W.W.&F. Discussion Forum
WW&F Railway Museum Discussion => Work and Events => Topic started by: Dave Buczkowski on September 16, 2013, 02:18:18 PM
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All;
Contrary to the official 2013 WW&F calendar, the 2013 Albion Day will be Saturday, November 9, 2013. Since recent years' attendance has been on a par with Fred's Weed Whacking Days we will be adding a sweetener or two. In addition to the usual banter of Carl and Phil we will be transporting the rail car and the hand car on the Museum's new trailer which WILL be ready by then. (that was one of the reasons for moving the date as well as a poor excuse I have). On the trailer as well will be about 15 ties for replacement of the disintegrated ones at the southern end. Phil promises to have the joint bars and bolts that were never used on the rail now sitting on tie remains. We will also do some siding on the stair tower and some inside work as well for those not accustomed to the brisk November weather at beautiful Albion Station.
Additionally, I have arranged for a visit by the esteemed president of RowMow Mfg. Co. who may be persuaded to pose for photos and sign autographs with and for his loyal fans.
If attendance is deemed sufficent enough the plan is to bring #10 for Albion Day 2014. Sort of a carrot and stick sort of thing. Or, if you trailer it, they will come.
I hope to see many of you there with me. Remember November 9, 2013!
B f/k/a KD
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Years ago, we "joined" the Albion Historical Society and sent them some money for the depot restoration project. Needless to say, we've heard virtually nothing from up there ever since.
What exactly is the status of the place at this point in time, and what, if any, are the plans for the future?
As nearly as we ever could determine, the whole thing was a one or two man show. Not to denigrate what they did / are doing, but like some other such "museums" down Maine, they lack communication skills with the outside world. Especially if they are "off the beaten path", tourist-wise.
Please enlighten those of us "from away" if you would be so kind.
Richard
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I will say that it is enjoyable there, no matter how hard you work.
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Richard;
The station is level and weather tight. The stair tower on the southern end has been erected and the temporary internal stairs removed. The upstairs rooms' walls and ceilings have been covered in T&G boards. A platform has been added for boarding trains. Furniture has been added. A blacksmith shop (non historic to the property) to the premises.
The track extends almost to the southern end of the property. About 20-25 ties need to be replaced at the same end. The northernmost east side siding is in place with a stub switch that needs a switch stand installed (which they have).
The AHS also has a Plymouth gas engine on site that needs some TLC to get running.
Not bad for a "one or two man show".
Hope to see you there on the 9th.
Dave
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I first visited the place in 1971 when the depot had a pronounced "list" to one side. I took black and white pictures of it and the surrounding area. I walked the R.O.W. south for a ways.
I've been there since the "list" was removed and the depot stabilized. All well and good. BUT. . .
What is the ultimate goal? A tourist train running a couple hundred feet (if that?) with a gas mechanical critter for power? I know, I know, that's how the SR&RL boys got started over at Phillips. But as Peggy Lee used to sing, "Is that all there is?"
What happens when the "one or two guys" can't make it happen anymore? Who takes over? Again. . . to what purpose? The depot is saved until it begins to list once more and then the movie starts all over. Isn't that where we came in?
Richard
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Dave, you have worked tirelessly to keep this event going. I plan on going this year. I'll talk with you about it at the Fall Work Weekend.
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Dana,
Thanks for you support. I'll look forward to discussing it during tamping breaks.
Dave
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The Albion folks should have a mini fund drive or sell tickets for the rides so they can buy more ties and rail. We started with small fund drives.
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Good point Fred,
The event should be publicized up there. It will be a rare opportunity to ride the north end of the WW&F since this year will be the first time a Model T railcar has been in Albion in 80 years.
As the track crew works on the south end, the ride can get longer.
Start
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It will be a rare opportunity to ride the north end of the WW&F since this year will be the first time a Model T railcar has been in Albion in 80 years.
