December 2009 work planning

[James Patten]

Anticipated work for Dec 5.

Saturday is supposed to be pretty nice.  I really don't know what's on people's lists but I'll make a guess.

- I would like to try my tie replacement day again, this Saturday, from 7-ish to 9 - longer if others want to keep going, but I have to leave once Bruce shows up.

- There may be work on #10 or on #9.

[Bill Fortier]

Where are these ties that need replacing?

[James Patten]

On the main line, primarily on my section (the first quarter mile) but there's others scattered along the line.

[Bill Fortier]

I'd like to be there and give it a shot, weather and authorities permitting. I've been warming up by beating the snot out of some old concrete pavement with a sledgehammer, but still get winded too soon for my liking. I need the exercise.

Will a red hard-hat suffice for hunter repellent? I don't have any orange duds.

There's that firebox door stuff for No. 9 as an indoor alternative.

[James Patten]

Hunting season's not quite over, but it's only black powder or matchlock or some kind of antiquated rifles that are allowed to be shot.  So I figure it's fairly safe to go out without orange on (because it takes a moment or two to ignite the powder).

[Bill Fortier]

That reminded me of this:



Hard hat it is, then.

[James Patten]

Work done on December 5.

I spent a frustrating morning working on getting newsletter labels printed, as Bruce was unable to be at the museum and I had a backup copy of the database and all of Frank's files.  Eventually I got them to print, but they are missing membership numbers and expiration dates.  So the newsletters are late and I am the reason why.  When they finally did print, Fred, Bill, Bob C, and Dwight labeled all the newsletters.  Thanks guys.

Aside from my frustrations it was a very slow day.  Other volunteers showed up but not many stayed long.

In the afternoon we cleaned out the wood stored inbetween bay 3 and 4 tracks (except for stuff with nails in them) and hauled them to AC for the Victorian Christmas bonfire.

I heard a chain saw going in the morning but I don't know who ran it or what that person did.

FYI there's a new book in the store - "The Narrow Gauge Railroad in Alna, ME" by James Bergmann.  $20. 

[Dwight Winkley]

Dec. 5th

Fred used the chain saw. Cut down 3 or 4 dead tree's that were behind the Oil Shed.

The right of way was brushed from Cross Rd South to the pond and return. Then the brush was cut in back of the shop up to and behind the Oil Shed.

Saturday night it snowed. This morning (the 6th) there was 6" of snow at the museum.

[James Patten]

Forgot to mention - on the inspection #10 was having, it passed.  We had a company sonogram #10's staybolts, these all passed.  While they were there they looked at #9's main driver axles - they failed.

[Tom Casper]

OH OH! does that mean they have a crack?  If it does, may need new axles then.

Tom C.

[Robert Hale]

How bad and what type are the cracks on the axles? Will this be a big set-back or just a new project to tackle on the re-build?
Rob

[James Patten]

Both axles need replacing.  Not a big deal in the over all scheme of things.

[James Patten]

Anticipated work for Saturday Dec 12.

Board meeting Friday night.

We'll probably have snow on the ground.  So shoveling out switches will probably be in order.  And we'll need to get the plow on the diesel.

The gentle murmur of chain saws may be heard as well.

[Jason M Lamontagne]

I'm planning on being there to do help as much as necessary in getting the line open and to proceed on No 9.

Jason

[Bill Fortier]

In the afternoon we cleaned out the wood stored inbetween bay 3 and 4 tracks (except for stuff with nails in them) and hauled them to AC for the Victorian Christmas bonfire.

Haulin'.