W.W.&F. Discussion Forum
WW&F Railway Museum Discussion => Work and Events => Topic started by: Stewart "Start" Rhine on March 07, 2011, 08:43:54 AM
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The Spring Work Weekend is next month and the following list shows some of the projects that volunteers can help with.
Building Maint -
The east side of the shop building needs to be painted with a top coat of yellow. This is to cover the primer coat on the northern half of the wall. If there's time (and paint) we will paint the west wall of the shop addition.
Engine #9 -
Work will continue putting the forward and rear frames together. The rear frame is to be assembled first.
Track construction -
The House Track will be built south from the upper yard switch on the new grade. The switch points need to be finished and the throw rod and stand installed. Ties, rail and stone will be put on the grade and the track tamped and leveled.
For the new members who may attend, the Work Weekend is a time of progress for the museum. Come for good fellowship, great food and a chance to make new friends while making some lasting improvements to the railroad. I will be involved with the paint crew (weather permitting). Jason will instruct the folks who want to work on #9 (Jason will add more info as the time gets closer). Our Track Chief is Dana Wigwam Deering. He will be in charge of the crew. Dana will add more info when he gets a chance - but building the spur is a rare chance to build track southward. The spur is important because it will serve the (to be built) turntable, roundhouse and car storage building. This is a major step forward for the WW&F.
Lunch and supper are provided by the museum. Meal times are a good time to catch up with friends you haven't seen for a while. We talk about things like music, movies and the Civil War. Of course there's two things we never discuss ... steam vs diesel and the color of narrow gauge freight cars!
We hope to see everyone at Sheepscot on the weekend of April 29th - May 1st.
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Stewart,
What type of paint do we use on the buildings: water-base or oil-base. If I'm able to attend the work weekend, I have a sprayer that could make the painting process move a great deal more quickly if there is any interest. Whenever I use the sprayer for painting I always back-brush the sprayed application. One person could apply paint and one or more folks could back brush.
I asked about the paint because cleaning the sprayer requires the use of a solvent, water or paint thinner, depending upon which paint type is used. Of course, this would be a moot point if there is no interest in using the sprayer.
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Hi Duncan, We use water-based paint because alkyd/oil-based paint is not available in Maine. As to spraying, Zack didn't want to use a sprayer for the prime coat due to the lumber being rough cut. I'll ask him what he thinks of a sprayed application of the top coat and let you know.
Another project this Spring is the re-roofing of coach 8. The existing fiberglass covering will be removed and underframing repaired/replaced. A new marine style covering will be applied that looks like painted canvas. Steve Z. and Jonathan will lead the project. Some work may be done prior to April 29th but there will be plenty to do on the Work Weekend.
Stewart
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Thanks Stewart. Let Zack know that mine is an airless sprayer in case that makes a difference.
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The track work plan is essentially a continuation of the work we began in the fall. We'll work on installing the new siding and on surfacing, tamping, and lining the section we relaid. If there's time for anything else we will continue surfacing and lining on some other section (I'd like to work on the stretch at Albee's field). It looks like I'll have a bit more free time after this weekend (3/19 - 20) so I want to get the prep work that needs to be done completed before the work weekend. That will have to be after more of the snow melts...
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Some of items:
1) What weight rail are we going to use for the "House Lead"? I drove by Vossloh here in Reading the other day and they have several piles of "light" rail frogs. I could call them for a price and then I could delivery them on my trailer. Up to 1800 lbs.
2) Would it by possible to bury a 14-2 plus ground power cable to the water tank? This would allow us to install a wireless surveillance camera up under the eve, facing South to cover the yard. Power needed is less than 1 ampere.
3) Is it possible to replace the North steps at Alna Center station with a ramp, with hand rail on East side? A railing on the West side if clearance permits. This would help visitors who use wheelchairs, walkers, canes, etc. to use the AC station. A ramp also would allow use of a hand truck to handle freight at AC.
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I will be bringing up a tool post grinder and if all goes well, I may be working on getting the driver journal surfaces trued up on the #9 drivers. If time allows, I will take a look at fitting the driving box brasses to the axles.
