The Rubber & Rawhide Railroad

Progress Report for 16th February 2009

This Page Created on February 17th, 2009

Beyond the Briars Rail Recap

A foreshortened workday on Sunday found the rail crew perilously close to completing Phase V-B! A scheduled social engagement necessitated cessation of activities when they were shortly more than one rail section from completion.

Rolling Stock Shelving Progress

While everyone was eager to get to work early Monday, the weather was not exactly conducive to brass rail handling! Our rail crew stood by while the carpenters completed work on the second set of rolling stock shelves. A coat of varnish had been applied over a day ago, so they were ready for installation. The photo at right shows the two added shelves ready for installation.

Shelving area readied

At the same time that the new shelves were being varnished, the first set was also coated. The removed rolling stock can be partly seen at lower left.

One shelf in, one to go!

The first set wasn't nearly as tricky to install as this. We think it was because this set was wider, and therefore trickier to negotiate around the existing structure. That white knob sticking out just above the canted shelf is a cap on the end of the 3/4-inch black iron pipe employed as the heavy rubber gear's clothes rod. We can to trim the pipe over an inch to provide clearance for the last shelf. Some other day, maybe we'll show you the whole rolling stock shelving area in use. Right now, our rail guys are aching to get going on Phase V-B. Do I hear Neptune calling?

Beyond the Briars Route Completed!

The rail crew made quick work completing the last section, even though two special cuts were required to interface with the North Neptune Switch. In the linked photo, Neptune smiles in anticipation of less interruptions of his aquatic revelries!

The Rail Broom

One important addition was recently made to the Rubber & Rawhide's Maintenance of Way equipment. The new Rail Broom greatly reduces the stress and strain involved in clearing the extensive R&R RR's trackage of fallen leaves and other botannical detritus. Our engineers like being assigned to this duty: The speed requirements are so low, they can catch up on their reading while the broom whirs the leaves away! The photo shows the Rail Broom clearing the last curve on the Beyond the Briars route before the North Neptune Switch.

Our accounting department is somewhat upset at just how slow those guys get to drive. We saw one out with a stop watch the other day. Seemed it took almost seven minutes for the single engine pushing the rail broom before it to traverse the complete 560-foot Lot Circumnavigation Route! Well, isn't thirty scale miles an hour pretty good for a freight train?