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Status Reports

SCENIC LINE
WORK REPORTS

15 November 2020

('Click' on Photos to 'Enlarge')


14 November 2020    Crew: GaryM & TomG

Salida
GaryM laid down the DG roundhouse foundations and started ballasting some tracks against the backdrops. The cardboard shims on the TT bridge were showing destructive wear and will be replaced with styrene.

Gunnison
TomG completed hooking up feeders for the new trackage.

Extra Board

  • GrantC ran into some 3D printer issues and worked diagnostics.


    11 November 2020    Crew: GaryM, KentS, DanielS, DanS, TomG and GrantC

    Gorge
    DanS continued working on his water pipeline project.

    Salida
    GaryM repositioned the logitudinal shims in the deck and hobby tacked shims to the sides of the bridge support. All shims can be removed fairly easily. The feeder connections were painted. Wood putty was inserted in the gap around the pit. After drying, excess putty was scraped from rails and ties, and then stained. Tons more work to go, but works operationally except on ash conveyor track.
      

    Poncha Junction
    GrantC painted the whitewash on the new charcoal kilns (improved thermal properties). Originally, 4 were arranged in pairs, with the top openings facing each other, accessible from crude wood platforms. Later, a 5th kiln may have been added. DanielS began scenery modifications with de-modernizing the bumper with ties and a traditional look, and adding sand.
         

    Marshall Pass
    KentS mounted a new handset so Operators won't have to keep yelling to attract the attention of the Dispatcher. Also discovered was the open circuit caused by the Dispatcher's jack insert, which needed to be removed/re-inserted to clear a short.
      

    Gunnison
    TomG worked on hooking up feeders for the new trackage.
      

    Extra Board

  • COVID testing is set up in the parking lot out front with the driveway lined up for traffic. Closes at 1300 MST.
  • Our front door safety light is out and needs replacement.


    7 November 2020    Crew: GaryM, KentS, and GrantC

    Salida
    GaryM completed hooking up the stall rail feeders and tested the TT. A shim was added to an end of the deck to prevent longitudinal shifts. Lateral shims to be attached next to the bridge support. A couple tight spots need to still be worked.

    Poncha Junction
    GrantC 3D printed and painted new charcoal kilns, 2 with facing open top portals for loading, and 1 closed operating kiln. The kilns were arranged in pairs.
         

    Extra Board

  • KentS working on a new Handset.
  • Stu has been building a saloon and red light district for the Big Mine at Crested Butte.


    4 November 2020    Crew: GaryM, KentS, TomG, DanielS

    Portland-Gorge-Parkdale
    KentS striped fascia and all over the layout.
               

    Salida
    GaryM continued hooking up the stall rail feeders.

    Poncha Junction
    DanielS studied the D&RGW valuation maps to find the charcoal kiln spur. Also discovered, was the William S. Champ deed which synchs up with the new farm.

    Tank 7
    KentS striped fascia and all over the layout.
      

    Gunnison
    TomG installed new switches with the Baldwin connection. Clearly visible is the curved track through the crossover.
         


    24 October 2020    Crew: GaryM, KentS, and GrantC

    Portland
    KentS added new paint coats to fascia and all over the layout.
         

    Cleora
    GrantC 3D-printed and painted some new Charcoal Kiln ruins.
      

    Salida
    GaryM cleaned paint off the railheads, connected feeders to the two garden tracks and threes of the stalls in the roundhouse east wing.

    Mears Junction
    DaveV is suspected of working more rock outcropping work.
            


    21 October 2020    Crew: GaryM, KentS, DanielS and Dan

    Portland
    KentS painted fascia all over the layout, including the former UP5 ports.

    Gorge
    DanielS and Dan planned out new scenery for the pipeline.

    Salida
    GaryM dismantled the base from the east SG roundhouse wing.


    17 October 2020    Crew: GaryM, KentS, GrantC and StuJ

    Portland
    KentS repaired and prepped the derelict Digitrax UP5 ports.

    Salida
    GaryM adjusted rails along the pit and replaced the transition rail to the 3 rail garden track.

    Poncha Junction
    StuJ completed the Campbell farmhouse and barn for the new Jones farm. He also scratchbuilt a chicken coop and shed for the farm.
         


    14 October 2020    Crew: GaryM, KentS, DanielS and GrantC

    Portland
    KentS continued sanding and mudding the fascia.

