Week 300

Sunday, April 26, 2020 thru Saturday, May 2, 2020

Week 300 came and went without a lot of fanfare...mainly working on Powder River Basin getting it ready for each step which will be many as you view the blogs in weeks to come...

Sunday, April 26, 2020

Tonight I worked on the shelving under Powder River Basin

BEFORE
No shelves

AFTER
Completed...with shelves!

Monday, April 27, 2020

Tonight I worked on moving all the building supplies temporarily stored behind Central Command Tower (CCT) to the Powder River Basin (PRB) to prepare for storage on the shelves I installed yesterday.

Two columns

This column shows how the Powder River Basin Grows

This column shows how the storage area shrinks

My first load from CCT storage...

The rest of this is going to the PRB...

Next load from CCT storage...

We're half way there...

Building supplies continue to grow...

Almost done...

Even the card tables came over.

DONE!

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

The goal this week is to get the supplies on top of the shelf to the shelves on the bottom...

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

No trains today...watching Josiah and Lisette

Thursday, April 30, 2020

No trains today...watching Josiah and Lisette

Friday, May 1, 2020

Making progress...

Saturday, May 2, 2020

Organizing the different compartments for storage of building supplies.

Week 299

Sunday, April 19, 2020 thru Saturday, April 25, 2020

Sunday, April 19, 2020

Today's Project is to continue installation of Chain Link fence around Global 1:

I cut the foam to the height of the top horizontal pole.

I glued them down and waited for them to set.

I had to adjust some of the length of the vertical poles.

I kept moving around the bend and secured the top horizontal poles.

Now it's time to secure the chain link fence.
How does that look?

I also decided to take a trip to Global 2 and drill the holes for the vertical poles around this intermodal facility.

These are about 10' apart or 1 3/8" 

I'll insert the verical poles in these holes and figure out where to install the entry gate.

Back at Global 1 I continue to secure the chain link fence in place.

If you look at the picture above this one you can see a gap in the fence at the corner.
This picture shows I filled the gap but need to trim the top.

Monday, April 20, 2020

More work on the chain link fence.
I had to paint the chain link fence before installing.

I have one more section to complete.

After installing and securing I realized I forgot the top horizontal pole.
Oh well, since it's in the background, I think I'll leave it as is.

Here's the styrofoam tubes in place.
I use them to keep the "fence" in place while the glue sets.

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

BIG DAY today!

Dean Hatzis dropped off the California Avenue Metra Mainteance Facility.

He also brought the two table tops for the Powder River Basin.

I can hardly contain my excitement!!!!!

Chain Link fence complete!

Isn't this a beautiful model?
Dean does great work!

Another view.

A drone view from above.

One more look at the finished chain link fence.

This shows the back of the Metra minatenance shop.
Dean did a great job of boarding up these windows.

I also mentinoed Dean brought the table tops for the Powder River Basin...

One set with legs in place.

Flipped over and table in correct position.

Next table with legs secured.

Second table top flipped over and put in place.

One more look at the California Avenue Metra Maintenance Shop with two Metra trains ready for inspection.

The opposite view.
This place will be great for operations down the road.
Moving trains from Chicago Terminal out to California Avenue for daily inspecations, maintenance & repairs.

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Tonight I attached the side boards to support the shelving under the table at Powder River Basin.
Here, take a look...

Here's the table that fits in the back corner.

Here are the two tables next to each other.
I may need to put a spacer in the front to keep the skirt from hitting the side boards.
I have some extra 2x4s that will work just fine.

Thursday, April 23, 2020

The two tables are now attached together using nuts & bolts.
Two in the top section. One in the middle. Two in the bottom section.
See them?

With the side panels in place and the tables put together, it's time to work on the "bridge".

Friday, April 24, 2020

First step: Prepare the side pieces.

Once we have laid out where these will go, I'll  cut them to size and insert the spacers.

Sides cut to fit with spacers in place.

Now I need to figure out how to install the end pieces.

Another view looking down from the switch to Powder River Basin, Wyoming.

End pices in place and now we can finish installing the "bridge".

I was toying with the idea to made it a working movable bridge, but I decided to make it permanent.

Another view of the completed bridge.

Saturday, April 25, 2020

Getting ready to do another video...Season 1 Episode 4 coming up.

Another view to capture the moment.

And here's another episode of Season 1 - Train Operations
Episode 4 MXD Freight 1st part, Metra 2nd part.

Click Here for Season 1 Episode 4
YouTube Length: 00:12:16 min.

Back to work on the bridge.
Now it's time to cut the final top panel.

I made a mistake and cut the bridge panel before I secured the final table panel.
Luckily it was pretty close to being in the righ position so everything worked out just fine.
Whew!

Cutting the final bridge panel.

Now in place.

Here's how it will look as the train heads to the Powder River Basin.
I still need to secure the panel with screws and then we'll be ready for cork.