Ugly Pumpkin is Sad (and Wet)

The first good-sized storm of this winter season has arrived. The rain started last night and continues this morning. The steady rain of course will cause localized flooding because Fernley has very little drainage to speak of.

( Ugly Pumpkin in the Rain )

It's a good thing I didn't have to go to the Bay Area this past weekend. I would have had to leave on Saturday to skip the snow (and chain controls) over Donner. However, inasmuch as I do not have to be out in it, I say, "Bring it on!" as we need lots of snow and rain to refill the reservoirs and aquifers serving both California and Nevada.

Night Work

As I've been reporting, the Union Pacific Tie Gang is working its way across the Nevada Subdivision. Last night I heard the foreman get a track warrant between milepost 275 (West Fernley) and 285 (East Darwin), good from 2100 last night through 0230 this morning. This more or less coincided with the arrival of a cold, wet rainstorm that moved in last night.

( The Glamorous Railroad Lifestyle )

Trains are rolling through again this morning, albeit at reduced speed, which is typical for sections of track on which work has been done. I hope the Tie Gang's hotel is nice and warm and dry today as the hard-working maintenance-of-way team tries to dry and out get rested up to do it again tonight.