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3) Is it possible to replace the North steps at Alna Center station with a ramp, with hand rail on East side? A railing on the West side if clearance permits. This would help visitors who use wheelchairs, walkers, canes, etc. to use the AC station. A ramp also would allow use of a hand truck to handle freight at AC.
I wonder about extending the existing platform (and associated stairs) about four feet northerly, then adding a ramp that runs in an easterly direction along the north side of the building. The lengthened platform would make spotting the stairs of two adjacent cars easier, and would provide access for visitors who use wheelchairs, walkers, canes, etc., as Ken points out. Having the ramp of the north side of the building would make it nearly invisible in most photographs, as these are typically taken of the south side. Water or ice dripping from the roof would not be a problem, as the roof sides descend on the east and west side, not the north and south side. On the other hand, Ken's suggestion of merely replacing the stairs with a ramp might be the least visually invasive and certainly simpler to construct.
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So what's the weather forecast for Spring Work Weekend?
Jeff S.
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As of now:
Friday and Friday Night: Mostly cloudy. Highs in the upper 50s. Lows in the lower 40s.
Saturday: Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 50s.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy in the evening...then becoming mostly clear. Lows in the upper 30s.
Sunday: Mostly sunny in the morning...then becoming mostly cloudy. Highs in the upper 50s.
Current weather for WW&F:
http://forum.wwfry.org/index.php?topic=493.0
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Thanks, Ed.
The sun is actually going to be out? It's been several days in NW Ohio since I've seen it. Rained all day today. Rain tomorrow, Wed., and supposed to end Thurs. morning. Then rain again Sat. & Sun.
Jeff S.
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Hi Jeff,
It's been wet - There's been rain in Alna the last 4 days. Had a thunder storm with heavy rain overnight and showers will continue today. The rain chance will lessen as the week progresses with the last chance being Thursday. As Ed said, the forecast is for partly cloudy with temps around 60 Friday and Saturday. Sunday will have more sun in the am with increasing clouds in the afternoon. The outlook is subject to change so check the forum weather link. You can also go to WCSH6.com (Portland's NBC affiliate) for a video forcast.
Everyone please note: Due to the rain this week, outside painting projects are postponed.
Stewart
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All,
As of today - our grading contractor, Jeff Verney has fixed the high spot in the grade for the spur. He pushed the excess gravel from the area next to the shed up to the low spot over the culvert. The grade now has a nice level profile and you can see the switch from south of the shed.
Coach 8 is spotted on the main, by the freight house. Staging has been set up around it. Steve Z. tells me that this weekends temps/weather will be fine for the roof material so the project will start as planned.
Painting - There will be no painting of the shop building as the wood siding needs 4-5 days of dry sunny weather to be ready for paint. There's been rain the last 4 days and today is almost tropical, 65 with 85% humidity. It should start clearing off tomorrow but that won't be enough time for the building to dry.
The forecast has improved somewhat. Friday will be partly cloudy with temps around 60. Saturday will be mostly sunny with temps near 70. Sunday will start with full sun and clouds will filter in after lunch time. Speaking of lunch - Sue and her crew are planning some great lunch and dinner meals for everyone.
If you didn't get an invite to the Royal Wedding ... come on up to Sheepscot. You'll have a great time and feast like a king.
Stewart
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Well, my flight got cancelled, due to high winds, so I won't be out this weekend. The worst part about it is I had to drive 1 1/2 hours to the airport in Cleveland to find this out. Continental will be hearing from me, but it probably won't do any good.
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That's too bad. Hopefully you get a full refund, times 2 (for 2 feet that is).
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Ok, I will be on my way up, probably later on Friday, all the way thru Sunday.
I'll need a place to flop. I'll bring my sleeping bag and a tent (jic, but I fear it'll be a tad wet for tenting. ;) )
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So far so good ...
Today, 6 sticks of 50lb rail was cropped and drilled. Ties and some of the rail were set out on the grade for the new spur. The switch stand was cleaned, freed-up and set on the switch timbers for the spur turn out. The switch itself got new parts including connecting rods. Coach 8's old roof was pulled off and new wood sheathing was applied for underlayment. Engine 9's smokebox got attention. A number of other projects had progress.