    Cleora
    DanielS sceniced the area for the charcoal kilns.
      

    Salida
    GaryM built up the tie border around the DG pit.
      


    10 October 2020    Crew: GaryM, KentS, TomG and GrantC

    Portland
    KentS started repair on the transformed fascia.
            

    Salida
    GaryM started a sub-base tie border around the DG pit, to support the top layer of ties.
      

    Gunnison
    TomG worked on the new "curved" track crossover.


    26 September 2020    Crew: GaryM, KentS, TomG and GrantC

    Portland
    KentS continued work on relocating the circuit breakers next to the helix and wiring.

    Gunnison
    TomG worked on the track replacement with Baldwin Branch connections and smelter spur.


    23 September 2020    Crew: GaryM and GrantC

    Salida
    GaryM began work on the garden tracks.


    19 September 2020    Chow: GaryM, KentS, and GrantC
    19 September 2020    Crew: GaryM, KentS, and GrantC

    Portland
    KentS worked on relocating the circuit breakers next to the helix, removing brackets and wiring.
      

    Salida
    GaryM completed laying the rails inside the SG roundhouse, two garden tracks left.
      


    16 September 2020    Crew: GaryM, KentS, DanielS, DanS and GrantC

    Portland
    KentS opened up the window area where the helix circuit breakers were mounted.

    Cleora
    DanielS worked on scenery on the hills and kiln area.

    Salida
    GaryM continued laying the rails inside the SG roundhouse.


    12 September 2020    Crew: GaryM, KentS, and GerryG

    Salida
    GaryM spiked another stall of rails at the SG roundhouse.

    Gunnison
    KentS replaced Hankscrafts with Tortoises.


    9 September 2020    Crew: GaryM, KentS, DanielS, DanS and TomG

    Portland
    KentS added framing behind the fascia panel to eventually support Baldwin trackack and new drop bridge.

    Gorge
    DanielS and DanS looked at the ledge for the water pipe and rock out croppings.

    Salida
    GaryM spiked rails for the SG roundhouse.

    Cleora
    DanielS and DanS worked on scenery.


    2 September 2020    Crew: GaryM, KentS, and TomG

    Portland
    KentS completed framing and decking.
      

    Gorge
    TomG finished ballasting through the Gorge, up to the track that will be demo-ed to rebuild Hel Junction.
      

    Parkdale
    TomG ballasted.
      

    Salida
    GaryM continued with railwork at the SG roundhouse and broke a panel toggle switch.
      

    Mears Junction
    TomG stained the bridge guard rails on all the NG bridges to Gunnison, that DanielS had previously sanded down to NMRA gauge height. From the look of some recent rock colorings, it is suspected that DaveV has been out & about.
         


    28 August 2020    Crew: GaryM, KentS, and TomG

    Portland
    KentS completed rewiring and began rebuilding framing and decking.

    Gorge
    TomG ballasted.

    Salida
    GaryM continued with railwork at the SG roundhouse.


    26 August 2020    Crew: GaryM, KentS, DanS and TomG

    Portland
    KentS continued rewiring and testing track switches.

    Gorge
    TomG cleaned up roadbed and put down ballast.

    Cleora
    DanG experimented with ground covers.

    Salida
    GaryM continued with railwork at the SG roundhouse.


    22 August 2020    Crew: GaryM, KentS and TomG

    Portland
    KentS rewired all new harnesses and hid wiring for expanding Portland underneath Crested Butte, and is down to one last wire.
                     

    Salida
    GaryM continues to install roundhouse SG rails, put in ties covering the final turntable mounting screw, and another coat of stains on those ties and the garden track ties.
      

    Gunnison
    TomG cut off the corner for the Gunnison backdrop, sanding out the bumps for a smooth curve between the Crested Butte coke ovens and Gunnison.      


    19 August 2020    Crew: GaryM, KentS, DanielS & DanS

    Portland
    KentS replaced another Crested Butte Hankscraft, and began rerouting and harnessing wiring under Crested Butte. This spaghetti relocation project is to accommodate Portland and Baldwin Branch construction, accessibility and scenery.

    Cleora
    DanielS and DanS worked on coloring the new hillsides leading to the charcoal kiln ruins.
            

    Salida
    GaryM installed more roundhouse SG rails, stained the ties on the new garden tracks.


