W.W.&F. Discussion Forum
WW&F Railway Museum Discussion => Work and Events => Topic started by: John McNamara on March 09, 2014, 12:34:21 PM
-
The Moderator my wish to put this someplace else, but here goes....
http://www.wwfry.org (http://www.wwfry.org) says:
Saturday - Monday, April 25 - 27: Spring Work Weekend.
Come help build and prepare the railroad for the coming summer season.
Work is from 7am - 5pm; lunch and supper are provided by the Museum to the volunteers.
Steam train may be running, but may be reserved for work crews.
Limited train rides available for those not wishing to join the volunteer corps.
While the days are identified as Saturday-Monday, the dates shown are Friday-Sunday. May I assume that the posting is incorrect and should say Friday-Sunday? May I further assume that Sunday will be a typical last day of the work weekend, and that everyone heads home after lunch? I ask because a friend is thinking of coming Sunday and would probably be disappointed by only a half day of work, food, camaraderie, etc.
Thanks!
-John
-
Hi John. Thanks for noting the error on the website -- I just fixed it. The work weekend is Friday - Sunday. I share your assumption about Sunday wrapping up after lunch, but folks closer to planning for the weekend might know better.
- Bill
-
Here are two interesting lines from Gordon Lightfoot's Canadian Railroad Trilogy:
And when the young man's fancy was turnin' to the spring
The railroad men grew restless for to hear the hammers ring
I feel it's appropriate for us while we wait for the Spring Work Weekend. The entire song (with great pictures) is available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yzo6Otpgj-E (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yzo6Otpgj-E)
-John
-
Thank you for that, John. The only Gordon Lightfoot song I ever remember hearing was the one about (Canadian would be Aboat?) the Edmond Fitzgerald.
I listened to the tune you posted early Friday morn as I was preparing to do battle with CSX. It made me long for an era long past, never to be experienced again.
I guess you could say I was somewhat melancholy. Then, I realized it was about railroads beyond the limits of the US and I became border collie.
Looking forward being moderately useful/not in the way on Spring Work Weekend!
other John
-
Brand spanking new switch points for the North Yard have been delivered.
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0207.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0209.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0211.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0214.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0217.jpg)
-
I've been away for too long! I'll there the 26th and 27th if not sooner. Hopefully every other weekend again.
-
With the "brand new" switch points, is North Yard track building planned for Spring Work Weekend?
-
There will be a
Special Announcement
on Friday morning of the work weekend. Come then to be the first to hear it!
-
For those that don't have a magnifying glass beside their computer, James's magic banner says, "Special Announcement."
-
Let me think, blue banner.... Could it be that a certain blue engine is coming to Sheepscot?
-
Could it be a nice present for the track crew?? So James, we'll find out a week from tomorrow.
-
Darn, I won't get there until lunchtime.
Dave Crow
-
Dave,
If it's what I think it is, there will be plenty left by the time you get there.
-John
-
Paul, per your question on April 8th, the last I heard, there will be trackwork in the north yard. dwight
-
Could the blue banner have something to do with the former Wabash train "The Bannner Blue"?
-
I just figured it out.
We are going to have Pabst Blue Ribbon on the work weekend...............
-
The mud was a little deep last weekend, I hope it dries in the next week. It was so wet most of last spring we only got a limited amount of brush cutting done. Maybe we can get a headstart this year.
-
Yes Fred, we should get out there asap. Some places have not been touched in 2 years now.
-
I just figured it out.
We are going to have Pabst Blue Ribbon on the work weekend...............
Funny you should mention that. I was up walking by the woods track yesterday and there is a keg sitting on the ground. It warms the heart of many a thirsty track laborer...
-
However that keg is full of rocks, not beer. Ballast for the track.
-
Actually ... it's empty now, a job done by the weekday crew. So, it's all ready to be filled - maybe with something for the track crew. Not sure if a new toy would fit in there though ;D
-
With spring work weekend fast approaching, this tick defense info from the Bangor Daily News on line is well worth a read:
http://georgesoutdoornews.bangordailynews.com/2014/04/17/maine-woods/your-best-defense-against-lyme-disease-is-a-plastic-spoon/
-
Steve's post is not too early. A tick was discovered today by Joe. He was on the inspection train this morning where we walked around looking at the trestle and culverts.
