Bored after Christmas?

If for some reason you're going stir crazy sitting around the house after Christmas, I've got it on good authority that Three Companies is going to be out after Christmas for the weekend and get a jump on a few projects, such as switches, before New Years weekend. If that works for you we'll see you out at the tracks.

Mike Thompson wants to finish off the Joshua Tree extension so his crew can focus on the High Line. The steel work is going to get a little attention on the Engine House. And I'm going to try and finish the switches in the station before tackling the ones needed at the Hoist area yard.

Here is your chance to get a day or a weekend in without the crowds, ha. Start you New Years resolutions early or get a jump on breaking them. See you out there. Brian

If your looking for my direct E-mail you can contact me at ratsgarage@yahoo.com for the quicker response then going through the mailbox.

Thanksgiving at Joshua Tree, Novemeber 25-29, 2009

Thanksgiving weekend was a busy time out at the tracks this year with many things getting done between turkey and leftovers. Bill Shepard had been busy previous to this weekend with a sanitation project nearing completion. The day after the Rudy Run Bill had five shovels busy at one time. Gary Stites, Kevin Kane, Kevin Johnson, Paul Lavacot and himself did a little digging on the project. Ken Ells helped out at a later date also I hear, thanks to all for getting a behind the scenes project done and wiped off the to do list.

The guest list started to fill early for the long weekend, no known gate crashers as everyone is invited to start. Al and Lynn Ratliff were up early as usual. Greg and Becky Ratliff made it up before dark on Wednesday or real close to dark. Becky's folks,Dave and Trish Gray showed up mid day and use the Villa Thompson for the weekend. New member and enthusiastic one at the Josh Klenske came up with the whole family, wife Mary and their two kids Katherine and Daniel. I made it up sometime after dark after many stops on the way. The weather was ideal for a late night chat and Josh and I made it till past midnight with all the others filtering away as the night progressed.


Thanksgiving day was yet another beautiful day in the high desert. As the sun rose so did the temperature, and likewise in the afternoon. The early project was to get the Thompson Mogul out and fire it up; as the cook only has the morning to play before getting the bird ready to eat this afternoon. She fired up as easy as usual and soon it was around the place steaming away. After Greg and Al were stirring the big project of moving the steel needed for the engine house bays from their resting spot in the car barn to the engine house was tackled.






The Three Companies westside flats have a myriad of uses. And as idlers and load bearers they work out perfect. In order to move 20 and 21 foot long heavy pieces of steel one needs two flats with pivots to hold the load spaced with two idlers in between. And at least one car as a idler on each end for safety and aesthetics. With the heavy lifting out of the way the train made its way up and backed into the engine house side track for off loading. All the other necessary gadgets were accumulated for the welding project and that was about all that was done in the way of progress for the day.

Thursdays feast of Thanksgiving was being prepared and readied for a 3:00pm seating. As we eat outside when blessed with decent weather it is nice to enjoy the meal while the sun is still present above the mountain as it cools fast after the big orange ball drops for the day. Deep Fried Turkey with all the fixings was experienced by the Ratliff's, Gray's and Shepherd's. After dinner it was around the warmth of the fire at the patio. Soon we were blessed with the presence of the Tolan boys, fresh from their 'dine and dash' trip from home to spend their 'black Friday' getting coal smoke on them.

Friday was an early steam up day with the C&S Mogul, a few posed shoots were taken about the facility for an upcoming segment on the website that the prez,Tom Arnold, wants to try out. Mike Thompson brought out Nathan and Emily to let their mother do a little shopping too. Mike is working on finishing the fill below Thompson cut and completing for now the extension to Joshua Tree so we can consolidate projects for a push up the hill. The welding crew was busy welding up the legs for a bay in the engine house as quickly as the saw and cutting crew could supply the proper lengths. When all the legs were together they were welded to the rails and the whole assembly was rotated so the welder, Brian, could weld at closer angles to flat then vertical. My welding resembles pigeon droppings in that it might not look good but it sticks. We got one bay in place and ready for concrete before session was over for the afternoon and plans for an early trip to the lumber yard for ready-mix was in place for the a.m.

Saturday it was off to Barr for the concrete and other stores for the necessaries; adult beverages, ice, big juicy steaks... A little rain tried to fall, but not enough to dampen the project de jour. The concrete was off loaded at the Team track at the station and off up the hill to the batch plant for mixing. In no time the bay was set and a waiting game was in place as we just used up our work bench, after a few hours a replacement jig was rigged and we could return to welding up the last bay. With direct sunshine going to wane soon and a threat of rain being more a reality then a possibility the batch plant was cranked up as it started to sprinkle and soon the third and final bay was set in the engine house. A quick clean up and it was up to the fire to warm up. It rained quite a bit overnight and it was still spitting come day break. A much needed moisture was wetting the desert, this spring should be a good flower show.

