Messages

1

Volunteers / Re: October 2018 Work reports

« on: October 08, 2018, 08:19:02 PM »

The gift shop crew planned weeks in advance, having new shirts made for the bridge project as well as other merchandise.  Thanks to the many volunteers who made purchases, the gift shop had sales over $4,100

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Museum Discussion / Re: Museum Gift Shop

« on: October 04, 2018, 12:14:32 PM »

There will be a rare opportunity this weekend to purchase an interesting piece of Maine Two-Foot railroad memorabilia.  It's been over 100 years since the Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes had new hand lanterns made.  In July, four new Adlake kerosene brakemen's lanterns were made for the railroad, stamped SR&RL RR.  One has already been sold, the SR&RL gift shop at Phillips has two (although one or both may have been sold) and we will have the last one in our gift shop.  The hand lantern will be available for inspection this weekend, the price is $275.  Proceeds will go to our equipment restoration fund.

3

Work and Events / Re: September 29th Fall Festival and Evening Train

« on: October 02, 2018, 05:32:03 PM »

As of today the number of people following our Facebook page is 5,849

4

Volunteers / Re: A few stories ...

« on: September 27, 2018, 11:47:00 PM »

Last month a fellow came to ride the train but missed the noon run by about 10 minutes.  He came over to look at the railcar while I was oiling the turntable and asked about the history of the Model T.  A conversation started and he told me that he grew up in Coopers Mills and that his family had lived there a long time.  I asked him if anyone in his family ever rode the WW&F and said "well, my father grew up in the 1950's and his father (my grandfather) used to ride the train to Wiscasset in the 1930's".  I asked if he knew any stories about the narrow gauge from his grandfather and he replied "only one".  He told me that when he was a kid his grandfather told him that he went to Albion one time to visit his cousin.  He said that when he got on the train to return, the cousin asked him to go to Wiscasset any buy some blueberries.  He replied "but they're not in season".  The cousin replied "by the time you get there …. they will be".   

   

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Volunteers / Re: A few stories ...

« on: September 23, 2018, 11:25:25 PM »

An Alna resident who is a friend of the WW&F has a couple staying in her home this Fall.  The husband, Richard heard his host speak about the railroad and last week he saw a museum member in the Alna General Store wearing a WW&F shirt.  A question about the railroad turned into a friendly 15 minute conversation about the history and present day operation of the narrow gauge.  Richard said he would stop by sometime and this morning he brought his wife, Jill to Sheepscot for a train ride.  The couple boarded the train and was enjoying the scenery.  When it was time for their tickets to be punched …. it turned out that the Alna Store WW&F member was the train's conductor.  Well, the conversation picked right back up where it left off, this time with Jill asking the most questions.  When the train reached ToM, engineer "Bullet" Bob Longo came back to the coach and asked if anyone wanted to ride in the locomotive cab.  Jill spoke right up so she and Richard rode all the way back to Sheepscot with Bob and ashcat Dana Deering.  At Sheepscot hey thanked the engine crew and spent some time taking photos. 

During a later train, the couple showed up at Alna Center where they had driven to get photos of the train coming through.  When the southbound train stopped to call Sheepscot from the AC depot, Jill and Richard came over and once again told the crew how they enjoyed the cab ride commenting how friendly everyone is.  The train continued it's run back to Sheepscot and upon arrival the crew found a smiling Jill standing on the platform.  She had just purchased a museum membership and she brought a fresh baked carrot cake for the train crew to enjoy.  Nice surprise! 

Thank you Jill, it was nice to meet you and we appreciate your becoming a member.

6

Volunteers / Re: September 2018 Work Reports

« on: September 10, 2018, 12:20:11 PM »

Additional projects and news -

*Third concert -
The Saturday evening Golden Oak concert went well with over 60 people attending, many with young children.  People enjoyed the music and complimented the crew on the train ride.  The return trip was at dusk with the coaches lit by kerosene lamps.  The refreshment sales table did well thanks to the crew that baked cookies, etc. on Friday afternoon.  Some of our volunteers stayed at AC and helped clear the chairs and tables while the band packed up.  It was a nice end to a long day, a couple of members had over 15 hours starting with the bridge move and finishing with the concert.