    15 August 2020    Chow: GaryM, KentS, TomG, GrantC & DanielS
    15 August 2020    Crew: GaryM, KentS, TomG & DanielS

    Portland
    TomG and KentS cutout the portals for expansion and access to the Baldwin Branch lead. Carcard boxes, phone, and throttle holder removed.

    Parkdale
    TomG worked scenery.

    Salida
    GaryM worked roundhouse rails.

    Extra Board

  • DanS worked on locomotives.


    12 August 2020    Crew: GaryM, KentS, TomG & DanielS

    Portland
    TomG worked scenery.

    Cleora
    DanS painted new hill scenery.

    Salida
    GaryM worked roundhouse rails.

    Gunnison
    KentS replaced Hankscraft motors with 2 new tortoises.

    Extra Board

  • TomG worked on locomotives.


    8 August 2020    Crew: GaryM

    Salida
    GaryM worked roundhouse rails.


    1 August 2020    Crew: GaryM, KentS, GrantC & DanielS

    Cleora
    DanielS worked scenery.

    Salida
    GaryM worked roundhouse rails.


    29 July 2020    Crew: GaryM, KentS, TomG, DanielS, DanS & StuJ

    Parkdale
    TomG worked on scenery.

    Cleora
    DanielS and DanS added plaster to merge the charcoal kiln hills with the "old" scenery.

    Salida
    KentS adjusted the gearing on the DG TT and took out the slack for the hand crank, so the gearing is very smooth with no slippage.

    Gunnison
    TomG worked on the new trackwork for the Baldwin junction.


    25 July 2020    Crew: GaryM, KentS, TomG & DanielS

    Parkdale
    TomG continued adding scenery.
      

    Salida
    KentS and GaryM tested the TT and adjusted the pit. We successfully ran engines on the 105' DG Turntable bridge. Gary test fit the ash conveyor and mounted rails. KentS test ran DanG's Challenger #3804 that he and TomG repaired. TomG was able to straigten and fix the damage to the forward wheel carriage and the engine runs smoothly, and pulls a lot. GaryM put down ballast boards for two new garden tracks on the east side of the TT, adjacent the roundhouse.
               

    Cleora
    DanS built up the hillside to merge the lower hills with the older scenic area.
      


    22 July 2020    Crew: GaryM, KentS, & TomG

    Howard
    TomG respiked the track curving into the plate girder bridge, removing a tight spot (24" radius) and making it 30" radius. This spot tended to cause wheel derailments, especially for the mallets.


    18 July 2020    Chow: GaryM, TomG & GrantC
    18 July 2020    Crew: GaryM, KentS, TomG & GrantC

    Salida
    We all worked on the 105' DG Turntable bridge, and adjusted the pit depth. TomG spiked and glued new rails with pliobond, and also weathered the rails. TomG soldered pickup wires from the dollies to one pair of rails, a pickup for the center post was soldered to the other pair off-center.
                  


    15 July 2020    Crew: GaryM, KentS, TomG & GrantC

    Parkdale
    TomG repaired the Water Tank chain & spout.

    Salida
    GaryM drilled spike piolot holes on the 105' DG Turntable bridge, for relaying of rails with spikes.
               


    11 July 2020    Crew: GaryM, KentS, TomG & GrantC

    Parkdale
    TomG worked on scenery.

    Salida
    KentS worked on the 105' DG Turntable mechanism.
         

    Extra Board

  • GaryM and GrantC ran passenger trains vs 6:1 fast clock and recorded times.


    8 July 2020    Crew: GaryM, TomG & KentS

    Parkdale
    TomG worked on scenery.

    Cleora
    GaryM filled rock gaps with sculptamold.

    Salida
    KentS worked on the 105' DG Turntable mechanism.


    4 July 2020    Crew: GaryM, KentS, & GrantC

    Cleora
    GaryM began repainting the backdrop to blend the Cleora hills. Even though there are no nearby ranges, a purple was used to paint a distant range for some depth. Before and after photos:
         
         

    Extra Board

  • KentS replaced the remaining Hankscraft motor on the staging deck with a new pre-fabbed tortoises.
  • GrantC reviewed D&RGW structural drawings and photos for details.


    1 July 2020    Crew: GaryM & KentS

    Cleora
    GaryM began experimenting on the backdrop to blend the Cleora hills.

    Extra Board

  • KentS replaced Hankscraft motors.
  • GaryM finished touching up telephone poles from Redhill through Gorge.