We had about 50 volunteers today.
Stewart
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All, some photos from Friday...a great group, phenomenal weather... more to come!
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-8/342468/wideswitchonflatcarsm.jpg)
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-8/342468/wayneinsmokebox_sm.jpg)
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-8/342468/groupatswitchsm.jpg)
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-8/342468/jonathantackingvertsm.jpg)
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-8/342468/hammeranddrill_sm.jpg)
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-8/342468/machinistsatwork_sm.jpg)
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Here's a few more photos from today.
(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab33/dbuczkowski/IMG_3502.jpg)
(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab33/dbuczkowski/IMG_3500.jpg)
(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab33/dbuczkowski/IMG_3503.jpg)
Dave
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Sorry I crapped out on you all today... Allergy meds made me a Zombie so I left ...I hate being useless :-\
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All, some photos from today.
(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab33/dbuczkowski/IMG_3507.jpg)
(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab33/dbuczkowski/IMG_3509.jpg)
(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab33/dbuczkowski/IMG_3510.jpg)
Fred just before he received his award for 10,000 hours of dedicated volunteer service to the Museum.
(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab33/dbuczkowski/IMG_3512.jpg)
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Great photos Stephen and Dave.
Much progress today with over 90 members working. The rest of the 50lb rail was drilled this morning. We then set about laying track. As you see from Dave's photos, the spur has been built south almost to the top of the grade. The new upper yard switch is in service so work cars can be switched in and out. Coach 8 has all the new roof sheathing installed with bondo filling in the seems. It will spend the night in the shop since the overnight temps will be in the 30's. Engine 9's smoke box got holes drilled and received other work.
Tonight we had supper seated in the open car while the musical group The Roberts played for us. They were on the platform. Fred Morse received a special award for having given 10,000 hours of work to the museum. The award is a beautiful engraved plate. Thanks Fred!!
After the meal and award, we took a train ride to eot and back behind #10. There was a special move during the return trip. Our train was routed into the new spur and we got the whole consist (10, 320 & 103) on the new track. It was odd being on the train and looking over to see the mainline. Good times.
Stewart
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(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-8/342468/panoramicgroupAC_med_edited-1.jpg)
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Stephens' nice photo is the group shot at AC that was taken during our Saturday evening trip.
Today-
More work on the spur. Two more sticks of 35lb rail were added (per side) so the spur is now close to the shed. If I have it figured right, we put in 276 feet of new track. Lining has been done. Six loads of stone and gravel were put on the track which now has to be lifted, leveled and tamped. Flat cars 118 and 126 were left at the south end of the spur at the end of the day. It's great to walk out the north end of the house and see freight cars sitting straight ahead.
Jason led a crew this morning that replaced the switch timbers at AC south switch. Everything is complete and the switch has been oiled.
Coach 8 has the new roof coating applied by Jonathan, Steve Z. and crew. It will spend the week in the machine shop so everything sets up.
The machine shop crew of Ed and Bruce worked on a number of things for #9 and the Model T railcar.
The crew working on #9's smokebox made good progress. Additional drilling was done and more parts put on. I didn't get any photos but I'm sure someone will post a shot of the front.
Mr. Lee Rainey, a WW&F member and leader of the Friends of the East Broad Top car restoration team made a detailed inspection of coach 3. Jason provided info as Lee looked at various parts of the coach. The inspection was done with an eye towards restoration of the historic car.
Stewart
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Stewart, you forgot to mention Steve Z's speech Saturday night. Very nicely done. And what a surprise to Fred, right p to the point Steve mentioned something about the volunteer hour letters I did up. Then I heard Fred say Oh. He knew what was coming next. Well deserved.
