Memorial Weekend

[dclong]

This weekend was pretty productive despite the cooler (okay, freezing) Saturday we had. Sunday made up for it though--we saw sunshine! I would much prefer sunshine of course, but cloudy days offer more even lighting--particularily in the shaded areas, like Bill Dey park. Just after arriving to the Ortner circle, we noticed a long crane snaking its way though the grounds, manuvering quite well around vehicles, buildings and trees. I shot a few pictures of them taking the shelter off of the Case Eagle.

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u304/dndlong/WMSTR/pb_MarkCaseEagle.jpg

Mark gets the enclosure ready to be tilted off. (Betcha didnt even see me there taking your picture, Mark!)

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u304/dndlong/WMSTR/pb_CaseEagle.jpg

And the Case Eagle is free. He'll (or is it a she??) have to wait until the next day for some sunshine.

The main objectives for this weekend in the Ortner world were some piston work/replacement, get the tender hooked up, test run the train, remove leaves from Bill Dey park and stain the new (spectacularily cool) building. We were successful in everything we wanted to accomplish.

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u304/dndlong/WMSTR/pb_tenderBottom.jpg

For probably more than the past few years, the Ortner tender was doing a super fine job of keeping the track watered. In looking at the old bottom, we realized it was probably the wood decking that was keeping most of the water in the tender. This photo shows the brand new shiney bottom Vern Nanosky (and helpers) put on the tender, with a generous coating of sealer to help prevent leaks in the future. We are very appreciative of all the work and hustle Vern and his crew put into the tender. It's super! We'll probably be able to get a day on a tender full of water and we wont have to deal with muck, rust and/or sludge in the injectors. Many thanks to you guys!

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u304/dndlong/WMSTR/pb_tenderTrucks.jpg

the tender, fastened to the decking, gets its plumbing finished and is prepped to be put on the trucks.

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u304/dndlong/WMSTR/pb_tenderTogether.jpg

And its put all together. What's next?

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u304/dndlong/WMSTR/pb_ortnerTakesOnWater.jpg

Since Roy made quick work of the piston replacement, the Ortner was pushed up to the water tank to take on water for the first time this year.

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u304/dndlong/WMSTR/pb_ortnerMaintenanceCrew.jpg

Memorial Weekend's Ortner maintenance crew consisted of: (L to R) Art Spencer, Jerry Anderson, Roy Hagstrom, Mike Henricks, Todd Hafics, Dan Long. I helped too, but I'm not in the picture--thank goodness

To be continued.....

[dclong]

She's got some steam!

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u304/dndlong/WMSTR/pb_Ortner.jpg

The following are a few of the Ortner running Saturday:

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u304/dndlong/WMSTR/pb_OrtnerSteam.jpg

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u304/dndlong/WMSTR/pb_ortnerRoy.jpg

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u304/dndlong/WMSTR/pb_ortnerRoy2.jpg

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u304/dndlong/WMSTR/pb_ortnerRoy3.jpg

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u304/dndlong/WMSTR/pb_ortnerTodd.jpg


To Be Continued....

[dclong]

We had to wait until Sunday to stain the building but Mike Henricks, Kevin Springer and I worked on getting it stained.


http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u304/dndlong/WMSTR/pb_MTS_Before.jpg
Masley Tool Shed before


http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u304/dndlong/WMSTR/pb_MTS_After.jpg

Masley Tool Shed After


http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u304/dndlong/WMSTR/pb_MTS_Hobos.jpg
Designated Ortner hobos


And at the end of a busy productive weekend......

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u304/dndlong/WMSTR/pb_campsite.jpg
We relax around a very warm campfire! We had a great time and cant wait to do it again for Steam School/Kids' Day weekend!

[JCShellyG]

Yay! Looks great Dawn! Loved the Ortner Hobos! :D :p Really looking forward to coming up and working with you all again. I've been studying a bit for my test. Need to hit it harder now that it's coming up fast.

I got to play 12" gauge trains this week so really got me excited about getting up there and working on the Ortner again.

Take care and thanks for sharing the photos! The new building looks really nice.

Shelly

[40avery]

Trivia:

The Case eagle is a "he" named "Old Abe":)

[dclong]

Shelly,

I know! Those hobos fit right in dont they? We'd sure like to see the trains you've been working with this past year! Bring some pictures with your father's day wknd! We are glad you are anxious to come play with the Ortner again. You were very fun to work with. I'm sure you'll make quick work of that test! See you in a couple weeks.

[dclong]

The Case eagle is a "he" named "Old Abe":)

I kinda figured he was a he, but I didnt know he had a name!! This is good to know. Thanks, Rick!

[dachtera]

Dawn, - That campground looks really familiar.. The wife and I camp down at the corner (24' mallard with all the lights) - It's nice to see the grounds and people around up there since it's not an easy task to get up for there for a weekend.

I didn't know the Case eagle was covered up off season! I learn something new everytime I login to the forum!

[dclong]

Yes sir! We are your neighbors. I knew that--you're the tmb guys. It's one of our tranditions to watch you guys string your lights way up in that tree every year! And we watched blazing saddles in your site last show. That was so funny too cuz Jerry (Anderson) was just talking about the movie the night before and saying he should bring it so we could watch. Ask and ye shall receive! Whatcha gonna play this year??

I know what you mean about it not being an easy task to get there! We used to go 10 times during the summer--to work and play. With the cost of getting there now, its been cut to 3 or 4. I miss it. But I try to enjoy every minute we're there--and memorial our whole crew is together so we have alot of fun and get alot done!

I've seen in past posts you are a camera enthusiast. I have a D80 myself. I went to that from a Canon 10D. My Canon sits in a case now unfortunately. I love the D80. I recently purchased Nikon's new D40X to use as a backup. I really like that one too, except for the lens limitations--needs AF-S lenses. My fisheye is an AF lens so I have to manually focus if I put it on there. That's kind of a bummer since that's why I bought it in the first place, but I kept it anyway because I like it's simplicity. And it is SO light! Anyway, how do you like your D80?

[M Kerkvliet]

(Betcha didnt even see me there taking your picture, Mark!)

You're right! I didn't! I was too concerned about Ken hitting me in the head with that block!

I wish I had known you had the camp fire... Katy and I would have come over for a hot toddy, or something like that. Maybe Kids day we'll have to do that.

I would have taken a ride on the train too, but I didn't know you had steam up there either! I was running all over the place all weekend. Casey kept me working! I was ready for a de-briefing hours before he was!

[dclong]

Mark,
It seems as though Casey worked you pretty hard all weekend! He certainly would be a great asset to any crew he chooses to work with!

It would be great if you and Katy would stop by Kids' Day weekend. There's always a fire--even if its rainy and cold!

[dachtera]

Dawn,

Not sure what is showing this year. - Maybe nothing as I think we may have perturbed a few neighbors with out Monday Night finale last year - Maybe it will just be moved to a different venue?

So far, I'm loving the D80, I havent' used it as much for it's initial purpose as I had intended, but I'm run thru about 2200 photos since January and really enjoy it. I looked at the D40, and had been researching a few other options, but when shooting for another event, the cameras I had on me didn't cut it, and after talking to a good friend who is a wedding photographer, she steered me to the D80 as my final option. I also have the SB800 speed-flash, and am looking at a 0-360, and fish-eye lens for it, however, neither are in the budget at the moment.

Reading more and more on the forum, I'm not feeling that out of place anymore being 'that guy' with a carload of camera and video equipment instead of tools and tractor parts!