This blog focuses on interesting aspects of the RPI (Railroad Partners, Inc.) work sessions we are currently hosting on the 27-mile stretch of the Capital Metro RR that we have leased. See our website at railroadpartners.com for more info on what RPI is and does. These work sessions almost always involve the use of railroad inspection vehicles, known as motorcars or speeders, since that is how we gain access to the railroad line and its right-of-way (ROW).
What is a work session? It is an opportunity to join fellow RPI members (only members are allowed to participate in work sessions) to work on our leased Capital Metro trackage from Llano to Scobey Spur, or, if we are lucky enough to arrange a work session on non-leased trackage, on another railroad.
Why do you have to be an RPI member to join a work session? To ensure that all attendees recognize and respect the authority of the person in charge of the work session (usually a NARCOA Excursion Coordinator) to issue instructions about how to behave on the track and recognize and respect that the RPI Bylaws (posted on railroadpartners.com) apply to them.
Almost all work sessions originate at Llano, where the renovated Llano Depot and the wye are located (a wye is a Y-shaped section of track that allows a locomotive to move from the front to the rear of the train). The wye enables us to set our motorcars (railroad inspection vehicles) onto the track at two different locations, speeding up the set-on process. Some work sessions involve mowing the wye as well as track maintenance. During a relatively rainy season we will need more than one person to bring lawn tractors to mow the wye. It is a four hour job if done by one person, which I can testify is not nearly as much fun.
What is a work session? It is an opportunity to join fellow RPI members (only members are allowed to participate in work sessions) to work on our leased Capital Metro trackage from Llano to Scobey Spur, or, if we are lucky enough to arrange a work session on non-leased trackage, on another railroad.
Why do you have to be an RPI member to join a work session? To ensure that all attendees recognize and respect the authority of the person in charge of the work session (usually a NARCOA Excursion Coordinator) to issue instructions about how to behave on the track and recognize and respect that the RPI Bylaws (posted on railroadpartners.com) apply to them.
Almost all work sessions originate at Llano, where the renovated Llano Depot and the wye are located (a wye is a Y-shaped section of track that allows a locomotive to move from the front to the rear of the train). The wye enables us to set our motorcars (railroad inspection vehicles) onto the track at two different locations, speeding up the set-on process. Some work sessions involve mowing the wye as well as track maintenance. During a relatively rainy season we will need more than one person to bring lawn tractors to mow the wye. It is a four hour job if done by one person, which I can testify is not nearly as much fun.
Before departing, the EC holds a mandatory attendance safety session to discuss safety aspects of the work program and operation of motorcars along the line. Flagging assignments will be made and any particular issues that need to be addressed for new operators or members will be discussed.
After the safety session we fire the motorcars up, get on them and head out along the track toward Kingsland (our leased trackage actually ends about four miles east of Kingsland, at Scobey Spur). As we move along, we stop to dig out crossings, cut off encroaching mesquite branches, and repair or replace crossing signs and markers. We also examine the line and ROW for problems or conditions that ought to be reported to Capital Metro. We usually stop for lunch at Kingsland and then continue east to Scobey Spur, where we turn our motorcars and head back.
One hassle along the line is tall grass and other plants. We are developing a rail-mower to mow between the rails, using a garden tractor engine, frame and deck mounted on a motorcar trailer that will be towed by a motorcar. Until then, we use weed whackers (the push kind) to clear between the rails. See our rail-mower blog at http://rpiprojects.blogspot.com.
Yesterday's session, June 18, was unusual for me in that I did not show up at Llano, where the vast majority of our work sessions originate. I just couldn't get there before departure time. But I drove to Kingsland instead and began weed whacking across 1431 from the Antlers complex (the Antlers Hotel has a railroad theme, with a number of cabooses and boxcars converted to rooms). BTW, boots above the ankle are required for work sessions, and steel-toes are highly recommended.
After the safety session we fire the motorcars up, get on them and head out along the track toward Kingsland (our leased trackage actually ends about four miles east of Kingsland, at Scobey Spur). As we move along, we stop to dig out crossings, cut off encroaching mesquite branches, and repair or replace crossing signs and markers. We also examine the line and ROW for problems or conditions that ought to be reported to Capital Metro. We usually stop for lunch at Kingsland and then continue east to Scobey Spur, where we turn our motorcars and head back.
