Flagstaff, Coconino and Western Railroad

The new 1" scale has arrived

2012-01-13T20:35:00.003-07:00

Went and picked up the pacific and train a couple weeks ago. Brought it home and began the tear down of the locomotive. It needs some boiler work so the boiler was the first thing to come off. Since its apart, a thorough cleaning and paint job is in store for it. I also want to finish super detailing it to make it a show stopper. The locomotive is a exact replica of the Missouri Illinois #31 that used to run just south of St Louis years ago. I also received some original pictures of the locomotive so I can model it as close to perfect as possible.

The thing that really stood out to me and made me want it so much was that it is Not a Little Engines pacific like everyone else has out there. It has smaller drivers and the tender is super short. I figured I will build a (Aqua Car) flat car with a fake pipe load that I can sit on and have room inside for the water tank and battery and water pump. That way I can enjoy running and not have to mess with those little finicky injectors. Should be a fun engine to run and can't wait to get it back together.

With the deal, I also got a flatcar, boxcar, tank car, gondola, caboose and 2 extra sets of trucks. I also got a 1" speeder with a little engine that was built in the 50's. Very cool and can't wait to get it running again.

As for the other projects, the 51 diesel is slowly coming along with window installation and I am waiting until it warms up a little more here in the high country to do the finish paint job and lettering on it.

The mogul is getting its boiler welded up and put together as I speak and hope to have it next month. Then I can continue with the build up once again.

The C-21 has been sitting idle in the garage and got a e-mail last week that the cylinders will be delivered by March sometime. And Yes, the C-21 will be running on air by the end of the year. Can't wait.

Well, that's all for now, hope I got everyone up to speed and I will write again soon, I hope.

December Update

2011-12-08T10:37:00.009-07:00

Well I know its been a while since I last updated the progress, so here it goes. The diesel #51 didn't get finished in time for the Joshua Tree because of work and illness. I took the following pictures the day before I left for the meet. Its getting close and can't wait to get it done and out of the garage.

The right side with the body just sitting in place and the compressor cover still in raw steel.

The left side with one of the cab windows installed. I can't permanently rivet the cab together until I get all the window sliders mounted and riveted in place. Still need to fabricate all the railings, cut levers, and side steps.

The progress on the C-21 is coming along. We found out that there was a mistake on the frames when they were cut out. The rear set of drivers are 1/8" closer to each other than the front set. That makes the rear set wheels miss each other by a hair. I think it will be o.k. but I will see once I get it on the track.

The Side rods and main rods arrived a couple of weeks ago with all the hardware. The have A LOT of cleanup in order to be mounted to the engine which I am not really happy with but it will have to be done.

My new addition to my railroad, Missouri Illinois #31. It is a really nice scratch built 1" scale Pacific and is coming with a full train. I will be taking the trip to pick it up after the first of the year and can't wait to get it under steam again and add it to the roster.

September Update

2011-09-06T20:32:00.003-07:00

Things have been busy around the shop.The drivers for the C-21 arrived a couple weeks ago thanks to John Barter who took the trip to pick up 3 sets of machined drivers for Me, John, and Art. He also did a little narrow gauge rail fanning to get ideas for future projects. I ordered castings for the #51 from Roll Models out of Fresno,CA and they arrived last week with the Caterpillar castings on back order. So now I have 90% of the parts I need to finish the FC&W #51 diesel.

The new C-21 drivers just sitting on top of the frame. Haven't got around to putting them in yet because of the deadline to get the diesel done for Joshua Tree in Nov. I also have the lead truck 80% done and Iwill probably assemble both sections at one time. I'm not in a hurry to put it together because it's not gonna be under steam for a couple more years.

The diesel is coming along nicely. Lots of rivets have been going on and the radiator casting is almost completed.
Just figuring out how I want to do the windows and how to mount them and then I can start riveting that part of it.

Tackling the task of machining the adjustable coupler bases for the front and back. The front will be fully operational and the back will just be adjustable up and down.

Just finished with the front castings and should start on the rear set here in a couple of days. The big castings are from Roll Models and the little ones came with the engine from Rudy.
Really nice castings with the correct detail, just a lot of machine time to get them finished.

Well that's all for now... Still waiting on the boiler for the #9 and I received a e-mail today that the C-21 side rods and main rods will be done by Oct. sometime with the cylinders completed by the first of next year. Lots going one just need to find the time to work on all of it. Til next time...

