On Saturday, May 6, 2023, our Niles Canyon Railway Build East Track Construction Crew reached another major milestone as they completed the ballasting, leveling and tamping of all of the current installed track which now ends just on the east side of Happy Valley Bridge. This is a major milestone for the team who has been working for many months methodically working their way toward this goal; insuring the railroad was properly leveled and hardened to allow trains to now pass all the way to Happy Valley.
On Saturday, May 6, 2023, our Niles Canyon Railway Build East Track Construction Crew reached another major milestone as they completed the ballasting, leveling and tamping of all of the current installed track which now ends just on the east side of Happy Valley Bridge. This is a major milestone for the team who has been working for many months methodically working their way toward this goal; insuring the railroad was properly leveled and hardened to allow trains to now pass all the way to Happy Valley.
With this milestone accomplished, the team will shift their first Saturday of the month efforts towards being to extend the railroad east of Happy Valley Bridge. New volunteers are always welcome and more details can be found here on our Construction Volunteer page.
Here are a series of photos across the day leading up to the final tie being tamped and a group photo being taken at Happy Valley Bridge.
All photos by Christopher Hauf – Used with permission
Starting the day in the final straight away. The stacked rail and track panels will be used for the extension of the railroad east of Happy Valley Bridge.The jacks are set and the tamper is busy at work forcing stone under the ties.Dressing the ballast to insure the tamper has the right amount of rock to to work with.The goal… Happy Valley Bridge!Tamping and insuring the level is correct.NCRy volunteer and Treasurer, Pat Stratton, runs the tamper.Jacking to level…A little more…That will do!Waiting on the level to be set to decide if further jacking is needed.Jacking and resetting…Making progress toward the bridge.Build East leader and NCRy Vice President, Mike Strider (right) discusses the plan with NCRy General Manager, Steve Barkkarie.Jacking to the proper elevation as the railroad is still on a curve here so the proper super-elevation needs to be set keeping in mind the elevation must work toward level for the bridge.Project leader, Steve Hill, sights down the rail to look at level and position.Checking level and elevation…Checking level and elevation…Getting close to the bridge!One last level check!Getting closer as see from the east side of Happy Valley Bridge. The rail on the bridge is just lightly spiked to hold it in place, but allow to to be moved if needed to adjust alignment once contruction restarts on the east side of the bridge.Tamping the final few ties!Getting closer…One last tie!That will do!Success and a team photo for those who were still with us on this momentous afternoon! Great work Build East!Now on To Pleasanton…
