In the “General Discussion”, I mentioned that “Spring is coming”. Well if you guys have paid attention to these threads over the last number of years, I’ve advocated that sod is very easy to remove in that period of time where the freeze has broken it loose from its heavy root structure and the spring growth of grass has not really started, yet. With a spade, you can cut simple lines in the sod and laying the 9 inch spade close to the grown just shave the hunks of sod of in 9 inch by 9 inch squares. Easiest time of the year to advance your track plan and help the environment by creating more railroad and less grass to cut. No gasolene spent on grass cutting and not as much prespiring by you the garden railroader, which of course contributes to “Global Warming”. (That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.)
I’m glad this works for you in the mid-west. Here in the north-east, once the top few inches of soil defrost water collects a few inches under the surface creating a nice sloppy mud. We call early spring Mud Season. If you step off a paved surface during the spring thaw you’re likely to loose a shoe :o
I do need to establish my lot line on the south side of the front yard. I was going to use Belgium block that I have in a stock pile. Where I’ll be cutting isn’t sod, but pine needles & roots. As soon as the ground firms enough to walk on I’ll start cutting the trench.
Tried plowing the line open yesterday but was stopped by ice frozen solid between and over the rails. I don’t chop ice anymore after damaging the track with a chopper last winter. Nature will have to do the heavy work. 50’s today - heavy rain tomorrow.
Jon
Ric Golding said:Actually that isn't entirely correct, replacing plants with stone and wood contributes to water run off and erosion, which is equally damaging to the environment. Atleast the grass absorbs carbon dioxide through the leaves and deposits what it doesnt use in the soil.
In the "General Discussion", I mentioned that "Spring is coming". Well if you guys have paid attention to these threads over the last number of years, I've advocated that sod is very easy to remove in that period of time where the freeze has broken it loose from its heavy root structure and the spring growth of grass has not really started, yet. With a spade, you can cut simple lines in the sod and laying the 9 inch spade close to the grown just shave the hunks of sod of in 9 inch by 9 inch squares. Easiest time of the year to advance your track plan and help the environment by creating more railroad and less grass to cut. No gasolene spent on grass cutting and not as much prespiring by you the garden railroader, which of course contributes to "Global Warming". (That's my story and I'm sticking to it.)
So your better off with grass than dirt, stone, etc…
let the madness begin!
mark
True, but I hate weed-whacking the grass around the base of a trestle… 
Yea, you might end up with this mess in your backyard…
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/Grand%20Canyon/100_0051.jpg)
and poor me…I’m still stuck with this:
(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g5/lkydvl/snowMarch07.jpg)
Mark,
You said - "Actually that isn’t entirely correct, replacing plants with stone and wood contributes to water run off and erosion, which is equally damaging to the environment. Atleast the grass absorbs carbon dioxide through the leaves and deposits what it doesnt use in the soil.
So your better off with grass than dirt, stone, etc…"
In my World, it is absolutely correct. While some are trying to save the World and control other people’s lives, I’m trying to have more time to play with trains.
The environment should control our lives, not people, people are easy to ignore, ignore the environment and you can die, plain and simple, You don’t have to answer to me, you have to answer to GOD/mother nature. Its one thing to multiply and subdue the earth, it’s another thing to multiply and destroy it!!
I’m off my soap box, if anyone cares to continue, lets move it to off topic and not completely hijack this thread!
ps i was joking originally, this world can’t be saved!
Ric
I guess the sod cutting will have to wait untill the snow is gone again. Looks like about 4 inches so far and still coming down, fast. I’m thinking a plow would have been a fun toy to have now. But then again I would need a BIG BOY to drive it in this stuff.
Geoff,
I think you got more of the crushed iced for rum drinks than we did. Maybe an inch on the ground in the suburbs of Carlyle.
But we must be ready to attack the projects when the iron is hot. I have bricks in the garage, protected from the weather, and sand in the buckets. I achieved about 10 feet of the first row on Sunday and I’m prepared for the next partial of time that is given me to advance my attack on the dreaded lawn and its shackles of the lawnmower. I ahcieved 100 feet square last fall and I’m working to duplicate this again within the month.
Some find satisfaction in running trains, as do I. But I also find joy in the time I do not have to ride that grass chawing monster. I’d rather swet in 40 to 60 degree weather now, than in 70 to 90 degree weather later on.
And to satisfy the purist, all these bricks are recycled. Saved from going to the land fill. I know the history of many and charish the desire to return them to useful endeavors. Some of these have set in stacks in our back lot for years and have been designated to create these walks I continue to work on.
On the KVRwy, we walk with our trains and perform the switching manuevers. The walks keep the feet dry in the dew.
There saying 10", but I have 12 at my house. Could be a bit untill I see track again let alone able to do work on it.
Ric Golding said:Another thing we have in common :D 4 years ago when my company began site work at our Brookview Commons project, Marilyn, Matthew and I spent a Saturday afternoon dismantling and a short brick wall. All that remained after fire destroyed a 100+ year old lumber company office and yard on the site. We managed to get only one trailer load before the bulldozers erased it and buried the remains. I still have most of them stacked in the back yard waiting for a brick patio to be built in the railroad garden. They are a pain to clean, but it's nice to preserve a little bit of history.
