Status Reports

Status Reports

SCENIC LINE
WORK REPORTS
4 July 2018
('Click' on Photos to 'Enlarge')

4 July 2018 Crew: GaryM, DaveV, BarryB & KentS

Barrel
KentS made rock castings for the river cutout.

Monarch
DaveV continued ballast work.

Extra Board

KentS installed some new "Safety Flag" holders at Barrel, Cleora and Parkdale (to prevent roll-aways!).

GaryM painted the holders and adjacent tie yellow for visibility, as well as the safety flag poles.

GaryM laid down some new foam matting at Cleora.

GaryM started cleaning some loco wheels and entered in the Service Log.

30 June 2018 Crew: GaryM, DaveV, BarryB & GlennG

Salida
GlennG put in the Dual Gauge hand car shed.

Mear's Junction
DaveV continued ballasting the track.

Extra Board

GaryM made some carcards and cleaned up another scenery shelf.

BarryB experimented with the phone system.

27 June 2018 Crew: GaryM, GerryG, DaveV, KentS, TomG & BarryB

Royal Gorge
DaveV did a magnificent job blending the new molds into the rock wall.

Salida
GlennG worked out the layout in W. Salida along Sackett Ave.

Monarch
DaveV continues to resculpt and ballast the roadbed.

Parlin
GerryG painted more of the backdrop between Parlin and Tank 7.

Extra Board

GaryM and TomG laid out more floor padding and cleaned up scenery shelves.

23 June 2018 Crew: GaryM, DaveV, KentS, TomG & GlennG

Salida
GlennG worked out the layout in W. Salida along Sackett Ave.

Monarch
DaveV worked on the ballasting on the Monarch line.

Extra Board

KentS upgraded the Stereo System with a brand new used $15 receiver.

TomG and GaryM installed additional new foam matting in the main Salida aisle to the Monarch platform.

20 June 2018 Crew: GaryM, DaveV, KentS, & TomG

Gorge
GaryM installed a couple signal masts (protecting Hel Junction), and a third at Portland.

Salida
TomG painted the rails on the new Arkansas River switch and rails into Salida.

Monarch
DaveV ballasted the roadbed along the switchback and line from Mears.

Extra Board

TomG completed two new coaches; Closed Vestibule #319 and Duckbill Coach #311.

16 June 2018 Crew: GaryM, DaveV, & GlennG
16 June 2018 Chow: GaryM, DaveV, GlennG & GerryG

Royal Gorge
GlennG and GaryM made two large Bragdon molds and applied to the large gaps in the gorge.

Monarch
DaveV added sculpting along the roadbed along the switchback.

Shavanno
A few more trees have sprouted up from DaveV's "seeding".

2 June 2018 Crew: GaryM, KentS, DaveV, GlennG & BarryB

Salida
KentS, BarryB, and GaryM repaired switch motors. GlennG worked on the scenery pull-out next to the river.

Monarch
DaveV ballasted along the line.

Extra Board

Everyone spent a lot of time cleaning track and the layout to prepare for next week's operating session.

26 May 2018 Crew: GaryM, KentS, DaveV, GrantC & BarryB

Barrel
KentS sculpted from the foam the Arkansas riverbank in front of the mainline.

Salida
GaryM worked on the left NG Roundhouse deck. GrantC worked on the SG roundhouse.

Mear's Junction
DaveV completed the ballasting to the roadbed.

Grays
DaveV completed the ballasting to the roadbed.

Shavanno
DaveV worked on the scenery and planted several more trees along the line.

24 May 2018 Crew: GaryM, KentS, GrantC, GlennG & BarryB

Helix
BarryB worked to improve the tilt of the track in the helix where passenger cars derailed. A bracket was added near Tennessee Pass such that the California Zephyr cars now make it through 100%. Lights were also added in the helix and reverse loop to aid in "railfanning".

5 May 2018 Crew: GaryM, KentS, DaveV, TomG & BarryB

Barrel
KentS laid in base between the mainlines and the Barrel site, and sanded down the cut fascia for riverfront.

Salida
GaryM continued painting the DG turntable pit walls with acrylic washes.

West Salida
TomG built and replaced the troublesome DG curved turnout leading to the Arkansas River bridge.

Mear's Junction
DaveV painted the new sculpted roadbed.

Grays
DaveV painted the new sculpted roadbed.

Extra Board

GaryM ground up more Salida cinders but found too much iron in the grinds with a magnet. Recommend using the the Fine Black Woodland Scenics ballast and use brown and gray washes to add color.