One hassle along the line is tall grass and other plants. We are developing a rail-mower to mow between the rails, using a garden tractor engine, frame and deck mounted on a motorcar trailer that will be towed by a motorcar. Until then, we use weed whackers (the push kind) to clear between the rails. See our rail-mower blog at http://rpiprojects.blogspot.com.
Yesterday's session, June 18, was unusual for me in that I did not show up at Llano, where the vast majority of our work sessions originate. I just couldn't get there before departure time. But I drove to Kingsland instead and began weed whacking across 1431 from the Antlers complex (the Antlers Hotel has a railroad theme, with a number of cabooses and boxcars converted to rooms). BTW, boots above the ankle are required for work sessions, and steel-toes are highly recommended.
Before starting work, I set out a "red flag", in this case a red painted wooden rectangle mounted on a fence post pounded into the middle of the track. The red flag tells railroad personnel "Do Not Pass Beyond This Point." It is used to protect railroad workers or equipment on active track. While our leased line does not have active railroad traffic, it did have motorcar traffic heading toward me. So that is why I placed the red flag. Only the person who placed the red flag can remove a red flag, so it effectively shuts down operations until the person or persons that it is protecting have removed it. Here's a photo of the flag placed before beginning work in Kingsland:
While I was finishing up the weedwhacking, a fellow walked down the track toward me and introduced himself as Gilbert Prudhomme of Austin, TX. He and Gene Sinclair, also of Austin, had just joined RPI up at the set-on in Llano. Gene rode with the group down to Kingsland, where Gilbert picked him up. They jointly own a motorcar, apparently an S-2 (one of the bigger models) and are fixing it up to run with RPI. Together we picked up three bags of trash for me to take back, improving the appearance of the ROW. Here's a photo of Gilbert with our work:
And finally, here's a photo of the line behind the red flag, after weedwhacking. This is what a motorcar operator wants to run over, rather than tall grass that could hide almost anything.
I joined the group for the trip back to Llano at Leland’s invitation. The group included Jerry Light with his Hy-rail Gator, Bob King with his MT-19, Mike Businger with his newly-acquired MR-19, and Lou Houck with his M-9. On the way back, we stopped the cars several times and attacked overhanging mesquite, etc. vigorously.
By the time we got to Llano it was real hot. I found out after returning home that it reached 106 degrees in Llano the 18th, meaning our work session possibly was the hottest one on record. So we were fortunate to have kept hydrated. After setting off the four motorcars and loading them on trailers, several of us adjourned to the China Wok restaurant for tea and soft drinks while doing Mike Businger's mentoring paperwork.
Not a typical work session, vis-a-vis the heat and my joining the group at Kingsland, but nonetheless a productive one because we cleared a part of the track of weeds and trash, cleared vegetation from the line and did a survey of crossings and bridges. Many RPI members use work sessions to "exercise" their motorcars, i.e., take them out to see whether there are problems that crop up. Then they can fix them, either on the spot or at their leisure at home, without facing the possibility of having to set-off from a NARCOA run that they have traveled hundreds of miles to attend due to a breakdown.
Guess that's about all I have about work sessions at this point but perhaps it will be of help to new members. See you on the rails.
By the time we got to Llano it was real hot. I found out after returning home that it reached 106 degrees in Llano the 18th, meaning our work session possibly was the hottest one on record. So we were fortunate to have kept hydrated. After setting off the four motorcars and loading them on trailers, several of us adjourned to the China Wok restaurant for tea and soft drinks while doing Mike Businger's mentoring paperwork.
Not a typical work session, vis-a-vis the heat and my joining the group at Kingsland, but nonetheless a productive one because we cleared a part of the track of weeds and trash, cleared vegetation from the line and did a survey of crossings and bridges. Many RPI members use work sessions to "exercise" their motorcars, i.e., take them out to see whether there are problems that crop up. Then they can fix them, either on the spot or at their leisure at home, without facing the possibility of having to set-off from a NARCOA run that they have traveled hundreds of miles to attend due to a breakdown.
Guess that's about all I have about work sessions at this point but perhaps it will be of help to new members. See you on the rails.