Sunday an impromptu clean up of the area was undertaken and the forms were removed from the engine house bays, revealing another daunting task had been completed. Thanks to the crew that dirtied their hands and invested another installment of 'sweat equity' on our little Mainline thru the Rocks. Come on out and 'wring' out the out year and ring in the new out at JT, should be something going on from after Christmas till the 3rd of January, see you there.

Thanksgiving 2009 at Joshua Tree & Southern

2009 Rudy Run, November 12-15

The 2009 Rudy Run is one for the history books; both in the fact that somehow if you were not one of the estimated one hundred and fifty that went through the gate over the weekend you missed it, and the other being, that we that did make it had a darned good time being there. An early winter storm had passed through Southern California earlier in the week and Thursday night it rained pretty darned good to the west of here, but of course this is the desert and we were spared any wetness. Friday it clouded up but nothing that would do anything more than make you keep on your extra shirt. Saturday was tourist weather and Sunday just a great late Fall day in itself.

The participants arrived early as they usually do and by Thursday evening the steaming bays had some interesting iron gracing them and there was a few trailers yet to unload as well. Al and Lynn Ratliff played host as the early arrival and helped all the rest make it off the lift with yeomen duty from his trusty GE 47 Tonner. Gary and Margret Stites made it out early too with their 47 Tonner in 'Black Widow'scheme; Gary is learning the shuttle job of hauling equipment from the steaming bays to the lift with the electric engines. The Salinas contention of Burns' minus Beard got a good jump on the weekend as well and the always great sounding RGS #41 plied the rails flawlessly the whole time. Becky and Ray Bjerrum brought the whole train done from Kerman, and Ray said of the new lift; that is the first time he had ever unloaded the engine and tender at the same time, he had plenty of good things to say about the new lift as did others throughout the weekend.

The Thompson's brought out both of Mikes engines with a load of engine being brought out by Greg Ratliff. His newly completed Mich-Cal Shay ran like a Swiss watch and the C&S Mogul got quite a work out as well. Between Ray and Mike the Colorado & Southern had a good showing. Bill and Holly Boller made their Joshua Tree debut with the D&RGW #268 in 'Bumble Bee' paint, the new is wearing off and one can approach the engine without sunglasses, it is getting a beautiful patina that comes only with use. Peter Moseley, Ron Schmidt and Bill Dolph brought down quite a collection of stock cars as well as Peter's D&RGW # 268 'Durango switcher', one was not seeing double this weekend from maybe imbibing in too much cactus cooler, there were two #268's in attendance. The stock cars made a great and fitting, for the season, set of cars to pull around in the late Fall as this would be the time of year that the narrow gauge was running 'stock extras' to get the cattle out of the high country and off to market before the 'snow flies'.

The Tolan's crammed the whole family and 'Chloe' in the mini van for the weekend. Jeff has grown another foot since Halloween. Paul Lavacot ran his personal rail craft around on Sunday, RGS 'work goose' #6.

Friday running got busy enough that one had to wait at each siding for one to pass in the other direction before proceeding. operations went well all day with no major disruptions. Photo opportunities abounded all weekend and it was amusing watching newcomers scurrying to get photos of trains passing by, it is a loop they'll be back. Saturday was an even busier operation day and dispatching helped to keep things flowing smoothly instead of all massed at one end or the other. Always plenty of action going on and plenty to see as well both days. The Museum was open and Terry Watson gave tours constantly with the help of Lori Tolan keeping an eye on the station while Terry showed people the 12 inch to the foot scale cars. Parking was a premium by mid Saturday afternoon with cars parked all the way from the lift to the gate on both sides of the road including cars throughout the compound as well.

Saturday nights 'Dinner in the Diner' was a wonderful time by the 71 people that attended. Ken Ells did a bang up job in getting us all feed and out of the way for the next seating. The 15" Shay was steamed up on Saturday afternoon for a spell, it's whistle echoing around the place.

Sunday saw some action after the annual meeting in the Museum. Thompson's Mogul got a few laps in before the meeting and most got in some running in after it. Those that had to load early got a jump on it, yet some ran till the late afternoon, getting in a full day before packing it away till the next time we meet on the 'Main Line thru the Rocks'.