Once we have pictures (hint, hint) and a story (hint, hint) that talks about the 80 years and about the current event, we'll have a good article for the November/December WW&F Newsletter! Inquiring editors want to know ;)
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Now you're getting warm! Publicity is everything, especially in this day and age with so much competition for peoples' attention.
That's the thing that most of these tiny "museums" don't do, or don't do enough of.
If Albion wants attention, they have to let "the outside world" know what they have and what is going on. As it is now, only the "townies" know, plus a few local railfans. That's not good enough.
Do they have a website? If so, is it up to date?
A squeaky wheel gets the grease, is still true. So let's get Albion to "squeak" big time!
Richard
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To the Editor (John);
I will be sure to bring my camera. I'm already working on the story (can't let facts that haven't happened yet get in the way of a good story). Of course, I will bow to the Offical WW&F Photographer should his professional duties allow him to join us.
B
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Hey B,
Photo ops should be good. You can get pictures of the T facing north, as it pulls in front of the station. This will re-create an inspection trip arriving from Wiscasset. We'll turn the car and then get shots of it facing south. It'll look great heading towards Weeks Mills with the Albion station in the background.
Start
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A quick question: How much ROW does the W&Q own from Albion southwards. Could one actually replicate the line south to say, China?
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John;
Unfortunately it appears that the section immediately south of the station is not owned by the W&Q. The section after that to the next road is probably owned by the W&Q. A member of the AHS is a surveyor and has been helping me search the title. Our research continues.
Dave
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Hi Dave, I am planning on being there on the 9th...
Stephen
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Stephen,
Great! That means the photos of Albion Day will show a marked improvement this year. Stewart already has a few good ideas for photos. See you I two weeks for the work weekend.
Dave
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Brendan;
Make sure to read your private email soon. Thanks.
Dave
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Have model T will travel.
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/image_zps7bbc3160.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/image_zps69ffd4ef.jpg)
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Video of Albion Day 2013:
http://youtu.be/p7QqF9Y8j7Q
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Albion Day was a resounding success with a number of things accomplished. First, quite a bit of track work was done by Dana's crew. Projects included replacing ties (which added in-service rail to the south end of the track), adding a safety rail to the flanger siding switch and relocating ballast from areas with too much to other spots that needed it. Also, weed cutting was done along the R-O-W which made the station grounds look better. It also revealed the location of the former turntable and engine house.
The railcar's visit was a big hit with quite a few local people (many bringing children) taking a ride to the end of track and back. The car was unloaded around 9:30 and James and Start devised an operating plan that gave passengers two trips of the line with each ticket. First, passengers were loaded at the station platform and taken to the south end of operable track. They returned and the second run started at the north end of the manline. It was some cool running past the station going south! The railcar operated facing north in the morning and was turned to face south after lunch. Oh, and by the way, a nice lunch was provided by the Albion Historical Society, served in the depot waiting room which had a warm wood stove. The railcar also did some work, bringing the track crew in for lunch and delivering supplies to the south end. The rails had a nice shine with all the action.
Visitors were told that today was the first time a Model T railcar has been to Albion in over 80 years and many were happy to hear it. Some passengers were savvy enough to request a stop in Coopers Mills or Whitefield. By the end of the day the railcar had carried about 35 people. The trip got longer as the track crew got more of the mainline in service. It was nice running the railcar southward, almost to the culvert near the woods.
Thanks to Phil Dow and Carl Buita for being good hosts and thanks to our own Dave B. for setting up Albion Day 2013.
Start
p. s. It sure was great calling "Albion" when the railcar arrived at the station at the end of each run. That's a new one!
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Video of Albion Day 2013:
http://youtu.be/p7QqF9Y8j7Q
Great stuff!
-John
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Nicely done video Hansel.
While waiting for the final report from section super KD, I will say that the railcar even brought more volunteers North today than normal, and on the last of the paid trips, we were spiking the rails and moving the bumping tie as quick as possible. End of the day saw 45 of the last 60 feet rebuilt and in service.
