Status Reports

Status Reports

SCENIC LINE
WORK REPORTS
30 December 2018
('Click' on Photos to 'Enlarge')

30 December 2018 Crew: GlennG, GaryM & KentS

Parlin
GlennG had to move the D&RGW station slightly back from the track to fit in the Train Order Boards.

Gunnison
GlennG had located the Train Order Boards, which also moved the Gunnison depot slightly back from the track.

Extra Board

KentS figured out the lever connections for the Train Order Boards and brought a mockup.

Kent attached terminal strips to the backside of the dispatcher panels and began connecting up the toggle switches and LEDs.

GaryM cut out benchwork and reinforced the Dispatch Panel frame to fit the new wiring on the backs of the panels.

GaryM added some new floor panels to the Royal Gorge aisleway. It was noted they are slightly different size. All the foam floor panels have been bought from the same manufacturer at Harbor Freight, and vary in size from time to time.

19 December 2018 Crew: DanG, GaryM, DaveV, TomG & KentS

Gorge
DanG and DaveV started adding washes to the rock face.

Salida
TomG made and installed switchstands, adding numbers to match the switch panel numbers.

Cleora
GaryM worked on mainline ballasting. The sidings will be a dark grey for a slight contrast.

20 October 2018 Chow: BarryB, GaryM
20 October 2018 Crew: BarryB, GaryM, KentS, DaveV & DanG

Gorge
Historic milestone! GaryM & DanG completed 3 large rock castings. DaveV helped install them in the Gorge. We were able to cut & fit pieces into the remaining gaps (everywhere) in the rock face. The remaining pieces of castings and rock casting were applied to fill the aisle mounted fascia, entirely filling both aisle side sheets. The result is that besides touching up cracks and filling small gaps, we are finally done making any more Bragdon molds for the Gorge!

Shawanno
DaveV continued the forestation project.

Extra Board

KentS, BarryB and DanG worked on the power for the new phone system.

GaryM prepped another rock mold.

17 October 2018 Crew: BarryB, GaryM, KentS, DaveV & DanG

Parkdale
GaryM patched the ground next to the new switch with some sculptamold.

Barrel
GaryM placed a beam assembly to delineate the Rotary transfer.

Gray's
DaveV resurfaced the ties for the new rails. GaryM re-spiked the rails and soldered the leads.

Shawanno
DaveV continued the forestation project.

Extra Board

KentS, BarryB and DanG worked on the new phone system.

GaryM prepped 2 large rock molds.

10 October 2018 Crew: BarryB, GaryM, KentS, GerryG, TomG & DanG

Cleora
GaryM & DanG began touching up the scenery starting at Red Hill tunnel, and a patch on the corner past the stockpens.

Salida
TomG worked on switches in the transfer yard.

Extra Board

BarryB installed handset wiring for the Dispatcher headset and two Salida handsets.

KentS and DanG mounted the two Salida handsets, and KentS connected hook switches.

GaryM made some more handset cradle plates, and help from KentS painting them.

6 October 2018 Crew: BarryB, GaryM, KentS, DanG, GlennG & DaveV

Tennessee Pass
GlennG continued scenery at Tennessee Pass.

Grays
GaryM spiked down rail for the track under repair.

Marshall Pass
DaveV added more scenic touch to the pass.

Extra Board

BarryB, KentS and DanG installed handset wiring.

3 October 2018 Crew: BarryB, GaryM, KentS, DanG, GlennG & DaveV

Gorge

Tennessee Pass
GlennG continued scenery at Tennessee Pass.

Grays
GaryM painted new ties and rail for the repair track.

Marshall Pass
DaveV added more scenic touch to the pass.

Extra Board

BarryB worked on designing the switch panel holders for the NG staging deck & Cimarron.

KentS worked on the Handsets.

GaryM mounted a pair of new throttle holders and mounting plates for the handsets.

22 September 2018 Crew: BarryB, GaryM, KentS, TomG, & DaveV

Salida
TomG worked on the hankscraft replacement project in the Salida Transfer Yard, and added switch ties to some of the switches.

Grays
GaryM and DaveV removed the flextrack ties and added Mt Albert Narrow and Standard Gauge ties. The SG ties were cut to length and are thicker, filling the "dip" in the rodbed -which is the reason for repair. The rails are also out of level on the switch and lean towards the backdrop. The goal will be to lay the rails and get back to level. The area was causing derailments.

Marshall Pass
DaveV worked on the scenery.

Shawanno
DaveV worked on redoing the scenery next to the track.

