W.W.&F. Discussion Forum
WW&F Railway Museum Discussion => Volunteers => Topic started by: James Patten on April 29, 2015, 06:14:17 AM
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Anticipated work for Saturday, May 2:
* Annual Meeting - at the Alna Meetinghouse from 1 until we're done. Usually doesn't last more than an hour.
* Loco 9
* Recovery from work weekend.
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Hi Everyone,
I am planning to come to Sheepscot on May 16 (May 9 I will be working at the shingle mill, see Work and Events) and on the 16th I plan to work on the tail track on the spur at TOM getting it in service. If the two stub switches are ready I want to tamp them and get them in service, too, and then I want to use whatever stone there is left to dress the ballast on the mainline, at least and on the siding if there is enough. All of this is with the goal of having the TOM track in service for the start of the regular operating season.
Dana
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Work done on Saturday May 2.
* Car barn: Zack wanted to straighten the vertical beams, so using the John Deere as an anchor we winched each portion of the wall over, then making sure the stakes in the ground were solid (most weren't) and re-attached the inner supports and put in outer supports. Worked on the east wall first, then the west.
* Annual Meeting: I got my hour wrong, it was 2 PM not 1. All directors up for election got elected. No drama.
* #9: Marcel was working on the cab roof.
* Mike: Mike was working on a project.
* Top of Mountain: After the annual meeting we took the passenger train up and surveyed the work. With Mike's help I found the SE corner post of our property line on Clark.
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Kubota work. Trying to get the sickle plumbed in.
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Anticipated work for Saturday May 9:
* Shingle Mill site: This Saturday is a big push to get the building cleaned out so that we can remove the shingle mill components later. There will be a dumpster on site to assist with that. We should be unearthing more treasures to bring back with us
* Maine Rail Group annual meeting: MRG Inc is using us for their annual meeting. While they are meeting at the Alna Fire Department building, we'll be running steam for them, Linda's catering the meal and Steve Z will be speaking. We expect the largest group of people for the 2:30 trip.
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James;
Don't forget the Board meeting at 4:30 PM on Friday, May 8. All are invited.
KD
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For those of us not so familiar, can you tell us more about the MRG?
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Here's a link to their website: http://mainerailgroup.org/ (http://mainerailgroup.org/). The tagline in their About page is "A non-profit group working to enhance rail service in Maine and New England".
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Here's a link to their website: http://mainerailgroup.org/ (http://mainerailgroup.org/). The tagline in their About page is "A non-profit group working to enhance rail service in Maine and New England".
Does anyone have any ideas about how many MRG folks have signed up?
-John
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35
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Work done on Saturday May 9:
* Shingle Mill: A half dozen left Sheepscot around 7:30 with multiple trucks and didn't return until early afternoon with loaded trucks. Lots of goodies. The building is now cleaned out ready for us to take the big stuff.
* Kubota: Mike started tinkering early and got the hydraulics piped for the mounted weed cutter. He made the first operational run with it.
* Maine Rail Group: Many from MRG showed up for the 11 train. They ate at the fire house (catered by Linda), had a business meeting, and then Steve Z gave them a talk about the Museum. More members showed up for the 2:30 train.
* Coupler repair: Joe F worked to repair the knuckle on one of the cars.
* Switch work: Joe and Rich worked on parts for one of the switches at Top of the Mountain.
* #9: Marcel was working on the cab. Jason was working elsewhere.
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Youz guys continue to max the Outstanding Meter!
Sounds like TOM is almost ready for regular trips.
Is the car shelter area dry enough for work?
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Some pictures inside the shingle mill. I took a lot of pictures and hopefully I will get the pictures posted in the shingle mill thread tonight sometime.
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/IMG_0401.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/IMG_0395.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/IMG_0390.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/IMG_0385.jpg)
New sickle bar mower mounted on the Kubota for testing. Some of the hydraulic plumbing is temporary for testing purposes.
