Category: Railroad

Paul, the tie-master, was busy cutting ties. Ken, Johnny, James, and little Nick were laying panels through the Austin station area to complete 4 of the 5 station tracks. John O and Stephen were busy prepping panels. It was a hot day for sure. Photos from Tim: Photos from Stephen:

Ken Smith and David White made a day trip to install the first switch stands. These are located in the Bexar yard.

Ken Howard arrived with a jaw-dropping donation of rail and rail punch machine. There is enough rail to complete phase 2. Speechless.

After an inspection for leaks with a week under pressure, the water line is covered. Four more footers are cast.

Progress continues

Steam locomotives need water and so do the people and the RVs they come in. Time to get the water line extended to the railroad area. Ken Howard’s Ditch Witch was a huge blessing. Ken and Johnny Rhodes also built the abutment at the beginning of the trestle.

4 more footers cast this weekend. 3 weeks worth can be seen in the background.

Three additional forms were built. The plan is to cast 4 footers every weekend for 9 weeks.

Ballasting day as we progress into the cut

For the upcoming trestle, the plan is to pre-cast concrete footers for each bent. The footers can be positioned and levelled with higher accuracy. Then, the bents can be built easily in the shop area and set on the footers. This is the first form used to cast the first footer. The form was sized…