THE TWO FOOTERS                        

The Teaberry & Southern had a pretty uneventful year.  The two days set aside for rides went quite well with no breakdowns.  Work was done on the inside of the new engine house as to shelving, gravel, and block floor.

After about 14 years of “Temporary” track, the tail track of the turntable was completely redone.  It had become so bad it was not usable any more.

We also completely redid the “pit” area.  This was also getting unstable.  The old “pit” never really worked out well for many reasons.  The “pit” was filled in and a sloping ramp was blended in for trucks to unload cars of firewood.  It makes the place have a much neater look.  Plans are this year to finish the “pit” by the new engine house.

The following pictures of ballast spreader and rail roller recently added to the track laying efforts at WT&B (B).  Ralph Reese made up the hopper (about 3 yards) that was placed on an old equipment trailer that is pulled by a tractor.  It lays about a 2.5' bed.

Ralph also cut the plates and rollers for the rail roller.  The rollers were then turned for the rail profile of the 25# rail I acquired in Baraboo, used a hydraulic motor that had been left from an earlier project, mounted on an old bush hog deck, connected to the tractor remote and away we want.  It makes for a very smooth curve and only a few minutes per rail. (See Tom K., its not all junk.)

We continue to make progress with over 3,000' of track down.  I am using #3 slag from a local steel mill for ballast and treated 4x6x4' ties from a local prison lumber mill (the concrete ties are about used up).  The rail is placed on a nylon pad and attached with 1/2 x 2" gal. lag bolt.

My wife and I are putting my railroad, house, and property up for sale.  I may include most of my machinery.  Our ages plus other factors are involved in the decision.  Last December I laid the last rail in the large loop in back of the house, all 12# rail and may have 1/2 mile of track.  The track layout is a large oval with a large wye and one leg out towards the county road.  We have 5 acres, 165' wide and 1/4 mile long.  The machine shop is near ground level with the house above: 3 bedrooms, sunken living room with fireplace, 1-1/2 baths, large kitchen and family room, and central air.  It is located near the state line between Milwaukee and Chicago.  Half of the railway is electrified with overhead catenary.  It is a long elevated trackage with bridges in wooded area. 

As you can see from the volume of information contained in this newsletter, we are not receiving many articles from the membership.  Be so kind as to write us and let us know what projects you are planning for the warmer months.

We are starting the process of organizing the 2007 Two Footers convention to Maine.  We are looking at July or August.  Before too much effort is expended, please let us know your interest so that we may plan accordingly.

 

The Two Footers
534 Armory Road
St. Marys, PA  15857

tpbauer@alltel.net
or
tom@thetwofooters.com

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