Katy Dickinson

http://blogs.sun.com/katysblog/date/20090728 Tuesday July 28, 2009

Caboose Brunch

On 18 July, my husband, John Plocher, and I served a brunch for six inside WP668, our backyard caboose, to the winning bidders at the 2009 charity SAMA Auction. We provided cherries, peaches, melon, potato frittata with garlic aioli, bacon and sausage, eggs, french toast, coffee, tea, and orange juice. A good time was had by all!

You can see photos from last year's caboose brunch on my blog entry dated May 27, 2008.

WP668 caboose brunch for SAMA San Jose California
photo: copyright 2009 Katy Dickinson WP668 caboose brunch for SAMA San Jose California
photo: copyright 2009 Katy Dickinson WP668 caboose brunch for SAMA San Jose California
photo: copyright 2009 John Plocher

Images Copyright 2009 Katy Dickinson

http://blogs.sun.com/katysblog/date/20090613 Saturday June 13, 2009

HO Scale Train Track

My husband John Plocher loves trains of all sizes, from WP 668, our 1916 historic backyard caboose, to the HO-scale models at the Silicon Valley Lines (SVL) club where you can find him most Friday nights. John has twice been President of SVL and is now Board Secretary. On the live Operations nights at SVL (last Friday of each month), John often serves as Dispatcher. Recently, John has been hand laying a section of track near the main yard at Nowheres on the SVL layout.

The SVL club is of particular interest because of the high degree of its computerization. It is often on tours of the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA). The last two years, SVL has also been one of the invitation-only layouts toured by Bayrails. SVL operates trains using digital command control (DCC), which allows engineers to control locomotives independently on the same track.

The club is located near Virginia and South Third in San Jose, California, in the basement of a historic brick building occupied by Golden State Builders. Most of the basement is rented out for storage and is sectioned off with metal and plastic fencing, floor to ceiling. Look for the SVL signs...

Virginia & S Third, San Jose
Virginia and South Third in San Jose, California
photo: copyright 2009 Katy Dickinson
The Ramp to SVL
The Ramp to SVL Silicon Valley Lines
photo: copyright 2009 Katy Dickinson
SVL sign
SVL sign Silicon Valley Lines
photo: copyright 2009 Katy Dickinson

SVL Nowheres yard
SVL Nowheres yard Silicon Valley Lines
photo: copyright 2009 Katy Dickinson
John's work in progress
John Plocher's work in progress, SVL Silicon Valley Lines
photo: copyright 2009 Katy Dickinson
SVL layout detail
SVL layout Silicon Valley Lines
photo: copyright 2009 Katy Dickinson

Images Copyright 2009 Katy Dickinson

http://blogs.sun.com/katysblog/date/20090327 Friday March 27, 2009

Caboose Window Seat Done

My husband John Plocher just finished creating the window seat for WP668, our 1916 backyard caboose. We bought WP668 in January 2006. WP668 has my desk in one bay window, facing our house across the garden. Princess Birdie is my 13-year-old pet cockatiel. She has one cage in the kitchen and the other next to my desk in WP668.

The bay behind my desk features a lovely custom three piece stained glass window created for us by Vince Taylor. The new window seat is deep enough so that the space below can store the window screen inserts John made last year. The seat will eventually have a cushion.

WP668 bay
January 2006
WP668 caboose bay, January 2006
photo: copyright 2006 John Plocher
Rebuilding the bay window
February 2008
WP668 caboose Rebuilding the bay window, February 2008
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
Linoleum floor installed
May 2008
WP668 caboose linoleum floor installed May 2008
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
Glass installed May 2008
WP668 caboose Stained glass installed May 2008
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
Window Seat frame February 2009
WP668 caboose Window Seat frame February 2009
photo: copyright 2009 Katy Dickinson
John and window seat top
WP668 caboose John and window seat top
photo: copyright 2009 Katy Dickinson
Adding window trim
WP668 caboose Window trim installation
photo: copyright 2009 Katy Dickinson
Caulking cracks
WP668 caboose Caulking cracks
photo: copyright 2009 Katy Dickinson
Installing under seat storage doors
WP668 caboose Installing under seat storage doors
photo: copyright 2009 Katy Dickinson
All done!
WP668 caboose Window seat all done
photo: copyright 2009 Katy Dickinson

