W.W.&F. Discussion Forum
WW&F Railway Museum Discussion => Volunteers => Topic started by: James Patten on June 30, 2010, 01:25:10 PM
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Anticipated work for weekend of July 3 & 4
Where this is Independence weekend, I'm guessing there won't be a huge number of volunteers at the museum this weekend.
* Saturday morning early I'd like to empty the flatcar onto the mainline (if I didn't get it done Friday).
* Also Saturday morning I'm going to have a brakeman training class.
* Saturday will be prep of the truck for the parade in Wiscasset
* Sunday morning is the parade in Wiscasset.
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Work done on weekend of July 3.
* Friday morning I emptied the flatcar of stone on the mainline south of the water tank, with some help from Stewart.
* Saturday I had a brakeman class for Dawn and Cindy (the 2nd and 3rd female brakemen)
* Plywood boards were put on either side of the body of the truck, and WW&F banners were mounted on them.
* Leon was in working on the railcar's jacking system.
* I think Ed was working on something for 9
* Fred and Brad cut grass at Trask's and Jayne's Way crossings, respectively.
I'm not going to have an opportunity to jack & tamp the mainline from where I left off (near the well cap, headed north) in the next several weeks. I hope somebody will be able to do that.
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I'm not going to have an opportunity to jack & tamp the mainline from where I left off (near the well cap, headed north) in the next several weeks. I hope somebody will be able to do that.
With any luck in a few weeks, that would be a great place to try out the new couple. Would be a great time to get the fuel consumtion down if we could run it steady for an hour or more. The alternator will be the only thing holding us up to do it before that. A little fabrication and we will have something.
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Anticipated work on weekend of July 10
* Board meeting on Friday evening.
* If Leon's down, he'll be working on the railcar
* If Mike's down, he'll be working on Big Joe Lindsay
* Fred and others will probably be doing some brush cutting
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I'll be one of the "others" then and will have one or more warm bodies with me to assist with the brush cutting. Shop Sergeant Ed will be in the shop as well
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Work done on July 10
* Leon worked on putting on the railcar brakes
* Mike worked on Big Joe, but don't know what was accomplished
* Fred, Dave, Ed L, Bill, Hans, and a couple of others worked on weed whacking between Jayne's Way Xing and Brook Xing.
Today was sort of an Alna Open House, with a number of historic buildings open and local vendors selling their wares. We had a steady stream of visitors all day.
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And once again we had an amazing spread for lunch. An army works on its stomach and we did just that. Despite the fact that we were hot, dirty and got soaked, lunch and lots of water kept us going. Steve missed a good photo op yesterday: "Weed wacking in the mist". Dave and I also had additional discussiosns on getting a bucket seat for Big Joe (instead of just a bucket).
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The Fred James refers to is actually our new Fred, my good neighbor and partner in crime, Fred Merrill. He pitched right in and brush-hogged in the rain. We hope to see him back soon.
Dave
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Lindsay had some Air leaks fixed, and I also added a pulley after Ed fabricated me a part. Ready for an alternator to be added on now.
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Echoing Dave's remarks, Fred Merrill stepped right in and did a lot of brush clearing, including through the downpours after lunch. I hope Dave and I haven't scared him away from coming back!
We more or less got the brush clearing done past Brook Crossing (a little light stuff remains on the top of the hill to right at the curve). I can't emphasize enough the need for volunteers who can visit for a day or two the need to help out with this. The right-of-way is now clean from Sheepscot up to the first curve, but there's still another 2.5 miles or so that needs to be cut. Much more than can be cut during the work week in a couple of weeks.
- Bill
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Anticipated work for weekend of July 17.
It's almost a repeat of last weekend if all the right people show up:
* Railcar (Leon)
* Big Joe (Mike)
* Loco 9 (Jason) (it's the "3rd Saturday" which is typically a 9 work day)
* brush cutting (cast of several)
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I got Dave a seat. Now when he wants a raise, it will be as simple as pushing a button. The bucket may still be needed for a foot rest.
A used Alternator was purchased today. I dropped it off to have it modified to work like we need it to. Will be ready by Friday. Hope to pick it up then, possibly Saturday morning if necessary.
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Mike, any plans to cut the trailer hitch off near the air tanks? This would make more more for Dave's seat and tool boxes.
dwight
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Removing the hitch and frame will be a winter project. Just trying to get it going enough so we can get a good test out of it before any modifications like that.
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[Moderator's Note]
Please do not fill up the "Work Planning" threads with good spirited (but off topic) banter. All other threads are game (until they get so out of hand that they get moved to Whimsical Weirdness & Foolery.)
The discussion regarding an ejection seat for Joe & Lindsay has been split off accordingly.
Thanks,
-Ed
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Work done on weekend of July 17.
* Leon mowed at Alna Center. He's also been working on the railcar.
* Mike installed an alternator on the Lindsay compressor. And I saw the seat he got - nice seat.
* Ed was working on a part for #9 and fired up the generator to use one of the shapers.
* Coal is to be delivered soon so an effort was made to clean up the coal pocket. This included a trip or two to the dump. Currently the dust is at the very back of the pocket, waiting transferral to elsewhere if it happens in time.
* I did not see any weed whacking but Saturday was fairly hot.
Note that this week (July 19 - 23) is the work week for weed whacking.
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This just in - Painting was done on the bay 4 side of the shop. The south, west and north walls got the top coat of yellow on the parts that had not been finished in the Spring. Only some trim remains to be painted tan. When the north wall was painted the thermometer was removed and placed on a tie in the sun. Within 45 minutes the thermometer showed 110 degrees.
