Yesterday we began "reverse engineering" the tunnels on the northeast corner of the property. Normal engineering requires tunneling through existing mountains. In this case, we have a reverse process starting with a flat elevation 25 feet above the track on the lower level, we install the tunnel portals and then start building the mountain. The portals and basic mountain structure were design and temporarily set in place. The plan is the glue the sections of the mountain together so it can be removed if necessary. This will be quite the engineering feat if it works.

Based on the inventory of rail types on hand, the design team has determined that the upper loop can be constructed of newer, smoother and reliable track.  The lower loop, switches and yard will be constructed with older tubular track.  A transition section was constructed on site.

Preliminary utility connections were powered up today.  The design is being adapted to the realities in the field.  The turnout or the bridge will be omitted during this phase of construction for safety reasons.

During speed tests on the decent from the upper loop, tubular track and grade issues contributed to a near disaster.  Only by a miracle, the steam engine was prevented from plummeting to the floor.  The board of directors authorized the purchase of additional high quality track for the curved descent.  This move also greatly improved the grade.  Both diesel and steam engines are now making the ascent with heavy loads.

The upper level loop is now secured.  The lower level requires addition of roadbed, cleaning of old track, additional utility connections, and activation of automatic switches.

While design work continues on track, we have begun to develop an economic proforma. The primary need of the railroad is to transport documents between the filing cabinet and the desk. However, we are now considering that the railroad can be self-supporting with the addition of some key industries. We have some resources in cattle, dairy, and lumber. We believe these enterprises can result in a positive revenue stream that more than pays for the railroad. The existing resources include rolling stock and loading platforms for cattle and dairy operations as well as buildings that can be moved on site. We are arranging for these resources to be air lifted to the property.

Meanwhile, we have received a shipment of track. We also obtained a rail car crane and flatcar to facilitate the laying of the track. The flatcar also delivered earth moving and excavation equipment for the establishment of the road bed. We expect ground breaking early tomorrow.

For the railroad we have successfully acquired a 1.69 parcel at an elevation of 128 feet above floor level. This is the same elevation as the desk and will provide mid level access to the filing cabinet. If access to the top of the filing cabinet is required at some date, tram service is conceivable to attain the additional 88 feet.

The acquired parcel has a elevation change of 80 feet. The northeast section of the parcel is the highest area at 208 feet sloping down the the south. The entire western edge is at 128 feet of elevation.

The design team proposes a configuration of two return loops plus a yard. This is intended to provide a solid base of operations for phase one. Phase two will be construction of 288 foot steel bridge from the property to the desk. The lower return loop requires a tunnel under the upper level. The upper level also requires a tunnel through the mountain on the northeast side of the property.

The design team has determined that the original parcel is not large enough to satisfy the maximum grade requirements of 5%. It is necessary to purchase an addtional parcel of slightly more than 1/4 acre making the entire parcel 1.97 acres.

It has become necessary to provide rail service in my home office. The distance from the filing cabinet to the desk is over 1000 O scale feet. Other possibilities including a canal have been considered and rejected. A water source was located when installing the cove base for the new floor but it was deemed better to repair the link than try to redirect the flow.

The Lionel collection that I inherited in my youth will be used. In order to provide a revenue stream for the operations of the railroad, construction will include a dairy farm and possilbly some lumber operations.

Lemony Snicket's "A Series of Unfortunate Events" creates an interesting puzzle of relationships. The perilous hope is that decoding the people and events alluded to in the series can bring one to a point of enlightenment. Why is it that these good children resort to all sorts of immoral and devious devices?

The books are full of puzzles so we hope they are full of clues. There are anagrams, Siebalt codes, codes linked to classic books, mysterious pieces of evidence, and a host of literary allusions. Could it be that hidden in these codes is the information that gives us satisfaction for this series of unfortunate events?

The answer is likely, "no." Daniel Handler has said as much. He wrote this book to illustrate his view of life. The aweful reality is that bad things happen to good people. Good people are not as good as they seem and evil people are not as evil as they seem. Things do not work out in a just way. Life is full of twists and turns. Good often goes unrewarded, perhaps even punished. Evil goes largely unpunished and just as often may be rewarded.

Inerrancy does not mean what it sounds like. It affirms that quite a few discrepancies and inaccuracies can exist.

Question of morality:
If you aware of someone in need and are able to help them, are you morally obligated to help them? Are you subject to punishment if you fail to help them?

1. In the parable of the good Samaritan, Jesus introduced a commandment to love your neighbor. The example he gave was giving assitance to a stanger in need who he defined as our neighbor.
2. James 4:17Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.
3. Does this mean failure to render aid is a punishable offense?

There are challenges to translating these ideas into a code of ethics. One modern outcome is the conclusion that we are constantly in sin with little hope of any righteousness. We simple bow to the forgiveness that comes through faith in the cross. There is no hope of living a righteous life even with the help of the Holy Spirit. Although this seems spiritual and theological tidy, it is not satisfying and does not seem to me to be consistent with the vision of following Christ in the Bible, the motivations of the apostle Paul, and other descriptions of life in Christ.

I suggest an alternative. We need more emphasis on the sins of commission and to lighten up on the sins of ommission. There is just not enough time in my day otherwise. The life of folowing Christ can be a simple one.

John 9

Jesus said that he came to make the blind see and those who see made blind.

1 Jesus came to heal the blind
2. Jesus came to give understanding to those in spiritual darkness
3. Jesus used physical blindness (Saul of Tarsas, Simon the magician) to get people's spiritual attention.
4. Jesus forces those without faith deeper into the desperation of their confusion and ignorance.

Physical sight is one of our highest values.
Spiritual insight is more important than physical sight.
God is willing to strike someone physically blind to promote spiritual insight.
What is God willing to do or allow to be done?

What other reasons could God have for allowing or imposing physical, emotional, financial hardships? What are the higher goals to be accomplished? Humility? Breaking of the pride? Reordering priorities?