Other news, we are hoping the North Yard dries during the week. The grading was done today with soupy muddy clay. We have enough ground leveled out to get all the yard switches in place. The fill is a touch high, but it will settle. Hard to pack down wet clay.
-
Septic heights excavation.
Started about 10 days ago and we still had frost in the ground. That's a chunk of frost hanging from the bucket.
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/image-13.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/image-14.jpg)
Middle of last week before the rain made everything muddy again. The hill use to come out to rail laying on the ground. Survey stakes are the center line for for the roundhouse lead.
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0456.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0465.jpg)
-
Not that it hasn't been well known for quite some time, Brendan, but those pictures prove that you really dig the museum. Thank you for your many efforts!
-
Brendan, Thanks for the all the pictures of the dirt work and the egg hunts, some happy kids. The Kubota is some machine along with the operator. Fred L. Kuhns
-
The SWW is off to a good start. A bit quiet Thursday morning with about a dozen volunteers at Sheepscot by 4pm.
Progress:
* R-O-W - Fred and Dwight cut weeds north of Alna Center.
* Yard Prep - Crews of 4 - 6 volunteers did chores such as switching the yard and shop tracks to have rolling stock and motive power ready for Friday.
* Upper Yard - Brendan did more earthwork for the main stem of the spur track and woods track.
* Track Crew - New crossing planks were taken to Alna Center to be ready for rebuilding both crossings.
* Kitchen Crew - Prep and cooking of Fridays chow started today. The house smells wonderful!
* Garage Rats - The building was swept out and the Model A truck was checked and started.
* Percival House - Zack worked on the heating for the cellar. The zone is ready for use if needed. Sheetrock was brought in to wall the restroom and dog house.
* Railcar - Spring maint. was done so RC4 will be ready for moving volunteers up the line.
* Facebook - The digital crew posted another photo from the early days. Today's image shows Harry bringing the first concrete tie into the framing of Bay 1 while Don Martin directs him.
On to Friday!
-
I just learned there will be NO Blue Ribbon beverage.
There is a rumor there may be candy bars..............
-
SWW: Friday, Day 1 -
* Much progress on many projects with 46 members in the book.
* News - President Zuppa announced two significant items this morning.
(1) A new rail drill was donated by Dwight Winkley. The machine was tried out on the upper yard spur and it quickly drills through the rail web for joint bar holes. Thank you Dwight!
(2) The museum has purchased the next parcel of land that includes the R-O-W at Top of the Mountain. The new land opens railroad expansion all the way to Head Tide.
* Track Crew - A number of projects got attention including:
(A) Survey work with re-plotting of the upper yard switch frog locations and roundhouse lead.
(B) Modification and construction of the upper yard spur with frogs for the woods track and roundhouse lead.
(C) Work on switch components, slide plates, etc.
(D) Replacing the crossing planks at Alna Center.
(E) Moving things that were in the way of track construction such as the Prebbles flag stop.
NOTE: Work on the upper yard grade and track was made MUCH easier by Brendan operating the museums Kubota excavator most of the day.
* Paint Crew - Painted the trim work on the restroom building. Touched-up the side of coach 8 where new wood was installed last week.
* #9 - Work on the cab among other parts.
* Feeding the troops - The kitchen crew did an excellent job providing great food for lunch and supper.
There were a few other projects that I didn't see so I hope those folks will chime in.
P.S. For some of our dedicated members this is Day 2 since they worked yesterday to ready things for today's event. Not to single anyone out but ... Hi Fred!
-
Work done on Saturday, Day 2 (or Day 3 depending on how you count):
* Alna Center: Dana took a crew to AC to finish working on the crossing timbers.
* North Yard track: By the end of the day the frogs and closure rails were in, with the points clamped to the rails and attached to their closure rails. This is two switches: one for the ladder track for the woods track/car storage bays, and one for the track to the roundhouse run-through track. All track in between was spiked in. Excavator and tractor were busy dismantling part of ex-Septic Heights to use as additional fill for the woods track, in addition to helping move material around. A crew was busy in the shop welding up slide plates. The new drill was used many times.
