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Live Steam by Father Finelli

Live Steam by Father Finelli

Live Steam Railroading

Fr. Jay Finelli - American
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Blueberry Pass extension – update 4

Live Steam by Father Finelli Posted on June 29, 2022 by Fr. Jay FinelliJune 29, 2022

Since my last post there has been a lot of progress even though I was unable to work for a few weeks. I completed fixing the area wiped out behind the house. It’s not connected into the cement crossing. Between yesterday and today, I cut 357 ties. Also laid 80′ of rail on one side of the tie, I’ll complete that the the remainder of the Blueberry Pass next week. After that, it will be time to order a load of stone. Here are a few pictures.

Looking up grade toward the crossing
Switch to be relocated
Switch removed and on flat car for transfer
Switch waiting to be Hooke in
ties waiting for rail
Load of ties ready to go
80′ of rail screwed down to one side of the ties
Posted in News, Railroad | Leave a reply

Blueberry Pass extension – update 3

Live Steam by Father Finelli Posted on May 26, 2022 by Fr. Jay FinelliMay 26, 2022

In the past two days I managed to install about 100′ of track. These were old sections removed from another area. I removed screws and rail from one side of the tie, get everything in place and reattach the other rail. I also gathered ties from here and there giving me enough to complete some sections with no ties. Next week I will connect into my cement crossing and begin repairing the area wiped out by the tree a couple of years ago.

Old ties ready to be laid
Looking toward the switch
Looking toward the crossing
Posted in News | Leave a reply

Blueberry Pass Extension – update 2

Live Steam by Father Finelli Posted on May 19, 2022 by Fr. Jay FinelliMay 19, 2022

I did a lot of cutting ties yesterday and laid track almost up to the new bridge. After I ran out of ties, I began work at the other end. Did a lot of work on the switch. When I build the main, I added ties for the switch so that it would be in place when the time would come. Next week, I’ll finish the switch and work from this end, realign the track in place and straighten out the section wiped out by a fallen pine. Once that’s complete I can figure what I need in times. I also walked part of the Mount Extension and sprayed weed killer. When I finish the Blueberry Pass, I’ll begin preparation for the 250′ trestle on the Mountain Division Extension. (Anybody want to help build a trestle?)

Looking from the bridge toward the main line.
Looking from the main line toward the bridge.
Switch almost complete.
Posted in News | Leave a reply

Construction has begun on Blueberry Pass extension

Live Steam by Father Finelli Posted on May 12, 2022 by Fr. Jay FinelliMay 12, 2022

Thank God for the nice weather. In less than 5 days, I managed to work on part of my extension. I graded 200′, built a bridge over the culvert, cut off of the switch that is being removed and put in about 40′ of track. If the weather had been nice at the beginning of my vacation, I would have completed a good part of this project. When complete, this will add another 900′ to my mainline. It will be a reverse loop, but when the other extension is complete, adding another 1000′ feet, another reverse loop. Eventually I will put in a new bridge along the side of my current trestle taking my mainline from 1,750′ to about 3,500′. The next phase, I have to build a 250′ trestle, but I’ve decided it’s now or never.

Blueberry Pass extension
Posted in News, Railroad | 1 Reply

Revisiting Koster’s Miniature Railroad Supplies, Inc.

Live Steam by Father Finelli Posted on October 31, 2021 by Fr. Jay FinelliOctober 31, 2021

Back in 1973, when I was 12 years old, I purchased one of Koster’s 4 Wheel Switchers. I sold that engine some years back to a gentleman in Massachusetts. I thought I would one day see him at Waushakum, but never did. Last Saturday, I held a North East Live Steamers Meet at my track. Somehow, I overheard a conversation and the name Koster’s. My ears perked right up and I said that I once had one of his switchers. Little did I know, that my friend Jimi Smith now owns that locomotive. He purchased it from the man to whom I sold it. I’m really happy that I’ll get to see it again some day.

A day or so later, I happened upon Bill Koster on Linked in and connected. I told bill about purchasing one of his engines and that I had pictures from a visit to his track in Homestead, FL, the former home of Koster’s Miniature Railroad Supplies. I was able to find the pictures. Although I have not yet found pics of my little switchers.

