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Work Session January 9-10, 2021
To join the fun, contact the railroad at: WorkSession @ RedRiverAndGulf.net (no spaces)
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Team:
Everett Lueck Jason Rose Glen Armand (Off-site) Wimbley Vu (Off-site)
Accomplishments:
- Final tree and debris from
hurricanes cleared from track
Friday
Crew #1, Dave and Kevin began clearing the last remaining tree and debris from the hurricane blow down over the track wye west leg.
Crew #2, Jason, Noah, and Everett, installed a new tractor crossing over the main loop track near the pump house. Lumber was sawed into lengths and overlaid on ties. Wood screws then secured the crossing boards and gravel was brought in to make approaches to the crossing. Dave Hearne gets the credit for the first successful crossings with the tractor!
Crew #3, Mike, Carl, and Keith needle scaled the apron area on the locomotive and tender of 106. The repainted apron was installed once this was completed.
Crew #4 of Tucker, Jacob, Jacque, Carl, and Keith had an exciting morning. M2 didn't want to start in the 33 degree morning, so the drop side flatcar and Ichabod (the crane) were moved by hand to the sawmill pad. Tools were loaded on the crane and flatcar and ties were loaded up on the flatcar. Using gravity, Crew #4 rolled the consist down to the worksite near the pump house, which got everyone's blood flowing and legs moving. Crew #4 had rolled M2 into the sun to warm up like a cold-blooded alligator and Dave was able to get her started after some time in the sun and brought M2 down the worksite near the pump house. After a second trip to the sawmill pad for more ties, it was time for lunch.
Saturday - Afternoon
The crossing was finished and
Dave, Carl, Mike, and Kevin cleared the last of the trees over the
track. The rest of the group began leveling the wye west leg of track
near the pumphouse. Everett cut blocks and cribbing to insert under the
ties, Jason used a chainsaw to cut some old ties into blocking material,
and several good ties were inserted as the track was raised up. Once the
track was stabilized, Mike brought his generator around to run the air
hammer Everett acquired. In assembly line fashion, two folks pre drilled
spike holes, two folks started spikes, and Keith came behind with the
air hammer to drive them home. However, many of the holes were too
narrow and the spikes too dull. A good effort was made to drive in the
remainder by hand spike mauls. As the sun set, the day was called, tools
grouped together, the group cleaned up, and enjoyed a dinner in town
together.
-Tucker Baker
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Saturday |
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Morning Safety Brief with Road Master Tucker Baker
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M-2 wouldn't start because of the cold, so Ichabod and the Horseman were pushed to the Pad to be loaded with ties.
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The new crossing ("Runaway Crossing") is about half completed.
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Dave finally convinced M-2 to wake up and he brought her down the hill to join the party. Jacob provides a roll-by inspection.
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Jacob, Noah, Tucker, and Jacque clear brush so we can begin repairing the track here at Switch #2
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Clearing brush
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Clearing brush Jacob and Jacque
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KP & Everett finish up the new corssing
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Tucker uses Ichabod to lift a tie ...
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... and place it on the Horseman
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OOPS!
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All 4 on the ground!
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No big deal. Dave and the tractor made things right.
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Jason, KP, David and Everett survey the scene.
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Cribbing the track
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DONE!
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Not a bad days work! A retaining wall will be constructed outside of the track and then backfilled with dirt and ballast.
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"Runaway Crossing" is complete!
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Looks great.
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David tests it out.
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Noah supervises while Keith uses the new air hammer to drive home spikes.
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New method meets old.
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Keith quickly became the resident expert on using the air hammer.
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Dumping ballast.
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Spreading ballast
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Sunday |
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Everett pre-drills holes for spikes.
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Driving in spikes
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Once again M-2 was cranky because of the cold. So, Everett used the tractor to haul the Horseman back up the hill while Mike coaxed some life into our stubborn A4 motorcar.
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Jason, Tucker, and Mike continue the on-going efforts to clean up the Engine House.
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No, this isn't the Clown Car for the RR&G Circus Train. Everett gave the new guys a tour of the railroad and museum grounds.
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Noah tagged along to operate the horn.
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Heading out towards Long Leaf Junction.
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The washout about halfway up to Sandersville is much worse. Management has decided to wait until after monsoon season to repair this so that we can see how bad it'll get and the build the new bridge accordingly.
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Continuing clean-up in the Engine House
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Everett continues the tour with RR&G 106
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Jacque
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Carl - Keith - Everett
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Newly repaired and painted apron for 106
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Touring the Mill Jacob - Carl - KP - Everett
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Keith - Carl - Everett
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KP - Carl - Keith - Everett - Jacob
While work was on-going at Long Leaf, Glen and Wimbley worked off-site on C&P M-8.
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Claiborne and Polk M-8 Update
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Wimbley and I wanted to update everyone on the M-8 progress. To date all of the upper steel frame and hand rails were removed, straightened and repaired. The main console was removed along with all electrical and mechanical wiring, then welded and flattened back to the original shape. A new wooden floor and sub floor frame have been crafted and installed with removable covers for the fuel tank, rear end gear oil port and battery compartment. A new seat deck and cushion have been completed and installed. The 2 hinged side engine panels (not shown) have had new hinge mounts made and are ready for installation. A new top (hood) has been made which hinges up for engine access along with a newly crafted metal handle to lift it. A new steel throttle handle has been made and installed. Wood outer floor rails have been installed as shown in the military photo we are using for inspiration.
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