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Topics - Jason M Lamontagne

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1
Volunteers / Reducing Fire Danger on the Mountain
« on: March 12, 2024, 11:37:39 AM »
Folks we are heading for a dry start to our season.  Amongst other measures, we are concerned with the amount of dry material on the track between ToM and TBS.  Mostly leaves and pine needles, this material is dry and accessible now and could be readily blown clear of the track with careful use of the leaf blower.  I say “careful” because lack of care would also send the ballast off into the woods.

This is a two person job: one as a lookout and safety watch for heavy labor, and the other blowing.  That way the two can trade off as well. 

The blower was a huge utility for us blowing snow this winter.  It should work well for this as well.

Are any volunteers willing to take this task on?  It is important to mitigate our known fire hazards before we run again.

Thanks
Jason

2
Volunteers / Printed Rulebook Pledges
« on: February 10, 2024, 06:50:09 PM »
Hello folks,

For some time we have wanted to print pocket-size, hardbound cloth covered rulebooks in order to add a touch of class and pride to our operation.

We have gotten what we feel is a good quote from a local publisher.  Including the set-up fee it is $25 per book.  Future reprints will not require the same level of set up, reducing unit cost to under $12 each (barring inflation increases). 

This first print run would be 100 books for a total of about $2500.  We hope this book print lasts 5-10 years, but that depends on how many General Order updates we have to carry to keep the books up to date. 

The Board is willing to fund this however is unable to make this happen right now.  We wonder if individual museum members might be willing to pledge the cost of their book at $25 each.  If enough members pledge, the Board may be able to fund the difference and get these books printed sooner.  We had hoped for them in time for the April rules class- but we may miss that.

A photo of our inspiration is attached below.

Any members choosing to pledge, please vote "I will pledge" above.  You can vote multiple times in case you want to offer more donation than one book (though everyone gets just one book).  Or you can choose another option.

Thank you!
Jason

3
The Original W&Q and WW&F: 1894-1933 / Hobos on the WW&F to Head Tide
« on: January 30, 2024, 06:27:34 PM »
Hello,

Does anyone recall a story of hobos riding from Wiscasset to Head Tide in boxcars?  I recall this story being passed to us from a woman who had ridden the period railroad.  I thought James had received this story but he does not recall it, nor does Linda.  We’d like to track down the particulars of this story, however thorough they may be.

Any leads?

Thanks
Jason

4
Work and Events / Winter 2024 Photo Event Prep
« on: November 06, 2023, 08:52:40 AM »
Hi folks,

We are holding a photography event in early February, 2024.  A critical piece of success is brush cutting at several key locations, including Albee’s field, Top of Mountain, Humason trestle, rosewood, and possibly others. 

Is anyone reading this interested in leading and or helping with this effort?  We should try to accomplish this in November and December.

Thanks
Jason

5
Volunteers / October 2023 Work Reports
« on: October 01, 2023, 04:48:42 PM »
Anticipated Work
Week of October 1-4, 2023.  (Work Weekend Excluded)

Tuesday:
Truck Work.  Final (re)assembly expected.
Coach 9 work.
Flatcar Canopy (Randy and Jay B).  Canopy on flat 34.

Wednesday:
Track work- prep for Upper/ North Yard work on Saturday of FWW.  On Wednesday we will remove two track panels from Barn 2 lead, due to a significant hump in the roadbed.  Help would be greatly appreciated on Wednesday for this prep work.

Others please feel free to post work plans I missed.

Thanks
Jason
Coach 9 work.

Wednesday-Thursday (and into FWW):
Build11 will focus on cylinder work.



6
Volunteers / 2023 Fall Rules Class
« on: August 16, 2023, 11:02:30 AM »
Hi Folks,

Rules class for 2023 will be Saturday September 23, 2023.

Please note that attendance is required at least once every 3 years.  If this just doesn’t work out for you, we can offer an equivalent.

Also note- because Sept 23 is such short notice, for which I apologize, we will also be offering a spring 2024 rules class.  If you’re due to attend the fall 2023 class due to the 3-year requirement, we will honor the 2024 Spring class as equivalent.