Here is a link to the photo's I have on Picasa, keep an eye on it there might be more

Joshua Tree & Southern 2009 Rudy Run

enjoy, till next time.

Halloween at JT, October 30,31 November 1, 2009

Spending Halloween away from home is always a good thing, I get to keep my good candy bars. Spending the whole weekend out at Joshua Tree is even better.

With two weeks to go till the Rudy Run the last weekend of October is always the chance to see how the digs lasted the summer. The chance to pull four foot tall weeds from between the rails, fill in those pesky rodent holes and spruce the place up for the Fall Spectacular Event.

Paul Westover was in town a few days early before working the tie gang in New Mexico, and he was a flurry of activity. Paul weeded the place and I know there were a few 'four footers' in the steaming area a couple of weeks back and now they're gone. He also filled the approaches to the silver high bridge where the rodents like to create an 'ankle breaker' over the summer. Paul had to leave Friday afternoon as everybody else was just getting there.

Kevin and Jeff Tolan got a kitchen pass for the weekend and arrived Friday afternoon. Al and Lynn Ratliff were right in there too. Greg and Becky beat me out before dark as the evening sky was enjoyable for at least one more weekend. The Tolan's brought out their 'Chloe' for some steam action and 'Three Companies' had the trusty 47 tonner and the Plethora of 24 foot flats in tow.

The early Saturday planning session went out the window when I forgot to load the most important of track tools in the truck. The building of another switch would have to wait. But the projects that did get done were important in the scheme of things anyway. Two more full size rail road ties were added to the retaining wall along the unloading yard and discussions lead to the most efficient way to continue in the area. Wait, till the lower area is finished instead of moving the dirt twice.

While the group was milling about at the unloading area the Museum boys, Gary Coneley and Terry Watson, stated that there was a problem with foot traffic in the station area along the retaining wall between the parking lot and the Museum building. Seems the ties placed to keep the erosion down and the road bed up looked like steps. And people were stumbling over the miniature tracks after climbing up full sized ties. Situation solved, we removed the third tie down so there were only two rows of ties and placed rip-rap from the 15" cut below the ties to give it a rock garden look to deter pedestrian traffic and keep us from putting something like a wall or fence that would detract from photo opportunities.

The Saturday afternoon Pumkin Carving contest was won by Sydnie Ratliff, and "Jack" spent the evening glowing in the picnic shelter area. A delicious steak dinner was enjoyed Saturday night and the weather cooperated yet one more night.

Sunday's activities were even less the Saturday's, as not much more could be thought up and the weather was more conductive to things like procrastination and sloth. The leaking spigot at the new water plug in the station was repaired after many false starts and detraction's. The time change weekend was taking its toll and soon it was time to make a few more runs before putting it all away till two weeks from now.

Hope to see each and every one of you out at the 'Rudy Run' on November 12, 13, 14 and 15, 2009. Fall is falling in the desert and the weather is becoming very hospitable, come enjoy it, Brian

Joshua Tree visits the Central Coast

Over the Weekend of August 7, 8 and 9 the annual pilgrimage to the Nipomo Mesa for the Bitter Creek and Western Railroad Narrow Gauge meet was the usual place to be. Karl Hovanitz's place is quite the railroad; and the people, the hospitality, the weather and the facility make it a must for anybody narrow gauge to be there. This year was no exception and nobody left disappointed.

The action always starts early with the early birds flocking to all the great spots to park their rigs. The bay area is always well represented, as well as Southern California's narrow gauge contention too. And as in recent years we've seen a few from Colorado as well.

Richard and Linda Ulin made the trek from the Rocky Mountain state with the Westside Shay #14 and their usual string of rolling stock. Tom Artzberger made it by on his circuitous route to Train Mountain to retrieve his trailer that has been resting in Oregon for the summer. One of his creations, a RGS #20 was on the steaming bays all weekend but I didn't see much action around it and don't believe it had a fire in it either. The Ratliff family arrived with Allan's GE 47-tonner and the plethora of flats. Gary and Margret Stites brought their GE up to shine the wheels on it too, their currently leasing a couple of Westside flats through Three Companies so they have something to ride on. Gary has spent most of his summer adding details and painting the engine in a 'Black Widow, Espee' look. Looking good, Gary. Artzberger's locomotives are getting more and more popular and many JT people have some of his other engines in various building stages.

One train that we haven't seen in a few years was the Haas K-28 and all its assemblage of cars too. It smoked it's way around all weekend and had many a different engineer on it at times. Nice to see it back and running. Paul and Celeste Lavacot were up with a load of parts to distribute and Paul ran his 'personal rail craft' the RGS Goose #6 around as well.

