First on the agenda today is best wishes to John Errante who will have surgery on Friday to place a stint in one of his arteries. John had some problems with chest pains last weekend and after some tests the doctors found he had some blood vessel blockage issues. The original thought was to due by-pass surgery which John had gone through 15 years ago. It was determined the lesser procedure was the best route to go for now. I talked to John today and he is in very good spirits and hopes to be home on Saturday just 24 hours after the surgery. He certainly would like to hear from his friends and he is in Mo. Baptist hospital room 408 phone 314-996-6408.

If you haven't been to the WF&P web site lately you really should take the time to see the tribute to Fred Kiesel that Jim Greathouse and Paul Konopacki have put together. There's a number of photos and a 3 minute video of Fred including some from Brown Road days & as well as several remembrances. Thanks to Jim & all who contributed.

Saturday saw Kary, Jim Keeton & Rich Elms trying to locate a hydraulic leak in 5205. Hank continued his work on the carbarn, while today (Wed.) was more active with Scotty and Keaton rebuilding the trucks on the 1300 (this includes turning the wheels) Hank & Paul Smith finished the metal siding on the long side of the car barn extension and removed the old outer wall. In the roundhouse Percival was back to work on 401 while Tabernacki continued getting 534 ready to install the new boiler.

I had the chance to stop by the St. Louis Live-Steamers track in Eureka. I've attached a few photos and I was really impressed by the amount of work they have already accomplished. About 2/3rds of the track is installed (dual gauge 4-3/4 & 7.5inch). All ties are plastic and you can see by the photo that the track is assembled on a table then put into place. All curved rail is run through a bender to hold its shape. They've done a lot of construction in a short time.

Photos attached are of the carbarn as of Saturday and from the Live-Steamers track.

Just a reminder that the annual meeting is this Saturday from 1 to 6pm. We are starting earlier due to the room being booked after 6pm for another group. See you there.

Jim