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/IMG_0403.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/IMG_0404.jpg)
Number 10 got a new cyclone spark arrestor. The cyclone arrestor has an added benefit of increasing draft on windy days.
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/IMG_0412.jpg)
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Great pics, Brendan! Thanks.
I've been trying to picture things in my head from Dana's reports. The pics really help. :)
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Well for those unfamiliar with shingle mills, I will try and explain the workings of it.
In Brendans top picture, you can see the carriage. This is the thing with the teeth top and bottom. You stick the "bolt" of wood between the teeth, by stepping on a board on the floor that opens the jaws. The carriage moves behind the sawblade and back. Each time it does this, the bolt is adjusted outward automatically. One time it is just the top. Next time it is the top and bottom. This keeps the shingles cut at a taper. Thicker on bottom. Then the shingles get grabbed out of the catch box below the saw, and turning to the right get edged on the edger.
This is a very interesting mill, and will be great to have in operation.
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Number 10's "cyclone arrestor" really dresses it up, will provide extra entertainment when the first exhaust blast sends it fifty feet straight up! ;D
Great to see Mike's weed sickle working, am sure will save loads of summer labor.
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Number 10's "cyclone arrestor" really dresses it up, will provide extra entertainment when the first exhaust blast sends it fifty feet straight up! ;D
Great to see Mike's weed sickle working, am sure will save loads of summer labor.
Yeah, before this conversation gets moved to the "WWF" category I have to ask... just what WAS up with that? ???
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Anticipated work Saturday May 16:
* Track - Dana would like to finish ballasting, tamping, and switch work and put the run-around into service.
* Loco 9
* Treasure hunting - sorting through the stuff brought back from the Shingle mill.
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Also -
* Continue to sort through the many items that the garage rats mill mice brought from the shingle mill.
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Seems Dana's top priority is correct--finish extended track, get new ops routine going ASAP. ;)
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Hey Stewart,
Wouldn't "garage possums" or "mill possums" be more appropriate? ;)
I'll be up tomorrow and we'll see if we can get the TOM track in service. Bug dope and maybe rain gear are in order.
Dana
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Work done on Saturday May 16:
* Loco 9 - Wes was working on the templates for the jacketing in the cab. Marcel was working on the cab roof.
* Track - Dana and crew stoned up the tail track, dressed the siding and main line, then tamped the tail track. A crew had been up during the week working on the stub switches.
* Kubota - The Kubota and some poles were on the trailer when I got there this morning. The poles will become part of the coal pocket and had been liberated during the week. Mike did some work on the hydraulics for the mower attachment.
* Garage/Mill Treasures - While the Kubota was away the Downeys from Texas showed up and occupied the floor space in the garage by counting bridge washers. There's 700-something bridge washers in our possession, we needed nearly 500 for the turn table. They categorized them and stuck them in buckets. The tractor brought the buckets to the shop where they are stored for now.
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I also took measurements from MP 7 North. Current EOT is 1947 feet North of MP7. Trout Brook, top of the South embankment looking into the brook, 5302 North of MP7, or 22 feet North of MP 8, if it were located there. So, we are looking at 3355 feet to get to Trout Brook. I took a lot of notes, so now to assemble them into a presentable plan.
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Thanks for the info, Mike. How far to the first washout, the slide, etc.?
How much rail do we still have on hand? Not enough, I don't think.
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When we left Top of the Mountain yesterday afternoon, I tried to count the number of rails left in the pile there. Looked to be about 35 to 40, so say a little more than 500 track feet. My guess is that would bring the track in the vicinity of the first washout.
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Dana says right around 500 feet, it is 650 to the first obstruction. So I can see a plan for track laying north till we run out, and then track work in the North yard. But that will be Dana's call. He may have other things he wants to get done first (like a building :) ) It could be a very productive FWW.
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Thanks Mike. No question it will be a productive fall work weekend. With the car barn track, main line maintenance, other work in Sheepscot and maybe extending north from TOM to the first washout, there will be plenty to do, as always.
