July 2010 Work Planning

[James Patten]

Work done on weekend of July 17.

* Leon mowed at Alna Center.  He's also been working on the railcar.
* Mike installed an alternator on the Lindsay compressor.  And I saw the seat he got - nice seat.
* Ed was working on a part for #9 and fired up the generator to use one of the shapers.
* Coal is to be delivered soon so an effort was made to clean up the coal pocket.  This included a trip or two to the dump.  Currently the dust is at the very back of the pocket, waiting transferral to elsewhere if it happens in time.
* I did not see any weed whacking but Saturday was fairly hot.

Note that this week (July 19 - 23) is the work week for weed whacking.

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

This just in -  Painting was done on the bay 4 side of the shop.  The south, west and north walls got the top coat of yellow on the parts that had not been finished in the Spring.  Only some trim remains to be painted tan.  When the north wall was painted the thermometer was removed and placed on a tie in the sun.  Within 45 minutes the thermometer showed 110 degrees.

The oil was changed in the Model AA flatbed and the truck got a present for its 80th birthday...  a 1930 Maine license plate.   

[Mike Fox]

Alternator installation ran into some complications. The least of which was minor adjustments. The Fab Shop ran out of gas (battery too) so the adjustment rod I need will wait until next week. Wires are run but not connected. Hoping to test it next week. Once I gather all the parts I need, the hard plumbing for the air will be a breeze.

[James Patten]

Sorry about leaving you out Stewart - I knew more stuff was happening but just couldn't think of what it was.

[Jason M Lamontagne]

Steve, Stewart, Josh R and I finished up prep of the coal bin today by moving the coal dust, moving some more ties and what-not, and cleaning up.  New coal, 23 tons, will be ordered tomorrow and should be here by next weekend.  Leon continued on the jacking device today for the Rail Kar (in his terms).

Jason

[James Patten]

Anticipated work for weekend of July 24

* This week is the work week, for brush cutting on the ROW
* I'm sure Mike and Leon will be busy with Big Joe and the Railcar, respectively
* I'm hoping to do some jacking and tamping on the mainline in the yard south of the water tower, to continue leveling the very out of level track there.
* There will probably be more brush cutting
* Saturday supposed to be hot and humid, so maybe we'll be working in the Percival basement?  I can hope.

This weekend is also the first ever Lincoln County Fair at the Wiscasset Raceway.  So instead of revving cars maybe we'll hear midway sounds.  Saturday's the monster truck show so we'll probably hear only that.

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

This just in ...

Radio Free Sheepscot reports that the WW&F was received a load of coal.  The truck delivered a full load to the Sheepscot coal bin today at 6:30am.  The coal is larger lumps than the previous load.  Railroad President Steve Zuppa stated that the supply should last the railroad for about 2 years.

In other news the cutting crew has been working Southward from end of track.  They have now cleared down to the woods road crossing for the stables.  Additional clearing was done around Trask's crossing.  Open car 103 has received some attention; the sides were painted (below the belt rail) and the roof has been cleaned and painted.  The painting was completed at 4pm.

[James Patten]

The painting was completed at 4pm.

Hopefully it was dry before the downpours began at 5:30 PM.

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

I checked car 103's paint job today and it is fine.  I did some touch up on the letterboards and the car is ready for service.  The waiting shelter bench has received a second coat of paint.  It is painted boxcar red.

In other news ... the Model T railcar now has tail lights.  They will come on as rear marker lights when the headlights are turned on.  Leon states that he is not putting blinkers on the car although he admits that they may come in handy when the car takes the siding at Alna Center.

[James Patten]

Work done the week ending July 24.

* During the weed whacking work week, the participants were able to work on the northern part of the line from end of track to past MP 7, south of Trasks to the trestle, around Sheepscot Mills, and around Brook Crossing.
* Leon was busy during the week installing the jacks on the railcar.  Saturday Jason did some welding on the frame.  Later during the day the jack feet were put in and the jacking rachets put in, and the car jacked up on the feet off the rail.  The turntable still needs to go it, which is going to be under the feet.
* Zack worked on moving the water line in the house which goes to the car shop from a floor rubber hose to a ceiling-mounted copper pipe, in preparation for basement floor cementing.
* Mike installed the alternator in the Lindsay compressor but it still had some significant air leaks.
* Stewart did some painting during the week, including 103's roof.

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

A bit more ...

There was additional work done Sunday.  Bill R. cut weeds between AC and Trask's crossing. Thanks Bill!  New stencils were made and Diesel locomotive 52 received new numbers under the windows on the cab doors.  Handcar #2 had numbers applied to both end plates.  The shop was swept out and the flangeways cleaned.

[James Patten]

Anticipated work for weekend of July 31.

* Weed whacking
* Railcar work.
* Big Joe/Lindsay work
* More prep work for Percival floor cementing.

Come one come all.

[Mark Hendrickson]

Just wondering what time in the morning I should arrive to do some volunteering.   

Mark Hendrickson

[Ed Lecuyer]

Hi Mark,

On Saturdays and other "regular" volunteer days, some hardy souls start arriving at 6:30am, but its more likely that you'll find the bulk of the volunteer corps arriving between 7am and 8am. Of course, you're welcome any time during the day, just stop in and introduce yourself.

Other days (Fridays, Holidays, and other days) may start later.

[James Patten]

Work done on weekend of July 31

* Dave, Mike, Fred, and others were out weed whacking, mostly up by Alna Center.
* Mike says Big Joe and Lindsay are ready to try out.  He did some testing on it, tamping 3 ties.  He also attached the air to the chair, which now rises up in the air.
* The railcar has the top portion of the turntable installed.  There's a bottom piece that has yet to be installed (probably this week).
* Zack installed the turning platform for the railcar in Sheepscot Yard.
* I fired a few trips with the new coal we just got.  I really like it.  Extremely smoky, good for the photographers but not great for riders if the fireman's not paying attention.  It had some clinker issues but overall quite minor compared to our last batch.