September, 2006 Update

The second weekend of September was a busy one at the Ranch. On Friday the 8th, Sean Bautista and the gang from Hillcrest Shops dropped by to quote re-roofing the Disney cars. As some switching was in order to prepare for the following day's runs, it was decided to fire up the Vulcan and offer each of our affable guests some throttle time. General Manager Brad LaRose was conductor while Jeff Badger and I fired for the guest engineers. By day's end, we made seven trips.

On Saturday, Phil, Jeff, Brad, and Jarret put in some 12+ hours running for a hospital fundraiser. This was the second night run on the PCRR (the first being a political fundraiser in April, with "Thumper," that yours truly fired for - hey it was an experience!), but it was the first with fully functioning lights. Brad wired up the No. 2's "new" headlight and Jeff mounted the SP gauge lights brought down in May by Art Laidlaw. No dynamo (yet) so everything was wired into a (very quiet) gen. set on the tender. Per Jeff and Phil, Saturday's crew didn't tie down until 11:30PM, 13+ hours after they arrived! I am informed that, overall, the runs went great.

Ed Kelley
Last run of the day along the airstrip.








Passing the Harpur at Horsehead Siding









Saturday evening - Let there be light!


Jeff's video from the 10th

August, 2006 Update

On Friday, Aug. 11^th, the former Astroworld Harpur #1 was fired up to test some recent changes and repairs made. CMO Phil Reader has been hard at work cleaning up this locomotive. It now sports a pilot deck, valve covers, new spot plate, curved steam delivery pipes to the injectors, relocated brake gauges, and soon, a new rear coupler pocket. With the engine fired up and running, we decided to pull out the Cuscatlan, the private car from the International Railways of Central America, along with a 6600 series D&RGW flatcar. We ran until is was "dark 30!” And on Monday, August 14th, this recently completed Fairmont Speeder came by with owner/builder Steve Easlon (a former Disneyland Railroad "firer"). He ran over 25 miles on our little railroad. Hey, its for sale if anyone is interested.

Jeff Badger

Steve Easlon's speeder passing Estrada Adobe (Ranch House).




The Harpur pulls the "Cuscatlan" on its first complete trip around the P.C.R.R.




New backhead plumbing. Phil had to replace it all as the fiberglass insulation used in Houston trapped moisture and caused severe corrosion.







Fearless Phil Reader tying down the brakes on three D&RGW Boxcars during a lengthy switching process to gain access to the flat and coach.