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Wow. Looks like lots of exciting work coming up the next few months. You guys are still amazing. ;D Really enjoy following WW&F progress.
Am assuming reg runs to TOM are now SOP.
If a couple more runaround switches can be found for Head Tide , how about leaving the current TOM crossover in place, as is, for max flexibility or as part of an emergency north terminal?
Can't wait for car shelter work to resume. Wish I could help.
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The new timetable should be out for Memorial weekend, which will make TOM the new standard location to run the locomotives around the train. Those of us working on it are still working out a few details.
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The two stub switches at TOM are going to be removed when a new run around is built once tracks reach 218. That way the location at TOM will be as historically correct as possible.
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I understand eventually moving the switches to Head Tide, and now also your intent to return TOM track to its historical state. Thanks.
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Anticipated work for weekend of May 23:
This is Memorial Day weekend - so it's the first weekend of our summer operations, Saturday and Sunday. We're running steam.
* Loco 9
* Kubota work
* Garage re-organizing
* Train crews, of course
* Whitefield section house prep work
* Rules review 8:30 AM Saturday.
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Rules review 8:30 am
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On SUNDAY (May 24) in the late afternoon I would like to take a small crew to do some survey work between TOM and Humiston Brook. This will be after the last train of the day arrives back at Sheepscot and would require someone to bring us back up to TOM (#52 or RC4?) [otherwise we'll have to hike in]. Once there, I have some new professional high-accuracy GPS equipment that we will use to map all the areas that need attention on the ROW.
This is weather and crew permitting.
Mike Fox will be using the data we collect to construct a plan of attack for the mountain grade.
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Did that last weekend with the wheel, but will gladly see how the gps compares. All for future reference.
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How clear was the grade from EOT to the brook? I cleared the main falls and debris last fall but I'm sure the winter produced some new obsticals? Then there is that darned appple tree in the s-curve. That needs to go and spring or fall when there are no leaves or hornets on it is the time to do it. My chainsaws are in the shop at the moment.....
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Annie and I might be able to help with that Ed.
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Several fir tree tops were there, as well as some hardwoods toward trout brook.
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Work done on Saturday, May 23:
* Kubota - Mike was tinkering with the Kubota, I think working to on the mower attachment and getting the hydraulics working better.
* Rules Review - Bob Longo had a rules review in the morning in the Percival basement. We also introduced the new time table.
* Car barn - Zack put in a space for a door on the SE corner of the car barn. Fred, myself, Alan and Harold worked on purlin spacers and the top purlins on both east and west walls.
* Loco 9 - Marcel was working on the cab roof. The roof is nearing completion before the covering goes over it.
* Shop organizing - Steve P and Annie worked in Bay 2 on organizing some things.
* Top of Mountain - First scheduled train to operate to TOM, and first scheduled train where the locomotive switches ends there too. Yesterday a new switch stand was put at TOM, and on the first trip many of us went up to check it out. The pin was pretty tight so I believe that Brendan fashioned a new one.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xat1/v/t1.0-9/11329942_10153000263076871_4375904587613162600_n.jpg?oh=76b1e63577cdf8228009c38eaabc5fe2&oe=5601CDD2&__gda__=1439203600_6c95532d8d41a8a4e5d78a3b1aec3e28)
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Am I correct in assuming the cast of characters is front row Mike Fox, Leon Weeks, Dave Buczkowki, John Robertson, and rear row is Zack Wyllie, and Wes Carpenter?
-John
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Yes and all giving advice to Leon.
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Yes and all giving advice to Leon.
We're good at providing advice for whoever's doing the actual work.
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Work done on Saturday, May 23:
* Kubota - Mike was tinkering with the Kubota, I think working to on the mower attachment and getting the hydraulics working better.
* Rules Review - Bob Longo had a rules review in the morning in the Percival basement. We also introduced the new time table.