More details to follow.

Thanks,
Jason

7
Volunteers / TBS Weed Whacking Crew Request
« on: June 26, 2023, 12:57:35 PM »
Hello folks,

Would 1-2 of our volunteers reading this be willing to weed whack the railroad right of way from track out to each ditch between Rt 218 at TBS south to MP8?  This is an area we cannot power-spray due to proximity of the public trail system.  The volunteer who has been taking care of this for the past few years has some new health restrictions.

Please let us know here if you’re willing.  We’d like to get this done within the next 2-3 weeks if possible.

Thanks
Jason

8
Work and Events / Jayne's Way Crossing Renewal May 30 and 31, 2023
« on: April 14, 2023, 09:58:04 AM »
Hello folks,

We are planning to replace Jayne's Way Crossing during the final week of May/ first week of June.  This work includes removal of 90' of track, excavation and installation of crossing drainage, and installation of new track.  This will be a large project requiring a strong support crew.  Anyone who is able to join us please do- and please let us know here or let Steve or I know directly. 

The specific dates are:
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Thursday, June 1, 2023

Thanks
Jason

9
Volunteers / 2022 Fall Work Weekend Volunteer Parking
« on: September 10, 2022, 04:03:40 PM »
Hello folks,

We are looking forward to a busy FWW- which will include public Pumpkin Trains on Saturday.  With the influx of volunteers attending work weekend along with public guests are causing us, we are developing a parking plan for the day.  This is important for the safety of the road, and our relationship with our neighbors and the Town.  Generally, the plan will include volunteers parking at the corner lot (still need to confirm permission) and the west lot, while trying to leave the majority of the main lot for Pumpkin passengers.

As part of this plan, we are looking for 3-4 volunteers to serve as parking attendants.  Are any readers here, who plan to attend this year's FWW willing to serve in this capacity?  We are stretched thin crewing trains and managing work activities- so we are asking for help from this group of supporters in hopes of covering this very important concern.

Feel free to respond here, or reach out to Ed or I directly.

Further information regarding 2022 FWW activities will be posted on that dedicated thread under Work and Events.

Thanks,
Jason

10
Mtn Ext testing and training schedule (This list is for the railroad only- Brendan may add station work notes)

Week of 7/25/22: Re-set MP8 sign, final tamp turntable leads, assist with loco/ turntable testing.
Tuesday 7/26/22 Loco 9 TBS turntable testing
Wednesday 7/27/22 Loco 9 TBS turntable testing


Saturday 7/30/22 Afternoon, Loco 9 w/ 4 cars to TBS for crew training (Conductor, Engineer, Fireman, Brakeman training)

Week of 8/1/22: Set two new Yard Limit signs, final turntable adjustments as needed, any further final work deemed appropriate by Mr. Lennox
Tuesday 8/2/22 Loco 7 TBS testing
Wednesday 8/3/22 Loco 7 testing continued if necessary; otherwise possible full dress rehearsal both locos (if crew)

11
Work and Events / 2022 July 30 Rules Class
« on: July 10, 2022, 09:55:50 AM »
Hello folks,

I am just trying to get a qualitative feel of the potential attendance at this years Rules Class.  We may adjust the structure of the meeting depending on the expected participation level.

This year’s class is on Saturday July 30, 2022.  There is a general session in the morning, and break-out sessions for several disciplines (brakeman, engineer, conductor, etc) in the afternoon.  The afternoon will likely occur on the Mountain as territory training- with breakout sessions accommodated there on.

Feel free to answer the poll, respond to this thread, or both if you will or may attend.

Thank you.
Jason

12
Volunteers / Service Connection Rule and 52 Block Heater Reminder
« on: December 09, 2020, 07:21:28 AM »
Hello all,

A reminder that an orange or yellow flag displayed in the marker bracket of a piece of railroad equipment indicates a service connection to that piece of equipment.  Rule 24, page 15.

Anyone may inspect for and remove such service connections; it follows that after doing so you also remove the orange or yellow flag so as to not give a false indication.