Happenings for July

2011-07-30T15:35:00.004-07:00

The rivets for the Diesel arrived and I have been making hundreds of holes in the body for the installation of the rivets. Its looking great but is very time consuming. I have also fabricated and completed the headlight bracket for the #9 mogul.

Also this month was my yearly trip to Portola, CA to work on the WP 0-6-0 # 165. The link of the work week can be found here http://wprrsteam.blogspot.com/ . Also stopped by the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Boulder City,NV to check out their equipment and to see the progress on Dan Markoff's E&P combo coach. It looks amazing with a million wood parts ready be fitted and put together.

The C-21 drivers are in the process of being assembled at the Pagosa Springs shops and will be shipped by the end of August.

Evening 1 inch Run,Diesel update, and power reverse

2011-06-20T12:23:00.004-07:00

FC&W 51 Project

The diesel/electric project is still coming along nicely. The motor and controller has been permanently installed and the body was set in place to see how everything is gonna fit up. I even had room in the cab to mount the 24v charger as well. The door hinges for the hood are arriving today and the body rivets will be here next week. Still need to order the rest of the casting, i.e. the Radiator, Steps, and Coupler casting from RMI Rail works. I normally don't build diesels but I need one for my work trains and in case someone stops by for a quick ride and I don't want to fire up.

Evening June Steam Up
Decided to fire up for an evening run and give the boys a ride around the loop. The weather was great and the 1 inch coal fired 0-4-0 ran well. John Barter loaned me his 2 1" gons to run with so I had a little longer train. Its still kinda weird going from 2 1/2" scale that you sit in, to 1" scale that you sit on top of. A long as its powered by steam, I'm gonna have fun with it.

The Western Pacific 0-6-0 #165 power reverse

The power reverse is done and works great. Loading it up in the truck next month to take it back to Portola and reunite it with the 165.

First run of the FC&W #51(D&RGW #50)

2011-06-07T20:38:00.002-07:00

Well it took some time but I figured out the wiring system and got the electric to run today. Its a 24V system that came out of a walk behind forklift that I found in an old junkyard. The guy let me have it for free so I got a great deal on it. I took a guess on the gear reduction for the motor and it came out a little fast, lets just say it will scare you if you open it up. It has lots of torque and I can't wait to put some cars behind it to see what it will pull. Next up is permanently mounting the motor and start putting together the body. The deadline to have it ready to go for the fall meet at Joshua Tree is looking good.

The D&RGW #50

2011-05-29T13:41:00.010-07:00

Work on the rusted out Rudy Van Wingen #50 picked up a lot of pace this month. For those members of JT&S that remembered the rusted hunk of metal on the flat car about a year and a half ago at the fall meet that was sold to me as a project, well this is what its turned into so far. Every part had some degree of rust on it with some of the parts submerged in water in an old battery box for years. It looked very discouraging but I was determined to bring this old engine back to life. Pretty much all of the parts were there except for the castings, they just needed a lot of clean-up and new parts machined. The rear wheels were un-machined and the axle cut in half so that was on the list. Rudy had built this engine to the prints so with the help of Ken Burns( thanks for the original prints) I have been trying to get this engine close to original as possible. On the lead wheel suspension there is a equalizer that goes across the frame to give the lead wheel more equalization. Thanks to the prints I made up the proper brackets and welded them in place and it works great. You can kinda see it in the first picture. Also had to key the axles for the counter weights and finish the side rods.
Next up on the list is mount the 24v motor and start assembling the body. I also have to order the rest of the castings for the coupler housing and the body. Hopefully I will get it done for the fall meet coming up at Joshua Tree in November. It leaves JT&S a rusted hunk of metal and comes back looking like new. I want to thank the the Ratliffs and JT&S for the sale of the engine to me and Ken Burns for giving me a set of drawings for it. Until the next posting...

April Happenings

2011-04-24T12:16:00.002-07:00

C-21
Well I finally got around to putting the spring rigging section together for the C-21. Took me all day but I am happy with the results. Just some final touch ups and a coat of paint and then I can tackle the lead truck thats still sitting in a box. I bought that section unmachined to save money so I have some machine work to do.

Loading ramp
The weather finally warmed up enough to pour some concrete for the new loading ramp. Alex couldn't wait to try it out with his Rail Pup. This ramp will lead into my future metal shop.

