NVRR – Meet – Photos #4
NVRR – Meet – Photos #3
NVRR – Meet – Photos #2
NVRR – Meet – Photos #1
Nasonville Valley Railroad Company – Official Bulletin
Issued at the President’s Office — Nasonville, Rhode Island
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Twenty-Five
To All Patrons, Friends, and Fellow Railmen:
The President and Officers of the Nasonville Valley Railroad Company extend their sincere gratitude to all who assembled for the Nasonville Valley Railroad Meet and the Dedication of the Mountain Division. A most agreeable crowd, numbering in the seventies or more, gathered upon the grounds, and the day proved splendid in every respect. The fair weather, with temperatures in the mid-sixties, lent itself admirably to the enjoyment of railroading fellowship.
For those unable to be in attendance, a moving picture of the Dedication Ceremony shall be made available below, with a full tour of the line to follow in due course.
Looking ahead, plans are already underway for next year’s Meet, anticipated to be held on a Saturday in September. In preparation, notable improvements to the line are proposed, including:
- The Genaro Trestle to be double-tracked;
- The easing of curves with wider radiuses;
- The regrading of the line from the Shirley Covered Bridge to the Genaro Trestle;
- And various other enhancements, all undertaken to further the safe and efficient operation of this proud railway.
By Whistle and by Spike, the work of progress continues.
Issued under the authority of the President,
Fr. Jay A. Finelli
President & Chief Operating Officer
Nasonville Valley Railroad Company
NVRR update – Yellow Jackets vs. the Railroad
Yesterday, while tamping the track after laying down fresh ballast and re-leveling a section, I was stung by a yellow jacket. Apparently, the vibration from the tamping angered a hidden nest beneath the surface.
Since then, I’ve tried just about everything to evict them — all without success. First, I poured a couple of cups of gasoline into the hole and lit it. That seemed to do the trick… for about half an hour. Then they were back, buzzing and furious as ever.
Today I tried a different approach: Spectracide Carpenter Bee & Ground-Nesting Yellowjacket Killer Foaming Aerosol. Again, no luck. I even read online that a mixture of Dawn dish soap and water can work — two tablespoons per gallon. So, I filled the John Deere bucket with water, added six cups of Dawn, and dumped the soapy solution into the nest. Still nothing. The stubborn swarm — about fifty strong — continues to guard the entrance.
The real frustration is that this nest is right where I need to work, and no train can pass that section without stirring them up. I plan to pick up more spray tomorrow, but at this point, I’m open to any suggestions. If anyone has a tried-and-true method for getting rid of a ground nest, I’m all ears.
Since finishing that section was impossible today, I shifted gears and built a small crossing instead. Using cinder blocks on the outside of the rails and 2x4s cut to ¾” height as rail guards, I put together a neat and functional little crossing. Tomorrow, I hope to move on to re-ballasting a portion of the original main line on the inside of the loop — assuming, of course, the yellow jackets don’t object.
A couple of pictures from today’s work are below:
Nasonville Valley – Progress Bulletin
Ongoing Track Work and Reverse Loop Progress
Ongoing tweaks and maintenance continue throughout the line as we fine-tune the railroad following completion of the bridge project and the Mountain Division extension. The mainline behind the house is now fully complete. I cleared brush and small trees from the embankment and installed cinder blocks and stone to help retain the ballast. Several deteriorated ties have also been replaced.
Today, I began work at the start of the reverse loop, though my efforts were cut short after disturbing an underground wasp nest. With luck, I’ll be able to return tomorrow to finish that section.
Here are a few photos and a video showcasing the full reverse loop.
Figuring Your Track Radius
You can use all kinds of mathematical formulas to calculate the radius of the curves on your railroad, but there’s a much simpler way to do it in the field.
Start by cutting a 10-foot length of string that has no stretch. Secure one end to the inside rail of the curve, and pull it tight so the string forms a straight 10-foot chord across the curve.
Next, measure the sagitta — that’s the distance from the center of the string straight down to the inside edge of the rail.
Once you have that measurement, simply refer to the included chart to determine the radius of your curve.
Download the chart [Track Radius Chart here].
STRADE FERRATE SAN SEBASTIANO (San Sebastián Railroad)
It’s been a long time since I posted anything about my dear friend Guido Mattoli. Guido has one of the preeminent Live Steam railroads in Italy. When my parents and I were planning a pilgrimage to Italy, I began researching the Live Steam clubs and tracks in Italy. I was determined to visit one if possible. What I experience was beyond my imagination. Somehow, I made contact with Dr. Guido Mattoli from Foligno, Italy. It is only 13 miles from Assisi and we were set to stay in Assisi for a few days.
When I emailed Guido, he sent a very quick reply and told me that he would personally pick us up at our hotel. Guido told me to call him when we arrived. We had taken the train from Lourdes and arrived in Assisi on a beautiful sunny day. What a day to see Strade Ferrate San Sebastiano. After we visited the railroad, Elizabeth, Guido’s wife had a beautiful, several course Italian dinner.
That was the beginning of a long friendship. Since then, I was able to visit Guido and Elizabeth and his railroad on two other occasions. Each time, the railroad has grown and become more amazing. However, I can’t wait to get back to Foligno. First, I look forward to seeing my friends Guido and Elizabeth, but I also look forward to seeing Guido’s railroad. It has grown to the point that most Live Steamers would drool.
Here are a few stats for Strade Ferrate San Sebastiano:
- 2 Km (6,561.81′)
- 2 tunnels
- 5 bridges
- 3 stations
- 2 turntables
Here are a few pics through the years. And below is a recent video.
NVRR Track Update
Since my last update, I’ve completed the Blueberry Pass, laying and ballasting over 60 feet of rail to finish the return loop and tie it into the switch before the old trestle. From there, I spread fresh ballast, leveled, and corrected more than 150 feet through the Pass.
I also tackled a recurring trouble spot near a culvert, where every major storm used to wash out the ballast. To solve this, I installed a 20-foot by 12-inch pipe, covered it, and then re-ballasted and leveled the entire section.
In addition, I took time to measure out the entire layout. The total length now stands at 3,443 feet of mainline track.
Here are a few pictures of the progress.
