Off the Rails

Leaving a foundation …

Well, my term limits are up as your President of the Rocky Mountain Region.  As your President since 2012, we were able to accomplish a few things, clean up some things, get a few things started, and have still a lot of work to do.  We’ve developed a Code of Ethics for the Region, we’ve tested National with a Referendum, we’ve been working on guidelines for our Region and Division representatives, and now improving our Matching Funds Policy, to name a few.

The foundation left behind for the next Board has hopefully only a small gap.

I leave a house in order.  There is not too much mess, maybe an orderly mess, which it may appear from afar.

There is order for the future work that still has to be done, we have a good crew to finish up the work.

The view …….

The view has been inspiring from the top, I have got to witness a lot of wonderful people doing a lot of great things.  I got to meet so many of you and get to know you, it has been great.

The view could be so bright and sunny.

Then again, sometimes the chores could get a little tiresome and sap my energy.

The chair …….

Like home, I now have to give up my chair for our incoming President, Denny Krausman. 

My chair has been comfortable for a long time, I almost wish I could have it more (at home!).

My next project …

I am looking forward to having some more free time to get back to more Railroading projects.  My current assignment at the Scenic Line Modelers Club, is to complete the handlaid track for the Cleora stockpens with Tom George.   We are adding dual gauge (HO/Hon3) sidings to each side of the pens (one side for unloading, the other side for loading, per the prototype).  We don’t of course, have quite the space as the prototype, so we have a major squeeze to incorporate.  This is only the most visible portion of a major trackage redesign of our 3rd rail from the Salida yard through the Barrel Transfer and Cleora.  I’ll keep you updated with our progress in future articles in the Callboard.

Tom will be laying a curved #8 dual gauge switch on the mainline and a #6 to split the sidings from the west end.

I’ll be rebuilding the east end ladder and inserting a dual gauge #6 wye to split the sidings in the confined space next to the mainline.

Roadbed put in on the east end.

West end roadbed mounted.

Thanks for your support …

I got a lot of great support and cooperation from so many of you across the Region, and got to make many new friends and really learn about a lot of things railroading and so much else across the Region, and see things by serving as your President.  I got to see things and meet people I wouldn’t have otherwise, if I hadn’t had the opportunity to serve.  For that, I am grateful, and I look forward to continue serving in the Region in whatever ways I can.

Thanks for letting me serve you as President, I had a great time, and it has been my honor.  I conclude my service as President, but you will still see me around.  Thanks from me and Michelle, and our powerful Asgardian twins, Thor and Loki (yawn!).

Region Website - http://www.rmr-nmra.org/