Report No. 40

 It has been a while since full scheduled trains have run. There was a reason for that.

As of Nov. 22nd I have retired from the working force and now have the time TO RUN TRAINS.

So  Nov. 26th, I cleaned up the Ry and the 27th,-29th I ran scheduled trains.

Everything is working ok, but everything needs some level of maintenance.

Here are a couple photos and a short video.

Soon I will get down to making a full train operation day video.

Train 21 West leaving the McArdles Switch.

Upon train 21 West returning to Jamestown, No.10 is finishing switching the yard by pushing coaches 5, 6 to turn on the turntable and a oil tankcar retrived from the main siding going to the oil spur.

Train 21 West with No.8 leaving Tuttletown for Jamestown.

Report No. 39

 Work Train

Due to the fall acorn bombardment, the Woods Creek trestle and Pepermint Creek bridge needed some work to repair dislodged or broken parts, so a work train was dispatched.

Engine No. 8, the work flats,1877, 42, flat 49, and combine 5 were sent out with tools and lumber for the repairs.

Fall colors are showing as the work train runs through Table Mt. cut.

No. 8 and combine 5 swap places at Omega Siding for the return trip to Jamestown.

Two weeks ago I ran a train from Jamestown to Melones and back to adjust the road bed.

There has not been much progress or operation lately due to my retirment date is comming in less than a month, and then I will have pleanty of time!!!  

Thanks for checking in.

Report No. 38

 Hi,

Yesterday I had an open house like the one in October after the Westside Reunion occured at the Sonora Senior Center.

About 15 people showed up while I ran two trains.

Here are the last six chatting on the driveway. On the right is Dave Conery, who gave me some of his locomotives and buildings when he retired his railroad three years ago.

I took the beginings of the Hotel Nevills to the Sierra Seminar today along with the General office, plus the coaches 5,6, engines No. 9 and 10.

This is the lobby side door and the right door is to the saloon.

The lower wall was made of rubble stone and the upper wall was lath and cement to simulate ashlar stone work. ALL of this is foam board I scribed.

 This picture is of the front door on left and side door to the lobby on right. Bottom of the upstairs turret is the disc on the second floor.

This is the corner I am working on so far.

Thanks for checking in.

Report No. 37

 Hi all.

The Angels Branch has survived the many "atmosperic rivers" we had last month. I recorded 17 inches of rain in my guage during that period. Some maintenance will need to be done restoring ballast and lost grade material, but it is operational. Also the river bed below the bridge is about 6 inches deeper now.

I took February 9 and 10 off for my birthday, now I don't feel bad about getting that senior discount any more. I spent the first half of my b-day cleaning and realigning. Then ran a maintance train with No. 8, then a scheduled mixed train to Melones with no. 10 and back to Jamestown. The next day No. 9 took the train. I will run another on Sunday the 12th. 

Coming through the S curve on the 12th.

Four mushrooms found that growing up should be done under the railway. The bottom picture is the single mushroom that lifted the track 3 inches. Unfortunutly I had to remove it and it did not go to the kitchen. I'm not a mushroom expert...

A small cow or calf got through the fence on the lower end of our property and walked next to the McArdles Switch stepping on the S curve below bending one rail. The work crew went through the whole Branch and realigned the rail.

Between Christmas and New Years I finished the superstructure of the 2nd turntable that will be use at Angels, but for now it is used at the end of the track, Melones. I will be ordering more nut/bolt castings soon for detailing it.

Also I built a Pola/LGB small freight shed plastic kit and have to make a platform for it to go to Melones.

After that I HAVE to start on the Hotel Nevills because the Sierra Seminar is comming up on April 23 and I will want some progress to show.

Thanks for checking in on the Angels Branch.