New Roof for the W&CV Ry Combine Car

Bill Rodgers works through the cupola window as Keith Berry and Steve Karoly lay the first course of felt of the roof of the Westside and Cherry Valley Railway combine car.

While we laid the first course of felt this morning, a gentleman from Amador County stopped by and offered his assistance. Mac, as it turns out, is a roofer by trade. Mac was able to advise us on the job and helped lay the second course of felt.

Roofing the Combine Car

Sometimes the most expeditious way to accomplish a task is to do it yourself. The railroad has spent many hours learning how to build replacement parts. Applying a new roof to a 35-year old narrow gauge car is no different. The process helps us develop new skills and reserve precious funds for more pressing projects.

Yesterday, Eric Stohl, Keith Berry and I mounted the roof of the Westside and Cherry Valley Railway combine car to apply a new roof. Bill Rodgers and Jacob Karoly provided support on the ground while Sam Thompson and Harold Tilton operated the valve shaping machine inside the engine house.

In the top photograph, Eric pours the initial application of cold-ap roof adhesive while Keith prepares spread it on the roof to the cupola. We decided to use the cupola as the test patch for our roofing project. Next week we'll tackle the forward section of the roof.

Eric leans out of the cupola window as he assists Keith and Bill with the rear section of the combine car's roof. Bill and Keith worked on ladders while I took pictures.

I quickly learned that photography and roofing don't mix. After snapping my first pictures of the cupola roofing job, I had to lower the camera down to my son and concentrate on spreading adhesive and laying the felt. I'll get some picture of the finished job next week.

From Apple Hill to the El Dorado Western

Keith Berry spreads cold-application roof adhesive to the roof of the Westside and Cherry Valley Railway combine car. The crew from the El Dorado Western Railway is re-roofing the combination caboose and baggage car in preparation for the winter rains.

Crewman Bill Rogers, a local retiree who drives a tractor at one of the Apple Hill ranches, supplied the five-gallon bucket for the roofing job.

I wandered out loud: "Why is Apple Hill buying prepared apple filling? I thought its reputation was built on fresh ingredients like recently picked apples."

Bill assured me that his employer makes apple pies with fresh apples from the ranch. You know, the kind with a six-inch high crown of sliced apples that have been sweetened with sugar and cinnamon. The ranch uses sliced apple pie filling from a five-gallon bucket for turnovers.

Come to think of it, a nice slice of apple pie with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream would've hit the spot in the 90-degree heat on the roof.