WP668 caboose Princess Birdie cockatiel
photo: copyright 2009 Katy Dickinson

Images Copyright 2006-2009 by Katy Dickinson and John Plocher

http://blogs.sun.com/katysblog/date/20090313 Friday March 13, 2009

Making a Window Seat

In between job hunting, my husband John Plocher, has been designing and creating a window seat for WP668, our 1916 backyard caboose. WP668 is a bay window caboose with my desk in one bay, facing the house across the garden. The other bay features a lovely custom three piece stained glass window created for us by Vince Taylor. The red linoleum flooring and stained glass were both installed in May 2008. Everything was designed around the planned window seat. The window seat is deep enough so that the space below can hold the window screen inserts John made last year. The seat top is done and John is working on the front. It will be painted white and have a leather cushion when complete. Photos of the project so far:

WP668 in March 2009
WP668 caboose in March 2009
photo: copyright 2009 Katy Dickinson
Floor installed May 2008
WP668 caboose linoleum floor installed May 2008
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
Glass installed May 2008
WP668 caboose Stained glass installed May 2008
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
Window Seat and Template
WP668 caboose Window Seat and Template
photo: copyright 2009 Katy Dickinson
John and window seat top
WP668 caboose John and window seat top
photo: copyright 2009 Katy Dickinson
Window seat top installed
WP668 caboose Window seat top installed
photo: copyright 2009 Katy Dickinson

Images Copyright 2008-2009 by Katy Dickinson and John Plocher

http://blogs.sun.com/katysblog/date/20090224 Tuesday February 24, 2009

Caboose Permits Signed Off!

I am delighted to announce that WP668, our 1916 backyard caboose, is now fully signed off! The City of San Jose building inspector came, saw, signed and left this morning. After almost three years of working with the city, we are done - hooray!

Other WP668 news - at Sunday's successful SAMA auction, we sold a caboose brunch which will be cooked by John. This popular item was offered for the second year at the charity fund raising event. SAMA is a major outreach program for St. Andrew's Episcopal Church (Saratoga, California). Auction money goes to support medical programs in the Holy Land and Africa. For details, see the SAMA web page.

Work in progress on WP668:

  • Welding cleanup and metal coating for the stair railing
  • Install roof walk, attach it to existing ladders
  • Install bay window seat
  • Restore the rest of the windows (1 done, 5 to go)
  • Complete the back deck and step woodwork (steel is done)
  • Restore brake rigging and wheels
  • Reattach and restore battery box
  • Restore (replace?) the doors
WP668 Electrical Plan
WP668 Electrical Plan, Caboose San Jose CA
photo: copyright 2009 Katy Dickinson
WP668 Caboose
WP668 Electrical Plan, Caboose San Jose CA
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Photos Copyright 2008-2009 by Katy Dickinson

http://blogs.sun.com/katysblog/date/20090210 Tuesday February 10, 2009

Packard Hospital Model Train

During my son's recent stay at Lucille Packard Children's Hospital (LPCH) in Palo Alto, California, we enjoyed playing with their model train. The HO-scale train layout is on the main floor and provides entertainment as well as a focus for walking directions. There is a sign inside the front door "... take the Elevators by Model Train to Ground Floor...". The meticulously detailed self-contained layout is about 12 feet square under an arched roof. Inside are two non-connected oval railroad track loops. The scenery is inspired by Northern California's Southern Pacific rail line, featuring mountains, a lake, the ocean (beach and underwater), fields, and a small seaport town. Each of the four sides has two large plastic buttons which do something: create a sound or flash model street lights... Several friends of ours were involved in creating this layout under strict hospital supervision. It is a huge kid magnet and brings joy to all.

