Extra Work Weekend, February, 28; March 1, 2009

Having just a few things to get done before the Narrow Gauge Meet coming up in March, Three Companies decided to call an extra weekend to finish and polish some construction projects around the tracks. First on the list was to get the air lock controls for the lift operating. Temporary tubing was run to see how well it would work and replace the two by four blocks that were being used. Of course as soon as we got the tubing installed a better way was thought up and in time we will convert the system to reflect those ideas.

After getting the lift in full operating condition the ceremonial first unloading was staged. Dad backed up his truck and as everybody was assembled for the fete, Greg and I uncovered and unstrapped the GE and flats so it would be a speedy affair. With the video going; the engine and cars were off loaded and on the new lead track in less then two minutes.

The Thompsons made it out for the weekend too, Bruce just had to stop and donate money to the Indians at Morongo on his way out and Mike and Nathan got out before the sun set on Friday as well. Mike's project has been to extend the track north of Palmer Bridge and we have found a suitable spot to wrap up the extension so we can all focus on the high Line in the near future.

Paul Westover stopped in on his way back to work in the Tucson area and was seen moving boulders on the upper High Line most of the day on Friday. He found out first hand how tricky the Jays are once they see what you have to feed them. After sharing his trail mix with the beggars, he put the bag back in his truck. Being it was a warm day he rolled the windows down about two inches to let the hot air out, and to let the nosy Jay's in too. Soon there was a Jay in the truck but he couldn't figure out how to get out. Paul figures next time he'll let the truck get hot instead of getting pilfered by the birds.

Bill Shepherd is back in town, he made the long trip down Friday and rolled in to camp about late:30. After resting up and unloading all sorts of new goodies for the club he proceeded to complete the block work on the 'Gazsi Bay'. Sunday afternoon we ran a mud train from the hoist area where the mixer was to the bays to fill the cells of the wall. The track will be secured down to the wall on the 7th as well, giving us a full complement of bays for the meet. Bill's next project was to complete the steps at the hoist area and I'm sure that is curing already in the High Desert springtime air as we speak.

Brendon and Ace Hilton came out for a spell on Sunday and Brought Along Kim Ziepke to work on the old Ford tractor. Not taking long to figure out all the problems it was soon heard running around. The bucket that has for years sat along the road is now at home near the tractor. They spotted an old Cat D-4 on the way out and it is now in Hesperia at Brendon's. Took 'Zip' no time at all to figure it's problems out and now there is another piece of heavy equipment to carve up the landscape.

Westover started trenching for the air and water risers at the bay over the weekend and by Sunday afternoon the air risers were in place ready to weld to the steaming bay legs. The water risers should be finished up on the 7th, during a last ditch effort to have all ready for the Narrow Gauge Meet. Things are shaping up nicely and anticipation is building to see how well things work for the up coming meet. The Narrow Gauge Meet will be a play weekend for Three Companies and I hope you all come to enjoy yourselves too. See you there, Brian