    20 June 2020    Crew: GaryM, KentS, TomG & GrantC
    20 June 2020    Chow: GaryM, KentS, & GrantC

    Parkdale
    TomG worked on the road crossing and grounds.
         

    Gunnison
    GrantC worked on the Freight Station dimensions, scaling, etc. to make 3D print patterns.

    Extra Board

  • KentS replaced two Hankscraft motors at Portland/Hel Junction with the last of his pre-fabbed tortoises.
  • GaryM measured distances between towns to help build timetables.
  • GaryM painted brackets on the telephone poles from Redhill to Parkdale.
  • KentS ordered more Tortoises.


    17 June 2020    Crew: GaryM, KentS, & TomG

    Parkdale
    TomG worked on the scenery.

    Extra Board

  • KentS replaced Hankscraft motors.
  • GaryM painted washes on the telephone poles from Redhill to Parkdale.


    13 June 2020    Crew: GaryM, KentS, TomG & GrantC

    Parkdale
    TomG worked on the scenery base at the freight station road crossing and tank.

    Extra Board

  • KentS inventoried the Hankscraft motors.
  • KentS and GaryM opened up the dead light above Cleora. KentS is working on a LED replacement.
  • GaryM mounted the automobile case near the water cooler and rehung pictures.


    10 June 2020    Crew: GaryM, KentS & TomG

    Parkdale
    We covered the new terrain with dirt.
         

    Red Hill Tunnel
    We experimented with static grass at the trestle on the west side of Red Hill Tunnel.
         


    6 June 2020    Crew: GaryM, KentS & GrantC

    Red Hill Tunnel
    GaryM painted another layer of trees along the base of the rocks.
         

    West Salida
    KentS installed another Tortoise at the west ladder.

    Extra Board

  • KentS moved the State of Colorado topographical map to the front wall across from Cleora.
  • GaryM measured the area along the walls for the Baldwin Branch.


    3 June 2020    Crew: GaryM, KentS & TomG

    Gunnison/Baldwin Branch
    The backdrop between Gunnison and Crested Butte was removed in preparation for a taller backdrop. Much discussion ensued on construction of the Baldwin Branch. KentS proposed a track to cross over from the mainline and run behind the Freight Depot, rather than crossover the two curved tracks on the drop bridge. This yields a much simpler design and is greatly more prototypical. The drop bridge would be expanded (toward the helix) and join the Baldwin Branch along the back wall. An open frame grid built of 2x2s will be extended along the wall, through and around the corner up to the corner by Parkdale. The open grid will allow for dips and small grades for trestles and bridges. The two major Baldwin mines would be at each corner area.

    The Baldwin Branch is planned to be restricted to smaller locos like the C-16s. Current roster shows two C-16s (#223, #278) and one C-18 (#318). All the lines west of Gunnison used lighter engines because of the lighter rail. We have two C-25s on roster (to cover two eras of heralds) for the narrow gauge passenger train #315/#316 (named Shavanno from mid 1930s - 1941), west of Gunnison.

    KentS recommended changing the current Baldwin staging track to a Lake City staging track, which also makes a lot of sense, for operations and geographically. Ores from Lake City & Baldwin could go to the Gunnison Smelter, near the Gunnison wye. Lake City traffic would also include livestock from there and Sapinero. Bituminous coal was mined on the Baldwin branch and was used for engines and heating. The richer anthracite from Crested Butte was much more valuable for steel and sent to Minnequa (Pueblo) for the CF&I blast furnaces.

    Extra Board

  • KentS tracked down and replaced a shorted wire under Parkdale to the switch motors which had melted from overheating.


    30 May 2020    Crew: GaryM

    Gorge
    GaryM mounted telephone poles through the gorge. The poles blend into the gorge so much they are almost invisible. EZ-Line will be experimented with to see how they look.
               

    Parkdale
    GaryM mounted telephone poles through Parkdale. Additional poles will be assembled and painted for a few gaps.
         

    Red Hill Tunnel
    GaryM mounted telephone poles across Red Hill Tunnel through Howard and on to Parkdale. The second layer of tree trunks were stipled a Kelly green acrylic.
            


    27 May 2020    Crew: KentS & GaryM

    Parkdale
    GaryM completed overpainting the last rocky hill to blend into the gorge.
      