That’s me sitting on the flat car behind the F-7 and behind me is my cousin Anthony. I also got to sit in the F-7 (second pic).

Posted in News | 4 Replies

NELS at NVRR

Live Steam by Father Finelli Posted on October 24, 2021 by Fr. Jay FinelliOctober 24, 2021

Here are two short video clips of yesterday’s meet. The first is of Jay Monty coming out of the covered bridge and crossing the trestle. The second video is of Jimi Smith exiting the tunnel.

Posted in News, Railroad | Leave a reply

NELS Meet at NVRR

Live Steam by Father Finelli Posted on October 24, 2021 by Fr. Jay FinelliOctober 24, 2021

Yesterday, I hosted a North East Live Steamers meet at my track (Nasonville Valley Railroad). We had a great day in all ways. From the live steamers to the weather, everything was picture perfect. Here are a few pics and videos. A few videos didn’t upload. I’ll get them on shortly.

  • Nasonville Valley Railroad logo
    Nasonville Valley Railroad logo
  • Jimi Smith’s 4-6-0 Mogul Mogul
  • Joe Monty’s Pennsylvania E6 4-4-2 Atlantic
  • Working in the steaming bays
  • Joe Monty leaving turntable for loading bay
  • Ryan & Jim Ravetto loading Ryan’s switcher
  • Jimi Smith with his Mogul
  • Steaming the PA E6
  • Blowing down the PA E6
  • Jay Monty aproaching the covered bridge with the PA E6
  • Jimi Smith headed toward the covered bridge
  • Steve Garrepy running my mom’s diesel switcher
  • Steve Garrepy running Mickey through he tunnel
  • Jay Monty exiting the tunnel
  • Cameron Ravetto heading into the tunnel
  • Jay Monty going through the new crossing
  • Joe Monty heading up grade toward the driveway
  • Joe Monty heading up grade toward the driveway
  • Ryan Ravetto heading out onto the main line with Jimi Smith’s Mogul
  • Cameron and Ryan Ravetto fighting for the main line.
  • Ryan Ravetto and Jimi Smith
  • Cameron Ravetto exiting the tunnel
  • Joe Monty
  • Leaving covered bridge and heading to the trestle
  • Joe Monty crossing the 92′ long trestle
  • Joe Monty
  • Joe & Jay Monty
  • Turn table, loading and steaming bays
  • Turn table, loading and steaming bays
  • Joe & Jay Monty
  • Cameron & Jim Ravetto
Posted in News | Leave a reply

Painting, painting, painting…

Live Steam by Father Finelli Posted on October 20, 2021 by Fr. Jay FinelliOctober 20, 2021

Today, I gave the covered bridge a fresh coat of paint. I also gave the steaming bays and loading bay a fresh coat. I’m sure my hands will be clean in a few days. 😉

NVRR Covered Bridge repainted
NVRR Steaming Bays and Loading Bay
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a reply

Crossing upgrades and other things

Live Steam by Father Finelli Posted on October 18, 2021 by Fr. Jay FinelliOctober 18, 2021

I just completed a few major projects that I have been wanting to do on my railroad for quite a while. The first was my crossing going from the driveway to the loading and steaming bays. I also completed the steaming bay locks to join them to the turntable and to the main line.

Posted in Railroad | Leave a reply

Hickory Striped Railroad Pants

Live Steam by Father Finelli Posted on August 31, 2021 by Fr. Jay FinelliAugust 31, 2021

Sometimes, It’s hard to find those great hickory striped Railroad pants. But, I found a place where they are made in the USA and have been made since at the Round House Jeans since 1903 in Shawnee, OK.

Posted in News | Leave a reply

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← Older posts
  • Blueberry Pass extension – update 4
  • Blueberry Pass extension – update 3
  • Blueberry Pass Extension – update 2
  • Construction has begun on Blueberry Pass extension
  • Revisiting Koster’s Miniature Railroad Supplies, Inc.
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