jerm.ca

Almost a month ago I mentioned that I could have trains running within thirty days if the snow cleared. Well the snow did clear and last Tuesday after work, I got out the crash scissors and cleared the dead vegetation from the line and sent the Boxcab around with the first run of the year. The Boxcab (name and number pending) performed admirably despite nearly dead batteries. It certainly is a noisy little beast, but I’m pretty sure ‘Cricket’ was, as well, but it got quieter after being run in over the summer.

I’ve decided I’m not a big fan of the cab steps. I’ll probably replace them with stirrups tomorrow. Also, I still need to find something for the exhaust and paint needs a bit of touch up. Other than that and the aforementioned name and number, I feel pretty comfortable saying it’s done at this point.

The time is soon upon me! Spring is nigh, and in regards to that bold statement, I offer to you the following evidence:

1. The temperature has been above freezing for several weeks on end.
2. When out to procure a hot beverage at lunch, I did so, having a blast, bombing around in my 3 with the windows down and the roof open.
3. Even though 60cm+ of snow fell on the railway since the last post, 95% of the track is now passable.
4. Because I say so, gods damnit!

And just in time for the imminent opening of the running season (I’m thinking this weekend if not sooner), the Boxcab is now officially in a state of near-completion and will take to the rails soon. There’s still a few small things to do (lettering, minor roof details, paint touch up, not too sure about the steps), but it’s ready enough to enter service. I won’t take up much more of this post with words, so I’ll fill in the awkward silence with pictures.

Now, to settle on a name…

Some scenes along the Right of Way. The management apologizes for the poor image quality; the pictures were taken with a Blackberry in evening, middle of February. At earliest, the track may be usable in thirty days.

At the west end of the circuit is the only visible, and to a far lesser degree, only transitable section of track.

The track snakes through these bushes in a broad S-curve from the top right, down to middle then finally bottom right. The path is just almost visible in the shape of the snow. A bridge is at the bottom right which will hopefully survive it’s third Canadian winter. As of yet, there is no sign of it. The snow at this point averages approximately 50-70cm in places.

The eastern passing loop is between the three control boxes (submerged in the snow) and the foliage.

The foundation of the mine-head at the north end. The building was taken in for the winter and a major redesign/bash. The mine spur is immediately ‘below’ the foundation and further below that is the main line. This area is probably the least snowed in.

Part of the same area as the second photo plus more to the west, looking at the S-curve from the other side.