switch. The other switchback across the river is called the Pendola Switch.

Today Extra No. 8 ran from Jackass Hill through the newly installed McArdles Switch to the S-curve just before the bridge over the Stanislaus River that is under construction. 

New track in top left.

Report No. 32

 McArdles Switch #1 graded and track laid today.

View from El Rico siding.

The tail of the switch can handle one engine and four cars, (usually two freight and coaches 5 and 6).

Report No. 31

 Today in the heat, El Rico siding is set in place and inspected by the Captain.

Ballasting and testing next.

More to come.

Report No. 30

 

Report No. 30

Cleared the gate.

I got a chance to add a few more feet last weekend.

Through the Iris.

Lower left is the first turnout for El Rico siding. It will have a capacity of two cars.

Updated map.

 

Report No. 29

 NEW TRACK FROM ZACH JCT. TOWARDS EL RICO SIDING

Its been two and a half years since track has been laid, but its time to move towards Melones.

Starting from Zach Jct. I will lay track to El Rico siding, then make the McArdles switch, (switchback 1). 

After that comes the bridge over the Stanislaus river and Melones Station/mill on the other side.

Here we go!

Here we see the Captain inspecting the new work area with Extra No. 8 dropping off supplys.

Here is where the new track will start from.

                               

              

First new section of track is down.

                 

Gate clearance test is performed with Extra No. 8.

                  

Grading work started for El Rico siding.

              

Updated map. Work area is on the top in yellow.

             

Still working on the Jamestown Office.

More to come.

Report No. 28

 All is well here. Ran three trains last weekend and no major maitenance needed.

Still working on the Jamestown general office details.

I was invited by Gerald Hanford for a day trip with 8 of the local train guys and two from the Bay Area to Tilden Park above Berkeley/Orinda to ride the Redwood Valley Railway. He has worked there on and off since 1968.

What an awesome day we had on this 70 year old, 15 inch guage railway, with tours of all the shops, engine houses and car barns.  They took us out on our own train to cover every foot of track on this extensive line. They even offered us to engineer our train on the back tracks. I had two runs, it felt really good have a throttle back in my hand. 

We were also treated by our gracious hosts with lunch, dinner and fun conversations with the crews.

A VERY BIG THANKS to to the RVRy crews, especially Gerald Hanford, Ellen, Dan and Dave for a railfan dream day.

YOU MUST GO VIST THIS UNIQUE RAILWAY IN THE HEART OF THE BAY AREA!

https://redwood-valley-railway.business.site/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redwood_Valley_Railway

Report No. 27

 Two weeks off, and it rains almost the whole time. The rain finally stopped, so I got a chance to clean things up Sunday 1/2/22. For the most part eveything is ok. A slide in the Tuttletown loop needed repair and the turntable pit wall got wet and swelled causing the turntable to bind in spots. Monday I ran a work and a regular mixed train. The next day I ran two mixed trains. I did not have time to make a video. Maybe next time.

Thanks for checking in on the Angels Branch.

Work train with No.8 heading out from Jamestown to check and repair the right of way.

Work train stopped before entering Table Mountain Cut.

Work train stopped at Tuttletown and returned to Jamestown. No major issues were found.