    LPCH model train layout
    Lucille Packard Children's Hospital model train layout, Palo Alto California
photo: copyright 2009 John Plocher
    LPCH model train layout
    Lucille Packard Children's Hospital model train layout, Palo Alto California
photo: copyright 2009 Katy Dickinson
    SP Engine closeup
    Southern Pacific engine closeup, Lucille Packard Children's Hospital model train layout, Palo Alto California
photo: copyright 2009 Katy Dickinson
    John and LPCH model train layout
    John Plocher and Lucille Packard Children's Hospital model train layout, Palo Alto California
photo: copyright 2009 Katy Dickinson
    LPCH model train underwater scene
    Lucille Packard Children's Hospital model train layout underwater scene, Palo Alto California
photo: copyright 2009 Katy Dickinson
    LPCH model train layout
    Lucille Packard Children's Hospital model train layout, Palo Alto California
photo: copyright 2009 John Plocher

Photos Copyright 2009 by John Plocher and Katy Dickinson

http://blogs.sun.com/katysblog/date/20090203 Tuesday February 03, 2009

Caboose Visitors from Japan

Last weekend, two visitors from Japan came to see WP668, our backyard caboose. Atsushi and Tab were in the San Francisco Bay Area for O Scale West and also to visit the Silicon Valley Lines (SVL) HO-scale model train club for operations. Last week's SVL monthly operations session was held in the dark - night operations. Atsushi is a member of SVL and helped in 2006 to construct WP668's very short rail line. It was a pleasure to host railfans from so far away.

    Visitors in WP668
    Atsushi and Tab from Japan inside WP668 caboose
photo: copyright 2009 Katy Dickinson
    Atsushi and Tab outside of WP668
    Atsushi and Tab from Japan with WP668 caboose
photo: copyright 2009 Katy Dickinson
    Atsushi in 2006
    Atsushi helping to lay track for WP668 caboose
photo: copyright 2006 Katy Dickinson

Photos Copyright 2006-2009 by Katy Dickinson

http://blogs.sun.com/katysblog/date/20081207 Sunday December 07, 2008

WP668 and the Conductor Ducks

Our backyard caboose, WP668, looked good for Saturday's Silicon Valley Lines (SVL) model train club Christmas party. John put up the Western Pacific herald on the new metal plate he welded to WP668's side, then added Christmas lights too.

I bought train-theme party supplies from the Oriental Trading company, including small plastic Conductor Ducks for giveaways. One of our Christmas traditions is to set up my G-scale railway track in the living room. (I am collecting G-scale rolling stock and track for when I build my garden railway next to WP668.) The Conductor Ducks were a popular party favor and were given many G-scale train rides during the SVL party.

Photos:

WP668 with new WP herald
WP668 with new Western Pacific herald
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Conductor Ducks
Conductor Ducks
          photo: copyright 2007 Katy Dickinson
Western Pacific decal
Western Pacific decal for WP668
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
John mounting decal
John mounting the Western Pacific decal on WP668
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
John mounting decal
John mounting the Western Pacific decal on WP668
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
John mounting decal
John mounting the Western Pacific decal on WP668
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
WP668 new herald
WP668 with new Western Pacific herald
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
WP668 Christmas lights
WP668 with Christmas lights
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
Hank vs. the train
Hank versus the train
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
Hank helping Dad
Hank helping Dad
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
Ladybug engine, Conductor Ducks
G-scale Ladybug engine with Conductor Ducks
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
Little John with ducks
Little John with Conductor Ducks
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Images Copyright 2008 by Katy Dickinson

