Messages

1

Volunteers / Re: September 2017 work planning

« on: September 24, 2017, 07:55:48 PM »

Correction to Joe's post; is like at least one track day during the week preceding work weekend.  There are two more stretches we'd like to get lifted, to make lining track easier during work weekend.

So- this Tuesday, and one day the following week.

See ya
Jason

2

Volunteers / Re: September 2017 work planning

« on: September 20, 2017, 12:33:47 PM »

Please DO NOT fill the car shop back up with stuff.  We are still under the concrete contractor's recommended 2 weeks of light duty, 4 weeks of heavy duty.

Further, we are hoping to actually design the space usage, complete with a floor plan and presentation and requested board vote at next meeting.

Please, please, please don't start loading up the space.  We have a blank slate to intelligently work from.

Also- do NOT connect the rails yet- also the concrete contractors recommendation.

Thanks,
Jason

3

Museum Discussion / Re: Improved Efficiencies & Mechanization for Track Building?

« on: September 18, 2017, 04:24:12 PM »

I agree with Mike.  The changes I refer to as nothing more than the expansion of current methods to their ultimate efficiency level.

4

Museum Discussion / Re: Improved Efficiencies & Mechanization for Track Building?

« on: September 18, 2017, 12:42:22 PM »

We have programming and equipment modifications to our track laying program which we keep in reserve, should the need to increase track laying speed and efficiency develop.  At this point there is no need to do so.

Thanks,
Jason

5

Museum Discussion / Re: We Want a Feline

« on: September 15, 2017, 03:52:54 PM »

Someone would have to be personally responsible for the animals well being; anything less would be irresponsible.  Buttercup was Harry and Clarissa's cat.

In the right circumstances, it's possible and would be great.  Maybe one of the Rhine's cats could be introduced?

See ya
Jason

6

Work and Events / Re: 2017 Fall Work Weekend Porjects

« on: September 12, 2017, 12:01:04 PM »

During my post-op stooper, I decided that if I could live in a spreadsheet, I'd be an open parenthesis symbol, because there's just so many possibilities in there...

7

Work and Events / Re: 2017 Fall Work Weekend Porjects

« on: September 12, 2017, 11:58:24 AM »

My reasoning behind lining was to use the crew efficiently while the tamper is engaged on the mountain and mill spur.  Maybe I forgot to mention that to the board?  In any event it wasn't intended to negate main line maintenance- but acknowledge the fact that the tamper is engaged in other work, and lining needs a large crew (where tamping does not).

The thought on the yard tracks was the connection to the new floor.  As I recall, the discussion was just we hope this is done ahead of time, but if it's not, it is therefore late and overdue, so a priority.  It was purposely listed as a lower priority than main line work.

Once this gets battered around here a bit I'll write a daily work schedule (always flexible, of course).  I do love spreadsheets...

See ya
Jason

8

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

« on: September 09, 2017, 12:16:21 PM »

We'll consider a wider clearance, and seek the advice of our railroad bridge engineer.  Everyone's thoughts on the matter are understood and appreciated.

Thanks,
Jason

9

Volunteers / Re: September 2017 work planning

« on: August 30, 2017, 11:08:17 AM »

If we have any luck today, it'd be good to do some track ballast dressing on Saturday.

10

Volunteers / Re: August 2017 Work Planning

« on: August 29, 2017, 11:04:26 AM »

Yes, thank you Fred, for tackling this with GUSTO!

11

Volunteers / Re: August 2017 Work Planning

« on: August 27, 2017, 04:16:14 PM »

I'm planning on tamping being the principle project on Wednesday, and encouraging the majority of the crew toward that.  I'd like to do this (track as major project) once per week now through the work weekend.  I hope this can dovetail with Joe's availability, but we will proceed regardless.

Joe, if you can, please drop me a line when you know your weekday availability, and desire to work on track, so we can dove tail that desire with other major crew projects such as the shop overhaul or helping Mike when he needs it.  Wednesday next week works perfectly.

On Tuesday we'll hit the shop project hard.

See ya
Jason

12

Volunteers / Re: August 2017 Work Planning

« on: August 24, 2017, 11:25:37 PM »

Next week, We also need to complete prepping the shop for concrete.  About two days (starting next Tuesday) with a good crew should have it nearly fully prepped. 

13

Volunteers / Re: August 2017 Work Planning

« on: August 24, 2017, 11:24:08 PM »

We are working on getting the back-hoe, now rail mounted, operational, specifically for ties.  Included in this work (and causing its delay) is the hydraulic power pack.  It is an experiment; if it fails, the hydraulic power pack will be universal.  There is talk of making a tie inserted patterned after the simple, wide gauge versions. 

One thing is certain:  tie changing needs to be mechanized; changing ties by hand in stone ballast is not a reasonable use of our volunteer resources (same as hand tamping stone ballast).  Stone is a game changer on the hand labor consideration. 

We have been planning next weeks tamping day that joe mentioned since we fixed the tamper this week.  Joe and I discussed the plan to raise most bad joints during the weekdays of September, then arrange a lining crew on work weekend. 

A major work weekend priority is a retaining wall to arrest slumping of the south abutment of Humason Brook, as required by our bridge inspector.  Mike will have work for us as well, for sure.

See ya
Jason

14

Boothbay Railway Village / Re: Old Boothbay brochure

« on: August 24, 2017, 01:10:29 PM »

Boothbay Railway was founded in 1964.  I believe the loop wasn't finished till 1965, and steam maybe the following year.

See ya
Jason

15

Volunteers / Re: August 2017 Work Planning

« on: August 23, 2017, 12:15:52 PM »

Big Joe's hydraulic power unit was fixed yesterday afternoon by Harold, with help from Randy, Phil B, and others.