[b][i][/b][/i] And to satisfy the purist, all these bricks are recycled. Saved from going to the land fill. I know the history of many and charish the desire to return them to useful endeavors. Some of these have set in stacks in our back lot for years and have been designated to create these walks I continue to work on.
BTW - After 2+ days of 50 degree weather and an inch of rain over night, the railroad has emerged from under the ice pack. More snow predicted for Friday 
Jon
I have a half dozen bricks from my dad’s childhood home, that he grabbed out of the walkway when his mom passed away. They’re bigger than standard bricks, and have “Kentucky Block” inset into them. I need to find a place of honor for them in my yard somewhere.
Also, a few years ago I saw a sign “Free Bricks” pointing into some woods next to a guys house. I pulled in and there was another sign “take all you want”. I took about 5 loads, and on the last one, the guy said that he got them from when they were taking down an old brick building at a private school in the town. Turns out my great-grandfather on my mom’s side was the head farmer at the school’s vegetable gardens and farm, and the bricks were from one of the old storehouses or canning/preparing sheds that he would have worked in.
I have a brick that a old girlfriend gave me. Well more like thought at me. I use it to hold the door open on nice days.
I have how ever gotten most of my landscape plants from the yards of house that were being torn down to make way for bigger ones. Some nice stuff. I got 12 really big boxwoods last November. Hope they survived the winter.
Today I picked up more souvenirs to eventually go in the garden. I haven’t figured out yet how I’ll use it. It’s ground cable from a 100+ year old lightning rod system removed from an old barn we recently dismantled at work. It appears to be pure copper with brass fittings. The railroad spike in the picture is for relative scale. [url=lsc.cvsry.com/Cable1-1024.JPG]
(http://lsc.cvsry.com/Cable1-640.JPG)
[/url][color=blue]FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/color] [url=lsc.cvsry.com/Cable2-1024.JPG]
(http://lsc.cvsry.com/Cable2-640.JPG)
[/url][color=blue]FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/color] [url=lsc.cvsry.com/Cable3-1024.JPG]
(http://lsc.cvsry.com/Cable3-640.JPG)
[/url][color=blue]FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/color] [url=lsc.cvsry.com/Cable4-1024.JPG]
(http://lsc.cvsry.com/Cable4-640.JPG)
[/url][color=blue]FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/color] Any thoughts ?
I’m thinking colums of a building, like a library or other gov’t type building for the copper!!
copper perhaps in front of a police station, pardun the pun
After heavy rain Friday and Saturday followed by lots of wind, Sunday actually turned out to be a good day to work outside. I had good intentions of doing railroad related work, but after picking up and disposing sticks and branches from around the RR I got sidetracked in a long overdue drain cleaning project. I was knee deep in freshly thawed silt when work called me in. I did manage to empty several wheelbarrows full of silt from a drainage trench and open a new exit. Hopefully the next time it rains this heavy I won’t loose any more of my topsoil to erosion.
Now that the clocks have sprung forward There is actually enough daylight to do something after work. Tonight I think I’ll start the project of marking my southern lot-line with Belgium Block. This is in preparation for a loop that was planned years ago and never built.
Looks like clear, but cool weather for the next few days.
When I moved here 30-some odd years ago, I was working in Chester, Pa. Lot’s of old factory buildings were being torn down and as a result, I must have brought home at least 5 tons of bricks over the course of a couple years. All those bricks eventually went into the front walkway complete with RR ties for steps.
Fast forward 20 some years of rain, cold, snow and ice and eventually those ties started deteriorating along with a lot of the bricks. Over the last ten years or so we’ve replaced most of it with store bought stuff, but back then, raising 2 kids and just startin out, it saved me a lot of money.
As of right now, it’s about 35 out and a roofer is banging away on the roof fixing a trouble spot that caused an ice dam to form a few weeks ago, and a whole bunch of water to leak in and collapse the kitchen and dining room ceilings. Next in line is the contractor to fix the ceilings.
While it’s not quite warm enough to do anything outside yet, thoughts are definitly starting to flow in that direction…
03/10/08 - 1747 - 43 degrees. Over the next couple of days we are suppose to hit in the 60’s and 70 's. Time to start getting after the boat work at the marina and get after the yard work at home. Plans are to do a little more on that sidewalk addition tomorrow afternoon and evening. We’ve got the Spring train show this weekend, so you know it will probably be nice weather. The Gateway Garden Railroad Club is setting up in Collinsville, Illinois under the shadow of the Arch in St. Louis. If you are in the area, stop by to see us.
Despite Fred’s prediction of crappy weather for my neck of the woods, we escaped with just a light overnight rain and a nice sunny and mild day Saturday. With the longer days I’ve been trying to do something outside every evening after work. Last week I managed to get 25 feet or so of my lot line cleared and trenched for a Belgium block border. Saturday I cleaned and set about 30 blocks before it started to get dark. I’m not sure if I’ve recovered enough to try and extend it today or not That is if it clears up as predicted by afternoon. The purpose of this project is to establish my lot line before expanding the railroad close to it. The block will also protect the track from the neighbor’s riding mower. The expansion planned several years ago is this…
(http://lsc.cvsry.com/Loop-Plan-640-2.JPG)
(http://lsc.cvsry.com/Loop-Plan-640-5.JPG)
Maybe this year ???