staffpageimages/wplogo57x50px.png image not found

 

2017 Track Work at the Museum

 

 


Jump to:



May 21, 2017

Tie_replacement_team_20170521_L_Ross
Seven volunteers, including five Board Members, working on tie replacement at Malfunction Junction on May 21st. The hard winter took a serious toll on some of our older ties. Today the crew worked on replacing 8 ties (3 completed this afternoon) and possibly as many as another dozen will need to be replaced immediately as well. (Left-to-right: Greg Elems, Leisa Wesch, Rick Gruninger, Steve Habeck, Charlie Spikes. Not pictured David Elems and Loren Ross.)
Photo by Loren Ross


May 23, 2017

track_work_170524_Ethan_Doty_2560x1440.jpg
Track work continued Tuesday May 23rd - Loren Ross is breaking up ballast with the air tamper, Charlie Spikes was out of view getting water. We got another two ties replaced.
Photo by Ethan Doty


May 29, 2017

kdc_1188_Tie_Gang_at_work_on_the_Balloon_Track,_David_Elems,_Bil_Jackson,_Ethan_Doty_and_just_out_of_view_to_the_right_Greg_Elems_thumbnail.jpg
May 29th - Tie Gang at work on the Balloon Track, David Elems, Bil Jackson, Ethan Doty and just out of view to the right Greg Elems
Photo by Kerry Cochran


June 4, 2017

June 4th - Eddie Powell, with help from Ethan Doty, got one tie out and replaced, pulled another and left a hole which was filled with a tie on June 30th.


June 29, 2017

spring_2017_track_work_170629_ethan_doty_250x141.jpg
June 29th - Don Nelson is on the backhoe digging up the ground for tie removal. Ethan Doty is behind the camera, Greg Elems is there, and Loren Ross helped too (off camera somewhere at the time.)
Photo by Ethan Doty


June 30, 2017

Loren_Ross_digging_out_a_tie_170630_Ethan_Doty_333x187.jpg
June 30th - Loren Ross working on digging out a tie. Greg Elems is out somewhere on the golf cart and Don Nelson is around the corner digging more trenches for ties with the backhoe.
Photo by Ethan Doty

Greg_Elems_Loren_Ross_pulling_a_tie_out_170630_Ethan_Doty_333x187.jpg
June 30th - Greg Elems and Loren Ross pulling a tie out
Photo by Ethan Doty

track_work_backhoe_170630_gelems.jpg
June 30th - Don Nelson had stepped down for some lunch when Greg took this picture, it shows the work Don had done, but unfortunately not Don running the back hoe. Don did trenching the full length of the work site in preparation for tie replacement. A job well done and it will speed things up considerably.
Photo by Greg Elems


August 1, 2017

Track work continued through July and into August.  Many hours of volunteer effort has made tremendous progress.  It has been hard, hot, dirty work - but the results of the generous team effort will benefit the museum for years to come.  Don Nelson and Roger Stabler both have taken time off of their usual life to come a great distance, to stay at the museum to make significant contributions to the project.  A huge thank you to everyone who has helped move this project along.

spring_2017_track_work_170629_ethan_doty_250x141.jpg
Don was on a break from his work using the backhoe. Foreground left shows some of the ties Don has pulled, while in the background the backhoe is waiting up where Don has left off.
Photo by Ethan Doty


August 2, 2017

spring_2017_track_work_170629_ethan_doty_250x141.jpg
Don Nelson working on removing ties with the backhoe.
Photo by Loren Ross


spring_2017_track_work_170629_ethan_doty_250x141.jpg
Don Nelson still working on removing ties with the backhoe
Photo by Loren Ross


spring_2017_track_work_170629_ethan_doty_250x141.jpg
David Elems/Jason/Ethan prepping a section of old ties for re-spiking and tamping.
Photo by Loren Ross


spring_2017_track_work_170629_ethan_doty_250x141.jpg
David Elems/Jason/Ethan prepping a section of old ties for re-spiking and tamping.
Photo by Loren Ross


spring_2017_track_work_170629_ethan_doty_250x141.jpg
A cart full of new ties waiting to be installed (almost all were installed by Friday 8/4/17)
Photo by Loren Ross


spring_2017_track_work_170629_ethan_doty_250x141.jpg
Gauging the track before spiking.
Photo by Loren Ross


spring_2017_track_work_170629_ethan_doty_250x141.jpg
Tamping the track before spiking.
Photo by Loren Ross


spring_2017_track_work_170629_ethan_doty_250x141.jpg
While Don uses the backhoe to hold the rail in gauge, Roger and Greg spike it down.
Photo by Loren Ross


spring_2017_track_work_170629_ethan_doty_250x141.jpg
Roger shows Don a tie removal technique with the backhoe.
Photo by Loren Ross


spring_2017_track_work_170629_ethan_doty_250x141.jpg
Roger shows Don a tie removal technique with the backhoe.
Photo by Loren Ross


spring_2017_track_work_170629_ethan_doty_250x141.jpg
Roger Stabler on the backhoe.
Photo by Loren Ross


spring_2017_track_work_170629_ethan_doty_250x141.jpg
After shoveling out the hole, Roger prepares to shove a new tie in place with the backhoe, while Greg moves the old tie aside.
Photo by Loren Ross


spring_2017_track_work_170629_ethan_doty_250x141.jpg
Roger driving a spike while Greg holds the tie.
Photo by Ethan Doty


spring_2017_track_work_170629_ethan_doty_250x141.jpg
Loren, Jason, and D. Elems preparing the intermediate tie for spiking/gauging.
Photo by Ethan Doty


