A Wheel Blast: This week we look at why the track quad vehicle has shiny rims, we move beyond the rafters to the battens at the loco shed, the sleepers continue to multiply under the track in the yard, and the best coffee is keeping our volunteers braced against the Cooma winter!

The track maintenance quad vehicle is progressing well, with volunteer Daryl making an impromptu sand blasting cabinet from a cardboard bow and clear plastic to sandblast the quad’s wheels. The wheels are now looking splendid and following examination will be primed and readied to go back onto the track vehicle.

Man at Work: Daryl uses an improvised sandblasting cabinet to renovate a wheel from the track maintenance quad vehicle. (CMR photo)

Over at the temporary loco shed, Caelan and Dave R. ignored the winter cold and continued working to bring the project closer to completion. They have completed installing the rafters and have commenced fixing the battens to the rafters. This project is a fine example of what the team at CMR can deliver, and we are looking forward to the arrival of steam locomotive 3203 to take pride of place in the shed.

Batten Progress: Caelan keeps himself warm by fixing battens to the rafters at the temporary loco shed project over at the goods shed. (CMR photo)

On Saturday our trusty crew of volunteers laid more sleepers in the yard, and our stalwart coffee connoisseur Dave Miller, whose Cooma-based mobile business, Coffee 2630 is a popular fixture at our monthly Fresh Produce Markets, is now making Saturday morning pit stops at the station to refuel our workers with complementary coffee. If you haven’t been to the markets yet, please do so – Dave has the best tasting coffee in the region, so your mouth will thank you forever.

Delirious Dave: Dave Rolfe can’t contain his anticipation for a cup of Dave Miller’s 2630 Coffee – you can get your fix at our next Fresh Produce Markets on 8 August or come down and volunteer on a Saturday morning and get a cup for free! (CMR photo)

There are so many ways you can get involved with the Cooma Monaro Railway. Our next Fresh Produce Markets will be held on 8 August (the second Sunday of the month), and you can join, volunteer, or donate to help advance our return to an operating museum with exhibitions and heritage rail operations. Just visit our website www.cmrailway.org.au to find out how to get involved, or contact us at secretary@cmrailway.org.au