4th Report -
First of all, thanks to Jason, Leon and Ed for loading the handcar and panel track on the truck Monday.
This morning started with a crew putting signs on the truck, cleaning it and checking the engine. The crew got to Wiscasset early and got about 6th place in line. The parade went well with many people shouting and clapping as the truck came into view. Turnout was healthy with people lining the side streets and 3-4 deep on Main St./Rt 1. The handcar crew of Hansel and Steve did a nice job of tossing the candy right where the kids were, so they didn't have to go into the street. Alna resident Les Fossel had his 1928 Model AA truck right in front of the WW&F truck. For those who don't know, Les was good friends with Harry Percival and the old Ford was Harry's truck years ago.
The trip back was a bit interesting as the truck ran a little hot in the 90 degree heat. She back fired some and coughed going up the big hill where the railroad used to cross 218. A bit of work with the fuel mixture and spark advance brought the purr back and we made it back to Sheepscot in one piece. Our crew of 4, Steve, Hansel, Cindy and I were glad to be back. We took the signs off the truck and parked it in the shop. The plan is to take the handcar off on Saturday.
As an aside - Some of us went to the Wiscasset fireworks display tonight. The fireworks are fired from Cow Island which is where the WW&F crossed the MCRR Rockland branch. The display was beautiful, reflected in the water. One wonders what it would be like watching the show from the platform of coach 3 on the trestle. There were 5 other fireworks displays; up river, down river, across the river and on the river... all visible from the Rt1 bridge.
Add in a haddock supper at Sprague's Lobster on the pier and it was a nice evening in Wiscasset.