    Red Hill Tunnel
    GaryM added a layer of trees at the base of the red rocks, first by painting basic dark gray tree trunks and then stipling over with a dark green for leaves. A second layer of trees were then added, with lighter gray trunks as shown below. A brighter and lighter shade of green will be applied to these tree trunks.
         

    Extra Board

  • KentS worked on replacing more Hankscraft switch motors with Tortoisi at West Salida.


    23 May 2020    Crew: KentS & GaryM

    Parkdale
    GaryM completed overpainting the hills with another layer of trees, with the last rocky hill to blend into the gorge.
                     

    Extra Board

  • KentS surveyed all the switch motors.
  • GaryM's new M-68 ran roughly, the gearbox is loose


    20 May 2020    Crew: KentS & GaryM

    Parkdale
    GaryM added more trees to the foreground hills.
                                    


    16 May 2020    Crew: KentS & GaryM

    Parkdale
    GaryM added gray tree trunks, then started overpainting those by stippling a dark green.
               

    Extra Board

  • KentS prepared 4 more tortoises for installs.


    13 May 2020    Crew: TomG, KentS & GaryM

    Parkdale
    GaryM continued re-touching the backdrop along the front. The pinkish foreground hills were painted over in camel (tan), and then highlighted with burnt sienna. Before and after photos:
         

    Extra Board

  • KentS brought out new can motors for TomG.

    9 May 2020    Crew: KentS & GaryM

    Cimarron
    KentS replaced a faulty Hankscraft with a Tortoise on the Cimarron Yard Lead.

    Extra Board

  • KentS patched the hole we used to fish the thermostat wire through.
  • GaryM photographed passenger equipment.


    6 May 2020    Crew: KentS & GaryM

    Extra Board

  • GaryM photographed passenger equipment.
  • KentS and GaryM fished the wire through the wall to the thermostat next to the window.
      


    2 May 2020    Crew: KentS & GaryM

    Gunnison
    KentS has been holding down the fort! KentS installed two Tortoises, one on the wye which was out of service, and the ultra-slow mainline switch heading into the yard, replacing two Hankscrafts.
      

    Montrose
    KentS replaced another faulty Hankscraft with a Tortoise into the Montrose Yard.
      

    Extra Board

  • KentS and GaryM removed the faulty thermostat switch to the heater, releasing a cloud of dead moths and flies over the Royal Gorge and West Salida. They installed a new wall mounted thermostat next to the window.
  • A brown thermostat wire was used for the connection and left temporarily, which will be replaced with a two wire white cord next week.
  • We should have replaced this thermostat after the first time we used the old one!
  • GaryM cleaned up the bug debris field.
      
  • We currently have eight replacement Tortoises remaining in inventory.


    18 January 2020    Crew: GlennG, GaryM & TomG
    18 January 2020    Chow: GlennG, GaryM, GrantC & TomG

    Parkdale
    TomG & GaryM laid out where to put the buildings. TomG installed some platforms and GaryM started attaching a webbed paper base.

    Poncha Junction
    GlennG worked on the road past the depot and repainted the post.


    15 January 2020    Crew: GaryM, DaveV, & TomG

    Parkdale
    TomG worked on the fascia. GaryM started adding paper towel strips soaked in light plaster.

    Montrose
    DaveV worked on the track ballast.


    8 January 2020    Crew: GaryM, GlennG, TomG, GerryG, & DaveV

    Cimarron
    TomG resoldered a broken switch point.

    Extra Board

  • GaryM, GlennG and GerryG set up trains for Saturday's Ops session.
  • DaveV and GlennG cleaned up the layout and cleaned track.


    5 January 2020    Crew: GaryM, & TomG

    Parkdale
    TomG finally located the major short on the Royal Gorge Route. It was an ungapped tie on the east switch. TomG made the cut and added feeders to a dead spot. GaryM relocated the terminal strip and wiring to install the new small switch panel.


    4 January 2020    Crew: GaryM, GlennG, TomG, GerryG, DanS & DanielS

    Parkdale
    We encountered a major short which shutdown the Royal Gorge Route. TomG began checking track connections. GaryM began installing new switch panels. The small panel required relocating some wiring. The large panel had placement of some LED too close to the toggle switch, and requires a new panel to be made.

    Poncha Junction
    GlennG worked on the road next to the Depot.

    Extra Board

  • Everyone else worked on track cleaning and setup for next week's Ops session.



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