7 1/2" Narrow Gauge at the JT&S

November in the dessert is always a crapshoot when it comes to weather. The prognosticators on the boob tube had the world scared to go out of the house; rain, snow and mudslides everywhere that had a hillside, were in store for the southland. Out at JT the fog rolled in and out most of the day on Wednesday, at times the fog was very thick, ten minutes later it would be clear. It did rain Wednesday night from before midnight till just before dawn.

Thanksgiving Day was a beautiful day to be out at JT, after the morning chill passed it was very comfortable out and any activity would warrant the removal of your extra shirt. Al and Lynn Ratliff had arrived earlier in the week and Paul Westover dropped of a delicious pie for us, he spent a few days in Arizona and returned for the weekend after the family festivities were over. Rain in the coastal areas allowed me to get out Wednesday afternoon myself. Greg showed up early Thursday. The biggest project tackled on Thursday was to unload the Ge 47 tonner and unstack flat cars, but the best project was to deep fry two beautiful and delicious turkeys for the evening meal and the weekend’s sandwiches. That afternoon the Tolan boys, Jeff and Kevin, arrived; we kidded them about leaving home right after Thanksgiving breakfast.

Friday was a flurry of activity, another beautiful day at hand and we had a few more visitors arrive to partake in the action. Tom Downing and Robert Lamont came out from Long Beach with Tom’s plantation engine, Ang Dirigma, which is a Philippine literal translation meaning “little warrior” and Tom has been adjusting the timing and even surprised himself on how well it will work in the hill, well named Tom. Brendo Hilton came out followed later by his dad Bill and they whitled on the granite impedement in the 15” cut. I just happened to have the company’s jack hammer at home over the weekend, so the newer 90 pound hammer did some time along side Brendon’s Smithsonain model. When renting an air compressor buy the hour use it to full capacity. They’re getting closer to grade every time they come out.

Greg Casford came out from Whittier and brought out El Gobernator for a few days of hill climbing too. That engine sure sounds good pulling a string of cars up the grade, good to see an old friend out at the tracks again, thanks Greg. The Chula Vista contention was out in full force for the weekend as well. Scotty and Timothy Lewis got a kitchen pass to spend the weekend away from home, and the president of the Chula Vista club, Matthew Zacharzuk came up as well. Darren Saylor and Amber Palomino made the trek also and brought along their Diesel to ply the tracks. Comments were made about a Union Pacific engine on the narow gauge; they should be reminded of the history of the DSP&PRR. There were many visitors through the new gate over the weekend Terry Watson had a group or two along with him at times showing off the digs.

Did you get the part about the “new” gate? One of the little presents that Bill Shepherd left us on his last visit down here was a new front gate. A rolling gate at that, complete with cross bucks and JT&S letters across the front of it. Nice addition Bill, thank you. Paul and Celeste Lavacot came up and spent some time over the weekend, Paul bought up a huge steel table to be used for making track panels. It must have worked as he made three or four panels for the freight leg of the wye and also forty feet of track was made for the Joshua Tree extension past the Palmer Bridge north of the fence towards Thompson cut.

Friday morning the excavation started for the air and water lines to the bays. From the northeast corner of Tedder Shed directly below the air fitting east and down the walkway to the engine house wall a trench of varying depth was made and refilled as the new Poly Ethylene (PE) piping was placed in the trench. The PE piping and necessary fittings were donated by supplier P&F in La Verne. The equipment to connect it was from my employer Amtec in Temecula. PE is wonderful stuff, comes in 500 foot rolls and you only have connections at the ends, not every ten or twenty-one feet, doesn’t rust, is flexible and resilient to most of what mother nature can throw at it. As the trench reached the water line to the Tedder mansion a connection was made for both the new line to the bays and a water plug at track side. This would be a great place for a water column if one were so inclined to build one. The trench was deeper in the wash area to anticipate possible erosion in the area from future gully washers. The line teed off at the wall to reach the steaming bays as well as the bays inside the engine house. After the connections were made the trench was backfilled, compacted and raked over, one would not know that any thing had been done in the area. The end fittings were covered and tapped and are at the base of the bays waiting for the next phase, the risers. The rock wall was rebuilt below the engine house and fill was placed behind it raising the level of the ground so that the east wall of the engine house is not so formidable in height. Tom and Robert along with Paul Westover and Kevin Tolan helped out immensely on the rock and fill moving on this project and their sweat equity was duly noted and appreciated.

Over at the new lift and unloading pad things were hopping in activity too. The cells of the cinder block walls that were erected were filled with mortar so that backfilling of it can start next time we’re out. The Chula Vista group made quick work of this project after all the necessary supplies were amassed. Even Amber found a position to fill, as the water tender for the mortar mixer and the one to spray off spilled concrete. Greg Ratliff took on the project of rebuild the steps on the trail to the station to make them easier to ascend.

Sunday was a day to finish off what had been started and to put it all away. I did get in a lap on the Heisler before I gave up and blew it down. Flat cars restacked and loaded. Cars that were used put back in the barn. The car barn got a cleaning over the weekend to rearrange cars for a better fit now that the yard is finished. Electrical cords, buckets and what not returned to their homes. Finish grading was done on the north extension along with realigning of the curve. The wire fence needed to be resized to clear the right of way.

The weekend was an enjoyable mix of operating trains and working on projects that sometimes aren’t the most noticeable of things that people see when they come out. No one will see the pipe under ground that was placed, or the concrete in the wall that gives a wall its’ strength, but they both need to be there for the end result to happen. The rock diversion wall for the wash is a lot of heavy work, as well as the fill behind it. The walk under the Tedder Bridge is easier because sand was removed to below it, to fill the area behind the wall. Soon the sight of a long air hose and the community water hose at the hose bays will be replaced by individual hoses under the hose bays throughout the area. Certainly an easier more convenient task then before, and just a few more things that will help us all enjoy our next visit to JT and the surrounds area.

See you on new Years, Brian

Just happened to go for a Harley ride today and I knew that Bill Shepherd would be pouring mud on Monday. So, I swung by to get a shot of the steel work and progress of the unloading area.

Boy, was I impressed!! Bill had Ole Olson do a little tractor work to speed up the grading and to throw the dirt back where the yard tracks will be. The yard will be four foot eight inches above the concrete pad as to keep the yard level and to keep things from rolling into the hoist area. A retaining wall will be on two sides of the hoist with a three foot wide apron around the hoist for access. There will be a step on each side of the hoist for access to the yard while unloading.

Concrete will be poured Monday and block work will start on Tuesday or Wednesday. By Thanksgiving we can fill the cells and even start erection of the hoist but will probably wait on that. We have yet to trench the electrical to the power pole by the ash pit. I'm sure we will start grading and compaction of the yard tracks during the Turkey Weekend, but need to wait to get too close to the new wall.

It's looking good and I thought you would all be interested in what Bill has gotten done to date. Thank you all for your generous donations to date as well and there is always room for more checks in the bank account for the completion of the infrastructure around here. The donation of the concrete block sure helped out as you will soon see.

Good thing I ditched work and came out Thursday night. Friday was awesome; people, weather and activities. Bill Shepherd had been out for a week and it showed. Grade stakes everywhere for the drain project. And grade stakes and dirt flying for the lift project too.

Thursday all the fun started early, the Burns family was at the gate bright and early from breakfast down the street after pulling an all-nighter to get here from Salinas. Gary and Margret Stites brought out their GE 47 tonner and attempted to enjoy the day. Becky and Ray Bjerrum made the trip down from Kerman, brought the whole train down with them, that engine is looking better every time I see it, good work Ray. Al and Lynn Ratliff came through the gate in the afternoon to enjoy the festivities. I got out of town in time to drive out in the dark and Greg was somewhere behind me. The girls, Becky, Stacy and Sydnie arrived on Friday evening, something about work.

Friday morning was unload morning after checking out all the recent activity. RGS #41 was steaming up and soon was pulling cars out of the car barn to exercise for the weekend. Al unloaded his GE 47 tonner and a stack of 24’ flats as well. I had his Plymouth to unload out of my truck. Greg brought the Yankee Girl Mining Co. dump car back out as well as dad’s Westside skeleton cars, yes, two now. Those long cars sure can fill up a truck. By then it was time to unload Mike Thompson’s Mogul and cars. Bruce would be up later after donating to the Casino electricity fund. The weather could not have been nicer on Friday; at 7:00 am it was t-shirt weather and stayed that way all day. Saturday was actually warmer but still wonderful.

Saturday saw the Heisler get steamed up for and hour or so till Mike and the boys decided to start hauling fill for the Joshua Tree extension, so I put her down to help out. With plenty of engines out it was getting busy on the track. The extended tails of the Wye help out as a good sized train can negotiate it without cutting the train. The Tolans showed up with a mini van stuffed with trains for the weekend. We also had two visitors from Riverside with a real nice plantation engine that made the grades with two guys on two cars all afternoon, sure worked her wheels off and sounded good doing it, sorry I didn’t get their names.