The oil was changed in the Model AA flatbed and the truck got a present for its 80th birthday... a 1930 Maine license plate.
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Alternator installation ran into some complications. The least of which was minor adjustments. The Fab Shop ran out of gas (battery too) so the adjustment rod I need will wait until next week. Wires are run but not connected. Hoping to test it next week. Once I gather all the parts I need, the hard plumbing for the air will be a breeze.
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Sorry about leaving you out Stewart - I knew more stuff was happening but just couldn't think of what it was.
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Steve, Stewart, Josh R and I finished up prep of the coal bin today by moving the coal dust, moving some more ties and what-not, and cleaning up. New coal, 23 tons, will be ordered tomorrow and should be here by next weekend. Leon continued on the jacking device today for the Rail Kar (in his terms).
Jason
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Anticipated work for weekend of July 24
* This week is the work week, for brush cutting on the ROW
* I'm sure Mike and Leon will be busy with Big Joe and the Railcar, respectively
* I'm hoping to do some jacking and tamping on the mainline in the yard south of the water tower, to continue leveling the very out of level track there.
* There will probably be more brush cutting
* Saturday supposed to be hot and humid, so maybe we'll be working in the Percival basement? I can hope.
This weekend is also the first ever Lincoln County Fair at the Wiscasset Raceway. So instead of revving cars maybe we'll hear midway sounds. Saturday's the monster truck show so we'll probably hear only that.
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This just in ...
Radio Free Sheepscot reports that the WW&F was received a load of coal. The truck delivered a full load to the Sheepscot coal bin today at 6:30am. The coal is larger lumps than the previous load. Railroad President Steve Zuppa stated that the supply should last the railroad for about 2 years.
In other news the cutting crew has been working Southward from end of track. They have now cleared down to the woods road crossing for the stables. Additional clearing was done around Trask's crossing. Open car 103 has received some attention; the sides were painted (below the belt rail) and the roof has been cleaned and painted. The painting was completed at 4pm.
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The painting was completed at 4pm.
Hopefully it was dry before the downpours began at 5:30 PM.
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I checked car 103's paint job today and it is fine. I did some touch up on the letterboards and the car is ready for service. The waiting shelter bench has received a second coat of paint. It is painted boxcar red.
In other news ... the Model T railcar now has tail lights. They will come on as rear marker lights when the headlights are turned on. Leon states that he is not putting blinkers on the car although he admits that they may come in handy when the car takes the siding at Alna Center.
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Work done the week ending July 24.
* During the weed whacking work week, the participants were able to work on the northern part of the line from end of track to past MP 7, south of Trasks to the trestle, around Sheepscot Mills, and around Brook Crossing.
* Leon was busy during the week installing the jacks on the railcar. Saturday Jason did some welding on the frame. Later during the day the jack feet were put in and the jacking rachets put in, and the car jacked up on the feet off the rail. The turntable still needs to go it, which is going to be under the feet.
* Zack worked on moving the water line in the house which goes to the car shop from a floor rubber hose to a ceiling-mounted copper pipe, in preparation for basement floor cementing.
* Mike installed the alternator in the Lindsay compressor but it still had some significant air leaks.
* Stewart did some painting during the week, including 103's roof.
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A bit more ...
There was additional work done Sunday. Bill R. cut weeds between AC and Trask's crossing. Thanks Bill! New stencils were made and Diesel locomotive 52 received new numbers under the windows on the cab doors. Handcar #2 had numbers applied to both end plates. The shop was swept out and the flangeways cleaned.
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Anticipated work for weekend of July 31.
* Weed whacking
* Railcar work.
* Big Joe/Lindsay work
* More prep work for Percival floor cementing.
Come one come all.
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Just wondering what time in the morning I should arrive to do some volunteering.
Mark Hendrickson
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Hi Mark,
On Saturdays and other "regular" volunteer days, some hardy souls start arriving at 6:30am, but its more likely that you'll find the bulk of the volunteer corps arriving between 7am and 8am. Of course, you're welcome any time during the day, just stop in and introduce yourself.
Other days (Fridays, Holidays, and other days) may start later.
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Work done on weekend of July 31
* Dave, Mike, Fred, and others were out weed whacking, mostly up by Alna Center.
* Mike says Big Joe and Lindsay are ready to try out. He did some testing on it, tamping 3 ties. He also attached the air to the chair, which now rises up in the air.
* The railcar has the top portion of the turntable installed. There's a bottom piece that has yet to be installed (probably this week).
* Zack installed the turning platform for the railcar in Sheepscot Yard.
* I fired a few trips with the new coal we just got. I really like it. Extremely smoky, good for the photographers but not great for riders if the fireman's not paying attention. It had some clinker issues but overall quite minor compared to our last batch.
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Some pictures to illustrate some of what James posted...
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-8/342468/bigjoe2sm.jpg)
the fruits of Mike's efforts!
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-8/342468/giveemairsm.jpg)
new tamping crew battle cry -"Give 'em Air!"
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-8/342468/Railcarturnmechsm.jpg)
Amazing railcar turning mechanism...
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-8/342468/coalpilenewcoalbinsm.jpg)
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-8/342468/JohnRclipboard_sm.jpg)
John R keeping the count...
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-8/342468/ACJuly2010SZswitchwide_sm.jpg)
Steve Z throwing the south switch at Alna Center...