* #9: I didn't see too much, but did see one of the cab side walls assembled and clamped to the front of the cab metal piece on the boiler.
* Food: Sue was busy in the kitchen along with Dawn, Joan, Frances, and several others. Tables were set up in the basement so we got to eat inside.
* Trains: We had a 2:30 train to the north end to see the ROW on the new property. Another train left after supper.
Weather was cloudy in the morning and a heavy drizzle/light rain in the afternoon. It turned the clay into mud, but that was about the worst of it.
There might have been other projects but I didn't see them.
-
Friday pictures.
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0595-1.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0598.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0602.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0608.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0615.jpg)
First use of the rail drill
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0609.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0612.jpg)
Alna Center crossing old planks removed
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0625.jpg)
Hard to see but number 9 is outside in front of 10
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0622-1.jpg)
-
Great pictures! Thanks for posting them.
I wish I could be there to pitch in.
Also, that's excellent news about the ROW!
-
Saturday pictures
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0635.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0637.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0653.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0667.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0672.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0677.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0678.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0681.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0688.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0689.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0697.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0703.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0706.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0713.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0720.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0731.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0733.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0736.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0741.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0750.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0755.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0760.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0764.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0774.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0778.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0782.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0792.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0798.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0799.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0803.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0808.jpg)
-
And of course I miss all the fun because I'm poor... If anyone knows where I can pick up a winning lottery ticket to pay for gas, be my guest...
-
Great photos. I am homesick !!
-
Good pictures B. For those not familiar with trackwork, building tangent track goes pretty fast with a large well supplied crew. Curves take a bit more time as the rail spacing is wider and you have to prevent kinks at the joints. Then comes switches ... construction of a switch takes (at least) 4 times longer due to the track geometry and the points fitting against the stock rail correctly. This weekend is the first time that the crew has had to build two new switches within a few feet of each other. Yes, the lower yard has switches that are fairly close but they were built months or even years apart. Constructing two new switches is the reason that two days work does not produce track feet as tangent work.
Brendans second to last photo shows how nice the spur is coming together with the new turnouts. Looking northward, the distant switch will connect the woods track that will diverge to the left. The foreground switch will serve the car storage building (straight ahead) and feed the coal dock, roundhouse and turntable (to the right). Harry would love what's happening is his old backyard.
-
Excellent! And GREAT pictures, Brendan!
SH
-
SWW: Sunday, Day 3 (or Day 4 for about a dozen members) Clouds and sun with occasional showers.
* Upper Yard - Danas track crew continued working on the main stem of the spur with work on the two switches and construction of 60' of new track. The new rail drill got another workout. There was much mud but Fred put down some road cloth for us to walk on as we carried ties and rail. The walkway became known as the "Fred Carpet"
* #9 - Work continued on the cab and the firebox door.
* Lunch - The kitchen crew did another wonderful job setting out some great chow. A dining hall was set up in the cellar which has plenty of room for tables and chairs.
* Car 65 - Two extra sticks of rail were removed from the museums trailer that holds the milk car. The car was cleaned out of items from the Big E show and Rockland exhibit. The work is in preparation for the car going back to Wiscasset. The Travel Channel is filming at Red's Eats this week and museum officials want the car back in it's spot right across Rt 1 from Red's. The plan is to move the car on Monday morning.
* Attendance - 38 members signed the book and most stayed through lunchtime. Some stayed until 4:30.
-
By the way, The new crossing planks at Alna Center look great!
-
That's true Fred. Another project from the SWW, #9 looks great with her builders plates installed thanks to Stephen P.
-
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2919/14040737195_1c1d004002_o.jpg)
-
North Yard progress
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0810.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0813.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0816.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0824.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0831.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0833.jpg)
New crossing planks at Alna Center
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0835.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0836.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0841.jpg)
-
Great pictures -- especially the builder's plate!
-
It's good to see a lot was accomplished, in spite of the rain.
Jeff S.