With most trains having a flat car or two in the consist, most trains took part in hauling a bucket, or two, or seven, from the loading site to the far side of Palmer Bridge for off loading. The Fifteen inch boys were hauling rock out of their cut with Brendon’s mini dump truck and were dumping the rock near the 7 ½” track so that was hauled by train to the work site too. Every body that wanted to, participated in the project all afternoon, and by dark time the road bed was pretty much ready for 50’ of new track to be laid down soon. Over the course of the day, a good estimate, of 125 people were out, or had been to the club during the day. From the vantage point of across the wash at the work site, the coming and going of visitors can really be seen. Most of the railroad can be viewed from there and people were everywhere, the end of the high-line, the unloading area, the museum, etc.

The Fifteen inch boys had a project going too. An air compressor was procured for the day and their collection of an antique rock drill and jack hammer were working all day. The rock drill is an interesting piece of high dessert history and the 90 pound jack hammer is actually more ergonomically friendly then the one I use on occasion at work. They are completing the cut for the balloon loop on the yard project and have a very hard vein of granite standing in the way of progress. The rock drill helps them drill into the vein and then they use an expansion agent called ‘Dexpan’ to fracture the rock. The rock is losing this battle and they are nearing their goal. Good work and your efforts are showing, Kudos to Brendon and his crew.

Terry Watson camped out near the Museum and the doors were open all weekend so that all that wanted could view the museum. Both Terry and Gary Conley have spent a considerable amount of time and talent on the exhibits and their presentation and it really shows. They deserve your thanks for their hard work, stop in and see the museum the next time. Ask about how the head light got up on the perch. And if you have something you would like to be exhibited in the building let them now.

Saturday evening the weather deteriorated to windy and cold real quick. A fast moving storm blew through most of the night and by morning it was just blustery and cool. The annual meeting was held in the museum Sunday morning instead of in the RPO car, after the dust settled the officers of the year ended up being; Tom Arnold- president, Paul Lavacot- vice president, the remaining board members- Brendon Hilton, Brian Ratliff and Bill Shepherd. Cherie Palmer is still our Secretary and Rebecca Ratliff is holding the purse strings as Treasurer. Reports and retorts were had and the ‘state of the club’ was talked about, we are in better shape then in the past and advancement of projects and progress were discussed. Also we invited and elected two new regular members to the fold. Both are hard workers and an asset to the membership, welcome goes out to Bill Hilton and Bruce Thompson.

Dirt continued to fly around the new unloading area on Sunday and even on Monday as well. Plan was to pour concrete for the retaining wall and base for the lift in the next week. With all that helped move dirt that might happen sooner. After things cure the lift can be brought in from its hiding place and the lead track be built from the upper loop. Power and water need to be run from nearby. A goal, of operation by the narrow gauge meet in March has been drawn in the sand. It is a goal that can be had with many good things coming from it. Ease of unloading for the regulars, and with the horrors of the old lift gone, engines that were too big to unload before can now visit. The possibilities can be exciting at least. Build it and they will come.

Oh, and did I mention I’ll be your newsletter editor too. I’ll try to blow a new breathe into the Desert Wind, as we end up our 40th year as a club and soon we will celebrate our 30th year of operation and continued building of the 7 ½”, we have much to look forward to as well as look back on what has happened over the years. You’ll be hearing from me.

A very good time was had and the weekend ended too soon as usual. Looking forward to when we can do it again and hope that all can make it then, Brian Ratliff.

October Pre-Halloween weekend at Joshua Tree.
Or
The First Weekend of the 2008/2009 Season on the ‘Real Narrow Gauge’, the 7 ½”. October 27, 2008

The temperature is falling to acceptable levels, but it is still hot in the sun. The evenings are most enjoyable and it’s Autumn in the desert again.

With two weeks till the Rudy Run, a weekend out at the tracks is a must to see how things survived the summer. Weeds that have taken root as barriers to commerce by growing big and tall between the rails during the long summer, need to be removed and their little dried out brethren that lay withered along side the track, need to be raked away. The ever moving embankments of sand need to be shoveled off the rails and placed where they will do us good; where instead of covering the rails, they support it.

Al and Lynn Ratliff, returning from a tour of Texas railways of miniature were first in the gate. Gary and Margret Stites originally came out for the day Friday and stayed till Saturday evening. Margret ‘scissor hands’ Stites has been keeping the right of way trimmed of things that grab. The walkways as well as the railways have received the attention of the pruning clippers. Bruce, Mike and Nathan Thompson arrived Friday and were very active in the raking and grooming of the area as well as working on the northern extension below Palmer Bridge. We should be able to put down an additional 50’ of track by Thanksgiving. Mike and Bruce made quick work of reroofing a section of the Van Wingen car barn that the wind had shredded away in a previous episode.

Greg and Becky Ratliff got an early start from Corona, and Stacy and I made a dash for the hills after the salt mines closed on Friday. The economy has allowed the freeways to unclog and traffic was light on the way out as well as returning Sunday evening.

Paul Westover arrived Friday evening as well from his ‘tie crew’ job near Wendover, NV. He had a pickup load off pre drilled 7 ½” gauge ties for the soaker and the rest of the truck was full of scrap wood for the fireplace.

Saturday morning was an enjoyable time; a t-shirt was clothing of the day. No need to bundle up with layers to shed and then find again later as it cooled. Some of the Mulberry trees were changing colors and dropping leaves while others in the camp were still very much green. Brendon and Ace Hilton came out Friday as well and on Saturday had planted the first of the Cottonwood trees, or Poplar for you east coast folks, which we are trying as they are a more heat tolerate tree then the Mulberry. We have been losing a tree or two a year and a change to a more native tree might be the answer for shade and a hearty tree as well.

In June we had a gracious donation of six pallets of cinder blocks for our projects. Carl Englund of Precision Block Co in San Bernardino had them delivered and Terry Watson met him at the gate to unload them. As the empty pallets need to be returned sometime soon, the plan to disperse them to where we thought they would be needed formed. The six inch wide split face blocks where set near the new unloading area worksite. Additional block was set nearby the steaming area for use in the ‘Gazsi steaming bay project’. The eight inch block and others were shipped via rail to our team track area for storage and easy rail delivery to future projects. This is a donation that will be used for years to come as the need for a block wall or steps come along. Thanks again, from the whole organization.

Sunday morning was a little warmer then the day before but nowhere near the heat of summer. A few more loads of block were moved and a tour of the Museum was had by most as Terry and Gary showed off their summers work.

The shade of the station was enjoyable and well used by the group that was assembling in the easy morning hours. Plans for an additional water plug at the station were discussed and a quick excavation was made to prove the diameter of piping and parts necessary for the task. Look forward to additional water plugs in the station soon, possibly a spigot for additional water in the lower parking area too. By mid-day the planning and measuring crew had made it to the engine house site for last minute checks of the plans in anticipation of Bill Shepherd’s arrival in the coming days. An errant object from a grinder caused Bill to be waylaid at home in Fort Bragg till the doctor cleared him for driving and other visually important tasks. He is to be traveling south in the days to come.

As usual, I have probably omitted some very important task that was done, or more importantly omitted who was out for a visit. I offer my apologies’ for such omissions, and was and never meant to slight anyone. I enjoy writing about what and who attends our functions out here at Joshua Tree and hope that all enjoy them as well. I don’t take notes, I try to absorb it as it goes along, for, one cannot be everywhere, even out here at the track. All I hope for is that it makes one curious enough to come on out and find out for themselves. And, if one could not attend, that they felt that they knew what happened, during their absence. You’ll find a very unique railroad and museum among a very unique setting and terrain, operated and built by very different and genuinely unique people as well. I love it out here; hope you do too, Brian

This year’s first road trip on the narrow gauge circle was to the beautiful and expansive Train Mountain in Chiloquin, Oregon on May 2-4, 2008. Now in Live Steam circles we all know that just because it says it starts on the 2nd, which is a Friday, it doesn’t mean you can’t get there before then. Most of the heavy hitters in the wide wheeled side of our hobby started arriving Monday and Tuesday throughout Wednesday, braving the early May snowstorm that hit the area early in the week. Thursday it was thawing out and Friday Morning it was a beautiful spring day for all to enjoy.

Peter Moseley, Ron Schmidt, Bill and Holly Boller and John Dolph brought up C-16’s 268, 278, K-27 464 and the Westside Shay #15 with an assortment of cars. Richard Ulin drug C&S #70 over the great divide and delivered two more cars for Governor Stanford Schmidt’s growing war chest of rolling stock, they are outstanding as usual. Tom Artzberger brought out RGS #20 from Pagosa Springs, CO to enjoy the week. Becky and Ray Bjerrum had the whole train behind C&S 18, if you didn’t see them in the morning you wouldn’t see them till the afternoon. They would be gone spelunking on the railroad all day.

