October 2024 work reports

[James Patten]

Anticipated work for Saturday October 5:

* Pumpkin trains!: All hand on deck needed - train crew still needed, and probably crowd control as well.  The Pumpkin trains are one of our most popular trains.
* Engine house work
* Grounds work

[Benjamin Richards]

The platform railings on 320 finally received some attention today. The railings had come loose through a combination of vibration and wood shrinkage. The old nuts were split and removed, the threads chased, and new nuts installed with anti-seize and lock washers. No difference visually, so a photo would be of little use. Suffice it to say that Dan fairly shouted with joy upon discovering they were fixed.

I soaked a number of other nuts with penetrating oil where they have succumbed to a similar fate, with the goal of breaking the corrosion and tightening them up. Most are related to the platform steps.

[Ed Lecuyer]

The platform railings on 320 finally received some attention today. No difference visually, so a photo would be of little use. Suffice it to say that Dan fairly shouted with joy upon discovering they were fixed.

And all the people shouted, "Amen!" (Or at least the train crew members...)

[James Patten]

Work done on Saturday October 5 (at least until 1:30 when I left):

* Drainage: Mike and Cody were working on the drainage box installed at the beginning of the "northwest" parking lot.  Mike wanted to raise the drain cover up to the level of the lot.  Bricks were laid, and concrete was put down.
* Public trains: A busy day today, although not as busy at it could be.
* Engine house: Stewart was busy painting inside again.
* GMC truck: Brendan finished getting the hook and taillights installed.
* Vehicles: Mike checked out the front end loader at Alna Center.

[Mike Fox]

Trailer wiring was also finished. I was hoping to test it but Brendan had to leave before he finished the wiring on the truck

[Mike Fox]

We had the parkinglot full. Ed managed to squeeze another row in the main lot.



The Northwest lot was fairly full. Once the catch basin is finished, we can gain even more spots.



Northbound 1pm train at Top of the Mountain..



Catch basin cement is done..

[Jeff Schumaker]

What passenger car is up in the NW lot?

Jeff

[Ed Lecuyer]

B&SR Baggage 11. Owned by ML&M and being stored on our property per arrangement with them.

[Jeff Schumaker]

I thought that might be the baggage car. Thanks for the confirmation.

Jeff

[James Patten]

Anticipated work for weekend of October 11 - 14: Fall Work Weekend!

* Track work
* Engine house
* Loco 11 work
* Building painting & repair
* Grounds work
* Trout Brook Station work
* Rolling stock work
* Saturday 1 PM - abbreviated/quick/fast board meeting (hopefully)
* Saturday evening - presentation of the Percival Awards
* Monday - Pumpkin Trains

This is also the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest weekend - so after work take a stroll through downtown to see the big pumpkins.

[James Patten]

A partial report of work done today, Saturday 12th

* Track work: at Albee's field doing jacking and tamping, until the tamper quit.
* Loco 11: heating and shaping work, milling, etc.
* Trout Brook platform: Brendan (and another volunteer) started building a base frame for extending the platform at TBS, which will be installed on Sunday.  The lumber was cut to length. 
* Rolling stock work: A large crew was busy in the car barn sanding, painting, welding and working on coach platforms and Coach 8 windows.
* Drainage: Mike painted his brick work inside the drain box extension
* Food: Nancy had to take unexpected leave to get hurricane refugee friend at the airport, so Linda, Frances, and several others stepped up to provide lunch and supper.
* Board meeting: A speed meeting of 58 minutes at 1.
* Engine house: Stewart was painting.

[James Patten]

Anticipated work for Saturday October 19:

* Pumpkin trains: We're halfway through!  Help needed.
* Engine house work
* Drainage work
* Grounds work

[James Patten]

Work done on Saturday October 19:

* Grounds: Mike filled in the hole around the drainage box in the upper parking lot.  Thanks to that, we could fit an extra 11 cars.
* Engine house: The "clean" room was cleaned.
* Public trains: Every train was sold out.  Train crews were extremely busy.  Mike and I assisted parking, and never needed to park anyone on the side of the street.
* Lunch: Linda made lunch.

[Mike Fox]

I also organized some stuff in the lot to make more room..

James and I were parking..we found we can fit 130 cars in our lots..and could fit a little more if some had parked tighter..

[James Patten]

Anticipated work for Saturday, October 26:

* Last day of Pumpkin Trains to SeaLyon Farms.  Help still needed.
* Engine house work
* Grounds and vehicle work

James P