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Sounds like a good time was had by all, and some good work accomplished. I was there in spirit.
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Pictures
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/image_zpse6018f98.jpg)
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(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/image_zps41f79e17.jpg)
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Loaded up to head home to Sheepscot.
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/image_zps345ec12b.jpg)
Back at Sheepscot
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/image_zpsdf63567f.jpg)
The center bearing for the Albion turntable was mounted on this block.
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/image_zps4cabe2c0.jpg)
Bill is standing on the turntable bearing block. I'm standing about where the pit wall was.
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/image_zps2a24eb1b.jpg)
The location of the Albion engine house.
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/image_zpsb727c5f4.jpg)
The Canada or bust committee meeting looking north from Albion. The station is behind me.
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/image_zps215f25a4.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/image_zpsfdd7b346.jpg)
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It's a shame that there is not more contiguous ROW owned by the W&Q adjacent to the Albion property. What a sight it would be to have a mile or so of track there so that steam could reappear after all this time. I'm sure it would bring the townsfolk out in droves.
Keep up the good work guys..............
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And a few more from Albion...
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5476/10778988243_e856e11b1f_c.jpg)
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3723/10778997035_7f056a6d3c_c.jpg)
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(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7387/10778677015_6f764ff942_c.jpg)
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2851/10778831624_32fa6de310_c.jpg)
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(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2866/10778969193_cd59ceaa95_c.jpg)
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Thanks for the photos, Brendan and Steve. They help those of us who weren't there to see what it was all about.
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Yep, thanks Brendan and Stephen for the posting your pictures. There were at least 16 Sheepscot WW&FR's present including:
Dave B. - Event Coordinator
Brendan - Transportation Chief
Dana - Track Crew Chief
James and Start - Train Operations
Stephen H. - Staff Photographer
Hansel
Bill F.
Bill H.
Bill R.
Mike
Greg
Fred
Leon
Zack
John R.
Thanks to all these folks for making it a great day.
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Stewart and I are now the only people qualified to operate on that stretch of track. We were contemplating on how does that happen....
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How indeed? Did you qualify each other?
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Did u both have a time table and rule book in your back pocket? Must be aware of trains!
Tom C.
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Well ...
When we got the railcar on the mainline I tried to start it but it needed some battery charging so we put it on Leon's charger. After a few minutes it started right up and I ran it south past the station. I stopped about 20' north of the switch because James was spiking the safety rail in place. When the work was finished I ran the railcar down through the switch as James signaled, watching the wheels. I worked down to where the turntable switch had been and came back. At that point James took the controls and ran the railcar up the the north end and down to the work zone. One of us commented that we were qualifying each other.
We made a few rules that morning; (1) The complete line was under slow orders due to the work zone, switch and number of people around the station. This meant that the railcar was restricted to operating in low range. (2) All horn signals used at Sheepscot were also in affect at Albion. (3) A passenger trip consisted of two complete runs of the operable mainline.
James had the honor of running the first train with paying passengers. He ran most of the morning trips and I ran the afternoon runs.
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Dave, Thanks for your leadership in Albion Day 2013. Again all the WW&F members who were able to take part thanks. Your efforts added to the history of the railroad and added a new chapter to railroading in Maine. Fred L. Kuhns
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What's the plan for the south side of the station. Looks like the windows have been redone.
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The AHS within the last few years added the stairwell back in. This makes it much easier than it used to be to get into the old apartment upstairs.
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All;
Many thanks for all who attended this year's Albion Day. Stewart's summations along with Steve's, Brendan's and Hansel's photos/videos pretty much summed up the day's activities. I would say the Model T really added to the day. In addition to Start's attendance list (along with Phil Dow and Carl Buitta) I would add our president, Steve Z. and Bill P (inadvertently listed as Bill H). As a guide for my (or others) planning for next year and further detail to "flesh out" the reports I'll address each area:
1. Model T - Hauling and rigging. I think Brendan's last name is really "Hallamore" and that he was born on the back of a Clydesdale. He makes loading, backing and unloading a trailer look like child's play. The entire process could not have gone more smoothly. I also appreciate Brendan's good humor at being "volunteered" by me. He exemplifies the WW&F's "Can Do" volunteerism.