August 4, 2017

spring_2017_track_work_170629_ethan_doty_250x141.jpg
Roger Stabler driving spikes while Dick C holds the tie up and tight
Photo by Loren Ross


spring_2017_track_work_170629_ethan_doty_250x141.jpg
Cameraman yelled "smile" and got this...
Photo by Loren Ross


spring_2017_track_work_170629_ethan_doty_250x141.jpg
Don Nelson getting ready to remove a stack of old ties to the junk pile.
Photo by Loren Ross


spring_2017_track_work_170629_ethan_doty_250x141.jpg
Prepping the new tie by pre-drilling a 3/8 inch pilot hole for the new spikes.
Photo by Loren Ross


spring_2017_track_work_170629_ethan_doty_250x141.jpg
Roger removing an old spike to adjust the rail joint. This required installing new larger tie plates.
Photo by Loren Ross


spring_2017_track_work_170629_ethan_doty_250x141.jpg
View looking west from the Red Flag, which is about to be moved about 100 feet down the track.
Photo by Loren Ross


spring_2017_track_work_170629_ethan_doty_250x141.jpg
Spiking the rail.
Photo by Loren Ross


spring_2017_track_work_170629_ethan_doty_250x141.jpg
Jason and Ethan installing a new tie under the rail.
Photo by Loren Ross


spring_2017_track_work_170629_ethan_doty_250x141.jpg
Red Flag moved 100 feet west, and the 1100 brought closer so the air hose will reach new ties.
Photo by Loren Ross


spring_2017_track_work_170629_ethan_doty_250x141.jpg
View of the 1100 from the old Red Flag location.
Photo by Loren Ross


spring_2017_track_work_170629_ethan_doty_250x141.jpg
Another view of the 1100 from the old Red Flag location.
Photo by Loren Ross


spring_2017_track_work_170629_ethan_doty_250x141.jpg
Greg Elems kneeling in the dirt while installing clean/new tie plates under the rail joint.
Photo by Loren Ross


spring_2017_track_work_170629_ethan_doty_250x141.jpg
Don filling in trenches with the backhoe from ties that have already been replaced.
Photo by Ethan Doty


spring_2017_track_work_170629_ethan_doty_250x141.jpg
1100 moved up on the track that has been fixed well enough. Jason is standing in the hole we made for three more ties, the furthest point of work.
Photo by Ethan Doty


spring_2017_track_work_170629_ethan_doty_250x141.jpg
Greg grabbed this shot as they cleaned up for the day on August 4th.  A new helper, Dick Couden (seated), joined Don Nelson, Loren Ross, Roger Stabler, Jason Peterich, Ethan Doty and Greg Elems for the day.  They moved the red flag west 100' and used the 1100 for their air supply.  Eighteen ties were spiked, gauged and tamped with Ethan and Jason getting more ties ready.
Photo by Greg Elems



August 7, 2017

170807_edoty_tamping_333x187.jpg
Today was tamp ties and pinch up low ones day.
Loren and Jason are working with the air tamper while Bil, Greg and Ethan worked on bringing ties up.
Photo by Greg Elems



August 9, 2017

wp917_gelems_dsc1448_170809_333x222.jpg
917-D seen out on the balloon track on August 9th being used for air supply for the jack hammer to spike the new ties.
Photo by Greg Elems


trackwork_gelems_DSC_1452_170809_333x222.jpg
Bil Jackson, Roger Stabler discuss tamping needs and Ethan Doty with Jason Peterich prepare the next tie insert location. Roger has repaired the tamper and has 6 of the 8 tamper motors working and two motors to install at a later date.
Photo by Greg Elems


water_break_gelems_DSC_1455_170809_333x222.jpg
Jason and Loren, standing join Roger and Bil in a much needed water break. No breeze and high temps were the norm for most of the track work.
Photo by Greg Elems


last_two_ties_gelems_DSC_1464_170809_333x222.jpg
Friday the 11th found Roger Stabler getting the last 2 ties dug out. New ties were placed in and will be spiked at the next work session on the 14th of August. The end of the project is literally there in the picture.
Photo by Greg Elems



August 14, 2017

Track_work_1_DSCN0002_20170814_112033_N32.1_bsims_333x250.jpg
Bil Jackson, kneeling and Greg Elems are getting the last tie ready to bar it up for the air jackhammer.
Photo by Bob Sims


Track_work_2_DSCN0005_20170814_113414_N32.1._bsims_333x250.jpg
Ethan Doty spiking the second to last spike.
Photo by Bob Sims