The Cowcatcher cover with a picture of the layout's Mear's Junction.

2 May 2018 Crew: GaryM, KentS, GrantC, GerryG, TomG & BarryB

Barrel
KentS and BarryB cut out the fascia for the riverfront of the Arkansas River next to Barrel.

Salida
GaryM painted the DG turntable ties with acrylics and acrylic washes. TomG airbrushed the rails and new switches in the yard.

Extra Board

GrantC worked on transferring the Gunnison Freight House drawings to CAD.

28 April 2018 Crew: GaryM, KentS, GrantC & BarryB

Barrel
KentS started laying in base between the mainline and Barrel tracks.

Salida
GaryM continued painting the DG turntable with acrylic washes. TomG airbrushed the rails and new switches in the yard.

West Salida
BarryB leveled some twist in the roadbed to Tennessee Pass.

25 April 2018 Crew: GaryM, KentS, GrantC & BarryB

Portland
BarryB found a hump/twist in the west Portland switch. He remounted the roadbed supports to the frame to improve the track. GerryG's California Zephyr Observation car previously consistently derailed. It was noted that the Observation Car's trucks were very "flat", and with little vertical translation capability.

Salida
GaryM worked on the DG turntable rails.

Crested Butte
KentS completed the replacement of the worn out Hankscraft motor with the installation of a new Tortoise at the end of the tunnel.

21 April 2018 Crew: GaryM, KentS, DaveV, GrantC & BarryB

Helix
BarryB and GaryM ran GerryG's California Zephyr up and down the helix looking for derailment spots with the 85' cars. In a couple spots it was found that the track was slightly out of level, and was repaired with light shimming.

Salida
GaryM worked on the DG turntable rails.

Mears Junction
DaveV added sculpting to the cork roadbed.

Grays
DaveV added sculpting to the cork roadbed.

Crested Butte
KentS began working on installing a tortoise to replace the worn out Hankscraft motor.

18 April 2018 Crew: GaryM, KentS & BarryB

Cleora
GaryM added a point guard on the Main #1 switch NG track.

Salida
KentS replaced the shot Hankscraft motor on Switch 17 with a new Tortoise, and connected up the wiring. GaryM helped to replace the switch tie that gave out.

Extra Board

BarryB reprogrammed the Amp trip level on the staging deck reverse loop, now permitting the FT A-B-B-A led California Zephyr unabated transit through the loop.

BarryB installed the monitor extension cord through the ceiling and wall. BarryB repaired the drywall, and added a floor cover for the wire going to the Dispatcher Monitor. KentS helped with the fishing.

We enjoyed a pre-work fest at North Shore Restaurant & Bar at 4:15 PM.

14 April 2018 Operations: GaryM, GrantC, KentS, TomG, GlennG & BarryB

4 April 2018 Crew: GaryM, GrantC, DaveV, GerryG, KentS, TomG, GlennG & BarryB

Salida
GaryM laid out the 4 rails across the ash pit to the DG turntable, and laid cement walk out for the Monte Cristo. One section of walkway will be made removable for when we display the 1941 Depot (modern art-deco). GerryG placed styrene between the tracks to "flatten out" the yard.

Shawanno
DaveV worked on redoing the scenery.

28 February 2018 Crew: GaryM, KentS, TomG, GerryG, GlennG, GrantC & BarryB

Salida
TomG and KentS worked on replacing turnouts and switch motors.

Shawanno
DaveV worked on redoing the scenery.

24 February 2018 Crew: GaryM, GlennG, GrantC, TomG & BarryB

Gorge
GaryM worked on some tight spots on the curve.

Salida
GlennG worked on the bridge fittings and scenery around the mirror backdrop. TomG laid in the shinohara switch between the turntables and spiked in the 3rd rail. Grant painted the left SG roundhouse stalls. GaryM worked on the SG turntable bridge.

Extra Board

BarryB figured out the issues with the staging deck reverse loop "short" - basically amounting to the gaps needs to be at least 3/4" apart on the left vs right rail. It turns out the auto-reverser senses one rail at a time, so the gaps on the rails need to be apart enough for the reverse to be "sensed". BarryB re-connected the Staging Track power switches and added indicator lights.

17 February 2018 Chow: GaryM, KentS, GerryG, GlennG, GrantC & BarryB
17 February 2018 Crew: GaryM, KentS, GlennG, GrantC & BarryB

Cleora
GrantC and GaryM reviewed Charcoal Kiln design and GrantC displayed his 3D shapes program (INSPIRE).

