After having a nice day on Saturday big storms rolled in Saturday night. The rain continued until 10am on Sunday and finally stopped. We had a slow start but by early afternoon patronage picked up and we had 235 riders, not bad considering the weather. Power for the day was 401, 535 & 13. Marx was TM for the very first time and did a great job.

Photos for the day are: Wapelhorst & Geders firing up 401; Walsh switching out cars with 535; Dawn Greathouse switching cars with 13; the 180 which Devin Lawson told me will be running for Member's Day & the new East Bound signal on the main at Glencoe which is now operational again thanks to Dale Bitsch. Dale soon plans to have the WB signal working at Glencoe Yard limits, when this is complete we will officially put the signal system back in operation. More detailed instructions on the signals will be distributed as it's completed. Many thanks to Dale for the super job he's done on the signal system. It's been gutted and totally rebuilt using PLCs (programmable logic controllers) instead of relays. This includes the grade crossing signal.

And don't forget there is still a Wednesday work group. Today saw Errante, Geders, Tabernacki, Brennan, J & J Scott, Walsh, Foster, Bitsch, Dennis Smith & new member Jim Keeton busy with repairs on 5205, 400 & rebuilding caboose #52. The Wednesday bunch also handles frequent passenger specials which grow in number as each season passes. Operating days would be much more difficult if it weren't for the maintenance that is accomplished on Wednesdays during the season.

Today I heard from our friends at the C&H RR in Topeka, Kansas. They will be at Glencoe for Member's Day and plan to bring their 12" gauge pump-it hand car. Super, the more the merrier!

I received word from Joe Geders that he will be leaving the St. Louis area as of mid-August to be the Pastor of a Parish in Jackson, Wyoming. Best wishes to Joe on this new challenge, Jackson is a beautiful area in northwestern Wyoming. Joe will certainly be missed as he has quickly made many friends at the WF&P and has already contributed much to the organization.

Jim Strain