April Update

2011-04-02T19:19:00.007-07:00

1 inch Scale 0-4-0 #1208 After 10 years of being out of service the 1208 made its first steam up in a long time. The last time it saw steam was on Jack Sessums 1 inch empire of a railroad. The only thing that kept it from running for so many years was a check valve and piping for the lubricator. It was taken off the engine years ago to finish my Fitchburg northern engine. It steamed OK today but needs some work on the blower ring and exhaust nozzle. Once again, steam returns to the FC&W RR. The Mogul The mogul is progressing nicely. It is now running on air again after being converted from 9" gauge to 7 1/2" gauge. The picture below was taken at the Joshua Tree Fall Meet. This was the first time it has ever been at a train club. Work on the tender will begin shortly when I have some extra time. I also have a boiler on order from Jon Thompson of TH Custom Railworks in Mesa,Az which should arrive by the end of May. If you haven't seen one of his boilers, they are beautiful.

This is an example of one of his boilers. This for the fitchburg northern 2-6-0. The boiler for the mogul will be very similar.

C-21

Progress on the C-21 is coming along nicely. The spring rigging section is just about done and I received my lead truck from Tom Artzberger and the MLS spring meet in Phoenix this month. The drivers section is next on the list. The patterns are almost done and will be sent to the foundry within a month. Its exciting to get more parts for the engine but its still at least 2 to 3 years out before a fire will be lit in them.

The Railroad

Some work has been done lately. The loop for the 4 3/4" is just about done, just figuring out the dual gauge switches. The dual gauge diamond has been installed and is working nicely.The track that was planned to go around the front of the property this year has been put on hold because of the expense of the mogul boiler.

The new Anderson Diamond

2011-02-15T16:49:00.003-07:00

This is the new diamond for my loop/roundhouse steaming bays lead.My friend Bob Anderson donated some rail to me so I named it after him. It is also dual gauged 7 1/2" and 4 3/4" gauge for the loop. If anyone in Arizona has 1" and wants to run on the loop, let me know. I'm hoping to have my 1" steamer fired up by next month. This was a fun project but really time consuming. I hope I don't have to build another one.

January update

2011-01-18T14:18:00.004-07:00

C-21
I have received the spring rigging section for the C-21 in November but haven't got around to assembling them yet. The lead truck is done at the Hartford Shops in Colorado and should be arriving at my front door by the end of February. Next on the list is the drivers.

Mogul
Took the mogul to Joshua Tree last fall to show it off, now its back in the shop waiting for a boiler and I need to finish the tender frame and get started on on the tender tank.

Railroad
Been outside working on the track a little. Installing another switch that will lead to the future car barn and turntable/roundhouse/steaming bays. Also putting together a diamond that will cross over the loop track. Laying track can be fast until you get to a switch or diamond and then it slows way down for a bit. Also dual gauging the loop for 4 3/4" gauge. I have a 1 " steamer that I want to get fired up again and the loop is just the right length for getting it out and having some fun.

Plenty of things to keep me busy, just need the time to get them done.

