But, working in the mud does NOT sound like much fun!! At least not at my age any more!! Rain yesterday and a late start today, nothing got done!! Hope to get bridges done before long. Weather should be nice for outdoor work. Mid 70's, perfect! Not too hot, and not too cold. Any more, I feel like I could do without the extreme heat!! Oh well........Stuck with what happens here, since I can't afford to move elsewhere!
Major rain last night, so I was told! Mom took the opportunity to start digging up rock along the side of the house, where train is going to go, eventually! Temps in the mid 70's today, plus the rain made rock removal MUCH easier!! Fence starts Monday, done Wednesday. Thinking I could have track ALL the way to the back by next weekend!! Not fully complete, but laid out, connected and partially operational! Plan on ordering a couple of weather protected toggle switches next week also, plus LEDs for reverse loop and wye signals!! Could maybe be wired partially, and working in the next couple of weeks. If something does NOT get done now, I'll be able to get it finished next year. After almost 7 1/2 years in the making, I'm getting much closer to finally getting what I want done, completed!! Finished a bit of work tonight, but too late to get photos. Will try for them tomorrow and post sometime tomorrow night. Probably after railroad club meeting. And since area where track is going down, is very close to level, it shouldn't take long to get track down ballasted and level in all directions. Looks like one grade towards the back, but doesn't appear to be anything that would be cause for concern. Elevation may be no more than an inch difference, maybe an inch and a half. A relatively short, easy grade. Short trains of 6-8 cars will be used. Up to 10-12 cars will be possible, but not the normal. Narrow gauge stuff, may be 7 cars max. That's the longest set up I have for a short, replicated pipe train. 4 idler flats and 3 high side pipe goes. That need a pipe load of some sort!! Feeling pretty good. Between Mom and I, we've been able lately, to get a fair amount of work done, as far as yard and railroad go!! So, will try to get photos tomorrow. May not do anything, since I'm hurting enough now. But, I'll put up with it, if it means things are closer to being finally finished.
Weather is giving hints it may change. Saw a report of high mountain snows down your way last night. We are being threatened with frost this coming Friday night. Summer could wane quickly if this keeps up.
90's here for the next few days now!! Found some screws, so I may try to get bridge abutments built. Hopefully, if I can one done, I can seal it, paint it and plant it! Then, after I get paid again, I can get another fence picket in order to build my second bridge. And with a couple of well weathered 6x6 boards available, I'm gonna use those, for the big wooden bridge I have. Cut just wider than bridge and angle the ends to 45* and look into finding a place to set it in! Well, we'll see what time I get up first! That'll determine what I do for the day, if anything!!
Recently finished block wall along wye. Landscape timbers will be placed on the right, at base of chain link fence to the back. Waiting to have this section of fence repaired, with new gate added as well. From the end of the wye, looking towards the back yard. What looks like a path to back, is the lowered, and semi leveled railroad grade. More of the back. Looking from A/C, to back porch and former patio! Track will curve up slightly to the left, and into a reverse loop that will begin just before passing under privacy fence. Exact location when track is connected and set in place. View of area, from the back, looking to the front. More as progress continues!
Couple of shots also, of newly assembled bridge. a 12" Garden Metal Models girder bridge. However, I'm not so sure if this is gonna work or not! Might be too tall/deep for location(s). Although, if bottom brace buried deep enough, I might get away with it! I'm gonna have to plant it and see how well it does, or doesn't work! Suggestions/comments here much appreciated! 3/4 view of same. Basic framework is cedar fence pickets, 1 1/2" zinc plated screws. Still looking to stain/seal/water proof? before placing. Think a low trestle may work better. Not 100% sure though. IF I could figure out a concrete form for them, I'd build an abutment in place! Or make it long enough to span the section between bridge locations. About 24", maybe a bit more. Rough guess.
Interesting topography views. Had not previously seen how the back yard seems to have a down grade. That could make engineering a bit of fun! Can I borrow that air conditioner?
I am wondering what to do here. We have had very little luck using exterior stains and sealers on such as decks. This newer stuff just does not hold up, especially the water based type. It will be very interesting to follow how this goes through your seasons!
Looks like a downhill run. But, when Mom dug the rock back, she leveled it out as she went. So, it's actually almost perfect! Where track curves to go under the fence, is a slight uphill grade. We checked this with a 6' level as well..!! Gonna have to fight the folks for the AC unit!!
Being built, from Cedar, my thought was that would retard the possibility for rotting out too soon. Guess I'll have to plant it, and see what happens and how long it takes! At least right now, I gotta get a couple of bridges in!!
Might work. Trying to keep cost as low as possible. At least this way, if it doesn't work. As thought, I'm not out much. If I can figure the forming necessary, I'd cast it in concrete, in place.
Outdoor work on hold for a bit. At least until the winds change, or Washington State is extinguished! Smoke and ash for Washington forest fires is drifting through Colorado, on the jet stream. A rather noticeable haze can be seen. Can't really smell anything, but there enough smoke and/or ash in the air to cause potential breathing problems for folks! Messes up Mom if outside too long. At least without a mask! A bit too warm for me as well. Besides, I want to do some indoor cleaning anyway! Been put off for way too long!!
We had the smoke and ash again this morning. Could smell it indoors until mid-afternoon, again. Then the winds shifted and thinned it enough the smell went almost away. It's been bad, but it was worse in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2011.
Since situation is NOT gonna get much better for a while......October now. According to what I caught on the news earlier today. So, I'll wait for parts to arrive, and start another project for outside. Just ordered 4 Red & 4 Green 24V LED and 2 weather proof toggle switches. When assembled, the way I'm hoping, I'll have reverse loop direction signals! Have the outdoor mounting supplies, just need the above parts to complete. Then, just a matter of getting them wired in and tested.
Wasn't too bad here today. But it may get worse, and it may clear up from day to day. It'll bounce around like this until at least October, from what the local news sad recently. Fence is done! Can start working on track and landscaping/scenery along side of house now!! Again, weather pending. Hope anyone in/near fires are safe and sound!!
