2013 Short Term Plan

[Ken Fleming]

This topic is for listing our hopes, dreams and planned projects to be accomplished in the year 2013.

Mine are:

1.  See #9 Operating
2.  Restrooms completed
3.  North yard tracks laid
4.  Start Car Barn construction
5.  Sheepscot Pond (between Car Shop and Sheepscot Station) drained once for all
6.  Alna Center Station Handicap access and general area handicap access
7.  Our own trailer for equipment moves
8.  A tractor with a boom mower

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

[James Patten]

Ken, the first line of your message had us planning for the year 2913, rather than 2013.  I took the liberty of fixing it.

My biggies are 1) #9 operating, 2) Restrooms, and 3) Getting in more visitors because of 1 and 2!  Oh, and 4) parking.

[Ira Schreiber]

I want to see operation over Top of the Mountain and down to Trout Brook.

[Win Nowell]

You guys don't want much do you!! 
I think you had better start planning to invite the US Army back on a full time basis!
It amazes me all that gets accomplished as it is.
The real kudos go to the locals that just keep plugging along on a daily basis.
The work weekends give everything a real kick in the kester to move things forward.

It is unbelievable what has happended up there! If only Harry could see his dream now!

Win Nowell

[Richard "Steam" Symmes]

Wasn't it the U.S. Marines who built the trestle?  Not that the Army is not up to it, but let's give credit to the right folks.

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

Yes, it was a detachment of U.S. Marines from Detroit that built the Humason Brook trestle in August of 2001.

About the short term plan - The museum should have a way to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the last operations of the original WW&F in 1933.  If it's not on the date of the last train it could be in conjunction with the first revenue trip of #9.  Either way it's an important mile post for the railroad being restored to operation.  Why is 1933 so important?  There has been an unwritten rule around the museum for years;  we try to use and display things that are from 1933 or earlier.  Whether it's a drill press, telephone, newspaper or light fixture, 1895-1933 is the time period we shoot for.  Of course there's more photos and information from the 1920 - 1932 era and engine 9 arrived in 1933 so today's Sheepscot looks more like the 1930's than the 1890's.  I don't think that is a problem although one day I'd like to see a boxcar painted with WW&F RR lettering as they were in the early 1900's.

Stewart      

[Richard "Steam" Symmes]

Is the area of the "final derailment" still accessible?  If so, it might be fun to trek in there on "the date" and have some sort of ceremony. 

Richard

[Mike Fox]

I'm working on an organizational plan. Small things really. But the outcome will be appreciated by lots.

My plan is to organize the garden shed and gas house in such a way that they will be mostly if not completely out of view from the station platform, shop, and possibly even the house.

Using Septic Heights as a view block, the two buildings can be placed to the North of it, against the embankment, with the doors facing north. Then some of the spruce trees that are growing in the area of the woods track can be transplanted to provide even more cover.

This will open up visibility for the crews in the yard and possibly a few more photo angles.

[Matthew Gustafson]

I want to see operation over Top of the Mountain and down to Trout Brook.

Me too. Are their any plans on reaching the Top Of The Mountain Site planned for later this year

[John McNamara]

Hi Matthew,

The short answer to your question is, "No." For further details, and some fun reading on these long cold winter nights, go to http://www.wwfry.org/projects/LongRangePlan2012.pdf. Page 11 will be of special interest for your question concerning track extension.

-John

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

The other thing is that building the spur and upper yard at Sheepscot is on the front burner.  We need to get the trackwork set up so we can work towards building the car storage building, turntable and roundhouse.  These projects will provide out of the weather storage for the passenger trainset and give the steam crew a place to fire up inside.  Much planning has gone into the upper yard, from surveying to the smaller things.  One example:  We already have a good supply of period knob and tube electrical equipment for the roundhouse lights

Stewart 

[Matthew Gustafson]

Thats sounds great news. I though you were planning on installing the Turntable sometime next year?