Also: remember we prefer to keep 52’s block heater plugged in at all times in the winter, when parked outside. 

Punch line: if you use 52- and find it with an orange or yellow flag and disconnect the block heater for use, when you are done PLEASE plug the block heater back in and ensure the flag is back up.

We were frustrated yesterday to find the flag displayed but block heater not plugged in.  We didn’t use 52 yesterday as a result and altered our work plans accordingly.  It was probably just a matter of the last operator forgetting to do so, however I wanted to both post a reminder of the service connection flag concept and ask everyone to act with your best diligence for the sake of our other members.

Thank you,
Jason

13
Whimsical Weirdness and Foolery / A Fictional Day
« on: November 23, 2020, 01:59:57 PM »
I wrote this a couple of years ago, just for fun.  It's not meant as the "one" answer- it's just an exercise in thinking through one possible answer.  I never really knew what to do with it, but now as it becomes out of date, I figure I'll put it here before it's totally dated and irrelevant.  Happy reading...

Jason

14
Volunteers / WW&F Work Needs
« on: November 09, 2020, 12:54:08 PM »
Some general maintenance concerns for which we are looking for volunteers.  These are operating maintenance items which in most cases currently lack dedicated volunteers (except as noted).  Anyone interested should check in with the  department manager indicated, and if a sub-manager is indicated, also that person.

Buildings, Brendan: 
Window Glazing (THIS ONE IS DESPERATE).  We have dozens of windows which require complete reglazing and then sealing.  Many are right on the Sheepscot campus.
Window casing repair: the north window casing of Sheepscot Station needs a complete rebuild.  The last paint job required some innovative patchwork to make it through.
Chimney flashing repair: Shop bay 4 chimney flashing requires repair.
Painting.  Stewart.
AC Platform rod. 
Shingle new electrical building

RR Operating Department, Jason:
Sign maintenance.
Car/truck/brake inspection.
Car Bearing Service.  Phil B.
Magneto Telephone system.  John M. (more dedicated help please!)
Track/ switch inspection (and light repair): (Currently Steve L, Mark C, Dan M, more division of duty is required)
Vacuum brake system technicians.  Jonathan (again more needed)
Wooden Rolling Stock Repairs (Coach 8 is growing desperate- it's now kept inside!, caboose 320 needs more, etc)
Rolling stock paint.  Stewart. 
Station supply keeper.  (I'd REALLY like to see this filled).
Bookkeeper (tracking conductor's reports, dispatcher needs, other office related needs).  (Conceivably this could morph into a Chief Dispatcher position)
Mechanical maintenance/ overhaul (Brookville- Jay B, Fluids and light mechanics in 52, light steam maintenance)

Grounds, Mike.  (Note that Mike directly manages and/or performs all of these so these are listed mostly for general info)
Ditching.
Culvert inspection. 
RoW smoothing for improved mowing.
General mowing.  Randy.
RoW mowing.  Mike.

Off-rail equipment, Mike.
Overhaul: Trailer, Mitsubishi, Loader, tractor.  Brendan.
Overhaul: Kubota.  Mike
Overhaul needed: Forklift.
Running maintenance: fluids and light mechanics in all equipment.

Thanks,
jason



15
Work and Events / 2019 FWW Operating Plan Notice
« on: October 04, 2019, 09:48:32 AM »
Hello all,

I want to highlight the fact that Ed and I are developing a very intricate and careful operating plan for 2019 FWW.  This involves a work train on the Mountain, with 6 individual support work crews, two passenger trains handling both SeaLyon pumpkin service AND material supply to the work activities.  Ed and I have it figured out (Ed has spent HOURS- last email came at 12:30AM), but I ask that everyone respect the plan and adhere to it as instructed.  Ed will be dispatching the entire Fall Work Weekend.  He will be drafting operating plans on Sunday; I'll review and we'll finalize them on Monday, with the intent to disseminate them to the crew by the end of the day Monday. 

Thank you all, we're in for a historic weekend in many ways!
Jason

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