2014 Victorian Christmas

[Wayne Laepple]

The proven way to "even out the crowds" is to take reservations, even if they are free. Develop an on-line ticket that folks can print off and bring with them. Save some space for walk-ins. You've got 11 months to work out how to do this.

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

We can add two more people, J.B.'s friend Laura and her helper (sorry I don't know her name) who worked all day guiding kids through making their own Christmas decorations.  AC depot was filled with kids making little Christmas trees with felt and reindeer from clothes pins.  I saw so many happy faces on children as they brought their treasures from the depot and stood by the bonfire.  Those hand crafted items were very popular and will be nice souvenirs of the day at the WW&F.

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

All:

Jonathan StMary is putting a notebook together with notes and details of Victorian Christmas.  Each person who helped or worked before or during the event is requested to contact Jonathan and give him information on what they did and what materials were needed. Suggestions for future VC events are welcomed as well.

There has already been an impromptu meeting (this morning) with 7 volunteers who worked on Saturday.  Some good ideas were brought up including having car 65 tied down on the siding at AC to provide a new place stage the crafts people.  This gives them more room for the kids work table, etc. and clears the depot for better use by the station agent and crew.  With 3 locomotives in service there would not be a run around move at AC, making this possible.  This is all preliminary and depends on a number of things but it's the type of ideas we are kicking around for next year.

Start

[john d Stone]

You guys really make a beautiful event. The videos and stills are great. I don't see a sad face in the crowd!
#10 sounds good and sharp in Hansel's video (great job, by the way!) and the live steamers in Eric's videos almost had me believing half of Maine's two footers had been resurrected!
Thank you for your tremendous efforts!

Merry Christmas to all and a steamy new year!

John (Watching jealously from afar)

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

Hi Hansel,

It wouldn't be a push-pull operation.  The first move would be a light engine to AC.  The first train has a power swap at AC for the return trip.  That way there's a locomotive leading each trip in each direction because there are power swaps at AC and Sheepscot.

Start

[Mike Fox]

Exactly like we did the first Ice Cream social we did. It would work for Christmas with the crowds with 3 locomotives, no less. First locomotive North could stage the car at AC.

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

Hi Mike,

 I think we would have to take the dairy car up a day earlier so we can build a ramp over the ditch and set the steps and railing at the right height.  We have to find a safe way to put heat in the car too.  We may need lighting depending on how things work with the windows.

[Jason M Lamontagne]

We have the makings for an interesting night trip picking the car up...

[Jason M Lamontagne]

That was operating plan 3 from this year- since plan 2 was our preference (and what happened), no 3 was our first alternate.  It is better than plan 4- two trains, but it pounds locomotives over the track for little reason and, more importantly, gives the engine crews absolutely no down time.  That second one was a major concern with this year's operation.  It worked out splendidly as it was.  3 engines next year will only require one more person than an all steam operation.

So, Hansel, your idea is an option- but may not be the first option.  Someday we could have a 3 engine, all steam rotation!

See ya
Jason

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

Hey Hansel,

Ya may not know it but what you suggested is what the EBT did the first couple of years that the line reopened.  Engine 12 pulled the consist north to Shirleysburg and #15 ran light in reverse trailing the train.  At the north end of operable track, the 12 was cut off and #15 came in to get the train.  #12 ran light back to Orbisonia.  The operations were because Pennsylvania law required that the locomotive lead the train and not push it.

Just a bit of trivia ...

[Wayne Laepple]

The Brits and the Aussies operate trains with an engine on each end fairly often, known as "top and tail." i have no idea why... They keep everything coupled to avoid the possibility of a rear-end collision.

Anyway, my thought it to keep No. 52 at Alna Center, cut the road engine off at the south switch and duck into the siding, while No. 52 drops down the main and pulls the train that last hundred feet into the station. Then the steam engine couples to the south end, ready to go. Diesel cuts off and waits until the next trip. Repeat as necessary. Every trip is steam hauled!

[John McNamara]

Anyway, my thought it to keep No. 52 at Alna Center, cut the road engine off at the south switch and duck into the siding, while No. 52 drops down the main and pulls the train that last hundred feet into the station. Then the steam engine couples to the south end, ready to go. Diesel cuts off and waits until the next trip. Repeat as necessary. Every trip is steam hauled!

When does steam servicing occur? If the answer is that there's two steamers, do the power swap the same way we do it now, but using two steamers. If there's only one steamer, it will need servicing, hence the present use of 52 as the alternate power.
-John

[Wayne Laepple]

It would work the way it does now. No. 9 would arrive back at Sheepscot, and No. 10 would couple to the north end of the train. When No. 10 has cleared out, No. 9 would receive service and take on water, then await No. 10's return. No. 10 would cut away at the south end, and No. 9 would couple to the north end, ready to go. When it has cleared, No. 10 would receive service and take water. Etc., etc., etc.

[John McNamara]

I guess the beauty of that scheme is that one does not need the full length of the AC runaround.

[Stephen Piwowarski]

First want to congratulate everyone on putting together an event that has become even more wonderful over the years. Most impressive was that, even considering how excellent it was, we were back at the drawing board this morning reflecting on what went well and what could be improved. What a class act!

I also want to thank all of you who I got to spend time with this weekend-my "family" away from home- spending time with you all was a wonderful Christmas present.

Merry Christmas,
Steve