2. Model T - Operations. James and Start did a bang up job working out the scheduling and loading of the Model T. Using WW&F rules as a basis for the Northern Division worked well. Proper signaling and station announcements added a touch of professionalism. All in all, the Model T's visit wouldn't have been possible without Brendan, James and Start.
3. Track Maintenance - We (meaning Dana and the ever able Track Crew) replaced two lengths of track. This might not seem like much but every old tie came up in rotted pieces and the new (double used) ties had to be re-spaced as the old spacing left something to be desired. Since, ironically, the area with the replacement ties was the most heavily ballasted much stone had to be dug out by hand before new ties could be put down. As a result, the new track won't need much tamping unless it has to be lifted.
4. Track work to be done - we did not have enough time to install the steel plates for the stub switch that Phil had fabricated. in fact James had to spike the switch and install a guardrail (late of the end of siding). So next year we'll need to install the switch stand, lift the rail and spike the plates along with the rest of the material need to make the switch operate. Phil still has a few items to have fabricated. Also, there is room for at least four additional rail lengths before the southern end of property is reached and one length could be added to the north end. All the AHS needs is 10 sticks of 35 lb rail and ties. There also needs to be some fill added in the area of the culvert. Suggestions for rail are welcome.
5. Carpentry - Siding still needs to be installed on the stair tower along with a few other finishing touches. Steve Z had the vapors after professionally sizing up the requirements to have a safe stair tower. Not much needs to be done inside as Phil and company have been active upstairs.
6. Grounds - Note to Dave, make sure to have Fred fill the 50:1 tanks before Albion Day 2014. My brush cutting was cut short when I ran out of fuel for the brush hog. Only about half of the needed cutting was able to be done. I'd like to reveal more of the round table and sidings. Phil and I did some consolidating of all the junk ties cast off into the brush but more clean up needs to be done to make things presentable.
7. Motive power - Having visiting motive power from the Southern Division was obviously great but the AHS has a gas powered Plymouth locomotive on site. It is unfortunately, not currently running. In a coma and on life support might be a more accurate statement. It also needs some cab and cosmetic work to put it mildly. Mike and Brendan had a chance to look it over. In listening to them I can safely state the the repair list is long. As a first step we (meaning me and A) will move and use the old lawn mower "garage" to cover the engine to prevent further deterioration. Unfortunately RowMow Mfg, has a very full plate this winter with Big Joe maintenance, engineering and designing Big Tow as a second tamper and figuring out how to hi-rail the Kubota and building a rops for it. Sooo, I am looking for a volunteer or volunteers that might be interested in undertaking the restoration of the Plymouth. If you have space in your garage I (meaning Brendan - oops, there I go again...) might be able to arrange delivery once the trailer is finished. The AHS will pay all material costs.
All in all much was accomplished in the short time we were there. I'm already looking forward to Albion Day 2014. i can't thank all of those that volunteered to help out enough. I hope to have even greater attendance next year!
Dave
PS Fred, Thanks for your kind words. They mean a lot even though my efforts were small compared to all the work the others did.
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Hey Dave,
I gotta agree with Fred, there would be no Albion Day if not for your work putting everything together. I'm glad I was able to go this year, I enjoyed the work and the day. Thanks!
BTW - The Bill H. in my list is Bill Horton who was there just after lunch.
Start
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Start,
Did I mix up my Bills?
Dave
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Thanks for the report and photos. The few times I have been there it has been the green season and the turntable and potato barn areas are a bit hard to see.
