To all From Dave Williamson, STRT President:
Happy Thanksgiving to all our volunteers and supporters! Thank you for your dedication and hard work on our historic railroad this year! With 2026 ending, we will be holding the December Work Weekend, Friday through Sunday, December 5, 6, and 7.
On Friday, we will be working on the class I track, most likely installing more ties down by the coal bin. As always, this time of year, it depends on the weather!
On Saturday, we will be working on ties west of the Red Board, since the train will be running that day. There are 16 ties to install between the auto shop private crossing and the township building crossing. We are working to extend the big train run to the township building crossing, next. Extensive ditching, culvert installation and some tie work has already been done on this stretch.
On Sunday we will be working on the Plasser tamper in the enginehouse, there are damaged steel members underneath that need to be removed and replaced. We have the new steel beams and channels in stock. We will probably continue with other equipment work and maybe some inside repairs to the enginehouse itself! If we have a big crew, we can also go out and continue with more trackwork.
The track crew installed 50 ties in November; we are at about 300 for the year. Plus, the track crew raised and tamped a big low spot and gauged and spiked 20 previously installed ties. Every tie installed supports or rails, holds the gauge and gives our passengers a safe, smooth and fun ride!! We need to keep up this good work!!!
We are looking and hoping for good weather in the coming year, 2026 and plan on getting a good start to track work in the new year.
We have much planned to do, 250 maintenance and improvement ties in the class I track, extending the class I track up to Bridge 5, new ties on Bridge 2, improved track bed and new ties just before Mann & Parker Lumber Company, and spot work as needed, and resources allow on the west end!!
The tie crane is working much better, and we are having the articulated arm cylinder rebuilt. Next, we will remove the main hydraulic pump and get it resealed, it is leaking badly. The hi- rail dump truck is repaired and in service.
We will be working on and with the Nordberg Spiker and the Kershaw Ballast Regulator more next year. They will help get more trackwork done, faster!!! All we need is you!! To come out and help push our progress!!!