Kevin Doe unveiled for us folks west of Georgia, his newest creation, D&RGW #453. A beautiful ‘mudhen’; on Friday I was privileged to help wear her out as we had been corresponding over the past year to each other on her progress, thanks Kevin. All the way from Pennsylvania came “Wild” Bill Dobbs with his K-36 #483 and his plethora of rolling stock. And a new engine to this side of the world was Bruno Platzer’s K-36 #488 which he re-gauged from 71/4” along with his ever growing stable of cars. With four narrow gauge Mikado’s steaming around the place they were the envy of even some full size Colorado lines.

The Ratliff family came up to play with loaded pickups. Allan and Lynn arrived early in the week with the GE 47 tonner and a string of flats and log cars. Early Friday morning Greg and I with Greg Reiter in tow with the rest of the flats and dad’s caboose to fill out the consist. It sure is neat to watch a string of flats serpentine through a turnout or through the woods on the new loop around the Aspen grove. Also in the gaggle of cars that we managed to transport up was Joshua Trees own Yankee Girl Mining dump car #100. As it was in Greg’s garage and car building facility it was only fitting that she make the trip too. The newly rebuilt car is a vast improvement over the two axle frame it used to sport. Easlon trucks and rebuilt wooden sides with improved hardware will insure many more years of aggregate hauling on the grades of Joshua tree.

The Burns boys, Ken, Chris and George, with Kim Beard arrived Friday morning with RGS #41 and their string of cars, including the ever popular Refrigerator car. Kim had had the engine down for a few months for maintenance and she ran as good as ever, good work Kim. Another train that if you didn’t see in the morning it wouldn’t be back till late. Bill Shepherd was in town; of course he is building a home there, which is located out on Elizabeth loop so he is considered a local now. Jeff and Kevin Tolan made a “Bonsai” run up from Orange county to spend the weekend too, wedged in the van also was #50 and train. Paul Westover took a few days off from spreading ballast on the UP to enjoy the trains. Erin Swain made the drive from Flagstaff, AZ with the family and train. Jimmy Booth and his buddy Bill Banta came up to see the show, Jimmy’s working on a 2-8-0 that is coming along pretty good I hear. Henry Todaro got everyone to stand still for ten minutes while he took a group photo and other shots for another great article he is putting together for the future. Paul Lavacot brought up a truck load of parts and castings from the south along with Rudy Van Wingen’s unfinished C&S Mogul for his dad to have something to work on. George Lavacot took a few days off from playing big trains to play smaller trains. George had pictures of his newly repainted 12 inch to the foot Espee SD-9 in Black Widow paint; he was always good at painting models. He won’t need to weather this one.

The Amount of engines and rolling stock present lead to various trains and combinations being assembled and ran. The mudhen’s got together and doubled headed, as did the K-36’s. At one time there was a triple header assembled for the run up the hill. The Westside Shay always looks good when the Westside flats are tagged on behind. Fourteen cars behind the GE make for a good show in itself, and knowing it all fits in two pickups is still amazing. Allan Ratliff’s RGS caboose always seems to get hitched up to the back of the train pulled by RGS #41. The morning switch job for out going trains is always interesting as to who is going to pull what. And there has to be enough cars that can seat people too.

The weather prognosticators said that it was supposed to rain and snow throughout the region over the weekend but there was a clearing around the mountain for a few days and we all enjoyed the beautiful spring days. The amount of track at Train Mountain allows one to head off down the hill and be out of sight of any other trains for a long time. And occasionally you will see a train through the clearing off on another loop or further ahead of you. The private party setting of the meet has its own special charm and at the Dinner on Saturday night after discussion it was felt to keep it that way; away from other events that occur at Train Mountain which are not as quaint and small as this group of wide wheeled, ‘narrow’ minded folks we call narrow gaugers. All agreed it is a long travel to reach Train Mountain and early May is not always the best time to travel the higher elevations of our country. But those that have savored the destination don’t mind the trip.

With Easter this year falling the second earliest day it possibly can come, the weather was absolutely perfect and the spring bloom was still very much evident, the animals were stirring as well. There have been two separate tortoise sightings, how those little slow pokes can disappear so quickly just amazes me. The lizards are out in droves, or what ever a bevy of reptiles is called. Take your pick, a weight room of lizards; they’re all doing pushups on a rock. A fire dance of lizards; they’re running across the hot sand. The quail are everywhere, and all the other birds are gathering for their new nests where ever they build them. No snake sightings, but that is a good thing, keeps the natives from going wild. And the rabbits are hopping everywhere.

The President, Tom Arnold was out for a few days to continue painting the Moseley Station, great work Tom. Gary and Margret Stites came out for Saturday to road test their new pickup, didn’t load the new engine in it, but spent the day out at the digs anyway. Margret grabbed a paint brush and cut in the corners on the painting pretty much most of the day. Along the railroad, Three Companies corporate decision for the weekend was to finish the trackage to the Van Wingen car barn.

Saturday the switch was finished to the track that runs up the north side of the barn and the number four track was laid to the barn to the frog. We had relief from the sun with the help of an Easy-up; we just had to move it to chase the shade as the day progressed. It kept the work crew from spreading out though; Allan, Brian, Gary and Greg all in the shade between go-for trips for parts needed. The Yankee Girl mining dump car was road tested again after receiving a much needed clearance enhancement so that the flanges didn’t come in contact with the frame when loaded, load it to the top now. We only needed two loads to finish the grading and filling of the yard area, sure beat forty buckets. These new and improved cars while be a welcome help when we get to start working up the hill again. On Sunday the switch was completed around mid day, and with that, the Van Wingen car barn project is finally complete. Not much hoopla, but a ceremony none the less was held, Rudy’s contributions toward the facilities, track and organization at Joshua Tree will be fairly noted for all to appreciate for a long time.

Early Sunday morning new member Paul Westover arrived from an all night drive from Winnemucca, Nevada. He spent his busmen’s holiday working on and helping out on the completion of the switches at the car barn.

Another home improvement project that happened was the installation of a set of three steps on the slope from the station to the car barn yard on toilet road. This enables the pedestrians an easier and safer walk in the darkness of night and a pleasing Feng Shui for the cactus huggers on their walk through the area, great improvement.

An Easter trip wouldn’t be the same without the annual egg hunt. The twist this year was glow in the dark eggs, or at least the package said they were, from China they should of too. Anyway, with the help of a flash light all but one was found Saturday night with the last one revealing itself once it was light on Sunday.

All in all a great weekend again, great weather, people and accomplishments. The progress this year has been phenomenal, and the outpouring of contributions has helped it happen as well as increased with the progress that it has funded. I plan to compile a report on funds, contributions to date and where they have been spent so we all can see where we have been, where we are and most of all, where we are going. Next time we all get together will be our first road trip of the year for the Summer season and that will be the Narrow Gauge Meet at Train Mountain in May, so you there, Brian

The 2008 Joshua Tree Narrow Gauge Meet, March, 7, 8, and 9, 2008

The weather outside was delightful and the people and equipment were from all the corners of the Southwestern United States. We had visitors from five different states represented; Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico.

Things started early with arrivals starting on Wednesday and Thursday, and a lot more arriving Friday. Some old dependable engines and owners, one engine that hadn’t been out for a long time and even a few that have never been out to JT.

Bill Shepherd had been down for almost two weeks; Mary arrived sometime during this week. Bill has finished up the entry steps to the engine house and has also been up on the 15 inch working on the turntable ring and support wall, busy guy, thank you Bill for your diligent work. Tom Arnold has been trying to paint the station between helping Bill out. Al and Lynn Ratliff arrived Wednesday and brought out the GE and his string off flats. From Farmington NM, Bob Clark arrived and in tow was his ‘mistress’ an interesting narrow gauge 2-8-0 which he is working out the bugs he admits, but she was doing quite well on Sunday afternoon before he packed it up for MLS next weekend. Thursday saw Paul Westover come in from Tehachapi or where ever ‘Uncle Pete’ has their track crew this month. Brendon hauled out Kim Zipke’s #10, a Buzz Sutch 2-4-2 that in earlier days was quite a regular when I’d borrow it from Jerry Nichols and run the tires off of it back before we had even finished the loop on the lower end. Greg stumbled into town late Thursday and I arrived even later to round out the day.

Friday morning I unloaded the Heisler and my string of flats and Greg unveiled the newly rebuilt Yankee Girl Mining dump car. The Burns family drove up the road after breakfast in their bus, though the tow car didn’t have any rolling stock in it, it did have a load of ties for future track and Ken has also stumbled upon a cornucopian source of five gallon buckets. Tom Artzberger and his wife made the trip from Pagosa Springs, CO and with him was his RGS #20, a string of cars and a delivery for Gary and Margret Stites, a brand new GE 47 tonner. Mike and Nathan Thompson cruised in Friday morning as well with their string of Westside equipment and C&S #13 too. Bruce made it in about noon to round out the family. The Tolan Family arrived Kevin, Lori and Jeff; all packed around their Chloe and D&RGW 50 plus riding cars. All in a mini van and trailer, Lori knows how to keep the bell on Chloe from ringing in her ear all the way up. She puts her old chewing gum around the clapper.

