Rio Grande Explorations

Java Station Sign

April 19, 2014

 

Java is located at Mile Post 9.0. During construction of this portion of the Texas State Railroad in 1906, Java was a large end-of-track camp. By 1910, after the railroad was finished, most of the residents moved to nearby Maydelle, leaving Java as another East Texas ghost town.

 

The sign before work began

 

Kevin scrapes rust...

 

...then primes the sign with rust-resistant primer.

 

Becky coats the pole with primer. The "pole" is actually a recycled boiler tube, a common practice on steam railroads.

 

Kevin calmly paints the Java sign as Magma Arizona #7 bears down on him!

 

 

Becky admires the sign after it's painted

 

The local canine population casts a wary eye on the crew that was carefully keeping its distance!

 

Becky waves to TSR #7 as it heads east to Rusk.

 

Later that evening after Cody, Jason, and Casey returned from Herring, the crew went back to Java to apply the letters.

 

Cody applies the lettering while Blake holds the ladder

 

Looking good!

 

Casey gets the other side while Blake and Everett supervise

 

Done!