http://blogs.sun.com/katysblog/date/20081204 Thursday December 04, 2008

Western Pacific Herald Going on Caboose

For the third year, our home will soon be hosting the Silicon Valley Lines model train club Christmas party. To prepare for the event, I have finished painting the bay window markings on WP668, our backyard caboose. Tomorrow, John is going to mount the Western Pacific herald on the metal plate on the side of WP668. John wants to preserve the etched shadow of the original WP logo on the original herald plate, so he lacquered it. Today, he had a 21-1/2" x 23-1/2" steel plate cut (the size of the WP decal we bought from the Portola Railroad Museum), then painted the new plate black. Tomorrow, John will tack weld the new plate over the old and then mount the decal. WP668 will once again display the Western Pacific herald!

Here a small size reproduction of the WP logo and a current photo of WP668:

    reproduction WPFRR sign
          photo: copyright 2007 Katy Dickinson WP668 caboose November 2008, San Jose CA
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Images Copyright 2007-2008 by Katy Dickinson

http://blogs.sun.com/katysblog/date/20081110 Monday November 10, 2008

Caboose Art Tour

I am still decorating the inside of WP668, our backyard caboose. The last big piece of furniture, the Victorian fainting couch, is still not finished. Below are pictures of some of the art currently inside. Two of the artists are in my family: Eleanor Creekmore Dickinson is my Mother, and Evelyn Van Gilder Creekmore was my Grandmother. Elkmont is where our family cabin was in the Great Smoky Mountains, near Knoxville, Tennessee. Some of the furniture in WP668 was hand carved by my Great-Grandmother, Ellen Bolli Van Gilder.

"Gay Street, Knoxville"
with Eleanor Dickinson
1951
Gay Street, Knoxville by Eleanor Dickinson, 1951 painting and artist
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
"Gay Street, Knoxville"
by Eleanor Dickinson
1951
Gay Street, Knoxville 1951 painting by Eleanor Dickinson
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
Victorian Etchings - Shakespeare's Heroines:
Katharine and Cassandra
circa 1900
Victorian Etchings circa 1900 - Shakespeare's Heroines, Katherine and Cassandra 
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
Dream of Evelyn V. Creekmore, Elkmont
by Eleanor Creekmore Dickinson
1970
Dream of Evelyn Creekmore and Elkmont 1970 painting by Eleanor Dickinson
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
Elkmont, Tennessee, Creek Paintings
by Evelyn Van Gilder Creekmore
circa 1980
Elkmont Creek Paintings circa 1980 by Evelyn Van Gilder Creekmore
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
Inside WP668
Inside WP668 Caboose
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
Inside WP668
Inside WP668 Caboose
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
2008 WP668 Caboose drawing
by Eleanor Dickinson
WP668 Caboose drawing 2008 by Eleanor Dickinson
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
WP668 Caboose
today
WP668 Caboose today
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Images Copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

http://blogs.sun.com/katysblog/date/20081106 Thursday November 06, 2008

Caboose Almost Signed Off

The San Jose city inspector came today and signed off on everything for WP668, our backyard caboose, except one wire. This is frustrating because the last city inspector checked that same electrical box and did not say there were any problems. To pass this last inspection requirement, John has to pull an existing set of wires out of the underground conduit, add a neutral ground wire to the bundle, then pull the set back into place. This new wire is in addition to the existing grounding rods. WP668 today:

WP668 caboose November 2008, San Jose CA
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson WP668 caboose November 2008, San Jose CA
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Images Copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

http://blogs.sun.com/katysblog/date/20081103 Monday November 03, 2008

Caboose Final Sign Off Scheduled

On 21 May 2008, our backyard caboose, WP668 passed its first electrical inspection by the City of San Jose. Last weekend, John added the exterior lights to WP668, the last big electrical chore on his list. The final city inspection, of the electrical and the stair rail, is scheduled for later this week. John and I started work with the city on permits and variances in January 2007. I will be very happy to have the permitting process finally complete!