Friday was quite the day to run and each took advantage of it. Around the fire that evening after dinner the count of people was twenty two with at least ten different conversations to enjoy.

Saturday was again the Chamber of Commerce day, and each in their own way used the beautiful weather to their best. Trains ran early and up till dinner time. Gary was putting his new GE through the paces, the full face grin stayed on all weekend but was ear to ear Saturday. Mike Polinsky kept the Heisler going all weekend and #13 was working the entire time as well. Jeff would run which ever engine out of the stable he chose, and was seen on a few others as well, talented kid. Zipke ran his engine around with a string of cars in tow most of the afternoon, the track was getting quite a polishing. About mid-day we put the Yankee Girl Mining car through its paces and started hauling dirt to the end of track west of the Palmer Bridge. The ten foot track extension was brought down off of the High Line and rigged up at end of track towards Joshua Tree. By the time we stopped as the sun slipped over the hill there was twenty feet of fill finished and there is almost forty feet of track beyond the bridge now. This sure helps out the far side of the bridge, it doesn’t look like the tail of a Wye anymore. The entire fill used for this project came from the ‘Panama Canal’ end of the Wye; they found fifteen feet of track under sand that had sloughed off the side of the cut and allowed us to add twenty feet of track to the tail of that end too, thanks to all that participated.

Saturday saw a few visitors out as well. Dave Parrott came out and ran his Mich-Cal Shay around the place; he pulled Mike Thompson’s string of Westside cars which he built to pull behind the identical engine that is nearing completion. Ron Atkinson and two others came up from Chula Vista and they had a box cab that I only saw briefly as I was down it the far end of the wye moving dirt, sorry I didn’t get to see more of it. Bill Shepherd’s little putter kept his grandkids occupied must of the afternoon as well.

There was by my count twelve engines of all types out for the weekend, and I didn’t even think about counting people or equipment that was out for the show. The procession of cars that went up and down the road while we were out past the bridge seemed non-stop so word must get around about this place, glad you enjoy it and come on back.

The past week has been cold and colder out here in the desert. Snow flurries from Banning on up through Joshua Tree kept things on the chilly side Thursday and evening activities were non-existent. Friday was a lot warmer and when I arrived before dark there was enough time to install the new stack on the fire place at the patio. Dad had spent most of the day putting the tin back up on the Tedder shed; had a little wind during the past few weeks. The panels had been working loose for some time; guess it was time to fly.

Saturday morning the temperatures were warming by the hour and it was turning out to be a very beautiful and warm day. The project of the day was to fabricate the center bay for the engine house. Steel was loaded on the flatcars for a quick trip up to the steaming bay area from the car barn. Greg brought out the welder car and this time we had a new battery so we didn’t have to jump start it every time. While Greg was burning rod I was ripping lumber for the walking boards on the new bays. Also we added walking boards on all the leads off of the turntable. The new boards make for a whole lot easier walking around the turntable pit. And dad continued his new occupation, tin roofer.

We had visitors up from the Chula Vista club too; Amber and Darrel Saylor had been reading the updates that I send to Scotty Lewis which he scatters through his e-mailing to all the CVLS members. They haven’t been up for quite some time and spent the day with us. Dad gave them the controller for the GE and they took it for a few laps. Amber and Darrel also found a shovel or two that fit their hand and dug out the sand cut of the wye.

Progress at the welding project continued into Sunday and by late afternoon the bay was spotted and concreted into place. Tom Arnold helped us out with the placement and mud. The other two bays can be welded up on the center bay now; instead of across the shorter steaming bays.

The Sunday morning area beautification project was the rebuilding or should I say the complete rehabilitation of the steps to the tracks from behind the patio. The old steps were flat rocks at the edge of the patio directly under the eave. People of height usually found the edge of the patio at very inopportune times and places. The new steps are full size railroad ties, four of them, making a very tasteful and useful addition to the site. Under the fill in the area were some very large rocks as this was some of the earliest fills on the track, dating back to the early 1980’s.

We had over forty visitors to the Museum over the weekend and quite a few had been because of what they saw on the web-site. Just goes to show how an updated site draws attention, thanks Tom.

Monday was another fine pre-spring morning and the Heisler was fired up and made a few laps before we put it all away. We had another area improvement project for the day, but you’ll have to come out to see that one. See you at the Narrow Gauge Meet.

With meet dates from other live steam tracks getting tumbled around this year, an opportunity for an extra weekend at JT arose.
As the family likes to stretch the three day weekend into five if possible, it was amazing what was accomplished over such a span of time. We had some helpers over the weekend for a day or two, whatever their schedules could manage.

Thursday Bruce Thompson opened up the place, of course after visiting his money at the casino in Cabazon. I arrived just after that. We unloaded the Heisler and the welder car which hasn’t made a trip out here since New Years 2004 when the upper Ophirish trestle was welded up. Time sure flies, doesn’t it. Al and Lynn Ratliff showed up before dark, mom got to go to the quilt show. Mike Thompson and son Nathan with his buddy Patrick came through the gate in the evening to round out the Thursday arrivals.

Friday morning after the sun graced the area, we brought up the steel from the car barn to the steaming area. And, of course the monthly trip to Barr Lumber; for the ever necessary pallet of ready mix. Mike Thompson supervised the boys’ digging of the holes for the legs of the bays. Pre-digging the holes locates the boulders that dictate the length of the pipe needed for the legs. By 10:30 attempts we made to get the welder going, and, after a carburetor rebuild, it ran. After lunch Bruce Thompson welded the leg assemblies and after they were finished up Mike tried his hand at welding and the first bay was fitted together. Heck, I even tried welding a little, those welds are easy to find; they looked like I was sick. By Friday afternoon, one completed bay, sitting in the proper position.

Also on Friday the forms were placed for the lower step between the bays. It runs most of the way under the bays and can also be used as a place to put your tool box under the bay too. Friday evening saw the arrival of Greg and Becky Ratliff, their daughter Sydnie brought out her friend Corri too. Mike and the boys left that evening for home, as only one day of play at JT was to be had, as the boys had prior engagements to attend. The fire place saw plenty of action as the weather was a tad cool after the sun set in the west.

Saturday Morning was a bit slow, but the action geared up after the coffee kicked in and the temperature rose. Bruce headed for the barn and Greg took over the welding position. A buddy of mine, Harold Julius, showed up around 10:00 and was promptly initiated in the work program. He shows promise of joining too. Concrete was mixed, poured and tamped into place as Greg welded bays together. We all helped him when he needed to set up another bay. Concrete work was finished by noon and Harold was given the cooks tour by dad on the GE 47 tonner. By 3:00 as the sun was hiding behind the hill two bays were in the ground and the third was waiting for an adjustment of its legs as rocks shortened the hole and we needed to cut them to achieve plumb level.

Sunday morning the long legged bay was adjusted via the hack-saw, and, was soon in concrete too. The final sections of steps were filled with redi-mix and allowed to firm up before removing the forms. The spoils were cleaned up from the area and backs were slapped as a good weekend was soon coming to an end. Greg and family left Sunday evening for home, leaving mom, dad and I to enjoy the quiet yet blustery Sunday evening. The wind decided to scour the landscape for the night, letting up only slightly after sunrise Monday morn.

Monday, as it was just too windy to fire up, I spent the morning finishing up the approaches to the bays while dad put things away. Not wanting to let things lie in wait till next time, I started the forth bay, the one on the rock fill. Ten feet of the bay were laid in rail and ties placed beneath; fill dirt and mortar can wait till February. In all that brings the total of tracks that radiate from the turntable to 14 and all of those in 180 degrees too. A lot of standard gauge main line railroads couldn’t boast a round house area like that.

The steaming facilities are fast being able to handle our members and our visitors too. Air, water and electricity are in the works; to be installed at every other bay around the arc. As you are aware, the engine house structure and the loading facilities are in the mill too. A lot has transpired in the short time that we get to spend on our empire in the desert. Thanks to all that have helped, in each their own and special way, to make this; a very unique and special place amongst the rocks and cacti, this place we call Joshua Tree.

As New Year Eve was on Monday this year it made for a great four day weekend. And Three Companies took full advantage of the situation with four days of work and play too. Mom and dad showed up Wednesday afternoon to enjoy the piece and quiet that JT offers when you’re the only one there.

New member Paul Westover showed up Friday for his busmen’s holiday; he works on the track crew for UP as an equipment operator. His home address is Tehachapi, but he lays his hat where ever Uncle Pete has a track project going in the west. Friday afternoon I tripped into town, had a small gig in Banning to take care of so, I was out about dark. Greg and family arrived about 8:00 pm, and Mikey Polinsky came in from Holbrook, AZ to round out the arrivals for the night.

Saturday Bruce Thompson came in for a couple of days too. Said he was up a few bucks when he left the casino at Cabazon. Saturday’s early morning project was a Better Homes and Gardens project for camp space C-10, that would be mine, an extension of the clean out so that a camper could drain when parked as I do. Sand, after a good rain or snowfall as we had, sure makes it easy to dig a trench. Then I leveled the trailer for the weekend. Off to Barr Lumber yard for a pallet of concrete, for the planned pouring of the new bay supports. The truck was spotted at the team track and soon a string of flats was delivered to haul the bags up to the steaming area, as well as setting up the batch plant too. Two bay supports were formed Saturday afternoon while the Heisler was steamed up by Mikey before the sun dipped below the hill and things got chilly.

