A Wet and Windy Success
The headlines were calling for record breaking rain as an atmospheric river headed for California. Most of our members were smart to stay home and ride the storm out, but a few of us were just crazy enough to make the trek to Alturas to get some work done.
Saturday’s work party focused on cleaning up boxcar 518. We stripped it of non-period materials, including what seemed like a million random nails, and chipping out the decades old goat manure and straw bedding from when the car was used as a goat shed. It was some dirty work, but after much laboring we found the original wood floor that proved to be in solid shape. It’s always impressive how much work can be done with many hands.
Afterwards we headed over to the warmth of the Starr’s home for homemade pulled pork sandwiches and conversation on the history of the railway. That evening, we gathered at the Hotel Niles for our annual members meeting where the directors laid out their goals for the next few years. Our members gave some great feedback on what draws them to the history of the N-C-O and the region, along with what they believe is important in preserving the legacy of the railway. That night we welcomed the addition of three new Directors to the Board, Sam McGrath, Kevin Schindler, and Elizabeth Cavasso. With their addition, the Nevada-California-Oregon Railway will be in a stronger place to achieve our mission and accomplish some great work in the coming year.
We missed seeing many of you at the gathering, but we will be holding our spring volunteer weekend early next year. A request for better weather has already been submitted.
Boxcar safely under cover.
Interior of boxcar after cleaning.
