Posted on by Chris Hauf

Build East – November 2, 2024

Our Build East Track Construction Team was back out on the railroad on Saturday, November 2, 2024 and reached another milestone with track now extending to the east side of …

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Our Build East Track Construction Team was back out on the railroad on Saturday, November 2, 2024 and reached another milestone with track now extending to the east side of Castlewood Bridge.

Here is an album of some of the work performed on 11/2 taken all before lunch. This will be the last of the panel laying as we have now consumed all of our pre-made panels there we acquired several years back. From about four panels past the bridge, we will return to more traditional stick rail building of settting ties then the tie plates followed by stick rail with one rail spiked and then used to gauge the other rail.

If you are interested in helping us in this work, the team works the first Saturday of the month weather permitting. We typically have a Facebook event listing, but you can always Contact Us to get more information. You can also learn more about volunteering here.

The museum’s Burro crane with attached flat car has delivered the second panel of the day which brought the track to the end of the bridge.
Photo by: Christopher Hauf – Used with permission
The bolts in the joint bar are tightened with an impact wrench. Cordless tools have really made this process MUCH easier.
Photo by: Christopher Hauf – Used with permission
The addition of a little persuasion with a hammer to set the joint bar into the rail.
Photo by: Christopher Hauf – Used with permission
To make sure the joints are staggered, the west rail is loosened from the ties to allow to to be slid to make the joint with the previously installed panel.
Photo by: Christopher Hauf – Used with permission
Setting a spike…
Photo by: Christopher Hauf – Used with permission
The Burro heads over Castlewood Bridge as seen from Pleasanton-Sunol Road.
Photo by: Christopher Hauf – Used with permission
Installing more joint bars.
Photo by: Christopher Hauf – Used with permission
Track is now off of the bridge while the Burro heads off to get the last three available panels.
Photo by: Christopher Hauf – Used with permission
Track over Castlewood Bridge looking east.
Photo by: Christopher Hauf – Used with permission
Looking further east from the end of track now on the east side of Castlewood Bridge.
Photo by: Christopher Hauf – Used with permission
Making up another joint.
Photo by: Christopher Hauf – Used with permission
Looking west with rail complete across the bridge.
Photo by: Christopher Hauf – Used with permission
Tightening another joint.
Photo by: Christopher Hauf – Used with permission
There are four bolts in each joint; two going in from either side and alternating down the joint bar.
Photo by: Christopher Hauf – Used with permission
Unloading the first of the last three track panels.
Photo by: Christopher Hauf – Used with permission
Unloading the first of the last three track panels.
Photo by: Christopher Hauf – Used with permission
Picklng the panel back up to start the move across the bridge for placement..
Photo by: Christopher Hauf – Used with permission
On to the bridge to place the panel at the end of track.
Photo by: Christopher Hauf – Used with permission
On to the bridge to place the panel at the end of track.
Photo by: Christopher Hauf – Used with permission
On to the bridge to place the panel at the end of track.
Photo by: Christopher Hauf – Used with permission
One parting look with the Burro now on the EAST side of Castewood Bridge on 11/2/2024.
Photo by: Christopher Hauf – Used with permission