Messages

1

Work and Events / Re: Maine Locomotive and Machine switch and siding

« on: November 15, 2018, 10:10:00 AM »

No 8 frog, actually Joe.  Our entire system utilizes no 8, except for the ToM north main switch which is no 10.  Most points are 12’ 2 degree.

Some of our freight equipment objects to no 6.  As it is, the local degree of curvature in a no 8 switch exceeds 30 degrees.  This is tolerable given the short length of closure rails.

See ya
Jason

2

Volunteers / Re: November 2018 Work Report

« on: November 15, 2018, 10:03:18 AM »

I think I’ll cover the 40’ of switch w tarps to keep the spit of snow off of it.  It won’t be perfect, but should improve starting working conditions on Saturday.

Jason

3

Volunteers / Re: November 2018 Work Report

« on: November 14, 2018, 06:45:36 PM »

Any crew available tomorrow (Thursday) we’ll gladly accept.

Friday looks to be another rain event.

I suspect we will indeed be finishing the switch on Saturday, followed by ballasting it and Davis grade.

See ya
Jason

4

Museum Discussion / Re: WW&F receives award for Moose Brook bridge project

« on: November 13, 2018, 11:34:49 PM »

It was quite an honor to receive these awards on behalf of the organization, as well as the opportunity to attend the conference, learn from the seminars, meet so many folks in the industry, and of course see the C&TS and meet its managers.

It is really important to clarify:  our awards did not top the ceremony.  There were several other equal recipients of awards in several categories.  We should be proud, and humble to be in such company.

Thank you to every one of you who help make our organization great.
Jason

5

Volunteers / Re: November 2018 Work Report

« on: November 13, 2018, 12:10:50 PM »

Confirming this weeks schedule.

Switch building Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  Any crew who wants to come in Wednesday and Thursday and avoid today’s rain, that’s great.  Saturday we’ll be ballasting the switch, and probably helping Brian build the track connection.

Thanks,
Jason

6

Museum Discussion / Re: Sheepscot pictures for the away crowd.

« on: November 11, 2018, 06:15:04 PM »

Track cars are load restricted by the general order which designates them a track car.  In this case we declared hauling capacity equivalent to 52.  The designation was really all about crossings.

See ya
Jason

7

Museum Discussion / Re: Sheepscot pictures for the away crowd.

« on: November 11, 2018, 05:13:52 AM »

ML&M 100 (Brian’s Brookville) has been designated a track car for this very reason: it doesn’t have a sufficient audible warning device to protect crossings.  It’s also got a very limited number of qualified operators and we expect its use will be very limited, though we are extremely grateful that Brian has made it available to us.

Whistles use a lot of air.  Putting on a whistle on air loud enough to provide sufficient warning at crossings would be too hard on most small locomotive air systems.

See ya
Jason

8

Volunteers / Re: November 2018 Work Report

« on: November 07, 2018, 05:40:39 PM »

We plan to install the switch next week, beginning Tuesday.  Plan to take all week, including helping Brian make the track connection into his shop.  Once we have more definite timing on the plain track laying, we’ll put that word out too.

Thanks,
Jason

9

Volunteers / Re: October 2018 Work reports

« on: November 07, 2018, 05:39:13 PM »

Marcel,

Joe and I have discussed just that:  a sheet metal shield to protect the side sills.

See ya
Jason

10

Volunteers / Re: November 2018 Work Report

« on: November 07, 2018, 12:01:43 AM »

118 will be available by Saturday.  We’re using it to stage switch parts this week; once done we’ll use the crane to move them to the crane car. 

See ya
Jason

11

Volunteers / Re: Work Day 11/3

« on: October 26, 2018, 10:05:24 PM »

Bill (Reidy), you’re fine running the tamper.  I did a little retroactive track car qualification with Dave.  I’ll send you an email to be sure we’re in the same page but I believe we’ve had this discussion a few times.

Bill B, others, the gist is that the tamper is a designated track car, for which there is a specific rule in the rule book.  Remember the rule book is a reference book!  Track cars do require specific training and a qualification endorsement for each specific track car- the training addresses the mechanical specifics of that piece of equipment and the rule requirements of all track cars.

See ya
Jason

12

Museum Discussion / Re: Spur(s) to/at ML&M at Sheepscot Mills

« on: October 24, 2018, 12:51:52 AM »

Honestly, given the development of ML&M (which began well after we built through and planned the east side siding), I believe a siding on the west side makes worlds more sense.  This keeps us at one main line switch, and allows more fluent switching of ML&M.  While the east side has been graded, grading of the west side is a simple matter and Brian would probably be willing to do that for us. 

A second main line switch and second siding, whereby the main must be accessed to switch them both, and we’re toying with another set of yard limits.  A single main line switch cleanly avoids that.

The idea of a west side stub end spur has been occurring to me for some time- but I figured first things first.  I do rather think a siding on the east side would be a wasted opportunity at this point.

See ya
Jason

13

Volunteers / Re: October 2018 Work reports

« on: October 23, 2018, 12:33:58 PM »

MMM work this week is shifted to Wednesday Thursday, due to rain today.  Most regular crew has shifted to that schedule.  Anyone showing up today (because of my late post), do not fear!  We will keep you busy.

I do apologize for the tardiness of this post.

Jason

14

Volunteers / Re: October 2018 Work reports

« on: October 21, 2018, 10:38:02 AM »

No, blocking 8 and 320 wasn’t planned- I don’t remember blue flagging 56 but maybe I forgot I did?  Maybe Brendan?  Correct course there would have been a limited service bad order.  Sorry.....

15

Volunteers / Re: October 2018 Work reports

« on: October 20, 2018, 11:04:00 PM »

Brian’s car will require a number so it can be included in conventional operating plans.  Brian has already approved of this.  No idea what number, but a number it must have.

See ya
Jason