The next door neighbors (horses) were also friendly during my most recent visit. Wonder if they would be willing to provide motive power some day? ;D
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Dave,
You did a fine job of organizing this year's Albion Day. Kudos to you for not giving up on this event. I thought it was a great day. I also want to thank all the guys who worked on the track. That was probably the toughest 60 feet I have ever dealt with. Digging out all of that ballast and the rotten ties was quite a chore but it sure looked good once we were finished.
Too bad the mason who was supposed to complete the forge and chimney in the blacksmith shop doesn't seem to want to finish the job. According to Phil they have tried everything they can think of to get him to come back. It would be very nice to have that shop operable.
The crew at Albion has done a fantastic job on the upstairs portion of the station and it was good to see the progress. I'm looking forward to next year!
Thanks, again, Dave for all of your efforts!
Dana
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Dana;
Thank you for leading the track crew. Indeed it was a difficult stretch of track. The next few lengths should be easier since we will be laying it in "virgin" territory. I'm glad your experience was much better this year.
Dave
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Dave,
The southern edge of the property is about 120 feet? And the abutting neighbor does not want to entertain an easement?
Dave C.
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Dave;
A qualified yes to both questions. The measurement is a guesstimate. As to the second question, our research to date interestingly fails to reveal that the W&Q or the WW&F ever had any ownership or easement rights in the middle portion of the run from Winslow Road to Albion Station. The reason for that failure has to do with some missing records which we are still on the hunt for.
As to the neighbor, we are now dealing with a second generation. I have not spoken or had any contact with them so all my information is second or third hand. So I really can't speak personally about any past discussions or their nature with them. The AHS really isn't in a present condition to proceed very far southwards due to lack of manpower, rail and ties. Our research does continue on a sporadic basis so we will (hopefully) be prepared if and when that day ever occurs that we are ready to head south. Of course, volunteers and donations are always welcome!
Dave
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Dave,
Thanks for the update. What about the right of way north of the station? Does the W&Q or AHS own any of the north of the road? Just wondering if the Quebec or bust committee were wasting their time... ;)
Dave C
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I got to ask, but is there some form of website for the AHS, or is there more information here on the forum? My curiosity has been piqued...
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http://www.einet.net/review/118769-396304/Albion_Maine_Historical_Society_Homepage_Albion_Maine.htm (http://www.einet.net/review/118769-396304/Albion_Maine_Historical_Society_Homepage_Albion_Maine.htm)
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I think they lost their domain name.
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Dave C;
I don't believe the AHS owns anything north of where they are. It is my understanding that either the Museum or the W&Q (most likely the W&Q) owns some or almost all the ROW north to Burnham. I understand that recently (in the last two years or so) we or the W&Q was approached by an abutter to buy the ROW contiguous to the abutter's property. Searching that title is not something I currently plan to do as it is not likely the AHS would want to cross the road in my lifetime for many reasons.
Dylan;
There used to be an AHS website that had photos of Albion Station and a short description of what went on there but it disappeared a few years ago. Anyone with website skills want to volunteer to restart and maintain the site? I'm sure Phil would be pleased to have it up again. Contact me via PM and I'll give you Phil's phone number or be happy to call on your behalf. He doesn't do email.
Dave
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Been trying to locate the historical society using Google Maps. Could someone send me a street address or nearest cross street?
Thanks!
Bruce
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The station is on Benton Rd. on the left side about a quarter mile down from the intersection with Main st, China Rd, and Winslow Rd.
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Try this. It is about 85 Benton Road, Albion.
Here is a link
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=85+Benton+road+Albion,+ME&hl=en&ll=44.538064,-69.443647&spn=0.001074,0.002411&sll=44.538059,-69.443671&sspn=0.000537,0.001206&t=h&hnear=85+Benton+Rd,+Albion,+Maine+04910&z=19 (https://maps.google.com/maps?q=85+Benton+road+Albion,+ME&hl=en&ll=44.538064,-69.443647&spn=0.001074,0.002411&sll=44.538059,-69.443671&sspn=0.000537,0.001206&t=h&hnear=85+Benton+Rd,+Albion,+Maine+04910&z=19)
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Thanks!