~ ~ The Last Tie ~ ~

Track_work_3_DSCN0006_20170814_113433_N32.1_bsims_333x250.jpg
Group shot with Ethan doing the honors of spiking the last spike.
Photo by Bob Sims


track_work_edoty_IMG_20170814_111443097_170814_333x187.jpg
Greg Elems and Bil Jackson are preparing to be able to pinch the ties up, Loren in working on bringing the rail back into gauge. This was at the last two ties needed to finish the job.
Photo by Ethan Doty


track_work_edoty_IMG_20170814_102100424_HDR_170814_333x592.jpg
The red flags are down. Balloon is open for 5 MPH.
Photo by Ethan Doty


track_work_917_first_trip_gelems_DSC_1534_170814_333x223.jpg
917 with Ethan at the controls easing onto the track with new ties in place. All 400 feet of track has been tested and found to be ready for caboose trains and RALs once again.
Loren Ross, Bil Jackson and Ethan Doty were instrumental in getting this daunting project finished for Railroad Day at the end of August.
Photo by Greg Elems


For this project 53 ties were replaced and our volunteers completed 400 feet
of track work with new ties, gauging and tamping.




Second 2017 Major Track Work Project


The following pictures are from the track work we started 270 feet west of Milward switch. We had seven ties of dubious quality, with two at a rail joint. On Monday August 14th, 2017 we replaced the two at the rail joint and then on Wednesday we went back and replaced five more and tamped up the two existing ties for a total of 20 feet of track work. This part of the balloon is where the focus will be on the remaining work days this year.


1_The_start_of_the_day_170816_333x223.jpg
The start of the day.
Photo by Greg Elems


2_Old_ties_gone_170816_333x223.jpg
Old ties gone.
Photo by Greg Elems


3_Loren_with_back_hoe_170816_333x223.jpg
Loren with back hoe.
Photo by Greg Elems


4_Lorens_work_170816_333x223.jpg
Loren's work.
Photo by Greg Elems


5_Replacements_170816_333x223.jpg
Replacements
Photo by Greg Elems


6_Loren_Bil_and_Ethan_170816_333x223.jpg
Loren Bil and Ethan.
Photo by Greg Elems


7_Spikes_set_and_waiting_170816_333x223.jpg
Spikes set and waiting.
Photo by Greg Elems


8_The_action_of_spiking_170816_333x223.jpg
The action of spiking.
Photo by Greg Elems


9_Bil_Greg_Ethan_170816_333x223.jpg
Bil Greg Ethan.
Photo by Greg Elems





August 23, 2017


Wednesday the 23rd saw a new helper. David Dodds helped Loren Ross and Greg Elems in some tie tamping. Fourteen ties were barred up and tamped to make the track more stable for the rest of the operating season. The ties will need to be replaced, but were in good enough shape that tamping will reduce the rock and roll between the Sewer Crossing and Milward Switch.


Greg_and_Loren_8-23-17_ddodds_333x223.jpg

Here we see Greg and Loren barring the tie up and tamping the tie with the air spade.
Photo by David Dodds


Loren_and_David_Dodds_8-23-17_gelems_333x223.jpg

David Dodds shoveling ballast next to the tie for Loren to tamp and shove under the tie.
Photo by Greg Elems




August 30, 2017

track_work_170830_gelems_DSC_6261_333x223.jpg

Greg used the timer on the camera for a portrait of the small work group Wednesday the 30th. They tamped 30 feet of track and barred up seven ties for a solid roadbed in the 400 feet of track work that was done to open the balloon track. It included re-spiking several ties.
Photo by Greg Elems




September 6, 2017

2017_trackwork_170906_gelems_real_work_333x222.jpg

Loren Ross is using the air spade for tamping while Ethan Doty shovels ballast into the area Loren is tamping. Bil Jackson had been barring up the tie to the bottom of the rail while Loren tamped. Loren, Ethan and Greg Elems took turns with the air spade.
Photo by Greg Elems


2017_trackwork_170906_gelems_333x222.jpg

Loren Ross, Bil Jackson, Ethan Doty and Greg Elems made up Wednesday's work session. They tamped up sixteen ties in about 25 feet of track at the frog of 3~4 switch. Much smoother and quieter now.
Photo by Greg Elems


2017_track_work_170906_edoty_IMG_20170906_101920996_333x187.jpg
Bil Jackson and Greg Elems pinch the tie up, Loren Ross is running the air tamper.
Photo by Ethan Doty




September 13, 2017

2017_trackwork_170913_gelems_DSC_6446
Ethan Doty, Bil Jackson and Loren Ross working on tamping the 3~4 switch frog. 40 feet of track got tamped and leveled with the frog getting some more tamping after a week of use and rain.
Photo by Greg Elems


2017_trackwork_170913_gelems_DSC_6447
Bil Jackson watching Loren Ross tamp the outside rail of the 3~4 switch having just put a shovel full of yard screening ballast for Loren to tamp.
Photo by Greg Elems


trackwork_170713_edoty_IMG_20170913_094507329_333x187.jpg
Greg Elems is manning the shovel adding ballast as necessary while Loren Ross tamps with the air spade and Bil Jackson holds the tie up.
Photo by Ethan Doty