Progress on the mogul

2010-09-09T16:26:00.003-07:00

I have been making a lot of progress on the mogul. Sent the drivers over to the Barter Shops down the road to get them re gauged from 9" to 7 1/2" gauge since my lathe is to small. Also had to re profile the flanges as they were really thick and make longer main crank pins as I did not narrow in the cylinders. I had re gauged the lead truck a while back so that was out of the way. When I bought the engine it was 9" gauge and the frame was cut just behind the cylinders and shims were added by one of the previous owners to get the correct frame width. So instead of messing with the cylinder castings Jack Bodenman suggested a while back just to make new thicker shims to bring the frame in more and extend the main crank pins to still line up with the Main Rods. The result in this is just a bigger gap between the side rods and main rods. I had to make 3/4 blocks to bring the frame to the correct width. Once this was done I had to tackle narrowing in every thing that crossed the frame. That turned out to be a bigger project than I anticipated. Another thing that arose was that the original engine was designed to have the boiler sit in between the frame. Well when I narrowed in the frame, if I were to keep the boiler in between the frame, the firebox would be way too small. So the obvious thing to do is design it to have the boiler sit on top of the frame. The result in this is more work. The original engine had leaf springs that sat above all the drivers and frame. So in order to get the right size firebox for the boiler, the rear 2 leaf springs had to be taken off and redesigned. The first set of springs were relocated in between the frame between the first and second driver set. It was also set up with a equalizing bar between the 2nd and 3rd drivers, but that was on top of the frame to and in the way of the future boiler. So I dropped the bar between the frame to get it out of the way. I then had to draw up some new spring hangers that go over the top the journals on my CAD (if that's what you call them) for the 2nd driver set. They are connected to the equalizing bar and then to another spring hanger bracket over the 3rd set of drivers and then to a coil spring on the back since there is not enough room for the other leaf springs in the frame.
When I was in the middle of this I decided to sit the boiler tube on top just to see what it would look like. Crap! Another set back. When the frame was wider the boiler cleared the leaf springs above the frame but when I narrowed it in, it hits the first set of leafs by a lot. So I had to tear it apart again (by now I am loosing track on how many times I have put it together and taken it back apart) and mill down the blocks that were on the bottom of the leafs. Now they look like they will clear, we will see when I try and put the boiler jacketing on in the future. Once I made all the new brackets and pieces (and anyone out there who has built an engine knows all the little chickenshit pieces you have to make) I fit them up and took it apart for paint.
Now,what's left to do? I still need to make the rear brackets to go over the rear set of drivers and then I can reinstall the 3rd driver connect up the rods, time it, and run it on air. Its a lot of work but as my mentor Jack Sessums told me, "Stick with it and take one part at a time or it will never get done". I take that phrase into account every day and I think that's what keeps pushing me to get it done. This is keeping me busy while I wait for more parts to arrive for my C-21. The C-21 would be further along but someone who will remain nameless put in an order with the Hartford Shops to get 3 Berkshire driver sets and axles machined for his customers(wink, wink). That put the C-21 on hold as did the finishing up of the RGS 20's. Hopefully we will be seeing more parts for the engines in the coming months. Until then, get the mogul running on air and finish up the tender for it. The tender trucks are re gauged and done for it and the frame has been started. Finish up the frame and build the tank. Until then, back to the shop....

Recent happenings

2010-08-06T13:45:00.004-07:00

Lately I have been busy working on a 9" gauge mogul that I bought off of Jack Sessums several years ago and re gauging it to 7 1/2" gauge 2 1/2" scale. Lots of new parts to make or modify to narrow in the frame, lead truck, and drivers. Its coming along nicely and am pleased with the results so far. It should be running on air by the end of the month.

The other thing I have been doing the past month is volunteering my time at the Portola Railroad Museum working on the WP 0-6-0 #165. We had a work session on the last weekend in July and got one more step closer to returning it to steam. I also volunteered to help restore the power reverse of the 165 by bringing it home to work on it. The piston is frozen in it right now by sitting submerged in water for about 50 years. Gonna be a project but will be rewarding when I can make it work once again and check another thing off the list.

The C-21 project is slowing coming along with the spring rigging due to arrive early next month.

Steaming Bays

2010-06-12T11:27:00.002-07:00

Since the weather has gotten great up here in the high country it was time to get out and make some progress on the railroad. With the donated steaming bay tops from Scottsdale Live Steamers and pipe from my neighbor I cut down the pipe and steaming bays and welded them up. I also welded on transition pieces on the ends. The picture is of the last steaming bay completed(4). Next up is the new loading/unloading ramp.

Update on happenings...

2010-05-21T07:06:00.002-07:00

Well slow progress is being made on the D&RGW #50. I also brought home a new used bridgeport mill that I bought down in Phoenix. Just waiting to hook it up to power and its ready to go. Also awaiting the completion of the next section on the C-21(the spring rigging).

First Section of the C-21 arrives.

2010-04-10T14:53:00.003-07:00

The first section of my C-21 (the frame) arrived from Colorado this week. It came in 2 boxes fully machined and was waiting for someone to put it together. Well it didn't take me long to head to the garage and spend a couple hours assembling it.
I'm 5' 9" so you can see how long this 2-8-0 is gonna be.

Alex wanted a ride already. He didn't care if it didn't have wheels under it yet.

Next section will be the spring rigging, then the pilot truck after that.

Back at home and new material.

