Chapter 1: The start

When trying to get those "little" projects done rd the house, ever asked yourself ...."w/all this to do...where do I start?" That was the question here....looking at all that needed doing, where do I start....

TA sent me schedule of work weekends when he, others would be there, so I popped by. Got together w/him and Chris, discussed what seemed to be the most critical issues. We all agreed that there really wasn't much doubt about it...had to arrest the deterioration/weather intrusion.

OK!!!!! Now we are rollin along!!!

So, what's the fastest way to do that? It's November and winter is coming on......oh YA, for you LA/OC, etc. folks....Joshua Tree actually has winter...even snows up there!!!! Imagine that!!! (found out also that JT has big time winds too...but more on that later)

As Chris also belongs to other RR associations and I w/Orange Empire, we noted that it seemed to be a common practice in trying to preserve rolling stock, etc., to wrap 'em in tarps....Sounds like a Plan!!!!

Chris and I agreed to come back in couple of weeks, armed w/tarps and rope, have at it. Well, "Murphy" being what/who he is......ever tried putting up big tarps on something the size of that caboose w/monster winds blowing? (Later, looking back on our attempts, I guess we should have seen the situation as a premonition/warning of things to come; didn't) Being good soldiers, we pressed on. Actually we did a pretty good job.....thank you very much!!!!

That being accomplished, what next??? Since there actually were no steps on most of the frames, platforms were rotted away, access in/out of the unit was a problem. Logical next step.....Right.. I thought so too. Therefore the rest of the work season was directed to remove/replace/place exactly that.

Returning the following season.....guess what had taken place over our absence...................TBC

Prologe: the beginning

Well, TA (Tom Arnold) thinks he can get an old dog to do new tricks!!! So..here goes!!!

Happend to get introduced to JTS few years ago almost on a fluke. Been a train nut most of life time, brother and sister-in-law of course knew about it and one day at work sis got to "talkin train stuff" w/guy at work who then asked if she knew about a group of other "train-folks" who hung out out in the desert north of where they live called Joshua Tree & Southern..NO..well should get to know them!!! and, oh, by the way I think they have some kind of a BBQ coming up...go to their website, check 'em out.

Well....wound up going to the BBQ. Met some of the folks and this chap(TA) gave us the "cooks tour" Showed us around, gave brief background and future plans....then showed us this awesome colletion of RR cars....then we came to IT. Stuck way back in the back like a lost sheep....OMG!!!! there it was.

How about THAT said my bro.....there is just what you keep talking about wanting...old style, coupla, wood-sided CABOOSE. It's not Illinois Central (we are from Ill.) but next best thing....it's an ESPEE!!!!! OMG...then TA took us thru it.....I was just stunned........

But then about as quick as the excitment came, I was "bummed" What is w/this deterioation/neglect....doesn't anyone care about this GEM....where's the LOVE!!!!!!! ......... My brother explained to TA that my major career focus was in restoration and since I was looking for just such a piece as this, maybe there was a KARMA MOMENT here.....

Well........TA being the "master" he is; didn't miss a beat.......I think we (JTS) have just found the love this gem needs......If you join up....how'd you like to take this one as a project....(LOL...sucker!!!)


Guess you have figured out ....yup.....did join up......and yup....SP529 has become my LOVE interest.....expensive interest......but very rewarding and actually very gratfull that TA and the folks have let me run w/it.

In fact I do renovation work, residential,..and goodly portion of it is in "historical representation"; even at one point help w/restoring antique aircraft ( an other fromer vise..before it got so expensive) ..........THUS THE BEGINNING