Here is a little video I took at the WLS annual meet on Saturday.
Love Me Tender…
A really important part of a steam locomotive is a clean tender. Last year I was having a problem with my injector. I finally pulled the top off my tender and low and behold, it was loaded with rust. After 12 years of running, it was time to do a deep cleaning. The rubber coating failed and rust was everywhere. I cleaned off as much of the rubber I could and used a rust removing solution called Evapo-Rust. The product did a great job, but there were areas I couldn’t get to the rust and rubber. I finally made the decision to build a new tender our of pvc sheet. I build one for my 1″ scale Atlantic and it really worked well. I decided that I didn’t want to go through this again in another 10 to 12 years. I finished my project today, in time for our annual meet at Waushakum this coming weekend. Only one mistake. I screwed on the top with my flashlight inside. Tomorrow my decals will arrive and be installed.
New logo and update
I have continued laying stone on the Blueberry Pass Extension, however I did have a setback due to kidney stones. Leaving that aside, I’ll post some pics next week. Along with work on the extension, I’ve also done work on the tender for my Consolidation. Last summer I had difficulties with water intake. When I took a look in the tender there was a whole bunch of rust and crud on the bottom. I began working on rust removal but came up with I think is a better solution. I’ll finish it up on Monday, just in time for our annual Meet weekend at Waushakum. I do have some great pics of my progress. I also wanted to update my railroad’s logo for the side of my tender. Just finished that up last night. I’m having vinyl stickers made, but I don’t think they will arrive in time for the meet. Here is a picture of my new logo below. I removed the locomotive and replaced it with a slice of rail. I also changed the font to Times New Roman. It’s much cleared to read. I really like it. Look at the logos side-by-side. What do you think?
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Updated links, email, etc…?
If your clubs has a new website address or email, please let me know. And if you see an outdated link anywhere on this website or you know of a site not listed (regarding live steam), please let me know. your input is always appreciated!
Happy Steaming!
Blueberry Pass Extension – update 5
The extension is completely connected. Next week I’ll get ballast. Once this is finished, Mountain Division goes into high gear planning. Many ideas are swirling around in my head. Come spring, it’s time to begin building a 250′ trestle. Looking forward to laying track on that extension. I’m going to use AccuTie Rail System. I can probably lay at least 100′ a day. Anyway, here is a video (a bit shaky because I did it walking with my iPhone.). Once the ballast is down and track is leveled, I’ll record a new video.
Blueberry Pass extension – update 4
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.
Blueberry Pass extension – update 3
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.
Blueberry Pass Extension – update 2
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?)
Construction has begun on Blueberry Pass extension
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.
Revisiting Koster’s Miniature Railroad Supplies, Inc.
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).
