Messages

2521

Museum Discussion / Analysis of Easter Eggspress crowds

« on: April 02, 2013, 06:09:38 AM »

This is an attempt to get feedback on what people think may have made our Easter Eggspress a record event for riders.

We followed the normal advertising routine this year: press releases in all local newspapers, from Rockland to Brunswick and Augusta; flyers in local stores.  I don't think we did any print advertising.

* It was a gorgeous, relatively warm day.  But we've had nice, relatively warm Eggspresses before.
* However this was almost as early at Easter can get, in March.  March trains don't always do that well.

About two weeks before the event we mentioned it on our Facebook page, and had a number of follows (is that the right term?).  Do you think Facebook made the difference?

2522

General Discussion / Re: A "shocking" discovery

« on: April 01, 2013, 07:32:33 PM »

Knob and tube storage batteries!

2523

Whimsical Weirdness and Foolery / Re: No. 9 Discovery

« on: April 01, 2013, 06:10:05 PM »

Even the rear truck wheels are white walled!

2524

Volunteers / Re: March 2013 Work Planning

« on: March 31, 2013, 05:02:51 PM »

It was about 425 paying passengers and 150 or so 3 and under.  Yes, that is a record, by about 200 people.  I hope this a foreshadowing of the coming season!

2525

Volunteers / Re: March 2013 Work Planning

« on: March 30, 2013, 04:36:18 PM »

Work done on Saturday March 30:

* Easter Eggspress: We had 575 riders in 5 trips.  Nobody went away without any eggs.  Because of the crowds we did the motive power swaps.  Everyone seemed happy.
* Restrooms: Zack and Leon picked up the tile and delivered it.  Tiler comes on Tuesday.

2526

Bridgton & Saco River Railway / Re: Ball Signals

« on: March 28, 2013, 09:07:09 AM »

When I look at the image I see a pole with two black things hanging off a cross arm.  The cross arm is really hard to see, and what I am seeing may be an artifact of the steam and smoke.  Hence my suggestion that they are lights.

The lightbulbs under the canopy could be hidden by cross members or further back under the canopy.

2527

Bridgton & Saco River Railway / Re: Ball Signals

« on: March 28, 2013, 06:07:58 AM »

Lights, maybe?  Looks like the pole is still on the MEC platform, near the end of it.

2528

Work and Events / Re: TCDA No. 65 (Reefer) - Official Work Thread

« on: March 27, 2013, 04:51:42 PM »

Maine Historical Society in Portland has all Portland Company drawings.  The two-foot ones have been organized and cataloged, so you should be able to ask for a particular car's plans.

2529

Volunteers / Re: March 2013 Work Planning

« on: March 27, 2013, 06:14:23 AM »

Anticipated work for Saturday March 30:

* Restrooms: the tiles have arrived, Zack and Steve Z are going to get them.  However the tile probably won't be installed until the end of April (scheduling issues with the tile guy).
* Easter Eggspress: Noon to 3, on the hour.  Easter egg hunts at Alna Center, providing that the ground is not too spongy.  #10 will be doing the honors.

2530

Museum Discussion / Re: Suggestion for the 2014 Museum calendar

« on: March 25, 2013, 09:02:00 AM »

Maybe she can help us sell off the rest of those raincoats!

2531

Volunteers / Re: March 2013 Work Planning

« on: March 23, 2013, 05:12:44 PM »

Work done on March 23:

* Restrooms: the plumbing inspector came by and looked at the plumbing, and left without issue. 
* #9: Ed G worked on cleaning and freeing up some pieces belonging to the brake rigging.
* #10: Wes has spent some time polishing and cleaning the brake and steam gauges in the engine, and worked on calibrating them.  The gauges are back in the engine.
* Telephones: John M and others took a trip to AC to make sure the phones are still working, at least between those two points.
* Fred's Tractor: Fred gave John R and Dave B instructions on running the tractor.  We moved some snow around.

2532

Museum Discussion / Museum Marketing Survey

« on: March 21, 2013, 05:13:35 PM »

This winter we have had two Senior-level marketing students from business school Thomas College looking at the Museum to try and help us get the word out.  They have come up with a marketing survey.  It's located at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WQPBBGB.  Please visit it and fill it out, then tell others about it.

The survey will be up until May 1.  Our students need to make recommendations based on the survey results, and my guess is that they will want to be presenting their final report in early April.

Thanks everyone!

2533

Volunteers / Re: March 2013 Work Planning

« on: March 20, 2013, 06:18:52 AM »

Anticipated work for Saturday March 23:

* Snow shoveling, maybe some plowing
* #9: No Jason, but those that know what they're doing can show those of us that don't what to do.
* I'm sure Mike has things planned for the John Deere and Big Joe.

2534

General Discussion / Re: Help me Identify this Locomotive.

« on: March 19, 2013, 06:15:56 AM »

It probably had something to do with the Freemasons. 

2535

Museum Discussion / Re: Oh Deere

« on: March 16, 2013, 06:35:47 PM »

In looking at online auctions for the same tractor, it appears that one can get one these for more money today than Fred paid for it in 1973!