WP668
WP668 Caboose, San Jose CA
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
Work in progress on WP668:

  • This week:
    Final stairway and electrical inspection and sign off
  • Short term:
    • Attach Western Pacific decal to steel plate on side of WP668
    • Upgrade garden lighting around WP668
    • Paint touch up (base coat, trim, and markings)
    • Welding cleanup and metal coating for the stair railing
  • Longer term:
    • Install roof walk, attach it to existing ladders
    • Install bay window seat
    • Restore the rest of the windows (1 done, 5 to go)
    • Complete the back deck and step woodwork (steel is done)
    • Restore brake rigging and wheels
    • Reattach and restore battery box
    • Restore the doors

http://blogs.sun.com/katysblog/date/20081026 Sunday October 26, 2008

WP668 Caboose Railings Done

This weekend, we mostly finished creating the stair railings for WP668, our backyard caboose. There is some detail work to be done and the railings need to be painted but what we have looks good and is very sturdy. I also stood in my cactus garden and painted WP668's name on her bay window (finally) since the weather was warm. We still need to add the Western Pacific Railroad decal to the side.

John worked with welders Chris Gremich (CG Designs in San Jose, CA, phone: 408-313-3706) and Adam Stickles (Fusion Welding, 408-849-6636) to shape and assemble the parts out of galvanized steel pipe. Each rail set can be unbolted and removed for painting - the banisters slot into pipes set in concrete in the ground. Photos:

WP668 today:
WP668 view from cactus garden
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

half done railing
WP668 half done railing
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
railing removed for finish welding, Adam
WP668 stair railing removed for finish welding by Adam Stickles
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
stencil on bay window
WP668 stencil on bay window
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
first paint on stencil
WP668 first paint on bay window stencil
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
baluster-banister welds close up
WP668 stair baluster-banister welds close up
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
Chris grinding pipe
WP668 Chris Gremich grinding pipe for stair rail
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
adding balusters: Chris, John, Adam
WP668 adding balusters for stair rail, Chris Gremich, John Plocher, Adam Stickles
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
a few more to go
WP668 John Plocher - a few more stair rails to go
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
looking upstairs
WP668 stair railing looking upstairs
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Images Copyright 2008 by Katy Dickinson

http://blogs.sun.com/katysblog/date/20081024 Friday October 24, 2008

WP668 Caboose Railings (half done)

We are half done creating the stair railings for WP668, our backyard caboose. See my 14 October 2008 blog entry for more. The rail and balusters are being created out of galvanized steel pipe. John assisted Chris Gremich (CG Designs in San Jose, CA, phone: 408-313-3706) to shape and assemble the parts. We hope to finish the job this weekend.

WP668 before stair railings
WP668 before stair railings
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
John leveling railing
WP668 leveling stair railing
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
1st two balusters in
WP668 1st two stair balusters in
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
checking spacing
WP668 1st four: checking stair baluster spacing
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
leveling again
WP668 leveling stair balusters again
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
2nd railing in
WP668 2nd stair railing in
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
cactus garden view
WP668 view from cactus garden
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
checking 2nd stair railing height
WP668 checking 2nd stair railing height
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
still needs welding
WP668 1st railing still needs welding
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Images Copyright 2008 by Katy Dickinson

http://blogs.sun.com/katysblog/date/20081014 Tuesday October 14, 2008

Caboose Railings

We are still working on the stair railings for WP668, our backyard caboose. Chris Gremich (CG Designs in San Jose, CA, phone: 408-313-3706) has made the part of the bannisters. He needs to finish those and then attach them to the balusters. Balusters have to be less than 4" apart for safety. WP668 still has the temporary railing John put in last year.

Those who have been to Sun Microsystems' Menlo Park, CA, campus have probably seen where we got our bannister design.

WP668 today
WP668 today
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
WP668 Bannisters so far
WP668 Bannisters so far
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
Sun Bannister
Sun Stair Bannister
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Images Copyright 2008 by Katy Dickinson