The tracks, ties, and ballast are in for the 45 foot rail line which
will hold our WP668 caboose. However, after the granite ballast went in
we looked at the surrounding dirt and realized that even considering
the very slight land slope away from the Guadalupe River, the grade
was at least 3 inches too low. In next year’s rainy season we would
end up with a mosquito-breeding swamp instead of a yard.
John and the contractor were out with a long tape measure and yellow
string late yesterday. They strung lines (for the platform/deck, brick
walkways, and planting areas), and discussed grade levels and drainage.
There will be a 30 foot by 10 foot deck next to the caboose (serving
as the rail platform as well as a place to BarBQ). We plan to build
the platform out of Trex or a similar
plastic and reclaimed wood composite material, with the footings being
the left over rail ties. Over the platform will be a pergola for shade.
We have pictures of Southern Pacific rail platforms with pergolas that
we will use as the design models.
The contractor really wants to be done with this project so we hope he
will have clean dirt delivered and a crew out this week. We don’t mind
if he has the crew move the concrete rubble where the platform/deck will
go but I want it moved out of my planting beds where they dumped it.
John and I are also still trying to get the certificate from the
soils engineer so that can go to the city along with the other permit
application materials. The certificate will show that the swimming pool
was properly filled. That is, that the new fill will not liquify in an
earthquake and tip our caboose into our neighbor’s living room.
An important safety point for all concerned, I am sure.
KatysBlog 