Well.......It's survived several major thunderstorms. Only washout I've had, is where downspout hit directly ON my track! Washed out a small section, maybe 1/2" deep and maybe 2" - 2 1/2" wide. Water that drops down under the long wooden bridge, seems to dissipate right there. But then, that area has been dug up quite a bit, so water drains much faster there. Betting it could handle a 1/2" storm surge!! Betting it wasn't weed! Something stronger perhaps? Hope any/everyone hit by, or in the path of these storms are safe!
Removed the last few rocks. Added about 3 loads of dirt. For now. Might add a little more later. Wore out at the moment! Another angle. Most of the rock seen, are the rocks removed from inner loop. They will be replaced, once dirt is in. and they will slowly rise up, to form a better "mountain" on this side of the yard! Better chance for tunnel also.
Nothing big. Maybe 2 foot long, for easy access, if something should go wrong. Only critter(s) I have to deal with, are "Bob" the local squirrel. And a couple of area relations perhaps. No loose cats, or dogs in the neighborhood. I'm betting spiders for sure though! Dark, somewhat cool and quiet! Maybe next year at the rate I'm going right now!
Added 1 more load of dirt, a bag of leaves and a bag of sheep and peat and buried. Then, set sprinkler on it for maybe 20 minutes. Another round of dirt and more digging, to help mix dirt and leaves. Might be about ready to get a couple of passenger cars out next. And maybe start setting down the first layer of rocks again! Won't know until I start working on things again. No idea when. Gonna depend on how I'm feeling!! If I feel decent, I might do a little bit more. If I hurt too much, I'll take the day off. What I decide to do, may also depend on what the weather is like. Not much happening, if it's too hot!
No working Tuesday! Headed to Georgetown with a friend, to ride the Georgetown Loop. SHould be interesting! Haven't been there in 30 years! Not since I did volunteer work there, through railroad club!
Have not heard or read much about this operation, since they changed operators a few years ago. Wondering how they are doing, what they are using for equipment, etc?
They've got at least 3 useable locomotives. #140 - GE 45/50 ton diesel #9 - 3 truck shay #111 - 2-8-0 or a 2-8-2 #40 is in the shop. Might be back in service next year. Have a couple of ex steel mill diesels as well. One running. Was being used as yard goat today! Also have the #130, another GE 45/50T diesel, in pieces. Have a few nice looking enclosed cars. Looks to be dinner train style. Run a couple of open cars, a couple of partially covered cars and a couple of covered cars. Closed ends, but open windows in the center. Have a number of photos from the day, plus a few videos. I'll be working on those when I get the chance. Maybe tomorrow. Hurting a bit, so I'm in bed early tonight!
Was there about a month ago, for the celebration in Golden. got to ride behind the Shay, great time. Greg
Getting ready to adjust photos. And maybe try to upload a few videos to Youtube. In the meantime, Ran my passenger stuff today, over the new track. And to check clearances, when I'm ready to start setting rocks in place. Used end of c ane, to give my about 3" clearance from middle of streamline coach! Adjusted a couple of joints as well, that were causing minor problems. Passenger cars were jumping in a few selected spots, when coupled directly to locomotive. However, when I added a boxcar between locomotive and passenger cars, they ran fine! Mom planted about 5 BIG wads of worms where I was working. And then added 3 weeks worth of coffee grounds! Worms go crazy over the coffee grounds.
Swimming in caffeine might do that..... Am wondering about your adding the box car. Could this indicate a coupler movement issue? Not enough swing side to side? Or other?
Passenger cars apparently do NOT like the body mounted couplers of the GP30. Decided to use it, instead of the GP40. And since my PA is not RC/Sound converted yet, I can't use it. Running on 8' and 10' Diameter curves. Aristo heavyweight combine USA streamlined coach Aristo heavyweight, 6 axle Pullman Can't use the Pullman, as the trucks pick frog points! Thinking wheels are a bit too wide. Want to check with Kadee, see if they have passenger car wheels. Pullman was also the one car that would derail almost anywhere, besides turnouts.
Dug a small trench around inside loop yesterday. Light rain sent me in for the night! Today, I was able to get a number of rocks placed. Added 1 load of dirt, mixed in with previous loads a couple days ago. Too dark tonight, to get photos when I was done. Will try for Saturday!
Added first layer of rock to the new mountain! Need to figure out how to add tunnel next. A couple of quick views of new rock work. Added 1 load of dirt and mixed it in with the other dirt loads, worms, coffee grounds and semi rotten leaves! A bit more dirt to be added yet. Going higher still. Not too much higher though.
The S curve in the foreground (where the rock "obscures" the track) is not where the cars derail is it? Any chance to put at least a little straight in there? Greg
No.The "obscured" area is a 12" straight section. Have more problems with turnouts. Passenger cars pick the frogs. When being pulled by a GP30/40. If I place a freight car in between, the cars run properly. With my B-Day coming up soon, I'm gonna see IF I can get the Airwire/Sound combo for my PA, so I can use it! It's got truck mounted coupler on the rear! Need to do something about wheels on Aristo Pullman. It jumps the track alost anywhere! Turnout frogs in particular Have been thinking of adding a shim to guard rails of turnouts, to try and eliminate frog picking. Think the K-27 picks also. But, since I have NOT used it in a couple of years now..... Needs counterweight work! Gotta figure out HOW to pull counterweights off first! Or find someone who is willing to tackle that project! I don't want to mess things up any worse than it is! Run time the last couple of days. The Burlington GP30's, for a couple hours in the late afternoon. With caboose.
Enjoying the cooler temp for today! Coal train up and running right now. Burlington units in use, now. Had all 3 GP30's running earlier. Parked train briefly, so I could use the bathroom. Came back, and power was down. Went to check on train, rounded corner, and got hit by the nasty smell of burnt electronics!! My Rio Grande unit failed big time, while I was inside! Have no idea why. No wires to short, since they were covered with heat shrink tubing. No bare wires anywhere. Gotta pull it apart later, and see what blew up! And inquire, IF anyone will answer, about replacement part(s).