Photos attached are of Mike Brennan painting, the new switch stand with target at the east end of the service track, Hank working on the west end ballast siding switch, Owens & Wapelhorst with 5205 on the turntable, Owens & Geders with 5205's first test run with its new trucks and our friends with the St. Louis Live-Steamers breaking down their panel track so they can rebuild at their new site in Eureka.

5205 ran for the first time with new trucks. There were some derailment problems early but this was quickly corrected by adjusting the rollers on the front truck. It looks like 5205 will be useful for many years thanks to John Errante, Bob Tabernacki and crew. We had good work crews again for Saturday, Sunday and today Wednesday. Thanks to all for volunteering their time.

While much work has been accomplished this winter there is still plenty to do. The track work is nearly completed but there is much cleaning of the ROW still to be accomplished. Hydro-tests need to be done on 400, 535 & 401. The 400 is nearly finished but needs to be re-assembled, Scotty has the rolling stock in good shape but there are still projects that he could use help with. In other words there is a lot yet to be done before our first planned operating day on April 30th. The 30th will be our break-in day for crews & equipment but nothing will operate until it is ready.

Operations this year will be similar to last season. The plan is to have 2 steamers & 1 diesel in the rotation on normal two train Sundays. A second diesel will be in reserve. On days when the weather is not favorable and we will only need one train then 1 steamer & 1 diesel will be in the rotation. Then in the fall, equipment permitting, we will operate 3 trains with 3 steamers and 1 diesel. The season will begin with 400, 401 & 535 as well as 5205, 13 & 704. 180 needs some throttle repairs then it will be available and 928 is progressing very well.

We have 3 members starting this season who will be in training to be steam engineers. Greg Wapelhorst, Jim Pekarek & Joe Geders. Student members Hunter DeBellis & Ian Harding are in training to be brakemen while Ellen Fritschle is our student Hostler. Ellen's sister Laura is now old enough to begin her brakeman classes. The souvenir ladies are eagerly awaiting another season. Kate, Carol, Laura, Barb & Gina all promise to be back for another year.

We've been using LSB8000 for the last several years as boiler treatment. This season we will add an oxygen scavenger to the water since we store the boilers wet during the week. Thanks to Chris Brophy for providing the information for a supplier and how to use the chemicals. Chris will be here in May and will test the water in the boilers to see how the chemical mix is working.

We have new laminated rule books for 2006 and changed the WF&P name tags to be more colorful. See me for both.

Jim Strain