Salida
GaryM worked on the 105' Turntable bridge. GlennG added the mirror on the backdrop under the plate girder bridge, and repainted the plate girders grimy black.

Extra Board

BarryB worked on the programming for the staging deck reverse loop, still getting a momentary short.

KentS cleaned up the area around Salida.

GaryM photographed some of the locomotives for the web roster.

14 February 2018 Crew: GaryM, KentS, DaveV, GlennG, GrantC & BarryB

Cleora
GrantC discussed Charcoal Kiln design for the 8 kilns existing there.

Salida
KentS connected the track feeders to the coaling tower switch and mainline. GaryM continued working the transition to 4 rails on the ashpit/turntable track.

Tank 7
DaveV continued scenery work.

Extra Board

BarryB worked on the NCE hookups at Crested Butte.

BarryB worked on the programming for the staging deck reverse loop, still getting a momentary short.

GlennG experimented with airbrushing in the booth.

GaryM further inventoried the NG rolling stock roster.

10 February 2018 Crew: GaryM, KentS, GlennG & BarryB

Salida
GlennG built a mock-up of the "female boarding quarters" at 130 Sackett Street. GaryM worked on the rails to the turntable. KentS connected track feeders to Switch #19 and on the mainline.

Extra Board

BarryB worked on the Royal Gorge route NCE PCS switches.

7 February 2018 Crew: GaryM, KentS, GerryG, GlennG & BarryB

Salida
GerryG worked on the mainline and removed the shinohara switches on the coaling tower leads. GaryM made a mock-up of the Salida Sand House. KentS worked on tortoise installation on the mainline. GlennG worked at West Salida.

Extra Board

BarryB worked on camera installation.

3 February 2018 Crew: GaryM, KentS, DaveV, GrantC & BarryB

Salida
TomG worked on the new mainline switches next to the Coaling Tower. GaryM spiked in new rails for the Ash service track. KentS completed the #30 crossover hookup. GrantC painted the SG roundhouse extension brick red.

Tank 7
DaveV continued working scenery.

Extra Board

BarryB hooked up cameras and tied into the TV monitor - nice coolness factor.

TomG and GaryM inspected the SG track from the helix to the Hanging Bridge, finding some wide and tight spots, including a tight spot on the bridge and a kink, no doubt responsible for derailing our 85' passenger cars.

31 January 2018 Crew: GaryM, KentS, GlennG & GerryG

26 January 2018 Crew: GaryM, KentS, GlennG, DaveV, GrantC & BarryB

Salida
GaryM connected a track feeder. KentS worked on track switches. GlennG worked on the Power Plant grounds.

Tank 7
DaveV continued working.

Extra Board

BarryB worked to power distribution panel at Crested Butte.

GaryM worked on car cards.

24 January 2018 Crew: GaryM, KentS, GerryG, GlennG & BarryB

Salida
GaryM and GlennG worked on the foundation to the Steam Plant with much head scratching. Total make-over, rebuild the entire Steam Plant from scratch.

17 January 2018 Crew: GaryM, KentS, GerryG, GlennG & BarryB
Portland
Ideal Cement Plant back in its home.

Parkdale
TomG worked on motor installation for the replacement turnout on the west end of Parkdale siding.

Cleora
GaryM set up the stockpen mock-up, and attached the carcard holder.

Salida
GlennG sceniced around the new steam plant foundation and worked on the pullout section across the track. Water in the Arkansas River with some help from GerryG. GaryM added the foundation to the original structure in the "open" corner. TomG's replacement mainline and ash conveyor DG switches have been placed. TomG also had the Barrel switch installed.

Shawanno
DaveV busy ballasting track.

Parlin
BarryB working on switch motor contacts.

Extra Board

BarryB worked to power distribution panel at Crested Butte.

13 January 2018 Crew: GaryM, TomG, KentS, DaveV, GlennG & GerryG

Portland
GaryM weathered Portland's Ideal Cement Plant.

Salida
TomG's replacement mainline and Barrel DG switches. TomG worked on the switch next to the coaling tower. GlennG resculpted the ground around the final foundation to the Steam Plant.

Tank 7
Resculpted grounds at Tank 7 with "temporary trees".

Parlin
DaveV ballasting track at Parlin.

Extra Board

BarryB worked to power distribution panel at Crested Butte.

2017 Status Reports	2016 Status Reports
2015 Status Reports	2012 Status Reports	2009 Status Reports
2014 Status Reports	2011 Status Reports	2008 Status Reports
2013 Status Reports	2010 Status Reports	2007 Status Reports

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