Work to do on the Ortner

[pmasley]

Hi Dan & Dawn. I think I have some time coming up and wondering what you have on the list of things to do to get the Ortner ready for the show this year?

[dclong]

Well! There is always the executive grass control that is always a huge help! An awesome guy wearing a spray tank backpack and a containment suit was super nice enough to do an awesome job killing the weeds around the track. The dead weeds and dry plant material could be cleared from the track area (each side and between) so it'll be all ready for ballast the week before the show. I would think the job may need a weed wacker to cut the dead material and a rake to sweep it up. Quite possibly, a rake may do the whole job.

The entrance gate could use a brand new paint job. That would be super! The cars need to be cleaned up--particularily the rugs. Donna and Evonne usually do an awesome job on that!!

The week before the show, starting the weekend before, we'll be working on these projects:
--track work (replace ties as needed, prep track for ballast and place ballast)
--Transferring and organizing things from the Engine shed to the Ortner station building, including building external wood storage/access on the engine shed
--clean up of area around the Engine shed
--clean up the track pile by car shed into a pile more suitable to the "train" theme
--last minute mowing and touch up of area

This is a fair amount of stuff to do that week before so any of the previous stuff that could get done would make that week all that much easier.

THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR ALL THE SUPER AWESOME HELP WE GET!! No one anywhere can or wants to run an area alone!! It is so great we can all work together to one goal--showtime!! Not only do we thank the ENTIRE Ortner crew, we thank all others that find time from their busy areas to help us out! To mention only a few: Jerry Asher, Vern Nanosky and the BIG railroad crew for their support, expertise and availabiliy! Jerry Anderson, Art Spencer and their other halves for being there with brute stength and comedic efforts! Mike Henricks for ALWAYS being the guy who'll come and put the train/tender/track back together and LOVE doing it! Roy Hagstrom who always show up, no matter day or hour to help get the engine running again. Peter and Pat Masley whose innovative invention, cunning carpentry, and all around awesome advice giving have made working on the Ortner easier and more fun (as if that were possible!:) ). There are no amount of thanks that could ever come close to showing our appreciation! If I happen to forget you in this post, and you know who you are, fear not, you are appreciated as well!! Thanks!!

[dclong]

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u304/dndlong/WMSTR/OrtnerNewsletter8-2007.jpg

[pmasley]

Hi Dan & Dawn, If we are going to be replacing ties and spreading ballast, should we bring shovels and garden rakes along to get it put down and distributed?

[dclong]

great thought, Peter! the more tools, the more people can help distribute and the quicker it gets done!

[M Kerkvliet]

:congrats:I love "The Ortner News"!!! :congrats:

[JCShellyG]

Ack! I can't believe that pic of me is on the forum too. It was bad enough when I opened my news and saw it. I look so horribly bored which was not the case at all. Should have cut me out of that and just had Peter's happy face!

Shelly who is looking forward to coming up and working this year and will be "official". :D

[dclong]

Nonsense! That picture happens to be my favorite of all I took that weekend! I dont think you look bored, I think you look content--happy--right where you belong!!