Mike and Bill look at Bruno’s Roundhouse CAD drawings
Chairman Bob opened the meeting of the Railroad Club on Thursday at 12:40 pm.
We had 16 + 2 guests - Stephan Popescu. A grad ME at USC and Ed Sarber’s grandson Masson.
Treasurer’s report -- Kevin
Our bank account continues to be strong for the year to cover our projects; the Round House, ROW signage and Rabbit Flat
Accounts Receivable are $350 for 3 delinquent dues payers. If we’ve not heard from by the end of April we will remove them from the roster, and membership, now 75 will become 72
Accounts Payable is $299.19 for outstanding checks.
Project Status Reports
Turntable - Bill
Turntable is in and awaiting better weather to finish the walls
Be sure to check out next month’s issue of Live Steam. PV&A RR is on the cover! If you want to subscribe, click here.
Rabbit Flat - Bill
Nothing new to report.
Round House - Mike
We have finished the seven large post and beam side frames for the building, including antiquing all new wood to look like the aged pressure-treated wood. Masson pitched in here, along with Will, Sam, Robert and Mike. Marty finished the mounting brackets. Mike and Marty are working on the window assemblies off-line. They will be modeled after real roundhouse structures with small panes built up into large windows. Mike has recruited 3 non RR friends to do 3D printing of the window grids (which take 1.5 hrs each; we need 130). Marty got inspired and purchased a 3D printer to help out. Mike also brought in a prototype to share.
Switch Stands and Remotes - Bill
We’ve made lots of refinements and changes to improve longevity and ease of use, plus clarity of operation by making the remote switch indicator shorter. An example of the new remote switch upgrade has been installed by the Ron Schmidt car barn . The next install will be where Rabbit Flat switches to the Alpine division (S208), followed by a switch at the old summit (S211).
West Yard Switches - Kevin
Two are complete, and one more will have its ties replaced by the end of the work day. These are air actuated switches, so the cylinders mounted on the new ties must be in perfect alignment with the point attachment.
Signals system - Ed
Matt has created a new programming board and is working with John Cooper at Train Mountain to make sure they work. This should be verified in the next couple of weeks. Once it works, we will make several copies, for PV&A and T.M. We will then start on the small control boards that go out into each signal unit. We are making good progress. Train Mountain wants to get them working before their big Triennial meet in June. Tom asked if these are for more than block control, Ed said that we would start with block control only but, there is more capability available for future development, like remote control of the signals.
Signage - Steve & Ed
We have purchased a vinyl cutting machine which Steve is experimenting with to make all the lettering for our 458 new signs for the ROW. We will have 6 standard sizes, letters will be black. The base material is 16 gauge pre-primed steel, which has been purchased and cut to size. They will be punched for mounting holes, deburred, and then sent out to a vendor where most will be r white powder coated and a small number will be yellow.. These methods and materials have been tested to stand up outdoors for many years.
New shop machines - Ken
The Clausing lathe speed control has been updated. Ken has some suggestions on operational details. The surface grinder is functional, but needs some further cleaning and the sump pump needs some attention and leak checked. Bob reminded us that these machines are off limits unless vetted by Carl.
Shop and Tool Sheds - Carl
Report issues to Carl or Jerry
We have lots of 9/16 wrenches in stock
New member training - Marty
We have three new members, Will Sharron, Robert Seidl and Leo a current volunteer at the Billy Jones Wildcat RR. We will start the training a little later this spring. It will take place 3-4 Thursdays, 2 hour sessions, so there will still be time for RR work. We will set the schedule soon.
Compressor leaks - Bruce
Leaks can be isolated, and the compressor will stay charged for a couple of hours if we do not run the steaming bay lift up and down. Once it is set, we turn off the valve to that area. Air for steaming engines is set-up by running a hose from Engine House 2, to a tank that has three outlets for air hoses. We will install new lines later to get back to full operational capability..
News, Safety and Policies
Bolts
Kevin W and Ken are binning and counting the donated bolt collection so Mike can see if Pine Cone Lumber will take some in exchange for the wood needed for the Round House project.
Dog House Shed
Many Thanks to Tom and Bruce for fixing the “Dog house” (remote tool shed). We no longer have the pneumatic lift for the lid, so a stick will hold the lid up.
Run days
March
Run this weekend. Regular run Saturday, while Sunday is the Cub Scout visit starting at 9:30 am. We expect 20 people, and have recruited lots of RR members to help host. Brandon will demo and run his Pacificc steam engine. See photos in the Run Day section of our website noted on the minutes letter.
April
We will host the Antique Car Club, Mike and Kevin will do the honors. It may move to Sunday if the weather dictates.
May 5/17
Work weekend
2-3 projects, wooden tie replacement, retaining wall by Alpine siding, bonus is to work on the compressor leak
May
Normal run day
June
Normal run weekend
June 30 - 7/1
A special Monday-Tuesday run for folks on their way home from the Train Mountain Triennial
September
We’ve moved our annual invitational with Golden Gate and Sacramento Valley Live Steam to September. We will have overnight camping available. Contact Dee. We will cater lunch for this meet. Details later.
October night run
PTR family is planning for many visitors for this meet, so we have reinstated the evening Jalisco Taco dinner again. Mike has discussed this with our caterer and she is committed to being there. Same price as last year, $20 adults, $15 kids per meal. More details as we get closer.
Bob closed the meeting at 1:11 PM
Mike Ward
PV&ARR
Secretary