Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: Another steam weekend

« on: October 17, 2019, 09:35:19 PM »

Don,

I'll have to stop by and see you also as I'm only 20-25 min away.  (Doylestown)  My grandson would be fascinated by a steam launch.

Yes, by all means stop by, I'd like to meet you and your grandson. Simply ask for me and introduce yourself.

2

General Discussion / Re: Another steam weekend

« on: October 17, 2019, 06:32:24 PM »

This could be cross posted to "WW&F Visits...."

Ed Lecuyer, you are welcome to do so, I don't feel that talented. I'll even reply with a photo of myself sporting the hat on the boat!

3

General Discussion / Re: Another steam weekend

« on: October 17, 2019, 06:26:54 PM »

I was pleasantly surprised to see Don sporting his “WW&F Railway” hat!
 

Yes Rick, I wore my WW&F hat all 3 days. Had you guys in my thoughts constantly.

4

General Discussion / Re: Another steam weekend

« on: October 17, 2019, 06:24:47 PM »

I live like 20 minutes from that lake. I wish I could have arranged to get down there. I have never seen a steamboat. But now that I know, I'll be prepared for next year.

Benjamin, you are welcome to join us anytime, look me up.
Next years dates are:
Sat. 6/13;  Sat. 7/11;  Sat. 8/8;  Fri. 10/9 - Sun. 10/11
Starting times appx. 9:00 am, Haycock Launch Access.

5

General Discussion / Re: Another steam weekend

« on: October 17, 2019, 06:16:20 PM »

Another good reason for us to build the extension to Wiscasset.  Don can finally get a pier to tie-up to, and take the train to get there! 

On to Wiscasset!  LOL

6

General Discussion / Re: Another steam weekend

« on: October 17, 2019, 06:14:19 PM »

WW&F member and volunteer Don Fenstermacher was absent from the Fall Work Weekend this year, but there was still steam involved. Don and his son and grandson helped run the 25th anniversary outing of the North American Steamboat Association at Lake Nockamixon Park near Quakertown, Pa. Ten boats were in attendance.

Here's a nice report from a local television station, which includes some screen time for Don, as well as shots of his boat,

https://6abc.com/community-events/all-aboard-the-north-american-steamboat/5615763/


(Note: He still wishes he could have been in two places at once!)

Thank you Wayne for reporting on my extracurricular activities away from WW&F. Our 25th anniversary meet went off without a hitch and sported 10 boats. We were blessed with beautiful weather over the course of the 3 day event. And yes I do wish I could have bee in two places at once.

7

Whimsical Weirdness and Foolery / Re: WW&F Visits....

« on: October 06, 2015, 02:48:40 PM »

On Sunday, September 20th, I was riding the Durango and Silverton when I heard someone comment about the WW&F hat I was wearing. Turns out it was our train conductor, who introduced himself as Wayne Pratt, son of Gus Pratt. Many of you recognize the name. Gus back in 1935, at the age of 17, using a 16mm movie camera, captured for posterity the action of the rapidly closing Maine 2' gauge rail lines. Fortunately for us his films survived and are now available on DVD in the museum gift shop.

If you do not already have thes DVD's, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, you owe it to yourself to purchase them. It is like a window into the past.

Wayne has been living and working at the D&SNGRR for 25 years. He fondly remembers Maine and does visit occasionally. I believe I recall him saying he visited his father at Boothebay while #9's boiler was being built. He said to say hi.

I am going to try to attach a photo of myself with Wayne Pratt, I hope it works.

Don Fenstermacher

8

General Discussion / Re: Who Am I? or, Let's Introduce Ourselves

« on: October 06, 2015, 12:33:59 PM »

Hi, my name is Don Fenstermacher and I hail from Bucks County, PA. I have had a fascination with steam from the early 1960's. I rode on a number of the Reading's Iron Horse Rambles and also volunteered at the WK&S in it's beginning years. From there I boomered around for a little over 30 years, volunteering at several tourist railroads and mainline rail excursions. I have worked in engine service as both an engineer and as a fireman, also worked in the shops as well, even a roundhouse. I had the pleasure of working on everything from an 0-4-0T to a 4-8-4. I have helped in the restoration of a 4-6-2, 4-6-4 and a 4-8-4, a lot of hard work but, also a lot of fun.

In 1995. I changed vocational careers and went to work for a short line railroad where I was employed as an engineer and/or conductor. I retired from the railroad 3 years ago.

In the early 1990's, I hung up my gloves from steam railroading and turned my interests to personal hobby steam boats. From 1996 to the present I have had two steam launches. My current launch is a 23' Elliott Bay hull with an VFT boiler and a two cylinder reversing steam engine. I have been steaming on our home lake, Lake Nockamixon as well as other lakes and rivers. I have attended steamboat meets from NH to FL. We have a lot of fun as a family and have my son and grandson, 3 generations involved.

I became interested in the WW&F through a good friend of 55 years, Wayne Laepple. I joined several years ago, but had not visited WW&F until earlier this year. I had followed the happenings at the museum thru the newsletter and this forum. Wayne finally enticed me to attend this years spring work week-end and I had a very enjoyable time. I was simply awestruck having seen the place first hand. I had a blast, everyone is so friendly and laid back, yet so much is accomplished.

Wayne invited me along for the fall work week-end but unfortunately it falls on the same weekend as our annual (3 day) steamboat meet at Nockamixon. I hope to return to WW&F next year! In the meantime, I'll continue to support you from here.

Keep on steaming,
Don Fenstermacher