Finally got over to Deadwood, OR, today to ride on the M&LK 18 inch gauge line, owned by Ray Robinson. Seems they had a work party yesterday (in the pouring rain) and laid about 100 feet of new track. This is a great operation and has an open house coming up the last weekend in June. The whole gang from the Brooklyn roundhouse was there helping, Dave Smokebox Brown, Phil and Laurel Lyon, Skylar, Gus, it was like old home week.
Bob, It is more than you and I could imagine. He has 41 acres of land bounded on all sides by National forest. The track now runs (darn, I wish I could remember) feet, close to a mile. There is a tunnel, two great trestles, a creek and lake crossing. They are now making cuts for the additional trackage required to make a closed loop. Right now, it's out and back. This 2-6-0 is owned by Burt, the guy on the right in picture, but is resident there. Ray, the owner, has two other engines, a gas powered one and a neat repro of a GP-38 complete with Black Widow (SP) paint. It's a diesel-hydraulic. There is a second steamer, a 4-4-2 Atlantic, in pieces at the greatest restoration center nearby, the Brooklyn roundhouse where Doyle will get his hands on it. It will be resident there when completed. Quite an operation. If anyone is interested in attending thier "campout" weekend, June 25-27, email me.
Dang.....and the furthest I'm going this year is to a family reunion in southeastern Nebraska in August. That railroad reminds me of one that's been built down in central Texas. Fairly good-sized setup, too. Thanks for the pics & info!
