Frank Knight
Crew Caller
Posts: 15
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« on: August 21, 2009, 07:09:06 AM » |
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Sounds like we should lay rail to the low spot and bring in flatcar loads of gravel to build it up. Dana probably has this planned.
My suggestion is to use my John Deere 4300 tractor to do the gravel work before we lay the track. The only problem is getting my tractor to Alna. It would need a ride from somebody with a trailer that could handle the 4500 pound tractor. Frank |
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Ken Fleming
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« Reply #1 on: August 21, 2009, 07:48:05 AM » |
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Frank, maybe John Kokas can haul it. Suggest you contact him.
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Dana Deering
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« Reply #2 on: August 21, 2009, 01:33:42 PM » |
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I've been thinking about the tractor idea for a while now, because Wayne L. has already suggested it to me privately, and I would have to go to the EOT and see how much room there is to maneuver up there. Remember, even if we use a tractor the gravel has to come off the flatcars (plus we have to get the tractor up there). If there isn't room to get the tractor to the sides of the flatcars when they are at the EOT then all of the gravel still has to be shoveled into the bucket from the end of the flatcar, which means the farther you get from the tractor end of the flatcar the farther you have to carry a shovelful of gravel to get it in the bucket. That wouldn't really save us much time or effort. If there isn't room then I would suggest that we lay the track first and shovel the gravel off the way we normally do. If there IS room to get a tractor opposite the sides of the cars then I would be all for it. I would prefer to have the gravel down first, just have to figure out if it is practicable. I have to go look first. I won't be there this weekend but plan to be on the 29th. Please keep in mind that the plan for the work weekend is still taking shape and I'll be putting it on the forum when it is more concrete.
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Wayne Laepple
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« Reply #3 on: August 21, 2009, 06:20:09 PM » |
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I don't want to take the credit for the idea of using a tractor at EOT. That was originally Stewart Rhine's idea. He suggested it on the Thursday night discussion a few weeks ago. I merely passed the idea on to Dana.
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Frank Knight
Crew Caller
Posts: 15
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« Reply #4 on: August 21, 2009, 07:02:18 PM » |
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Wayne,
Don't give credit for the tractor idea to Stewart. I talked to Dana about it last spring.
As for whether it would fit. There is wide spot on the east side almost right at EOT. My tractor is a compact so the bucket is 61" wide and the rear track is 58". It is 4 wheel drive and I can mount a grader blade or backhoe on the 3 point hitch.
Seems that the issue would be to get from the wide spot through the dip in the narrow spot just beyond EOT but as I remember it looked like I could do it. I am not a pro but put in my own 1000' driveway over clay and it has survived seven years and handled everything up to cement haulers. I have logged over 2200 hours on the tractor so it is well broken in.
I'm not sure I could make the 29th yet but will make an attempt to meet you there Dana and we can give it a serious look.
Frank
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Mike Fox
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« Reply #5 on: August 21, 2009, 08:57:38 PM » |
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I have a concern with this idea. While it is a great one, if you can only unload from one side of the car, the gravel will get shoved to the otherside and put all the weight on that far side. Perhaps a few guys with shovels can try to keep things in balance but if done before the work weekend, there may or may not be enough help for this.
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Mike
Former Transitional Membership Secretary, Permanent pain in the neck, Life Member
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Dana Deering
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« Reply #6 on: August 24, 2009, 07:45:27 AM » |
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Mike,
If we do this we would do it on Friday of the Work Weekend so there should be enough help. If we do it we would definitely have to pay attention to the balancing of the cars (I remember the stories about the boxcar of apples that tipped over in Bridgton Yard and the coal flats the fell off the mill trestle on the Harrison Branch). If Frank can get there on Saturday we can figure out if we can do it. We also have to figure out how to get the tractor to the EOT and how to load and unload it if we haul it by train. The more I think about it the more I hope we can do it.
Dana
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Mike Fox
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« Reply #7 on: August 24, 2009, 05:25:22 PM » |
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That's just the story I was thinking of. There has probabl been others but that is the one that stands out. Perhaps someone can speak to the owner of the camp road at TOM and see if it can be driven in from their house and up the grade from the road. I know it hasn't been stumped or graded yet but the tractor should clear it ok.
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Mike
Former Transitional Membership Secretary, Permanent pain in the neck, Life Member
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Allan Fisher
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« Reply #8 on: August 24, 2009, 06:36:25 PM » |
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We have permission to use the partial road beside the Octagon House. End of track currently is just barely on Octagon property former right of way. If someone wants to walk it , I'll renew our conversation with owners. (He is an Ass't DA fpr the State of Maine.)
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Allan Fisher
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Frank Knight
Crew Caller
Posts: 15
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« Reply #9 on: August 30, 2009, 05:36:23 AM » |
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Today Dana and I went to EOT and assessed the viability of using my tractor to spread gravel. Other than filling a little dip right at EOT there is a perfect spot to unload gravel. Then I could haul it where it is needed and it would give us a leveled and relatively smooth base for laying track.
The challenge is getting my tractor to Alna. Is there anyone with a trailer that will handle 2 tons that could give my JD a ride? I'm about 45 miles from the museum in New Gloucester.
Frank
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Frank Knight
Crew Caller
Posts: 15
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« Reply #10 on: September 10, 2009, 06:14:39 AM » |
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Apparently nobody has a suitable trailer so I looked for an alternative. U-haul has a vehicle trailer that will handle my tractor. I still don't have a vehicle that could do the towing. It would require a vehicle that will haul 6000 pounds of trailer with load. Can somebody in the area help with the towing?
Frank
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Hans Brandes
Brakeman
Posts: 100
Life Member
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« Reply #11 on: September 10, 2009, 04:13:34 PM » |
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Frank,
I have a Cherolet Tahoe with a 2" ball and a 7-pin (round) electrical connection. 6,000# is close to the limit and I will check my owner's manual. What size ball and what type of electrical connection does the trailer have?
I'm in Falmouth so this might work.
Hans
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Frank Knight
Crew Caller
Posts: 15
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« Reply #12 on: September 11, 2009, 06:11:02 AM » |
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Frank,
I have a Cherolet Tahoe with a 2" ball and a 7-pin (round) electrical connection. 6,000# is close to the limit and I will check my owner's manual. What size ball and what type of electrical connection does the trailer have?
I'm in Falmouth so this might work.
Hans
Hans, You can read about the trailer on the U-haul site here: http://www.uhaul.com/guide/index.aspx?equipment=towing-autotransport My tractor weighs about 3500 lbs. with the loader and grader blade. Take a look at the U-haul specs and let me know. Frank |
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Hans Brandes
Brakeman
Posts: 100
Life Member
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« Reply #13 on: September 11, 2009, 06:33:53 AM » |
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Frank,
Thank you for the link. We are in good shape, I read over all the specs and am well within range as per my owner's manual, I can tow up to 7,700#, have the right kind of hitch and can meet all U-Haul specs with my vehicle. I am out of town on Thursday and Friday October 8 and 9 (Fireman on CN 7470 at Conway) so we would need to transport this earlier than that. Would it be OK to get it up to WW&F early? The trailer rental could be done in two, one day increments to save cost.
Let me know.
Hans
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Hans Brandes
Brakeman
Posts: 100
Life Member
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« Reply #14 on: September 11, 2009, 10:37:08 AM » |
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Frank,
More on this...U-Haul charges $55 per day. I am searching around for a trailer to borrow. Paying $110 to use a trailer is a bit steep.
Anyone out there know anyone who has a trailer with a surge brake that can handle Frank's tractor? I can get it there and back.
Hans
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