April 2025 work reports

[James Patten]

Anticipated work for Saturday April 5:

* New volunteer recruitment day
* Rules class/training day
* Enginehouse work
* Grounds work/vehicle repair/garage organizing

[Mike Fox]

I have a new toolbox for the garage that will be installed (make it fit under the bench) and a curtain came in for the Pavillion that I would like to install to see if we want to purchase more or go in a different direction

[James Patten]

Work done on Saturday Apr 5:

* Rules review: Pete ran a rules review for engineers, conductors, brakemen, and general safety.
* Volunteer Recruitment: Steve P welcomed and oriented 4 new volunteers. Ed and Dave also assisted in the schmoozing.
* Garage: Mike brought in the new toolbox, and he, Brian and Cody did more organizing.  They had to raise the workbench up to put the box under it.
* Bill was changing the announcement board.
* Archives: Linda was at work
* Track work: after the rules review, Dan led a tie replacement effort in the yard.
* Locomotive 10: The weather started getting rough, so Dan's crew then went to work on 10's Boiler.
* Vacuum Brakes: Nick A was working on Coach 3, assisted by Joseph.

[Mike Fox]

We also installed a clear side on the Pavilion. This is a test to see if we like them. We plan to add some rope to be able to raise them up.





Cody inside.



Cody standing outside..

[Mike Fox]

Dan supplied this photo of recent painting of skates.

[Dan Malkowski]

These skates are now designated for use only with the train consist. One shall remain on one of the three cars 3, 8, 320. This is supposed to help for when we need a skate and can't find one when out on the line. This should help eliminate this problem.

[James Patten]

Anticipated work for Saturday April 12:

* Easter Eggspress trains to SeaLyon Farm (unless postponed to Sunday because of weather, but at the moment it looks like the rain holds off to the evening)
* Enginehouse work
* Garage organization and spring cleaning continues
* Board meeting at 4

[Bill Baskerville]

Good idea Dan.

[Bill Reidy]

Thanks, Dan.

[Dave Buczkowski]

Just don’t hire Dan as your house decorator😉

[Pete Stevens]

One of the topics brought up at the rules review last Saturday was the importance of the Conductor being able to focus on safe and efficient oversight of the train operation. Passenger engagement often falls to the conductor, but this is a much better task for car hosts. Everyone who has passed the basic safety test can serve as car host - whether you've been here since the beginning or just a few weeks.

Tomorrow is our first Easter Train and it would be fabulous to have a few people sign up to serve as car host to give the passengers better attention: answer questions, explain the history of the operation, remind them to stay seated. And let the conductor conduct.

[Benjamin Richards]

I always appreciate having car hosts. At many outfits, you may never even see the real conductor. The car hosts (who may be dressed as "conductors") do the schmoozing, letting the conductor focus on operations.

I also enjoy being a car host. Unfortunately, my limited availability means I am often filling roles at my maximum qualification, and almost never as car host.

I think it's also worth considering how our museum has evolved to understand why we historically didn't need car hosts. Number of passengers, complexity of operations, and general professionalism are all up significantly from even 5-10 years ago.

[Pete Stevens]

I'll add that I believe the best car hosts are the folks with the most experience: you might be a conductor or engineer one weekend, and then car host the next. While we encourage newer crew members to get experience as a car host, it's you veterans who have the most to offer.

[Bill Reidy]

Pete:  I note the operating plan for tomorrow references a "car host guide" under the car host section.  Where is this document available?  Thanks.

[Mike Fox]

Brian W. has done a fantastic job of finishing up cleaning off the bench, which I started over a month ago. A real nicecwork area again.



The weather was less than ideal today, but the guests were prepared..