Indoor meeting on a blustery day
President Bob opened the meeting at 12:30 pm.
We had 12 members at the RR today including our newest, Dean Cornell, recruited by Dee. Welcome Dean!
Treasurer’s report -- Kevin
Our bank account continues to be healthy, with no accounts receivable, and no accounts payable. However, we have committed to pay between $8 and $9K to RMI for the two new cars we have ordered.
We may also purchase materials in preparation for finishing out Rabbit Flat as time might permit without interference with the Sustainability Program. We may have to buy a little more rail. Bob, Kevin and Bruce will inventory stock and determine any needs.
We have 65 members, all are current. Please note that invoices will soon be going out to all members for their annual dues for 2024. No change in dues - $100 per adult member, $50 per youth, $150 for family and $50 for adult members over 100 miles away.
Project Status Reports
Rabbit Flat - Kevin
The switch near the picnic tables is in and done. Bruce brought base rock to raise the level of the bypass siding. Kevin provided Bruce with a grading plan for the next stages of grading. Some base rock has been staged near there, but no further deliveries will be done until the winter rains are over and the ranch roads are more firm.
Redwood Canyon FootBridge Final report. - Mike
The bridge, stairs and handrail are now complete with end caps on the handrail by Bill. The top step has developed a significant crack, and will be replaced.
Switches and switch stands - Bob & Bill
Bob notes that we have steadily been installing new switch stands and can now get to anywhere on the entire railroad. A few kick switches have been replaced with the new vertical switch stands, and conversely, one switch stand was replaced with a kick switch at the end of the north yard so that it won’t inadvertently be switched. Carl has prototyped one of several ideas under considertion for a kick switch annunciator so engineers will know which way it is switched. Three new remote switches have been installed. Bruce suggested that we should not put switch stands in now where we will eventually have to raise the track bed during the Track Refurbishment Project.
Bill reported that ten new remote switch stands have been assembled, of which three are already installed, and we have the parts for 50 standard switch stands, ready for assembly. Bill loaned one switch to Ryan who will develop CAD files for all the parts.
The Track Refurbishment Project - Bill
While we have been using new tie material on all new switches, and did so during the Caboose Loop expansion project, we still have significant amounts of the ROW to replace wooden ties. We are committed to this as weather permits. This is an all-hands-on-deck project - i.e. no other major items will be addressed as we gain significant traction on this important commitment we have made to the family. We have tentatively laid out several sections we are starting to develop and refine our procedure. Kevin notes that this is a 4 R project. Remove, Raise, Repair and Replace – so that the same rails and same curvatures will come out, be transported to the shop, disassembled, new ties added, roadbed raised as needed and track reinstalled. It will be a choreographed RR ballet of activity. Some sections will not affect operations, but some, like the dual track up the mountain, which will be done in parallel, may affect run day operations to further destinations. We may schedule some weekend work days.
Event & Run Planning - Bob
The last run day for this year will be December 23rd.Bruce will check with the Ranch committee for the availability of PV&A RR 2024 run dates to fit within the ranch’s needs, after which we will post on our website. The Joint invitational meet for 2024 is tentatively set for June.
Safety, Maintenance, Information and News
Peter Blum updated the track map – Russ posted on the website and Bob ordered printed copies.
Matt reports that the Rabbit Flat Berm coming off the Silver Bridges repair is almost done - may want to add two more RR ties, which are onsite. The Alpine Crossover Bridge berm is complete, and just needs some additional ballast dropped to level the area.
Bob and Carl have smoothed out the table for the rail bending machine.
Bob reminded all that we have a switch repair form for anyone to note performance issues with switches along the ROW. This will allow repairs to be planned and done. Dee suggested that we number each switch (Bill reports that we have 70 switches). This can easily be done with some stainless steel number tags that she tracked down.
Bruce leveled the track at the Redwood Canon Tunnel yard, which passed the speeder test. The K-36 will be re-tested next.
The new club engine - Big Red is still awaiting parts. When parts arrive, Brandon will take the engine home along with one car to install the air brakes.
Steve suggested that we add a note to the website run calendar so that non-members are aware that they may only attend if invited and accompanied by a PV&A RR member. Bob will do so.
Q & A
Any discussion on an outdoor deck project is on hold until we get very good progress on the Track Refurbishment Project.
Bob ended the meeting at 1:34 pm
Mike Ward
PV&ARR
Secretary