2010-03-12T16:44:00.008-07:00

Well I'm back at home and working out of Winslow, Az again. Also while working in Gallup,NM I was fortunate to make a trip to the Scottsdale Live Steamers and get new steaming bays for my railroad. They are in the process of tearing out the old steaming bays and storage shed to make room for a brand new building for the model railroad exhibits. They have already built a brand new storage building and steaming bays to house the live steamers equipment. I want to thank Jon Thompson for coordinating with me and the members of club for the donation of the old steaming for my little railroad. Its good to see that they were offered instead of just getting cut up and scrapped out. There is a lot of history on these steaming bays and I want to thank Scottsdale Live Steamers as they will be put to good use. Eventually when I get completed with the project and get enough track down on the ground I will have a High Country Meet for the members to come up and run their trains.

Hybernation

2010-01-28T20:17:00.002-07:00

Well the railroad is in a state of hybernation right now. My job with the railroad has sent me to work in New Mexico for a couple of months because work is slow at my home terminal in Winslow,Az. Also with 3 feet of snow on the ground the railroad can't be found at this point with exception of the trestle.Also finances has something to do with it too. So I hope to make make progress with my projects (D&RGW #50 & C-21 #360) when I can go back home sometime next month. Thanks for checking in and I'll try and keep everyone updated on any progress.

Discover Live Steam Photo Contest

2010-01-13T07:47:00.004-07:00

Well I got second place in the photo contest this year in the "People Enjoying the Hobby" category. Not bad, thanks to everyone who voted for me.
http://discoverlivesteam.com/photocontest/2009/winners.htm

The D&RGW #50 Project

2009-12-01T16:27:00.005-07:00

Well some work has been done since I brought home a pile of rusted parts. A 3M wheel to remove the rust and a coat of primer really makes things look better. Still looking for a electric drive system to operate it. Also need to buy all the castings for the remander of the locomotive.

The prototype in the Durango Yard many years ago.

The frame after derusting and sandblasting. Once I bolted it together I couldn't move it, it's really heavy.

Cab and hood parts primed and ready to be put together. You can see the hood sides at the top of picture and the compressor cover that haven't been derusted and primered yet.

Joshua Tree Fall Meet

2009-11-16T19:40:00.005-07:00

Went to the Joshua Tree fall narrow gauge meet on Nov. 15th-16th. Great weather and of course a great group of narrow gauge friends. I don't why, but I always find something to bring home, this time it was a new project. I am the new owner of a D&RGW #50 switcher in kit form. It was a engine started years ago but never finished and needed a new home so of course I couldn't say "No". I was in need of a 2 1/2" work engine for ballast work and quick rides and it should make a good addition to the railroad while my C-21 is built.
It was a great meet and worth the 5 hour drive to play narrow gauge for a couple of days. Now I gotta get back to my projects.

Peter Moseley and his 268 waiting on the top loop for other trains to make it up the hill.

Bill Bollers new and perfect 268 bumblebee pulling into the station.

Mike Thompson brought out both of his locomotives to run. C&S #13 and Mich-Cal #1. Alex is checking them out.

The perfect period correct cabs inside the C-16's. Still had the coal fire in it.

Chris Burns heading up the hill with the RGS 41 and train.

Day at the Grand Canyon Railroad

2009-09-07T15:34:00.004-07:00

Went to Williams, AZ on Sunday Sept. 6th to ride on the steam train. Its nice that's its only 40 minutes away from Flagstaff. This is the first time they have run the steamer on used vegetable oil. This was also the first full size steam train ride for my son Alex, and boy did he love it. He was teaching all the staff in the gift shop all the parts of a steam locomotive. They did 7 round trips, departed every hour, and the trip was about 10 miles out and back and it only cost 15 bucks! They are talking about doing more short steam trips like this next season. They are going to run steam to the Grand Canyon on September 19th so if you want to ride behind some steam call and buy your tickets. www.thetrain.com/Steam-Event-7275.html

GCRwy #4960 pulled up on the leg of the wye in Williams. They then shoved the 4 car train back to MP 4 and then opened her up to 30mph back into town.

Alex enjoying his first steam train ride. Durango & Silverton is definitely on the list to take him next.

Erin and Alex after our hour long train trip.

Eric Hadder was our engineer for the day. Another nice guy who has a passion for steam and maintains the locomotives on the GCRwy.

Highlight of the day was getting to jump in the cab of the 4960. Alex was fascinated with the fire in the firebox. He didn't want to get down, I didn't either. I would have been more than happy to run a trip for them free of charge, oh well, maybe next time.

