Red River & Gulf Railroad

Work Session

November 20, 2021

To join the fun, contact the railroad at: Work-Session @ RedRiverAndGulf.net (no spaces)

Volunteer Railroaders:
1. Everett
2. Mike M.
3. Tucker
4. Jason
5. Noah
6. Angela
7. Andrew
8. Carson
9. Wimbley
10. Glen
11. Clint
12. Shum B.
13. Buck
14. Jim
15. Doug

Accomplishments

1. Safe and successful Long Leaf Community Festival this weekend
2. Over 100 people enjoyed riding on the railroad
3. Multiple tours given to festival-goers and guests
4. Machine Shop main belt measured, repaired, and replaced on main shaft
5. Machine Shop shafts oiled
6. Side mirrors and a new horn installed on M-4
7. Recently replaced ties tamped, gauged, and spiked down
8. Air duct for M-4 motor fans fabricated

Friday

Friday morning was filled with productive meetings for board meetings and the respective board committees. After the meetings, Everett and Mike installed a new horn and side mirrors on the M-4. The mirrors fold inward for close clearances and the new horn has a much more audible call.

While heading up to the Engine House, Tucker spotted the chainsaw display that is being developed in the Finished Lumber Shed. The staff, with assistance from AmeriCorps volunteers, have been organizing and developing the space, which may very well shape up to be the finest chainsaw display in the Gulf South. After doing some minor cleanup around the Engine House, Everett and Tucker loaded up maintenance of way tools and headed out onto the Main Line. Using blocks cut at our October weekend, recently replaced fresh crossties were brought to level, gauged, and spiked down. As the railroad maintenance crew finished up, festival organizers were setting up tents and booths in between the Finished Lumber Shed and the Planer Mill for the Longleaf Community Festival scheduled for the next day.

Saturday

Tucker, Andrew, and Angela arrived (Jason & Noah arrived late Friday night). Heading up to the Machine Shop and Engine House, Jason and Noah met the group up there. Jason and Noah set to sweeping out and tidying up the M-4 and topping off the gas tank. Glen, Wimbley, Carson, and Angela worked to measure the main drive shaft belt and replaced it back onto the main drive shaft. Glen shared that he found a company that still manufactures these types of belts, which may be a very helpful resource for us to get a new belt, if needed. After replacing the main drive belt, this crew also oiled around the shafts to keep the Machine Shop in operating shape. Andrew and Tucker moved out M-8 and the work trailer with tools to spike down more ties on the Main Line. The Spiking Gang of Jason, Noah, Wimbley, Carson, Andrew, Angela, and Tucker, combined with Friday’s efforts, had 7 ties and one switch tie spiked down before the festival. Before the main festival got underway, a new volunteer, Shum, came to “see what we’re up to” and to see how he can get involved. We’re glad to welcome Shum and we are welcoming to anyone who would like to volunteer at the museum. As we finished the spiking, Gerald gave multiple tours to riders aboard the M-4 and reported that “the motor is running just fine!” We’re pleased to hear it!

The Long Leaf Community Festival was well attended! The area in between the Planer Mill and the Finished Lumber Shed was filled with tents, booths, and people. Horse carriage rides, a pinewood derby, a cakewalk, artisan crafts, potted plants, the Jeep club, and beautiful fall weather made for a fine festival. Buck and Jim helped man the museum tent with Karla selling train tickets, T-shirts, and books from the Commissary gift shop. Over 100 people rode the railroad in one afternoon aboard the M-4 as the M-4 performed well all day. Thank you to everyone who has helped repair and maintain this fine piece of equipment. Angela and Andrew gave tours and information to many guests and festival-goers throughout the afternoon.

Up at the Machine Shop, Mike and Glen were quite busy on many items. They fabricated an air duct to fit with the new fans Mike installed on the M-4 motor cover to direct air flow to the undercarriage. It will duct hot air removed by the fans to under the floor. Additionally, Mike and Glen freed up about 95% of the moving parts on the radial drill to where it runs again. It still needs some cleaning and oiling to be fully operational. They also looked at the vertical boring mill but were unable to free up the table. Some work was also done on the large wheel lathe and plans are to get it running. It was a fine sight for visitors to see repair and maintenance work being undertaken in our historic machine shop.

We’ve now had two fine events at our museum these past two months and thank you to everyone that helped make them possible. We have one more scheduled volunteer weekend on December 11. As you can see by the activities this weekend, there are volunteer opportunities for everyone for any type of interest or skill. Until the next time we’re at Longleaf, Happy Thanksgiving y’all!

-Tucker "Who Dat" Baker
RR&G Road Master