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You're right Mike, Steve's speech was heartfelt... along the lines of how there are so many talented volunteers in our organization. He mentioned some of the skills that benefit the railroad such as; carpenters, electricians, lawyers, mechanics, computer technicians and others. He stated that everyone "checks their ego at the door" and we all work together for the good of the museum. Fred was surprised. Remember the look on his face? Priceless. When Fred received his award he just said "Thanks". He then said with modesty that there may be others who have worked that many hours.
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Was I the only one with moist eyes when Fred's were glistening? Fred is on of the 173 reasons I keep coming back. I want to be there when Fred gets his gold tray for 20,000 hours. I think that one should be solid gold like Fred's heart.
Dave
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And to illustrate what we were doing to No. 9, I submit this. We completed drilling the rivet holes to attach the smokebox to the front of the boiler. Then we tackled drilling out 14 holes to attach the smokebox front to the smokebox. We got a little over-enthusiastic and put the number plate on, then added the headlight and the stack for this photo. Eat your heart out, Steve. :)
P.S. The headlight and stack were only there for effect. We took them off as soon as the photos were taken. Thanks to Dave Crow, Jon Chase and Stephen Hussar for assisting on this, as well as those who offered us moral support.
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Does anyone know what that large beam being carried across the yard is for?
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One of the replacement switch stand timbers for the south Alna Center switch.
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Once again a big thank you to the regulars at the WW&F for hosting this event - it was great to see all of you again. I especially enjoyed the recognition of Fred's service.
We now know that Winter is officially over along the WW&F as the Maine State Bird (the blackfly) was in evidence!
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Looks like a lot was accomplished over the weekend. I wish I could have been there to see Fred get his award.
I hope Stewart and company can find something for me to do when I get up there May 13-16, if Continental doesn't cancel my flight (again).
Jeff S.
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Some snaps back from the digital apothecary:
(http://home.earthlink.net/~wfortier/WW&F/20110430/20110430-06-01-web.jpg)
(http://home.earthlink.net/~wfortier/WW&F/20110430/20110430-08-01-web.jpg)
(http://home.earthlink.net/~wfortier/WW&F/20110430/20110430-26-01-web.jpg)
(http://home.earthlink.net/~wfortier/WW&F/20110430/20110430-29-01-web.jpg)
(http://home.earthlink.net/~wfortier/WW&F/20110430/20110430-33-01-web.jpg)
(http://home.earthlink.net/~wfortier/WW&F/20110501/20110501-01-01-web.jpg)
(http://home.earthlink.net/~wfortier/WW&F/20110501/20110501-02-01-web.jpg)
(http://home.earthlink.net/~wfortier/WW&F/20110501/20110501-06-01-web.jpg)
(http://home.earthlink.net/~wfortier/WW&F/20110501/20110501-08-01-web.jpg)
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Nice shots, Bill!
I wonder how the degree of curvature for the new siding compares to Davis Curve. Anyone know?
-John
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Around half... Davis gets up to 12, maybe 14 degrees, while I believe Rick said this new curve is a little over 7.
Jason
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Thank you to everyone who worked on the track during the Spring Work Weekend. We put down nearly 300 feet of new siding complete with gravel and stone. The switch crew got the turnout operable and in service (after quite a wrestling match with a rusted switchstand), and the switch at AC was repaired. The siding was quite an accomplishment considering that I was sweating it trying to get the 50 lb rail drilled and cropped so as not to hold up track laying. It was a fun weekend and everyone worked hard and the results speak for themselves. Thank you! No group I have ever worked with was or is better than the WW&F volunteers. You even put up with my bad puns and attempts at jokes...
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It's all good Dana...even the jokes. We had a great weekend, had a lot of fun and got an awful lot accomplished. The group deserves a big WELL DONE.
Duncan
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It's always great to have a sense of accomplishment after the weekend is over. It was great working with everyone again. Hopefully the new attendies got a sense of the way we do things and why they are done that way. Everything from the way things are laid out to how we spike ties is different from the "wide gauge". Thankfully we are in a position to continue to lay new (to us) track.
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Thank you to everyone who worked on the track during the Spring Work Weekend. *snip*. You even put up with my bad puns and attempts at jokes...
Sounds like a MOOSE story to me, Shack!