April 2013 work planning

[Bernie Perch]

That is an absolutely fantastic brochure.  It represents all super talent that is part of the WW&FRR experience.  Stephen's photography is super and the choice of photos was just great.  It should bring in many more people to visit the railroad.

Bernie

[James Patten]

Anticipated work for the Spring Work Weekend!

* Track - crew run by myself (at least Friday/Saturday), working on jacking/tamping/lining between Brook and Sutter's Crossings.  There probably will be ballasting too.
* Ditching - crew run by Mike (I'm assuming), working in the cut on Davis Grade.
* #9 - crew run by Jason
* Sheepscot Station - crew run by either Stewart or Steve Z, repairing the west wall, painting
* Freight shed - crew run by ?? , scraping the east wall (and painting if time)
* Yard track prep - crew run by Dana, prepping rail for switches in the yard
* Cooking - crew run by Sue, keeping us all fed
* Trailer - Brendan is hopefully bringing our new trailer, loaded with ground throws.  These have be emptied off the trailer, then Fred has lumber at his house which he'd like to donate, so the trailer will get it and bring it back.  Need people to load/unload the lumber.
* Restrooms - crew run by Zack, installing toilets and partitions.  I doubt he'll need many.  The building could use staining or painting or whatever we're going to do to protect it from the weather.
* What have I forgotten?!

Don't forget Saturday afternoon around 3 there will be a train crew rules review, and after supper we'll have an intensive training session for prospective and new brakemen (and anyone else that wants practice).

[Brendan Barry]

The trailer and ground throws should be there Friday morning. I am planning on driving up Thursday night.

[Dave Crow]

James and Dana: the first pair of rails for a 33# frog will be delivered by Wayne when he arrives Thursday or Friday; the other two sets of frog rails will be delivered by me later within the next couple of months.  I will then jump on the machining of the switch points, especially as Jason has promised me the fixtures used to machine some of the last switch points...

Dave Crow

[Fred Morse]

Has anyone thought about taping one of the RULES REVIEW sessions for people to watch that can't make the session.

[Stephen Hussar]

It's a great idea, Fred. But as someone with "some" experience doing this type of thing, the sound is critical. The audio from the person speaking needs to be loud and crystal clear, with no extraneous noise (other people talking, boots on crushed stone, wind, etc). The built-in mic in most cameras usually doesn't cut it. You need a clip on mic, and ideally since the instructor will be walking around demonstrating certain things, the mic should be wireless. That means a small transmitter (beltpack) and a receiver plugged into the audio inputs of the camera (if the camera has any). Without these things, recording it is just about pointless.



Stephen   

[Keith Taylor]

I'm not a big fan of a taped rules class. A good rules review should be interactive with the attendees asking questions to clarify the intent of the rules, not just the words as written.
Keith

[Fred Morse]

I'm thinking of a DVD to be used when one or two people show up that missed the big class. That would free up the instructors to do other things. New people should be at the live RULES REVIEW.

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

This week (so far) -

#9 - Monday saw the regular crew working on a number of projects led by Jason.  One of the more interesting items is the review of types of steel jacketing for the boiler.

Restrooms - Zack worked on more stall dividers and plumbing pieces.

Charter - Steve Z. and Fred ran a tour of the line for a group from Augusta.

Shop building - More cleaning and painting was done on the west wall of the extension, this is the wall that only had primer.  The east side window frames and door were painted in WW&F custom tan.

Thursday - About two dozen members arrived for the Work Weekend, some early enough to help with projects.  Dwight and Glen cleaned and painted Ichabod's counter weight.  Wayne and Bernie brought a bunch of goodies including the switch frog and some antique crates to be used for photo shoots.

Stewart

[James Patten]

Day 1, Friday:

* Track work: We jacked and tamped about 400 feet of track on Davis Grade.
* Yard prep: Dana and crew drilled rail in prep for the yard (in the Fall).
* Station: The old door was removed and the new put in.  The west wall was covered in house wrap.
* Food: Linda served lunch, several ladies were on hand for supper.
* Freight shed: The west wall was scraped and painted.
* Trailer: It arrived, and the ground throws were offloaded.
* #9: People were working!

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

Another word for today ... WOW!

At one point there were 4 crews working on projects within a few feet of each other around Sheepscot station.  One crew was rebuilding the front of the depot, another crew painted the entire front of the freight house, the third crew ran the tractor and re-graded the hump of stone into level ground between the shop and station while yet another crew looked over the trailer full of switch stands that was on the museum's new trailer.  It's the first time the WW&F trailer has come to Sheepscot and the volunteers looked it over and made plans to unload the stands back along the spur.

About 50 people signed the book today and there were quite a few who were attending their first Work Weekend.  On to Saturday!  

[Steve Smith]

Congratulations to all Work Weekend volunteers! It's so encouraging, also, to note the many projects in the Maintenance category.....every bit as important as extending the line.

[James Patten]

Day 2, Saturday:

* Track work: we jacked & tamped another 300 or so feet of track on Davis Grade.  Meanwhile, several fellows from West Chester Railroad showed up so they got put to work replacing ties.  About 20 or 25 ties overall were replaced.  They made quick work of it.  Comments were made about how much better that section of track is.
* Yard prep: Dana and crew reconfigured the spur track, and placed switch timbers for the first switch on the spur.
* Station: The west wall was reboarded and some painting occurred.
* Freight shed: I didn't realize it, but yesterday Stewart's crew painted everything.  Today they removed the scafolding, painted over where the scafolding was, and worked on the north wall, and on the west wall of the passenger shelter.
* #9: More something (I didn't catch what)
* Trailer: there was a trip to Fred's to pick up lumber from one of his building demolitions, and return to drop unload it.
* Food: more really great meals.
* Restrooms: Some electrical work occurred, more placement of stalls.
* Rules review: Lots of people attended the rules review.
* Brakeman training session: A training session was held after lunch.
* There were lots of minor jobs occurring too.

Looked like about 65 people signed the book today - not a record, but there was a good turnout today.  Thanks everyone! 

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

Thanks for a great report on great progress!

A bit more - The staging lumber that was on the back of the frieght house was moved over to the new parking lot for another project.

One additional painting job - The entire west side wall of the shop extension is now yellow, first time the addition has been all one color since it was built. 

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

Day 3, Sunday

*Track work: Dana's crew worked around Sutters crossing.
*Station: Exterior and interior painting was completed.  (Inside painting was needed around the new door casing).
* #9: Jason and crew worked on a number of things for setting up the rods. Brendan worked on the tank with more inside cleaning and  making new interior angle braces.
*Chow: The kitchen crew did another fine job with a great lunch.
*Attendance: 42 members signed the book.

A special THANKS! goes to everyone who worked so hard on a bunch of prejects.  Not only did everyone put in 100% of their effort but quite a few members bought items in the gift shop.  The top sellers were the 25th anniversary brakeman's lanterns and the heritage denim shirts, in fact we sold out of large shirts.  Thank you all for helping the museum preserve a rare piece of Maine railroading.