Sunday early, another BH&G project got underway as four full size railroad ties were placed to terrace and level out the C-10 camp space. And a trail for Bruce to reach his abode too. After the sun finally reached the steaming area, the remaining form work was completed and mixing of concrete commenced. With Allan, Brian, Bruce, Greg, Mikey and Paul’s efforts, by one o’clock we were admiring the accomplishments of the day and steam-up time commenced. While trains ran around, I cleaned up the right of way into the steaming area. Cleaning up along the road bed making it a bit easier, to traverse the area, by rail or by foot. Also I removed dead vegetation from the area that was near the railroad.

Monday morning was by far the frostiest of the mornings; a rime of frost coated all but the driest of areas. The forms were removed from yesterdays mud work and the monoliths of four new steaming bays emerged. Forms were made for the steps that will be between the new bays, making it easier to climb up to track level then in the past. The upper step and the middle step are complete; the lower step will be finalized on the next trip out. The rock faced wall that will support the last bay was begun and when the steps were poured, some concrete was placed in areas of the wall to strengthen it as well.

Fill dirt was needed for the rock wall project at the bay and soon the Heisler was fired up and buckets were being shuffled back and forth till no more dirt was needed there. But the work crew had gotten into the swing of things so the dirt haulers were transferred to the far end of the Wye Bridge and twenty feet of wall was started, as well as fifteen feet of fill to give the ten feet of rail after the bridge something to rest upon. Greg placed ties under the section of rail and ballasted the result. After the barbed-wire fence gets moved north, an illusion of a continuing railroad can be obtained. As well as the simple fact that you will be able to wye a much longer train as well. The sun soon dropped below the hill and the temperature dropped as well.

Monday of the New Year saw putting away of equipment, and a little running as well, and by noon trucks were loaded and secured for the trip back home. There were over twenty people that had stopped by to visit over the weekend, including Ken, from Canada, that was staying in Sky Valley for the winter and had seen our web-site.

Greeting to all during this joyous season. Man it was cold this morning in Corona. But it warmed a little as the day wore on. The wind was a tad nipply.

Today dad and I went down to the radiator shop to disassemble the hoist for the new loading arrangment. After about two hours we had taken it all apart and another one to transfer it to a secure location for storage till we get the concrete pads and retaining wall for the new siding in.

I want to thank those that have donated so far to the project. This is going to be a world of difference from the old loading situation. I'm happy by the response so far, I'm sure that after Christmas and the Narrow Gauge Meet, donations will continue to flow towards the club.

The family is planning to be out to JT for the New Years weekend for a little work, and for sure, play too. We do have our fun while were out there, it is not all 'nose to the grindstone', by all means come on out and enjoy yourself too. Come run for the day or weekend, we'll put a flatcar on the back and you can haul fill dirt for us, make that ol'girl work.

Back to the 7 1/2" fund donations and benefactors. The following as of the last time I talked to Cherie were:

Bill Boler

Peter Moseley

Rex and Judy Ratliff

George Lavacot

Allan Ratliff

Greg Ratliff

Of course there is always room for more donations to the 7 1/2" fund. Be a part and watch us grow,

Thanksgiving in the desert has been our family thing since before I was around, and going to JT and enjoying the weekend has been on our list for quite a few years. This weekend was no exception, and the weather was a whole lot better then other spots in the Southland.

Al and Lynn showed up on Tuesday and had a few days to run his GE 47 tonner around in the solitude. I made it out Wednesday early evening, with Greg, Becky and Sydnie hot on my heels that evening. Becky’s whole family came out to enjoy the weekend too. The moon was almost full and you could read a book by the light it cast. It was plenty enough light to see the wonderful job that Bill Shepherd had done to the engine house entrance area, the steps and retaining walls including a whole lot of fill work. It changes the entire area at the entrance to the steaming area. Wonderful job Bill, we all say thanks.

Thursday morning was a bit slow, as we needed to be cooking by noon so the Heisler was unloaded but not fired up. Preparations were made for an early start Friday. Al had installed a few 15-inch gauge ties as a walkway to the station across the tracks by Burns spur and it didn’t take long for a full blown wooden walkway to appear across the tracks and up the embankment. A great project accomplished before noon. The deep fryer was assembled and fired up in good time and two birds were cooked up for our 3:00 eating time so that we could enjoy our meal before it got cold and dark. Stacy arrived just in time for dinner; the turkey and all the fixings were delicious. After dinner Kevin and Jeff Tolan arrived to enjoy a few days out in the desert. Along with them they brought out their ‘Chloe’ too.

Friday we tackled the filling of the cells of the block work at the engine house. After a trip to Barr Lumber in Yucca Valley and off loading the ten bags of cement at the team track at the station, the loaded flats were delivered to the steaming area. Sand was sifted below the Teddor shed bridge and hoisted over the east wall, as the batch plant was still located inside the engine house perimeter. 750 pounds of cement, two scoops of cement to every seven scoops of sand, equals a lot of sand over the wall and a lot of mortar into the walls. Kevin and Jeff did the sand sifting, I ran the mixing operations, Greg poured the mix into the wall, Al and Greg’s father in-law Dave did the tamping and leveling job including installing the j-bolt fasteners where needed. Three hours after the mixer started, the concrete portion of the new engine house was completed. A little fun time and operating was enjoyed the rest of the day.

Saturday was up and fire up early day. I beat Jeff to first to fire up but not by much. All three engines were out in the morning cool. It was turning out to be a really nice weekend. A finish up project that got done early was the placing of three full size railroad ties as the final retaining wall along the north side of the track through the station. By mid morning the work project turned to finish at least one switch in the car barn area. There are now three tracks to the car barn, which have a working switch and ballasted track to traverse. Two more switches to go and the car barn will officially be completed. All through out the weekend Al cleaned up and removed the wooden form pile from the car barn area and put the good forms by the Teddor shed, the form pile from the engine house was transferred to there too. The woodpile above the ‘big rock’ loop was reduced to either usable wood or firewood and placed in the appropriate place.

Sunday the outside storage track on the north side of the car barn was extended thirty more feet to the end of the building and aligned and ballasted too, and upon completion of the switch will be another valuable addition to the much needed active sidings and car storage during a meet.

A great weekend of family and of getting a few loose ends wrapped up around the railroad. We have much to be thankful for and about. Participation and our runs have exceeded all expectations. The amount of things that have been accomplished this year is far greater then in the past. And our donations both physical and monetarily have been on the rise too. Our sleepy little mountain railroad has seen a revival in enthusiasm and it is showing off well. In the near future our engine house will be more than just an idea. A new loading facility is on its way with the new lift being procured as I write this. Donations to both these projects have been received and further donations to help these much needed facilities become reality would be greatly appreciated.

Looking forward to another exciting New Year at Joshua Tree. Starting with a workday over the New Years weekend, December 29, through the First. See you there, Brian

This years Fall Meet held November 9, 10 11 was an absolute success. Just ask anyone that was there and had to jockey an engine around to get to a steaming bay, twelve engines, over 36 narrow gauge pieces of rolling stock. What a good time, great weather, good people, great running, good weekend.

Friday is always the best day and I was tied up with an occupation and didn’t get out till darned near 9:00 pm. But the fire barrel was well attended when we got there and the stories of the day were still being spun. News of how good the engine house brick work by Bill Shepherd looked. How the Burns siding switch was completed and the christening of the new spur had filled the afternoon. The inspection would have to wait for the early morning light to guide the way.

Saturday, early, as I was awake at o’dark: 30. Mike Thompson had set up C&S #13 to be ready to fire when the first person stirred, and I took advantage of that. The sight of coal smoke drifting about the steaming area in the cool, but not cold, morning air. Enjoying the smell of a fresh brewed cup of coffee, the cup; warming your hand as well, in the early morning stillness. This was going to be a nice weekend. The steaming bays were full and the lead track was well utilized too. Ron and Peters 2-8-0’s, D&RGW #268 and #278. Bill Bollers Westside Shay #15. Lars Tenpas brought out his elegant Sunkist Growers Shay #7. Becky and Ray Bjerrums C&S Mogul, The Burns/Beard RGS #41, Paul Lavacot’s Chloe. Al Ratliff’s GE 47 tonner #17 was getting a charge down at the car barn, I didn’t even unload the Heisler as where was it going to go? All this and the sight of what Bill Shepherd had done in the two weeks that we weren’t there; he completed the foundation and block work on the engine house. Complete with conduits for electrical, water and air in the appropriate places.

As the morning progressed the Tolan family arrived with another Chloe and a D&RGW #50, and the ‘Slider’ even ventured out of the car barn for the weekend too. Mike Thompson hosted a Boy Scout Troop in the a.m. and it looked like they enjoyed their selves. Trains ran from early morning through out the day till just about dusk when the dinner hour approached and things slowed down for the evening.