Fawnbrook Northern Meet

2009-07-20T16:22:00.002-07:00

Took a trip to Show Low,AZ for the Beat the Heat Meet at Kevin and Michelle Rowell's railroad. Great railroad up in the pine trees and good company. There were 3 coal fired steamers and a couple diesels running for the weekend.

This months answer...

2009-05-30T18:53:00.007-07:00

Well here's the answer to my next project starting this fall.

The C-21

I have always wanted a D&RGW engine and have always liked the looks of the c-21. I like the mudhens as well but they would be to big to run on my railroad but the c-21 is just the right size. On top of that, I have a supplier/fellow live steamer I can trust to deliver the parts for the engine and I am excited to start this next journey within the West Coast Narrow Gauge group. Of course I have to make some sacrifices which include selling some of my current live steam stuff but it will be well worth it in the end.

Heres a little info on the real engines that worked in Colorado.

The C-21 class locomotives of the Denver Rio Grande Western were built in 1900 for the Crystal River Railroad in Central Colorado. There were 2 locomotives ordered at that time, the 101 & 102. The 2 engines were acquired by the D&RGW in 1916 and spent the rest of there life working in the Gunnison area. The 101 & 102 were renumbered 430 and 431 when they were acquired by the D&RGW. In 1924 they were renumbered 360 and 361. The 360 was scrapped in Salida in 1950 and the 361 in Pueblo in 1951.

Can't wait until I can get started in this project and will keep you updated. Start date will be most likely be after the first of the year.

First Offical Run Day

2009-05-15T14:28:00.003-07:00

Well I finally made it to the first offical run on the FC&W. The first loop is done and even though it was only a circle of track we ran for 7 hours. I had my fitchburg out with a couple of cars and John Barter brought over his 4-6-0 and string of cars. We were joined by my parents out of California and a couple of neighbors.

Alex and Erin take the 1st run all the way around the loop and across the trestle.

Erin and John have fun doubleheading across the trestle.

Alex gives daddys steam engine a try. (too bad there's no steam in it yet). Glenn Swain and John Barter come off the trestle with a full train.

Can you tell we weren't having any fun?

The day was picture perfect and its so nice that my hard work is starting to come together. There is still a lot of work ahead of me but at least I can say I have a railroad I can run on. Next on the "To Do List" is work on the legs of the wye off the loop and the lead to were the turntable and steaming bays are going to be. That is if I don't get too sidetracked on my next project starting this fall. All you narrow gauge guys out there should know what project that is. Hint: There were 2, they are big, they are black, and they lived in Colorado. Answer next month.

Steam Forever,

Erin

First Official Work Day

2009-05-10T11:44:00.006-07:00

Well I had my first official work day on Saturday (that means not just me working). My friend John came over and we put down about 100' of track, ballasted and leveled it and got it ready for my first run day coming up this week.

John and I with Alex driving the tractor lay down some ballast.

"O.K. boys! I want that ballast spread out nice and even or I'm gonna make you do it again!"
says Alex with his juice bottle.

On our way to get another load of ballast (cinders).

First run over the completed trestle.

March Narrow Gauge Meet

2009-04-15T10:54:00.004-07:00

Went to Joshua Tree for their Spring Narrow Gauge Meet. Spent time with good friends and great weather.
Jeff Tolan and Erin Swain doubleheading up the hill. We added 8 more cars after this run and barely made it up the hill.

Taking a break with Alex up on the High Line. Taking a break at the depot with everyone.RGS 41 and Rio Grande 278 waiting to depart up the hill.

RGS 41 heading up the high line.

2 1/2" Hopper Car Update

2009-02-16T16:43:00.002-07:00

Well I have been out in the garage burning up some welding wire working on my hopper car. The more I weld on, the heavier it gets. Its turning out good so far.

The prototype car is this one at the Durango and Silverton in Durango,Co. Orginally a East Broad Top coal car it now hauls ballast for the D&S.

More Snow!

2009-02-09T17:43:00.003-07:00

Just when I thought winter was winding down and everything was drying up we are getting hammered again with A Lot more snow. Until then...

I have been out in the garage welding up the frames to my ballast hoppers. I will post pictures when the snow lets up.