* Car barn - Zack put in a space for a door on the SE corner of the car barn. Fred, myself, Alan and Harold worked on purlin spacers and the top purlins on both east and west walls.
* Loco 9 - Marcel was working on the cab roof. The roof is nearing completion before the covering goes over it.
* Shop organizing - Steve P and Annie worked in Bay 2 on organizing some things.
* Top of Mountain - First scheduled train to operate to TOM, and first scheduled train where the locomotive switches ends there too. Yesterday a new switch stand was put at TOM, and on the first trip many of us went up to check it out. The pin was pretty tight so I believe that Brendan fashioned a new one.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xat1/v/t1.0-9/11329942_10153000263076871_4375904587613162600_n.jpg?oh=76b1e63577cdf8228009c38eaabc5fe2&oe=5601CDD2&__gda__=1439203600_6c95532d8d41a8a4e5d78a3b1aec3e28)
A behind the scenes photo.
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/DSC_0471.jpg)
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Anticipated work weekend of Saturday May 30:
* Car barn - the roof rafters will go up this Saturday. The crane will be here that day, so we need as many people as we can get for the rafter raising. We'll need people who won't mind clambering up the rickety rafters to make them more firm.
* Loco 9
* Train crew
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Great nooz!
Please take tons of pics.
I don't think it'll be as much work as it seems, once action starts.
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Work done Saturday May 30
* Car barn - the trusses are up. The crane arrived bright and early around 7:30, so we got started. We were just about half done at lunch. The crane operator repositioned several times throughout the day. Mike and Brendan were busy setting brackets, while Steve Z and Zack attached the truss on either end. Fred ran errands, and helped Stewart and Bill R with plywood for stabilization. Dave B ran the guy line, with Leon and Bill F helping out. We finished up about 3.
* Loco 9 - Marcel was working on the cab.
* Coach 3 - Team Downey and Jason were trying to finish up on brakes for Coach 3 to get it on the train, but were not able to. Coach 3 now has brakes both ends like Coach 8, but also has a working staff on the north end.
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Outstanding!
See? Toldya it was easy. ;D
Can't wait for the pics.
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It was not easy! Very hard work for everyone!!!
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Sorry I could not be there! You guys never cease to amaze me. I thought I got a lot done today until I saw these pictures. Getting the garden planted doesn't seem like such a big deal now! Great work everyone!
Steve
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The car barn crew busted behind today- it was meticulous work in hot, very hot, dry conditions. That it got done is a testament to the resolve of our group to get big things done. I was busy with our Texas Boys- but it was a pleasure to watch the truss project progress throughout the day. Thank you to everyone on today's barn crew!
Now those Downey boys are a story unto their own this visit. They busted behind just as much today- pushing hard to get coach 3 done. I got a text at 7:30 tonight declaring their success- they leave tomorrow morning to catch a mid day flight at Logan... Talk about tenacity... Thank you team Downey!
The Downey's work deserves a detailed account which we will do in another thread.
See ya
Jason
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There was a pleasant breeze which helped us keep cool. Nevertheless I got sunburns on my neck and arms. Ouch. I recommend something with Aloe Vera in it.
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We're doing O.K. We have Two sides almost all framed up, the South end needs more bracing and longitudinal pieces put in to hold the shiplap boards. The North end needs a lot of work, concrete piers to hold the timbers that will support the Three double doors. The trusses will have Two by Fours run the length of the building Two feet apart to support the metal roof. Shiplab boards will be the siding, no small task, then we have to rip out Two inch strips for batting and place them, and of course painting the building. I think we're about one-third done now. We will need all the help we can get to finish the building this year. I don't know the cost of the building, but I think we have had a few costs surprises already.
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I know a few fellows that would be willing to drive nails again this Fall Fred. The roof would be the important thing.
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We'll have at least 50 volunteers the weekend of Annie and my wedding. We will need more than the section house to keep that many people engaged. I think 10 or so on the section house is plenty. So if you want some more help with this, we'd be happy to help out.
Steve