Aug/Sept Workday Updates

With the 2015 Fall Meet only 3 weekends away, a lot of work is being done to get the facilities ready. Over the last few workdays and weekends, several track maintenance projects have been completed and some are still in the works.

The follow photos and projects have been completed over the last month or so.

Upper Loop track (From Triple Bridge going toward High Bridge) getting some new plastic and wood ties. Photo Taken during repairs. 

Upper Loop track (From Triple Bridge going toward High Bridge) getting some new plastic and wood ties. Photo Taken after project completed before new ballast is put down.


Photo taken before repairs. This section of track is just before the Lower Loop covered bridge. This section of track sits under some very large trees which causes ties to degrade quicker then other areas of the layout.

This Photo was taken as the repairs were underway. All the ties from the switch to the Lower Loop Covered Bridge have been replaced ( All track shown in the before image of this section )


Currently, work is being done to replace the ties on the Upper Loop section just before the high bridge. The ties marked in orange were in very bad shape so the entire section is being replaced. There is also some heat expansion issues to correct.

All the old ties have been removed from this section and ready for a new set of plastic and wood ties. This section of track is also located under some large trees, which causes the ties to deteriorate more rapidly then other areas. This section's repairs should be completed next work day. 


New Speakers are being installed at the passenger station. The original speakers have begun to fail or not function properly. It is hoped we can have all the new ones installed by the Fall 2012 meet.

 

Lost Station

Before Sudberry Station was built in 1999, every passenger had to wait in line at Conners Station. Passenger lines got so long on Saturday and Sunday Afternoons, the line would reach over 200 feet long with over 150 people.  Getting passengers on an off trains was another challenge since they had to walk over the tracks and near moving trains to board and unload.

Temporary fencing was put every meet and by Sunday it was falling over and half broken. Never doubt the strength of a small child wanting to get closer to the trains.

Since all passengers got to the station by going threw the road crossing, car traffic was a issue compounded by limited parking in that area next to Conners Station.

 

Today, Conners Siding, named after one of the original members of the club, Bill Conner, is a quiet area of the track where many members like to park their equipment. The large shade trees and close road access make it a great spot to tailgate, watch the trains, and enjoy the great views of the park, which is only appropriate as Bill actually enjoyed watching his trains run more than running them himself.

Night Run - August 2015

Saturday, August 1, 2015

The day started out hot and humid at 95 degrees on this 3rd annual Night Run Day at MSLS.

As dusk fell, the temperature fell to mid 70s, it was a great time to take a trip around the track.

Everyone had a wonderful time catching up with fellow club members and enjoying the club facilities until almost 10:00 pm.

Looking forward to seeing everyone again at the next few work days and the 2015 Fall Meet!

Station Cleaning

During the last few weekends, a small project has been underway to clean Sudberry station. Over the last 16 years of service, the station platform had built up some dirt and grime. The top four images were taken at the half way point in cleaning. There is a huge difference after being cleaned with a pressure washer. There is still some minor work to be done over the next few work days. Speakers are being replaced for the public address system and paint touch-up in a few locations. 

Before Cleaning 2015

After Cleaning 2015

Missing Plants

During the rebuild of this website, I have looked at many years of photographs in a short time frame. In doing so, you can notice small details that have long been forgotten. 

Did you know from Spring 2007 until Summer 2008, there was a triangle of bushes planted between the lower and upper loop of the track? The poor plants had an encounter with the lawn mower sometime in 2008 and their placement has long been forgotten.

Taken During  SPRING 2007 Meet

TAKEN DURING Spring 2007 MEET

TAKEN DURING  SPRING 2007 MEET

TAKEN DURING Spring 2008 MEET

Taken June 2015

Dialup Internet

Before we all had "HI-Speed" Internet, Dialup ruled the world and getting digital images to everyone was a real challenge. Not to mention website hosters had very low data storage limits in the beginning of the internet. For a number of years, we sold Compact Discs (CDs) at the registration table and at the passenger station. The Discs had years of photos of meets and workdays. If anyone has one of the discs still, I invite you to contact us so we can determine how many survived the years and which editions still exist.

2002 Demo Edition - 5 Produced

2002 Fall Meet Edition - 65 Produced

2003 Spring Meet Edition - 125 Produced