Extra Board

BarryB worked on designing the switch panel holders for the NG staging deck & Cimarron.

KentS wired more tortoises.

GaryM made three mounting panels for the three phone handsets.

19 September 2018 Crew: BarryB, GrantC, GerryG, GaryM, KentS, TomG, DaveV & GlennG

Salida
TomG, GerryG and KentS worked on switch motors in the Transfer Yard.

Tennessee Pass
GlennG worked on scenery.

Grays
GaryM and DaveV decided to remove rails from the east switch causing derailments.

Tank 7
DaveV planted more vegetation.

Extra Board

BarryB worked on designing the switch panel holders for the NG staging deck & Cimarron.

GaryM finished the Cimmaron and NG staging deck switch panels.

GrantC worked on 3D print designs.

15 September 2018 Chow: BarryB, GaryM, KentS, GerryG, GrantC, TomG, DaveV & GlennG
15 September 2018 Crew: BarryB, GaryM, KentS, TomG, DaveV & GlennG

Cleora/Barrel
GaryM added labels to the Carcardholders.

Salida
TomG replaced the short point on the Transfer Ladder Switch No. 6 and replaced the hankscraft motor with a tortoise. KentS worked on hankscraft replacements.

Tennessee Pass
GlennG worked on scenery.

Poncha Junction
GlennG worked on redoing the scenery next to the track.

Shawanno
DaveV worked on redoing the scenery next to the track.

Extra Board

BarryB worked on designing the switch panel holders for the NG staging deck & Cimarron.

12 September 2018 Crew: BarryB, GaryM, KentS & GlennG

Gorge
GlennG blasted away and repaired the rock overhanging the track from the newest castings.

Parkdale
KentS repositioned the slide on the tortoise west switch.

Barrel
GaryM repositioned the load drawers and added stops. Hooks were added for drawer holding.

Poncha Junction
GlennG cut back the outcropping to the edge of the track near the Otto Bridge and sculpted back the hill.

Monarch
GaryM added hooks for drawer holding.

Grays
KentS and BarryB replaced the old switch motor and mechanism with a new tortoise motor on the west turnout.

Extra Board

BarryB installed a new fan in the aisle on the I-Beam next to Red Hill tunnel.

KentS recommended placing the NG staging & Cimarron switch panels in the aisle instead of on scenery buildings.

4 August 2018 Crew: GaryM, KentS & GlennG

Salida
GlennG continued working on scenery.

Cleora
GaryM painted the new cardholder pockets with new fascia Grande Gold paint.

Extra Board

KentS put in new LEDs and connected the switches to the Staging Deck Reverse Loop control panels.

GaryM worked on the Std Gauge Dispatcher panel and started making a Callboard for SG trains.

1 August 2018 Crew: GaryM, GlennG, GerryG, DaveV & KentS

Salida
GkennG worked on the West Salida scenery.

Shawanno
DaveV grew more foilage into the scenery.

Parlin
GerryG painted more backdrop.

Extra Board

GaryM made new switch panels for the staging deck, Poncha Jct wye, Cimarron and the Montrose staging.

21 July 2018 Crew: GaryM, GrantC, GerryG & BarryB
21 July 2018 Chow: GaryM, GrantC, GerryG & BarryB

Salida
GaryM worked further on Switch #17.

Monarch
GaryM and BarryB worked on the switchback turnout. We adjusted the slide, replaced the throw wire with a .047 wire, bent the wire to center the points. We found out that the motor was shorting even while the points were not touching the stock rails. Next step, remove the wires on right pickups and solder to the left pickups.

Extra Board

GrantC presented his clinc on 3D Printing.

18 July 2018 Crew: GaryM, GrantC, GlennG & KentS

Howard - Cleora
GaryM added some scrubbrush to the scenery in spots.

Salida
GaryM inspected some of the turnouts. Switch #2B was inspected and found to be working OK, but the turnout works very slowly. Switch #17 was found out of gauge (NG too tight) such that the stock rails will need to be filed (notched) or the switch rebuilt. Switch #6 was fixed- the slide bar on the Tortoise had falled out of position.

West Salida
GlennG made and installed a berm between West Salida and Tennessee Pass.

Monarch
Upper tail of switchback, turnout not fully closing.

Extra Board

GrantC worked on 3D Charcoal Kilns and worked on wood stacks and loads.

KentS installed and connected up an awesome new TV antenna on the shed, we now get 60 channels perfectly.

GaryM installed additional floor mats along the Royal Gorge.

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.

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