Winter time on the FC&W

2008-12-25T11:42:00.005-07:00

We have been getting pounded by storm after storm but the snow looks great.

Now all I need is a plow or a rotary snow plow. The snow has melted quite a bit on the trestle before I could go out there to take this picture.
Waiting till spring to do more work on the railroad.The Fitchburg mogul is in the process of getting new main rod and side rod bronze bushings thanks to Jon Thompson. I should be receiving my new boiler tube and new smoke box soon for my 2 1/2" mogul. Until then....

Running in November..

2008-12-01T10:46:00.006-07:00

I took some time off of the railroad to play and run some. On November 2nd I took the train to Williams, Arizona to play for the day for the national railroad historical society. Then on Thanksgiving weekend we went to Maricopa Live Steamers. On Saturday I ran the Fitchburg around the entire layout, which is alot of track for the small mogul. Had a great time and hopefully I can start working on my railroad again soon.

Williams,Arizona

Maricopa Live Steamers - Phoenix,Arizona

Erin and Jon Thompson at the steaming bays

Alex and Lynnette on a train ride at Maricopa.

Fun stuff this past week

2008-10-09T10:41:00.009-07:00

On the first weekend of October Lynnette, Alex and I were invited to go to a mini meet for the San Juan Large Scalers in Farmington, New Mexico on the Rio La Plata Southern. My friend Ron Nott invited me to bring the trains to run for the members. Since we were so close we had to take a detour to the Durango And Silverton Railroad in Durango, Co. Alex loved watching the train as it came into town.
Ron as a great little railroad that is still under construction, but he had a balloon and a Wye for us to run on.
My favorite thing at his house was his lawn ornament. The original tender tank from the D&RGW 315.

Fun on the Grand Canyon Railroad.

On Wednesday October 8th Karl Hovanitz from the Bittercreek Live Steamers invited me to take a speeder run with him and his fellow members of the NARCOA group to the Grand Canyon and of course I couldn't say No. We left the Williams Depot at 7am and went to the Grand Canyon with 2 rest stops. Cruizing at 20-30mph on a railcar with no doors was awesome! We made it to the Grand Canyon early and had a 3 hour layover for luch and to wait for the scheduled train to arrive. At 1:30pm we left the Grand Canyon and went back to Williams with one rest stop. They threw the switch and put all 30 motorcars into the shop tracks so the speeders could be set off and loaded up on everybodies trailers.

Everone had a great time, we didn't delay the train at all, and I want to thank Karl Hovanitz for inviting me to go with him.

One of our 2 rest stops to stretch and to let everyone get caught up. Our car is the 5th car back right behind the black,orange, and silver one with the full size air horns.

Karl and Erin Cruising on the Main.

Some of the cars that were following behind us. That car came all the way from Iowa.

The First Run on the FC&W.

2008-09-30T19:49:00.004-07:00

Well I couldn't stand it any longer, I had to fire up and run on my own railroad. Even though the trestle and loop aren't completed yet, I had fun going back and forth with my son, Alex. I put in alot of hours building the 2 switches to connect the loading ramp and the loop together and it felt great to run on it. Now I need to put my head back into finishing that trestle.

Update on the railroad construction

2008-09-18T15:50:00.003-07:00

Well It's time for another update. Work on the trestle has slowed somewhat due to building a new backyard fence and other house chores. I got 2 loads of ties back from the oil tank and started installing them on the trestle and man what a difference that makes. I installed them closer together per prototype and am installing 2 escape platforms that I saw in books on the D&RGW and RGS.I also am going to be building 2 switches for my wye and loading ramp shortly so I can complete the first loop.
A view of about a 1/3 of the ties installed. Guard rails and end wood pieces left to go on last.

A view of where my 2 switches need to be installed.

Narrow Gauge Meet in Central California

2008-08-20T17:05:00.008-07:00

Steam on the Pacific Coast Railroad. Santa Margarita, CA

It was time again for the Narrow Gauge Meet at the Bittercreek Western Railroad in Arroyo Grande,CA. I got called to work just before I was to leave on Friday morning so I didn't show until midnight that night. Saturday saw a real good turnout of steam power both Narrow Gauge and standard gauge ( the people with standard gauge didn't get the memo about it being a NARROW GAUGE MEET!) So much steam that some of the steamers had to be moved into the yard. Saturday afternoon we were treated with a real treat because the Pacific Coast Railroad envited us up to the Santa Margarita ranch to ride behind some 3 foot gauge equipment. A 4-4-0 american, D&RGW boxcar, Flatcar, and a really neat Central American Caboose. We also got to ride around in the original Disneyland coaches which was awesome. They even fed us a great dinner too. I would really like to thank the crew up there for being so nice to me and everyone that showed up.

