Rudy Run 2011, November 10-13

This years Rudy Run is now in the books, the weather cooperated to an extent giving us both a rainy day and beautiful clear ones on the same weekend.

Quite the crowd had assembled by Thursday night, and even though we were to play this weekend, the arrival of three more bents for the trestle made a welding party on the hill the event of the day on Friday. A load of channel iron Thursday about dark from Vagabond Welding of Yucca Valley sealed the deal. By noon, always a slow start the first day, stringers were being cut and transported up to the trestle job. The sun made an appearance and warmed the afternoon. With enough help; the stringers, ties and rail were extended as far as we could go, even a new bent foundation was dug. And by the time the day was over all that was left to do was screw the track to all the bridge ties.

Visiting trains ran as well, the sight from the end of track affords quite the view.By Friday night the steaming bays were full, seven steam engines, three electric and a complement of personal pedal contrivances.

Saturday we arose to a sprinkling of precipitation, it never really let loose,if it did it wasn't for long, it just kind of spit on occasion. It didn't stop many from getting in a day of running, just a low key kind of day, By afternoon it had stopped raining all together and by dinner time the sky was showing stars. Sunday was calm and clear for miles, the Annual Meeting took up the morning with time afterwards to run a bit before the start of the packing process began. The work on the trestle was wrapped up with the ties all secured to the rail.

A good weekend for visiting and meeting new faces at the track. A time to enjoy the fruits of our labors, as well as to continue with our efforts with ample assistance was had. Looking forward to the next time is a good thing, see you there, Brian

The Opener Weekend

Halloween Weekend has come and gone, the place is ready for the Rudy Run in less then two weeks. We did a little work on the next trestle, even had Allan Ratliff's GE 47 tonner testing the span. Hope to see you out for the meet, till then, enjoy.

Itching for a Trip up the Hill?

Tired of that same old loop? Itching for a trip up the hill? It is getting that time of year again; when the leaves start to turn colors and fall to the ground for some sap to rake up.

That means it is also Joshua Tree and Southern season. The fall brings new life out at the tracks. Renewed enthusiasm, a trip or two turning at the wye below the station and making a run up the grade, waiting for the downward train and then up to the reverse loop where you wait for the uphill train before you make your decent back to the station. Ah!, Railroading on the hill, we'll be waiting for you.

Check the calender or drop me a note at; ratsgarage@yahoo.com

We Are Still Here

We are still here and it has been a busy summer. The Narrow Gauge Meet went well in March. The Road Trip to Maricopa had a couple of JT engines in attendance. Spring Break we did a little work on the next trestle. Fathers Day weekend it was on the road again to PV & A for an invitational run it the hills of Portola Valley, nice. The last weekend in June is was out to the tracks and we welded up three sections of the new trestle and poured three more footings. If this summer stays cool as it has we might squeak in a weekend for more construction. August was the annual Narrow Gauge Meet at Bitter Creek, it is always worth the trek to there. I updated the calendar for next year. Plan ahead. See you soon. Brian

Standard Gauge Meet at JT february, 18-21, 2011

Had a good weekend, weather cooperated to the best it could, eight locomotives graced the rails and plenty of people. See the whole enchilada by sending me a note at ratsgarage@Yahoo.com

Mid January Run and Sun at JT, 1-13-17, 2011

A crew of us spent an enjoyable weekend at the tracks. Got in a little running and a lot of outdoors time. Great weather with us all weekend, with it getting better each day. The #1 spur track at the lift was the major work project; a much needed storage track for big run days.
If you would like to get on the list for knowing more about what is going on send me an E-mail at ratsgarage@yahoo.com. See you at the Standard Gauge Meet, February 18,19 and 20.

Things, They are a Changing

Oh my! an update! As the title says, things will change on the Joshua Tree blogs.

If you want general information, that will still be up here to find. If you want the juicy details then you will have to send me, Brian, an E-mail at ratsgarage@yahoo.com and give me a little information on you and I will send you my updates when they happen.

The Board of Directors has decided to limit the scope of what can be found on the website but it doesn't stop you the interested party from asking for more through our individual accounts. I little more work for me, but a lot more personal contact for you.

We are going to try this and see if it solves the difficulties that had appeared in the past. I welcome your comments and look forward to a few requests for the updates.

The new dates for activities is over there on the right, now you can plan that trip out to see the place.

See you soon, Brian