March 7,2009 Special Workday Again

The Romans had a working plumbing system about 50 A.D. Joshua Tree gets air and water to the steaming bays in 2009, just in time for the meet. Imagine if you will; six water spigots and twelve air valves for your steam up pleasure, leaving the much improved over its' predecessor, the air manifold, as a forgotten piece of equipment of yore. No more dragging the water hose around, as it was always as far away as possible when you needed it and leaking as well, and with a kink in it to restrict or shut off flow to boot. And the air manifold, as much as it was an improvement over individual air compressors thumping at one's feet and under them as well, being able to just reach under the bay or to the one beside yours like one does at all other facilities will be great.

Saturday, Greg and I left the big city in the rear view mirror and came out for completion of two important projects. Greg's' project was to finish painting and installing of the finger guards for the hoist trolley. And to spray some paint on the welded areas of it as well. That last finishing touch before the meet. His handy work looks fine and you are sure to notice it when you unload.

My project was to finish the water spigots and piping at the bays. Time did not allow me to finish as well as I ran out of piping too. So it was trenching time early in the morning as soon as Bill Shepherd finished welding the air risers to the legs. Bill had run a temporary electrical line so the welder could reach to the far bay. The water lines were connected and tested, Bill welded these riser to the bay legs as well. The trench was back filled and tamped and we even had water to use to compact the soil back to level.

With those two things over it brings to a close three great improvements to the physical plant at JT. Water, air and a larger, safer way to unload. With the coming months we will finish the yard tracks above the hoist and it will serve us well in the coming years as a temporary storage area during busy operations.

Bill Shepherd has been busy this past week too. The front gate has a new look. The electrical is completed for the hoist and air compressor there. Today he was pouring the floor for the deck and steps were you will gain access to the yard area above the hoist. He has finished the wall around the hoist area and is soon going to work on the viaducts over the wash. There was a flurry of activity around the place today as the 15" crew was working up on the plateau. And there was activity around the campground as well with pruning and watering. Things are greening up, the trees are starting to bud out and the grass is poking its way up everywhere, Spring is on its way. It promises to be a good wildflower season real soon, don't miss it.

Well, I certainly hope it is in your plans to make it out for the Narrow Gauge Meet it promises to be a great weekend in many ways. See you there next weekend, March 12, 13, 14, 15, 2009