*Old car display -
On Sunday morning an antique car group put on a nice display at Sheepscot and rode the train.  The group took photos of the WW&F Model A flatbed truck still loaded with chairs from the concert, noting that it was good to see an 88 year old truck that still worked for a living.  They were surprised to see the Model T railcar and asked many questions.

*Caboose 320 -
One would think we would start relaxing by Sunday afternoon ….   As the above photos show, Marcel and Brendan brought 320 outside and Brendan used the forklift to set the cupola while Marcel guided.  The process took a while as Marcel applied sealer to each joint before the mortise and tenons came together.  A bit of coaxing by a crew on the roof and everything went into place.  No sooner was the cupola set than Marcel began test fitting the windows. 

*Percival house -
In the last week, Zack and his crew have been working on the dog house entrance to the cellar.  Debris from the old deck was removed and hand grading was done to fill in the low spots along the house foundation.  The dog house south side wood trim was repaired and two coats of paint were applied.  Zack plans to build a new front porch during the FWW.

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Work and Events / Re: Trout Brook Bridge - Official Work Thread

« on: September 05, 2018, 09:42:05 PM »

Steel spans should go up tomorrow, (Thursday 9/6)

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Volunteers / Re: September 2018 Work Reports

« on: September 05, 2018, 12:12:12 PM »

Also on Saturday -

* There will be a birthday party group with 70 people.

* The third concert will be Saturday evening with a special train leaving Sheepscot at 5 PM.  Chairs and the snack sales table will need to be transported to AC and set up in the tent.

9

Work and Events / Re: Trout Brook Bridge - Official Work Thread

« on: July 10, 2018, 11:02:48 PM »

So, they'll be the dam moose trout ??!?

10

Museum Discussion / Re: WW&F 52 is on Ebay

« on: July 02, 2018, 05:57:15 PM »

Coach 3 came to Sheepscot in 1999.  Frank Paul was head conductor when the track reached Alna Center, we have photos of him next to the train at AC with the station under construction in 2003.  If I remember correctly, 2004 was the last year that Frank volunteered.  He was an interesting man, a joy to work with.

11

Volunteers / Re: A few stories ...

« on: June 28, 2018, 11:41:10 AM »

Last Saturday a man brought his young daughter to the museum for a train ride.  They came into the gift shop and looked around but when they came to the counter to purchase tickets, the man realized that he didn't have his wallet.  He apologized and said "we will come back another day".  Not wanting to disappoint the daughter, the quick thinking gift shop crew told them "that's ok, we'll give you two tickets for a ride today and you can send us the fare when you get a chance".  Both father and daughter thanked the gift shop crew and boarded the train.  Upon their return to Sheepscot they told the train crew that it was a beautiful ride and they would tell their friends about the railroad.


Yesterday we received a thank you card from the fellow along with a check covering the fare plus a good sized donation.   

12

Volunteers / Re: June 2018 Work Planning

« on: June 10, 2018, 11:27:29 AM »

The east door will have a new smaller porch built with steps leading down to the area in front of the cellar door.

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Other Narrow Gauge / Re: 7.5" Gauge Loco 10 Model

« on: June 05, 2018, 06:33:54 PM »

The shop building is painted in Ben Moore "sunshine/sunny yellow" which is the name from about 20 years ago.  The trim is a custom color buff/tan.  The colors replicate the Wiscasset shop building that was painted in medium yellow with dark red trim that faded to a tan color.

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Work and Events / Re: Trout Brook Bridge - Official Work Thread

« on: May 17, 2018, 07:25:29 PM »

Check FB today for photos of the roof sheathing installed on the east truss.

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Museum Discussion / Re: Facebook results:

« on: May 09, 2018, 10:00:24 PM »

Here are some numbers on how many people have seen our page recently with WW&F news.  The numbers vary by post.



* News Views - Bridge and other project news posted on April 26th:   9,393

* Spring Work Weekend - Projects update posted on April 30th:   3,716

* 2018 Season begins - Posted on may 1st:   6,022

* How The World Sees The WW&F - Posted on May 3rd:   9, 640

* WW&F receives grants for the bridge project - Posted on May 8th:   2,580