Sunday rolled around and things as usual were a bit slower. Trains ran till it was time to load for the trip home. Some left Sunday evening, some loaded for the trip home Monday morning. All had a good time and we all look forward to the next time we can polish the rails at Joshua Tree.

The first work day of the new season has been eagerly awaited by Three Companies and the Thompson Family for some time as the seasons are changing in the high desert and its JT time once again.

Plans have been in the works since early October, when Greg and I made a speed run up to check out the digs, after driving home from the river and noting that Yucca Valley saw a substantial amount of precipitation, as noted by the amount of mud and debris across highway 62 when we passed through. We only received a gentle rain in the area as opposed to previous downpours of past. We agreed that Burns Siding should get first attention as it is a valuable asset to operations as a complete train can be hidden in the spur. Adding to much needed hiding tracks during operations. Not to mention its value to moral after operations. And then we would tackle the completion of the yard tracks at Van Wingen, again because we need space to park trains. Bruce Thompson was eager to tackle the dirt pile in the engine house area in getting it ready for future work.

During the off season Sears had a great sale on cordless drill motors and Dad, Greg and I each bit the bullet and bought identical set ups so the we wouldn’t have to spend half a work weekend trying to find drill motors that worked and enough cord to feed them. Heck I even charged mine before I left home, as I use the heck out of it at work. The past week with fire throughout the Southern California area also added to the anticipation of the up coming weekend.

Al and Lynn Ratliff arrived Thursday, and Bill Shepherd had been their since earlier in the week. Mike and Nathan beat Bruce out on Friday. The Thompson boys brought out C&S #13 to help out with the work and Al brought out his GE 47 tonner and his half of the numerous Westside flats. Greg, Becky and Sydnie beat Stacy and I out by minutes and Greg brought the JT&S stock car home from its outing in August to BCW, along with dad’s caboose. And I drug out the Heisler for its first outing since March and my half of the prolific flat car collection. Sydnie brought along a school friend Cory for her first ‘camping’ trip. Rumors abounded Friday night that the excavation of the engine house had been completed and foundation footings were dug already. It could wait till daylight to see for ourselves.

Dawn came soon enough and the rumors were true! That maniacal team of Shepherd, Shepherd, Shepherd & Shepherd had more dirt moved in three days then we had all spring and summer. And that is one person, Bill. The only thing that we could do was stand in awe. And the plans to work on switches and track went out the proverbial window. Kevin and Jeff Tolan showed up for the day along with a buddy of Jeff’s and pitched in with the project. It was off to Barr Lumber for 70 bags of ready mix and supplies to assist this project on. The 47 tonner did yeomen duty shuffling flats of concrete mix to and from the work site. 38 bags later and 2:30 Saturday afternoon the first segment of footing was poured and cleanup was commenced. By four o’clock Saturday afternoon, Bill had dug out and formed the next section. The afternoon also saw the steam engine fired up for a little R & R time.

Sunday morning 7:00 am and I walked down to the engine house area and Bill was shoveling out the forms in readiness for pouring. He said he’d run the wheelbarrow if I’d mix so we were off. 42 bags later and by 9:00 the second section was in the ground. A decision was made to get another pallet of ready mix for Bill, to use during the week that he would be spending working by himself. This pallet was off loaded onto flats at the team track at the station and C&S #13 did a great job hauling the loads to the engine house area. By 4:00 Sunday afternoon Bill had the footing dug for the final section of engine house. I suspect that will be poured by noon on Monday. Great work Bill, thanks from all of us that got to help and especially from those that didn’t get to help out.

The weekend was very productive even if none of the things that got done were on the project list. Everyone will be surprised come two weeks from now. That’s the way it goes at JT. - Brian

     August is a wonderful time of year on the central coast of California. Especially if your not trying to find a spot on the beach. But at Karl Hovanitz’s little pike the Bitter Creek Western the weather and the people make for one fabulous weekend.
      Bill Boller dropped off a trailer full of equipment on Wednesday around noon and then down south for a family function, Mom and Dad Ratliff pulled into town around 4:00 and the Burns boys showed up just after dark so the place was hopping early. I left Corona at 4:15 am and was there by 9:30 Thursday morning.
     The trucking firm of Moseley and Schmidt arrived early as well with a gaggle of freight cars and D&RGW 464 and 278. Ken and Chris had RGS 41 in tow, as well as their consist of RGS cars. Al Ratliff was showing off the new paint on his #17, a 47 ton GE. Richard Uhlin came in from Colorado with his new C&S 70 and two more stock cars for the rail baron “Commodore Schmidt”. I just brought flat cars and dads caboose, with dads load of cars we had a total of 13 cars for a nice train of Westside equipment. Thursday afternoon turned out a pretty impressive assortment of engines and rolling stock as well.
     Friday brought more trains out of the woodwork. Becky and Ray Bjerrum arrived from Fresno with his C&S Mogul and a full compliment of cars as well. Mike Thompson arrived with his C&S Mogul #13 Thursday evening too, with his Westside cars in tow also. Bill Dobb’s drove all the way across country to be apart of the fun too, a K-36 and a plethora of stock cars as well. Paul Lavacot arrived for the weekend with his personal rail craft, the goose #6.
   Saturday saw the return of Bill Boller and the trailer was unloaded of his Westside Lumber Shay #15. After a few hours of fiddling and timing it traversed the layout with a first; a full string of 14 Westside cars and a Westside caboose, impressive to see as well as to hear.
   The Colorado narrow gauge boys had a train to haul around too. There was a stock rush on and everyone got a chance to pull around eight stock cars and D&RGW caboose #0578. It looked real good all day long with different engines pulling the train throughout the day. There was plenty of narrow gauge rolling stock to enjoy behind all the other engines as well.
   Ray ran his Mogul all day Saturday as well as a long time on Sunday; it sure is good to see Ray and #18 learning to get along. Mike and Nathan staked out a great tent site in the corner over by the orange grove and they learned first hand that roosters don’t own an alarm clock, or can’t read it they do. Mike’s Mogul had a few different engineers over the weekend and she ran wonderful as usual. Sunday the Shay made a trip up the high line with her train in tow; needless to say, no problems there. RGS 41 finally got to double head with Karl’s #20 and they pulled everything they could find, clearing out the yard to make the two girls show their stuff.
     Everyone seemed to have a good time and loading time on Sunday come too soon. By twilight Sunday evening all was winding down and people were heading there way home. Counting down the days when we can do it again. Well the Rudy Run is coming up in November, and it is at Joshua Tree. For a few good shots of the weekend look up Bitter Creeks website at www.bittercreekwesternrr.org check out the ‘events’ car on the train across the top.

Damn, it’s hot out here. Having a person in my office that schedules my days for me and doesn’t have a clue of the geography of California I end up in snow bound resorts in February and the baking hot desert in June, July and August. Today wasn’t at the beach or up in the pines, it was in Yucca Valley. Finishing up the day early I had a chance to check up on the Railroad.

The thermometer at the bank in Yucca Valley read 96 degrees. I believe the sensor is in the air-conditioned bank vault, or broken. Driving up the road I noted that there hadn’t been a lot of traffic up to the gate. A lot of foot traffic and some ATV tracks ran beyond the gate, no cars for a few days I would say. The rabbits scurried from there shady hideout under the freight dock on the north side of the station. The wye and yard tracks looked lonely as the running season is still a few months in the future. With no rain this past winter at least we don’t have to weed the right of way this fall.

I first drove up to the 15” and the boxcar area to check out the scene. All was well, things where just baking in the noon day sun. As I backed down the road to the patio area a covey of quail ran for cover to the neighboring greasewood bushes. The trees were getting ample irrigation as their leaves were shiny and full. The guzzler hose was out of the water pan but the bees didn’t seem to mind drinking from the ground. I replaced it so the bigger critters would have more to drink from.

Having a fresh load of 7 ½” ties to drop off I backed up to the Teddor shed. The yardmasters bench beckoned me to enjoy my lunch from the shade of the Juniper bush. Bruce Thompson has moved quite a bit of material from the engine house area. There is more to go, but it does get hot out here early in the day. After lunch I placed some goodies in the shed that the rodents would just ‘die’ for, if the make their way into the shed again. So far the new floor has kept the little buggers out. I had plenty for the car barn as well.

A pleasant breeze was making its way through the area, and I enjoyed it as I read my newspaper that I had brought from home. On my way out I stopped and looked for the ‘Geo-cache’ that is just outside the fence line, across the wash, near where the track now ends. If we extend the track we will cover up the spot that is located by Global Positioning Satellite. So I wrote in the notepad that is in the cache that someone contacts us about moving it, as I plan to move the fence this fall. Thus keeping it at least outside of the fenced area, even though it is on museum property.

