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).
NELS at NVRR
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.
NELS Meet at NVRR
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 
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
Painting, painting, painting…
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. 😉
Crossing upgrades and other things
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.