Mike Thompson made his Narrow Gauge debut with his recently completed Mich-Cal Shay. It purred around all weekend with very little effort and Mike's big grin. He named his railroad the Nathem Lumber and Flume after his two children; you've all seen Nathen, but also his daughter Emily. He even made a trip up the big hill with a load of wood with absolutely no problem.

From Salinas, Burns, Burns and Beard had RGS #41 out and about all weekend, with the ever popular refrigerator car. The brake system pump is now in the boxcar so the Gondola his more leg room as a riding car now. Bill Boler unloaded two engines when he arrived. The 'bumblebee' 268 ran around Thursday and the Westside Shay #15 ran on Friday. And come Saturday he road tested Jimmy Booth's D&RGW #50 as it was redelivered from RMI and Bill was picking it up for him. Ron Schmidt and Peter Moseley came down sans locomotive as Peter's consolidation is down due to valve gear getting mangled up underneath and Ron is retro fitting his to burn propane. At least the Flintridge and Portola Valley isn't electrifying to keep 'green', propane is a little easier to find at the Circle K then coal; it's out front by the ice. Looking forward to seeing the ease of operating that propane will bring for Ron and Peter.

Becky and Ray Bjeerum came out to the coast from the San Joaquin valley to spend some time running as well. His engine just runs and runs, and Becky's always on the back just smiling away too. Their little pike around the acreage at home is coming along nicely Ray says; will we have to have a Narrow Gauge meet in Kerman soon?

It was a great weekend, it was always nice to see everyone, this list is nowhere complete. It is always tougher to write after a week goes by, pictures help to rekindle the good time that was had and if you haven't been to Bitter Creek put it on your 'bucket list', you won't be sorry. Check out their website, its listed on the narrow gauge links over on the right of this blog, when you get there click on events and you'll get a taste and a view of BCW.

See you in November at the Rudy Run. 40th anniversary of JTSRR this year. We've come a long way baby!

A New Steam Engine In The Family

On a seasonably cool June morning I received a call from Mike Thompson asking if I was doing anything special to which I replied that there wasn't too much going on. He said that he was getting ready to light the fire for the first time in his 2 1/2" scale Mich-Cal Shay. I said I'd be over in a while. When I arrived on the Harley he was tending to his new baby like a proud papa. She was popping off and just simmering away on the engine stand. The drive shafts were removed from the engine so she would just run and not climb off the end of the stand, the engine had run many, many hours on air and even ran on air at Joshua Tree earlier in the year; but this was special she had a fire in her and was under steam, alive!

Mike has been working on the Shay project since 1993, he showed me the first pieces he fabricated, the frame perches for the tank and cab. We have all watched it's progress over the years, sometimes a seemingly large amount of progress is noted, like the boiler attached, and sometimes it would be just the cab details that one would notice. It all needs to be done to get the end result and today was the day. Sixteen years in the making and June 20, 2009 was the day.

Mike finished his cars first. They've been tagging along behind someone else's trains for years. His Westside short Caboose is rapidly shrinking as his two kids barely fit inside when the roof is off. Also in the mix is a Westside 24' flat car and his Westside tank car that holds both water and a propane tank for the engine. All his cars have link and pin coupling as when he started this project he was a 'lone wolf' as some of us started too, and didn't even fathom somebody else would be building something in this scale.

Having spent years around the hobby and slowly in between ten plus years of marriage, two great kids with activities that they enjoy, a demanding job with a commute and a new house a few years back, Mike had never ran a steam engine till I put him on the Heisler at a meet in Chula Vista a few years back, if he could run that, he could tackle anything. The next year at Chula Vista it became known that C&S #13, a beautiful Mogul in 2 1/2" scale; built by Kevin Doe and at the time belonged to the late Rudy Van Wigen was available. It didn't take long for Mike and his dad, Bruce, to be the new owners. As when you have more then one of anything, some thing has to go to the back of the shed for a while, not so with the Shay project. There was always something new being put together on her, even when the Mogul consumed the bench a few times to get bushings or a crosshead reworked.

Congratulations Mike, you deserve it, many happy years of steaming around whichever track that the runday is at. Look for it at Bittercreek in August.

Memorial Day Weekend

Hey guys. the desert is getting hot out here and we're staying out of it this weekend. Enjoy yourselves this weekend and remember what Memorial Day is all about while your enjoying it. See you at Bitter Creek in August, Brian