Messages

436

Volunteers / Re: February 2020 Work Reports

« on: February 17, 2020, 04:10:04 PM »

Perhaps the best solution is to have the fourth ("end-of-day") car positioned in in the Sheepscot shop yard for quick pick-up for the last train of the day.  Much safer to handle there than at a crowded Top of the Mountain.  I would want to limit our switching moves at ToM to as little as possible (i.e., the run-around move).

I agree that having a full train at the end of the day means we had a very successful event.  Folks had a great time at the farm and ToM and wanted to linger longer there. 

437

Volunteers / Re: February 2020 Work Reports

« on: February 17, 2020, 08:43:55 AM »

Some late-day photos from Steam & Sleighs yesterday (Sunday). all taken at Top of the Mountain.

First three show the conveyances between our train and SeaLyon Farm.  First up is Don Lyons with his tractor and wagon.


Second is a horse-drawn wagon.


And third is a horse-drawn sleigh.


Our train consisted of locomotive No. 9 and three cars (north-to-south) Franklin & Megantic No. 2, Wiscasset & Quebec No. 3, and WW&F No. 8.  Here we see a very full F&M No. 2 awaiting the end of day trip back to Sheepscot, as Don tends his equipment.


In total we had over 250 passengers each way between Sheepscot and Top of the Mountain.  Our last return trip at 3.30 p.m. had 105 passengers.  Everyone I spoke with had a great time.  Temperature was in the 30s, and after being on crew for the Grand Reunion a week ago when the day started at -10, it felt like summer.

438

Volunteers / Re: February 2020 Work Reports

« on: February 15, 2020, 07:27:47 PM »

Great photos--Thanks, Mike.

439

Work and Events / Re: Steam and Saws: February 15, 2020

« on: February 15, 2020, 06:58:32 PM »

Sorry I couldn't be there today.  I'm using my last hall pass for February tomorrow to conduct.

Thanks for the photos, Mike.

440

Museum Discussion / Complimentary mention in the Wiscasset Newspaper

« on: February 14, 2020, 07:19:56 PM »

This week Wiscasset Newspaper Assistant Editor Susan Johns included an appreciative mention of our Museum:

A welcome, a wow and a weekend full of whistles

...All weekend long last weekend, wherever I was in Alna, north or south, I could hear the whistles of a Wiscasset, Alna  and Waterville Railway Museum train, even that bitter cold Saturday morning. At Ames True Value Supply in Wiscasset, I ran into museum spokesman Steve Piwowarski and asked him about it. The museum was running special “photo” trips all weekend, at higher prices than other rides the nonprofit offers, he explained.

Wasn’t it cold in the cars? He said the museum has that covered, with a stove onboard. He added in an email, “In the extreme cold we use a lower viscosity oil for some lubrication because it lubricates better at low temperatures. Switches get cleared with stiff-bristled brooms and the diesel locomotive is equipped with a plow to removed large quantities of snow from the line (usually over 6 inches).”

All these steps help add nostalgic train sounds to a small Midcoast town without traffic lights or drive-throughs, and with a museum that has an international following. Pretty neat to hear and appreciate train sounds, any time of year...

https://www.wiscassetnewspaper.com/article/welcome-wow-and-weekend-full-whistles/130391

441

Museum Discussion / Maine Tourism Association's 2020 Maine Invites You Annual

« on: February 10, 2020, 07:00:13 PM »

On my way up to serve on train crew for the Grand Reunion yesterday (Sunday), I stopped at the Maine Visitor Information Center on the turnpike in Kittery in the wee hours and found the new Maine 2020 visitor's guide.



As you see from the cover, the annual features "97 Reasons to Love One of the Greatest Places on Earth."

We're one of the 97 places listed.  We're No. 84 on page 134—first in the "Maine's Midcoast & Islands" section.

Don't know if any of our volunteers played a role in this, but it's nice to see us highlighted this Maine bicentennial year.  Hope it leads to a spike in visitors.

The full guide can be viewed at https://www.mainetravelguidebook.com/

442

Work and Events / Re: SWW 2020 - Spouse/Member Activities & Tours

« on: February 05, 2020, 05:59:41 PM »

Announcement of these Spring Work Weekend events are now posted on wwfry.org under Recent News:  http://wwfry.org/?p=2895.

Thank you, John, Chris, Saundra and Eric for organizing these events.  I'll also mention these events in the March/April newsletter and do what I can in my control to get the printed issue in member's hand before March 27th.

443

Work and Events / Re: SWW 2020 - Spouse/Member Activities & Tours

« on: February 03, 2020, 06:57:35 PM »

Thanks John.  We’ll be mentioning this in our next newsletter, but the issue won’t be posted online before mid-March and the printed newsletter may not reach members’ hands before early April.  Hopefully this will be early enough to help out Wiscasset Woods for planning for the weekend.

444

Volunteers / Re: February 2020 Work Reports

« on: February 02, 2020, 02:35:08 PM »

Some photos from Saturday.

As Mike reported, the well-traveled Prebles depot took a 2.6-mile ride aboard flatcar No. 118 to Top of the Mountain.  Here the crew is boarding for the trip north from Sheepscot.


At Top of the Mountain, Prebles was unloaded between the main track and the mill spur.










The work now done at Top of the Mountain, the crew boards for the return trip to Sheepscot.


At Sheepscot, Alan Downey, Jerry Steinke and Carlos Steinke worked on repairs to our squeeze riveter.

445

Work and Events / Re: West Springfield, MA Railroad Show

« on: January 29, 2020, 07:19:03 AM »

Books were the big seller.  Clothing, not so much.  Though our POS should provide the definitive answer.

446

Volunteers / Re: January 2020 Work Reports

« on: January 25, 2020, 08:07:38 PM »

Oh, and Happy Birthday, Fred!

447

Work and Events / Re: Event Pavilion for Alna Center - Official Reassembly Thread

« on: January 25, 2020, 08:07:12 PM »

The side views kinda look like the Death Star, half erected like that.

448

Volunteers / Re: January 2020 Work Reports

« on: January 25, 2020, 08:04:39 PM »

It was a busy day at Springfield, though I don't have numbers.  4-5 new or renewing members.  Good to see Monson No. 3 under steam outside the Better Living Center.  Heavy rain held off until the end of the show today at 5 p.m.

449

Work and Events / Re: Event Pavilion for Alna Center - Official Reassembly Thread

« on: January 21, 2020, 07:36:13 PM »

Great progress Mike--Thanks for the photos.

And Happy Birthday Fred.  Some of us will be at the Big E this weekend, so we can't celebrate with you.  If the last trusses get set Saturday, I hope both you and Mike enjoy an extra piece of cake!

450

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

« on: January 20, 2020, 07:45:21 PM »

Gordon's comments are spot on, and all that I can add is that of all the events I've witnessed in Alna these past 19 years with our members and friends, what I experienced Sunday was one of the most magical.  Watching our 13-car train work through Cockeye Curve and the rest of our railway, in newly fallen snow, was brilliant.  This event brought me much closer to what the crews on the original Maine two-foot railways must have experienced a century ago.  I only wish I had the opportunity to take a few photos.

The best experience was sharing this with friends.  Gordon, along with the three steam crews and our train's brakemen, did a wonderful job.  It was a privilege to share the experience with them.  And I got the opportunity to talk with several of our photographers and make new friends.

Thanks to all who made this possible!