It is enjoyable to spend a few hours in the solitude of the railroad when no one else is there. But also as you walk around you can visualize the next time when all are there and each place comes alive with activity. I’m looking forward to then as well, Brian

Train Mountain agreed to a narrow gauge meet in the spring of 2007 as a result of interest gathered during a seminar at their Triennial in July 2006. It could have been viewed as a Joshua Tree weekend in Oregon, plus a few guests.

The previous week weather was cold I hear, and the weather man predicted cooler weather as we were leaving. But the weekend of April 27-29, 2007 was picture book great. Snow in the mountains to the West, t-shirt weather after 9:00 A.M. and enjoyable evenings for a little night running.

The Burns’ and Beard group arrived with RGS #41 and its string of cars, the reefer getting the most attention as usual.

The Flintridge and Portola Valley boys pulled all the stops as usual, Ron Schmidt and Peter Moseley each a 2-8-0 with train sets. And Bill Boller was up with Westside Shay number 15, which he recently acquired from the Schmidt stable of impressive models. Remember to work on your 2-8-0 once in a while too Bill.

Three companies was up in full force, The Plymouth was destined to be the yard switcher for the weekend as Allan Ratliff took possession of his new GE narrow Gauge center cab diesel. Huge is a good word to describe it as, Powerful and Huge. No Heisler for this trip as Greg and I consolidated to one truck and we knew we were bringing home the GE. But all the Westside flats made the trip as well as the Caboose. The Plymouth had over two hours on the time clock and it never got past the steaming bay yard tracks; it did all the switching for everyone.

Becky and Ray Bjerrum came up to enjoy the weekend. Paul Lavacot flew into Portland and drove down with his dad, George; his 12 inch to the foot project is getting close. Bill Shepherd was in town working on his new house.

The Shay was on its first real outing after acquisition and Bill spent up till Saturday afternoon blasting around the Klamath and Western section of the tracks. I should say it sounded liked it was blasting around, but as a geared locomotive it was just at a leisurely pace, impressive exhaust that engine. In the afternoon a posse was rounded up that knew where the water plugs were at and where the track went and down the hill the Shay took twelve cars. With an intermediate water stop at the camp ground it was down the serpentine loops to the valley floor. The train continued after finding the water stops and spent the afternoon coursing the maze of tracks on the lower area. The peaceful afternoon was shattered as the Shay ran up the serpentine loops with the twelve cars and all available seats taken up by riders. The train returned to the steaming area just in time for the evening dinner, everyone having an earful of good stack talk.

On Sunday morning each in there own time had fired up and was down in the lower midway area. But, as the trackage at TM covers such an area you would only see glimpses of other trains in the distance or when sitting in a siding to let some train pass. You would literally be by yourself in the forest with your train, no one else in sight. But at about One o’clock just by chance, in five minutes six trains converged at Midway loop and instantly 40 people were milling about taking photos of trains at talking, in the middle of the forest a convention. Then all trains filed up the hill and converged again for a group shot at the station area.

A great weekend by all, at a great place to visit. These narrow Gauge meets are addictive; you just don’t want to miss them.

This year’s narrow Gauge meet might have been lighter in attendance, but it certainly made up for it in Quality. As usual Al and Lynn Ratliff opened up the digs early in the week and people started rolling in after Wednesday.

Burns’ and Beard brought RGS 41 down from Salinas and also in the trailer was the stable of RGS equipment. The reefer car was a big hit after operations. That 2-8-0 can pull the house and sounds good doing it.

Bruce and Mike Thompson brought out C&S 13 and his Westside flat and Caboose from Corona and it spent the weekend happily steaming. Bruce is enjoying his new abode and plans to use it very often.

Three Companies had the usual plethora of 24’ Westside flats. The Plymouth spent quite a few hours running either in work service or recreational. The Heisler was unloaded but never steamed up as there was plenty of action going on all weekend.

The Portola Valley boys, Ron Schmidt and Peter Moseley brought down D&RGW 268 and tested out the new air brake system on both the engine and Ron’s newest project a 41’ D&RGW flat car. The flat was deckles so as to observe operation of the brake rigging. Room was left in the trailer on the trip down for new ‘Gramps’ Schmidt’s new purchase. As a new proud Grandparent he made a deal with Ken Johnson for his ‘Gramps’ tank car. Congratulations gramps.

The Tolans, Jeff and Kevin brought out their Chloe and ran the wheels off of it. Paul Lavacot brought his out too.

The new air compressor and air manifold to the bays was a huge success with all that steamed up or was around the steaming area during the weekend. No more tripping over small compressors and their noisy operation. The new air system worked well and was well appreciated.

Somewhere during the weekend a plan was hatched and Saturday afternoon it came to light and by Sunday Afternoon not much needed to be done to finish it off. A new spur was graded, track built and graded and the switch was laid past the frog. This new addition to the infrastructure is a welcome addition and is parallel to the main line up the line from the passing siding below the campground. It just happens to be alongside the camping space that the Burns’ use and the train can be set out after operations without having to walk all around the area to get to it. A darned good idea, and now it’s just about finished, thanks for all that helped in making it happen.

The weather is certainly warming up in the desert and the working season is rapidly drawing to a close. Easter is coming up and Three Companies is going out to enjoy the weekend. Seven switches need to be finished and the car barn tracks completed and graded. Work is then going to be focused on the Engine House and steaming area, as we have been graciously endowed with a grant in large enough proportion that it can be started and completed in the near future. We also have an offer for materials to enable us to do the masonry necessary. We are fortunate to have such generous and thoughtful members and donors, thank you.

See you after Easter, Brian

After years of hauling your own personal compressed air devices to Joshua Tree to fire up your locomotives, JT&SRR proudly advances to the twentieth century. "Uncle Burt's" air compressor has been installed in the "Tedder" shed and has been plumbed as to furnish a connection for a 'temporary air line' to the steaming area.

A seventy five foot 3/4" air hose supplies a six-ended air manifold with individual shut-off-valves. A female 1/4" pipe end awaits for your fittings of choice to your own air hoses. 40 psi air is regulated at the reservoir. The compressor is much quieter then the individual contraptions of the past. And I'm sure there will much more room to walk around the steaming area too. When the engine house walls become reality the permanent air and water lines will transpire.

Dad and I traveled out Friday and did the wiring and pipe fitting for the project. It was a very temperate day, as spring is fast approaching the high desert. All indications point to a great time for the upcoming Narrow Gauge Meet. Hope to see you all there.

Brian

President’s weekend in February was a very productive and enjoyable time for those that made the trip out. Of Course Allan and Lynn Ratliff were first out and they found Bill and Mary Shepherd enjoying the southern half of the state. Bill is finishing the brickwork on the 15” Engine house. Bruce, Mike and Nathan Thompson arrived mid morning Friday, after a quick and profitable stop at Morongo. I made the campground at noon and Greg and Becky arrived as usual 8:30 in the evening.

Entertainment Friday afternoon was provided by Brendon Hilton and his dad as they fired up the Coffey Shay and tried out the new transfer table as well as running the entire length of track. The engine looks nice and it is great to have her back at her home track. The 15” boys are going to learn the power of steam as an incentive to work on the track. Shovel, throttle pull, shovel….

Mike brought out the C&S Mogul #13, Allan the P&LE Plymouth #3, and I drug along trusty Three Companies Heisler #8. Saturday’s project was to finish the floor in the Teddor shed. Additional ready mix was off loaded at the station and Mike hauled all 20 bags in one train with #13. Pretty impressive, by anybodies standards. Bill Shepherd lent his expertise in finishing the fresh concrete. Now one can feel safe that the Pack Rats haven’t taken over when one opens the door.

One of the things that has come about since we have poured the floor in the shed is that the Air Compressor will now be placed there instead of in the Engine house. The Electrical stand point is better as there is 220 at the shed but not the engine house. The Noise level will certainly be lower then five individual compressors at the steaming bays. And we don’t have to trip over those five compressors either. God willing and the creeks don’t rise I should have the compressor wired and plumbed to the north wall of the shed and a temporary hose to the steaming bays with a five way manifold to attach individual hoses to by the narrow gauge meet. Everything is up to date in Kansas City.

Sunday was car barn day. First we laid a section of track parallel to the north wall of the barn and started laying track toward the east, trying to figure out a good line to get some switches in. After much cussing and discussing we figured it out and now it’s down, three more switches and the car barn trackage will be another project out of the way. Also finished just before dark were the points to the switch for the first and second tracks to the barn. It is now possible to fill two tracks in the barn without hernias’, just back them in. Actually the first track is the club train set, stock, reefer, trash gon, crew car and caboose.

Monday was future track day. With Tom Arnold, Bill, Allan, Greg and I a trip was made up the hill to figure where we might be heading in the future. Being the 15” is now beyond the gorge we need to make sure the turf wars of the Rio Grande and the Santa Fe aren’t reenacted in scale, and the plans of both gauges are known by each other. It won’t look like the Western Pacific and the Espee over Altamont. And we don’t want the Rio Grande from Alamosa to Antonito either.

