Model Plans and other stuff

If anyone is interested in model plans get a copy of the November/December 1989 issue of Narrow Gauge & Short Line Gazette. This is the start of a two(?)-part article by Al Armitage. Plans are with this issue.
As to the cost of the construction of the turntable at Perris, I do not have the figures. But I can find out. There is the cost of the timbers (a whole bunch). The cost of the concrete we up under the center and the material for the drains. And the cost of the castings. The crane to turn over the deck and place it on the center pivit.
Then there is the stuff we don't have a cost for: The grading for the site which we did using volunteers and our (the Museum's) grading equipment. The machining of the castings. The cutting and fitting of the timbers. The welding of the suspension rods. The bending of the rails with the "bull dozer" (yes, that's the name of the old style machine); and the learning along the way. Using our own equipment to put up the A-frame.
Of course, in some ways it was easy for us. We had a dedicated volunteer crew. We have our own graders and excavators. We have our own machine shop (I once saw four machines at work at one time on the project -- engine lathe, milling machine, shaper, radial arm drill press). And many people who were co-opted into the project at various times.
So if I do come up with any costs it will only be for part of the project. The true cost is some where in the never-never land of volunteerism and having the right tools on hand.
Brian Norden