Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Learning about blogs

Creating this blog hasn't been too difficult, so far. I guess Google has done most of the work, but finding out what you can do is interesting and a new learning experience. I am about to be 65 years old and subscribe to the theory that if you stop learning, you stop living. That said, I guess if anyone is reading these postings, when things stop or stop changing, I'm dead.

This message has nothing to do with the railroad, I guess, just how this site came about. Actually, I have another live steam railroader to blame. Erin Swain lives north of me, in Flagstaff, AZ and keeps a blog of his adventures with his railroad, the Flagstaff, Coconino and Western. I found it interesting and signed onto "Blogger" to see what it was all about. There you have it, hooked on a new adventure. Thanks Erin, I think!

It is New Year's Eve, so Happy New Year!

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Railroad Construction, a messy business

Welcome to the United Verde and Pacific Railroad. Following intermittently; a description of the progress (or lack) in building a 2.5" scale railroad. The namesake railroad was built not far from the present location in order to haul gold, silver, lead and copper ore from the underground mines at Jerome, AZ. The reborn railroad is being built to carry people and other critters, because the builder loves trains and model building. As of this date, the railroad has some 200 feet of track in place and set in an initial layer of ballast. As winter progresses, ballast will settle and more will be needed in the spring. In the mean time, construction of track panels will continue as weather permits and time is available. Also planned is additional rolling stock and a locomotive for continued construction.















Track laying began this summer (2008) at Rock Creek with the construction of the Rock Creek bridge. Construction proceeded west to the yard lead and maintenance facility turntable (future).

Track also forged eastward into east-range and toward Mineral Springs and Navajo Tank, yet some distance away. Stay tuned.