We did get some running time in too, and at one time all three trains were at the station. Paul and Celeste Lavacot came up Saturday, and so were Ester Van Wingen and her friend. Ester is cleaning up and out Rudy’s trailer so it might entice a new suitor. There were quite a few people out Saturday and Sunday for just a few hours as well. I’ll admit I had my nose to the grindstone and my hand around a cool one trying to get a few things done and didn’t note them too well. It was a great weekend and the rain Monday afternoon didn’t dampen a thing about it.

See everybody in March, Brian

The close out weekend for 2006 was one of those, Chamber of Commerce postcard perfect, weekends. The week proceeding was a miserable windy couple of days, as mom and dad Ratliff can attest since they arrived Tuesday after Christmas. And to jump past the weekend, Monday night the wind howled its best here in Corona as we were getting home, and well through the night.

I pulled a convenient job on Friday in Desert Hot Springs, so I made it to the site by 11:30. After unhooking and unloading dad and I were off to the Lumber yard for supplies for the weekend. Thirty bags of ready-mix, some breathing masks for the dirty project ahead and something to use for a splint for the rapidly deteriorating stack on the fire place. With that taken care of, back to the tracks. Greg even got an early start and arrived around 2:30 or 3:00 too. Mike Polinsky made the trip from desolate Holbrook with his new Harley in the back of the truck so he could get some winter riding in also on his week off.

First thing to do was fix the stack on the fire place. No good fires, no evening get together. The old schedule ten, nine inch pipe that constitutes the stack has had its share of hot/cold cycles, combined with no atmospheric corrosion protection, which would be paint or the like for us commoners. Or in what they call in laymen’s terms, the damned thing has just about rusted through. Two eight inch diameter by twenty four inch long fire-place vent pieces were wired around the old stack so that the smoke would reach the top. And after the paint was burned off, they worked quite well.

Saturday was absolutely beautiful in the A.M., still, cloudless, and warming quite fast. Firing was commenced, the Heisler was ready to work and the first two projects went hand in hand. The dirt pile at the upper road crossing has been encroaching the right of way since the day it was put there and the back filling of the retaining wall for the engine house. Three flat cars and nine buckets made numerous trips from site to site. The new water hose can reach far enough so the fill could be compacted and in short order the two projects were off the to-do list. After lunch, Greg and I tackled the completion of adding ties to one of the station crossing bridges. Seven specially cut bridge ties, one more item off the list. Saturday nights, feast-de-jour, a fourteen pound rib roast, baked and barbequed to delicious.

Sunday, carbon copy Saturday, great day. Project: Teddor Shed floor. The locals for the longest time have been using the shed as a very large dispensary for their winter stores, the pack rats have been running amok in there too long. They only have to dig through the tar paper floor and presto! A seven foot by twelve foot locked storage area, visited only about a dozen weekends a year by hairless apes. Well, those thirty bags of premix that have been in the truck since Friday made it to the ‘team’ track at the station about 9:00 am. They were off loaded to flat cars and at ten bags to a train load, they were hauled to the shed area for off loading at the JT ‘batch plant’. As loads came up, the old floor dirt was hauled to the off loading site. The one thing we like to do is play trains while we get things done. The mixer was hauled from storage at the patio area and at about 12:30 the mixing was started. Nineteen bags later, half the floor was in concrete. Next time up, we’ll finish it. No more pack rats through the floor. The only way they will be able too get in then is like you and me, through the door; keep it closed.

Monday, happy New Year, lets go fire up and have some fun. The Heisler ran great again, hauling things back to their respective places. The extra bags of concrete went to the car barn to be stored on the 1½” scale riding cars of mine so that they can be moved where ever needed without lifting again. What could be set in the Teddor shed without being on the new floor was placed in there. The ashes were cleaned up from the steaming area and sent to the designated place. House cleaning, the never ending chore. And after the dust settled from the morning run, the project of the day was to add trackage to the south lead of Rudy’s barn. Thanks to the boys, Gary and Terry, who have been rotating the tie soaking bin, ties were ready for making a few new track panels. With the four of us, Allan, Brian, Greg and Mike, twenty five feet of new track was made and the frog cut into the main lead to the car barn. Only the switch points and the approaches need to be completed to have two tracks accessible to the barn.

All in all, a great weekend with family. A productive and pleasant time was had at the track. Kevin Kane has been working at cleaning up the dead brush in the lower property area, and it shows nicely. The boys, Gary and Terry, have been hard at work in the museum, reorganizing and cleaning up the display area. With a donation of some real ‘Buddy L’ rail they are placing the whole train in one line along the south wall, an impressive sight. And, building a shelf for the other scale trains to be displayed as well. Stick your head in the station while they are there, they would love to show you the progress that has been achieved so far.
Had a great time, as usual, at the digs. See you there in February, presidents’ weekend,

Thanksgiving weekend at the digs was very productive, with the weather very hospitable in the daylight hours and getting chilly after BOB (Big Orange Ball) fell beyond the horizon.

Al and Lynn opened the place up on Tuesday, I can't wait to retire. Greg, Becky and Sydnie arrived before it got dark and I made it out Wednesday evening.
Engine unloading was done the old fashioned way with the ramp, we know why we don't do that anymore. More on this later. Thursdays project was to fill the engine house retaining wall that has cured since Memorial Day. The batch plant, cement mixer, was rail shipped to the location. Sand was per curred via rubber tire from the big wash below the 15" Bridge and transferred to rail at the crossing pad. Pre measured buckets of sand were then brought into the mixing
plant via the ever useful Westside flats. The grouting project filled the morning. Correspondence with Bill Shepherd to start on what is the next step.

After cleanup it was time to prepare for the annual feast. Stacy showed up with the deep-fryer as I forgot to load it when I left. The fowls were doctored and
injected with marinade as the oil warmed to cooking temperature. As the birds cooled in the afternoon coolness, the fixings were prepared. The meal was
wonderful. Friday was play day. Jeff and Kevin Tolan arrived Thursday night and stayed till Saturday evening, they brought along their 0-4-2T and Jeff did a stint on the Heisler too.

Saturday after the morning run, work started on the Wye trackage across the middle road crossing. And on Sunday the remaining ties that had been soaked were used to make up twenty more feet of lead track at Rudy's Barn. Now all the tracks out of the barn have at least ten feet of track outside the doors, no more temporary tracks to navigate to remove equipment. About 60 feet of new track laid over the weekend. A load of ties(140) was predrilled and put into the soaker with a second batch of ties drilled and waiting to be put in in a few weeks. The Teddor shed got a little TLC, man! we need to get a concrete
floor in there. The final project for the weekend was to dismantle the hoist and remove the hydraulic ram for repair. Al had a re-builder in mind and Tom Gazsi had a price for a new one. The new one is on it's way, to be installed for New Years Eve weekend. A lot got taken care of, and of course there is
always more to do.

Easter Weekend at JT.

Of course Friday was the day we all said goodbye to Rudy and all of Southern California was getting one last rain shower of winter. The trip out was wet but
the clouds parted as we cleared Whitewater. And Mother did the wind blow Friday night. Saturday morning the sky was clear and nary a breeze with the thermometer raising by the minute. A beautiful spring T-shirt day it was to be. The trains were unloaded and the concrete batch plant was moved
to the steaming area. Allan, Brian and Greg Ratliff of three companies with a boost from George and Paul Lavacot,George was passing the day before his flight back to the wilderness, Concrete was mixed and the foundation filled for the retaining wall side of the engine house. Bill Shepard placed the re-bar and set the forms when he was down in March, along with a crash course in what to do next. 52 bags in all and the first step completed, next step is the laying of
block, with any luck Memorial Day weekend. Correspondence courses taught by Bill Shepard via the internet are starting soon. The afternoon was reserved
for a little R & R, or should I say steam up time.

Sunday morning after the Easter egg hunt by rail for Sydnie, the final section of wye trackage was laid and
ballasted. Steaming up and photo time filled out the rest of the afternoon as the wind decided to visit us again.

As Mom and Dad stayed till Tuesday and I had a job in Desert Hot Springs that day too, the third and final load of firewood was delivered at the crack of
dawn Tuesday morning. There is plenty of wood to burn now, just cut it up when you get cold.

An other interesting thing that got done Saturday as we were in the steaming compound area was the setting of the 'yardmasters office' bench. Placed under the
shade of the large Juniper bush this seat will be 'standing room only' when traffic is busy working its way up the grade.

Setting forms for the 5 additional steaming bays.
Work continues on the forms in between the rain showers.
View of the roundhouse area.
The forms are stripped.
A new fill is necessary for the expansion of the steaming bay area.

Deck view	First Crossing!	Grade up the hill	The crew	Track panels
Ballasting with steam.	Dump car arrives.	Brian dumping a load.	Rich Balagad dressing the ballast.	John Cook and Greg Ratliff, architects and builders of the span.
The bridge arrives.	Moving the center section by rail to the site.	Under construction.	Deck going on.	Approach over turntable tail track.
Lower approach.		Lower approach.	Rudy is cutting the stringers to length.	Dick and Fred welding the stringers across the bents.