The real treat of the day was running the 4-4-0. It felt so good to be back in the seat of full size steam again. Thanks to Jeff Badger and Phil Reader for letting me hang out with you guys.(photo by Peter Moseley)

http://pcrailroad.blogspot.com/

Erin at work...

2008-07-26T17:58:00.003-07:00

Thats "Me" running a EMD on a rail train going through Lupton,AZ. Thanks to Todd Michel, conductor out of Winslow,AZ for taking this very cool photo.

Update on the railroad construction.

2008-07-22T14:14:00.003-07:00

Well I have been making some more headway on the railroad when I have time, being I'm the only one working on it at this point. I have finally made it to the other end with the trestle! All thats left is to put the outer 2x4's on top and put the ties and rail down. I have also been working on track panel construction and have 120' down and ballasted. Not bad for a single man crew.

The other end of the trestle, all thats left is some more fill for the track.
Freshly cut railroad ties for the trestle waiting to be ripped in half.
Some of the 120' thats been ballasted and ready to go! Can't wait until the day I can run my steamer on it!

A local trip with Alex

2008-07-16T12:03:00.003-07:00

Last week my son Alex and I took a trip to the Pioneer Museum here in Flagstaff to see a Choo Choo. He has been facinated with trains and wants to see them all the time. So I took him to see a really neat steam locomotive. Most people who have passed through downtown Flagstaff have seen the consolidation next to the depot but very few people know of the standard gauge 2-6-6-2 Mallet at the museum.Here is the info on the engine.

2-6-6-2
4'-8½"
SW Forest Ind
Pioneer Historical Museum, 2340 N Ft Valley Rd (US 180), Flagstaff, AZ
display

Work train out of Winslow

2008-07-11T16:09:00.003-07:00

These are pictures of the work train I worked on recently out of Winslow,AZ picking up ribbon rail.

Trip to Williams,AZ and Robbie Deihl's railroad.

2008-07-02T09:17:00.008-07:00

On June 22nd John Barter and I took a trip with our trains to Williams,AZ to see our friend Robbie Deihl. Robbie's been working hard on his new railroad in Williams and already has a lot of track on the ground. He also has signal systems set up throughout most of the layout which he can control with his computer or have it run automatically. It setup as a loop on one end with a passing siding in the middle and a wye at the other. During our morning running we had to pause and watch the Grand Canyon Steam train go by which is just on the other side of the street from the property.Great railroad and had a great time.

#3 sitting on the west leg of the wye.

Erin leaving the siding on a green signal. photo by Robbie Deihl

Erin's Mogal and John's 10 wheeler on the steaming bays just before fireup.
Erin waits on a red on the main while John takes the siding.

#3 sits on the wye while John backs up the hopper cars to the ballast pile.

Highballing down the main. photo by Robbie Deihl

Update on the Trestle Construction 6/19/08

2008-06-19T19:13:00.003-07:00

Well work is still progressing on the trestle even though is has been hot here. I still have 3 more footings and bents to go and finish the main beams on top then I can get started on the railroad tie decking.

2008-06-13T14:47:00.003-07:00

This is a CAD drawing on what the railroad will look like. There will be about 1500 feet of mainline track, 4 steaming bays, a five stall roundhouse with an A frame turntable and a small yard. The first phase is the trestle and loop around the barn with the 3 switches coming off of the loop and the lead to the turntable and roundhouse. The second phase will be the loop around the front of the house. The final phase will be going down the hill into the valley for the loop down there.

2008-06-12T19:53:00.006-07:00

Welcome to my blog. This is just to keep you up to date on the railroad and my other train adventures. Work has been progressing on the railroad. The big project I started with was the 6' high, 90 foot long curved wood trestle for the first loop and boy has it been a lot of work(and money). I am about 3/4 of the way done with it and as time allows I hope to finish it up in the next couple of months. I have also have been working a little bit on building track panels for the temporary loading ramp. Its looking good so far but a least it coming out the way I envisioned it.