W.W.&F. Discussion Forum

WW&F Railway Museum Discussion => Work and Events => Topic started by: Joe Fox on April 02, 2018, 05:56:19 PM

Title: April 2018 Work Weekend prep and work
Post by: Joe Fox on April 02, 2018, 05:56:19 PM
Jason and I walked the line today and established working limits for track to be removed, and much other needed work. 310' will be removed to allow a complete rail bed rebuild from the ditches up. There are around 200-250 ties to change outside of this, and the hope is to use the new tie machine for this. (To help pull ties out as that is the most tine consuming part) Prior to use, I hope to get in a test day or two with it to ensure things work as planned.

 I will be at the railroad on Tuesday April 24th, Wednesday April 25th, and possibly the 26th if needed. Then Friday and Saturday of the work weekend. There is much to do, and I hope to get as much of the prepping done as possible the few days I am there.

-Ties, we will need lots of ties that will be put in with a tie replacement crew. Those riding the train will notice several new dots. I hope to have these laid out sometime between the 24th & 26th.
-I anticipate the need to drill about 40 holes for new joint bars, depending on joint bar status will depend if this changes.
Title: Re: April 2018 Work Weekend prep and work
Post by: Bob Holmes on April 02, 2018, 06:58:06 PM
Fred has been cutting endlessly.  Do we have enough new ties for the SWW?
Title: Re: April 2018 Work Weekend prep and work
Post by: Bill Reidy on April 02, 2018, 07:52:52 PM
I believe Fred said 200+ were done when I spoke with him Saturday.  They were neatly stacked up in front of the center bay of the garage to dry out.
Title: Re: April 2018 Work Weekend prep and work
Post by: Fred Morse on April 03, 2018, 01:36:34 PM
As of today there are 250 ties done. Steve Z. stacked them for me. Thank you Steve!
Title: Re: April 2018 Work Weekend prep and work
Post by: Joe Fox on April 03, 2018, 07:51:28 PM
That is excellent. I am unsure of the final count, but we will need 155 for sure on the track rebuild, and probably another 100-150 outside of that. I will be down Friday and maybe Saturday to take a look at more joint bars for the work weekend.
Title: Re: April 2018 Work Weekend prep and work
Post by: Bill Reidy on April 14, 2018, 08:22:22 PM
Percival house work weekend preparation today.

The spring work weekend will include construction on the north side of the Percival house of a replacement exterior stairway for the first floor door, as well as a new exterior stairway for the second floor door, by members of the same carpentry crew that did such a nice job with the new exterior ramp into the kitchen last fall.  Mike Fox and Zack Wyllie led a crew that got the frost posts set today for both stairways.

By the time this first photo was taken, Mike had dug the first frost post hole with the Kubota, picked up a frost post from near the car barn, and set it in the hole with Zack's direction.  He was now back-filling the hole, as president Dave (and others) looked on with shovels in preparation to finish up the shoveling work. 

(https://i.imgur.com/4A0fSod.jpg)


Mike used the Kubota to lift, move and set the posts.  Next photo shows the second post being picked up as Dave and Zack look on.

(https://i.imgur.com/rCyXzsB.jpg)


The third and final post in transit to the Percival house.

(https://i.imgur.com/VBUCmqU.jpg)


Setting the final post, with John McNamara looking on on the left.

(https://i.imgur.com/EDvM3jE.jpg)


The three frost posts in place, ready for spring work weekend!

(https://i.imgur.com/FmY8Df2.jpg)
Title: Re: April 2018 Work Weekend prep and work
Post by: Bill Piche on April 14, 2018, 08:37:10 PM
An appropriate amount of shovel leaning in that first picture.
Title: Re: April 2018 Work Weekend prep and work
Post by: Steve Smith on April 14, 2018, 09:57:11 PM
Thank you for the pictures and captions Bill. Nice job!
Title: Re: April 2018 Work Weekend prep and work
Post by: Mike Fox on April 15, 2018, 08:37:36 AM
An appropriate amount of shovel leaning in that first picture.

Bill,
It wasn't in just the first picture. In fact, a saw horse was relocated for additional support. The shovels got heavy and were leaned on that...
Title: Re: April 2018 Work Weekend prep and work
Post by: Jeff Schumaker on April 15, 2018, 01:43:05 PM
With all the bodies standing around, watching, I thought it might have been a Maine DOT project. ::)

Jeff S.
Title: Re: April 2018 Work Weekend prep and work
Post by: James Patten on April 15, 2018, 04:59:56 PM
I gave them pointers from the Official Maine DOT worker's manual, especially the section about how best to lean on the shovel.
Title: Re: April 2018 Work Weekend prep and work
Post by: Jeff Schumaker on April 15, 2018, 06:26:49 PM
I find it hard to believe there was only one shovel to lean on. ::)

Jeff S.
Title: Re: April 2018 Work Weekend prep and work
Post by: Mike Fox on April 15, 2018, 06:40:13 PM
No job is complete without the proper amount of supervision
Title: Re: April 2018 Work Weekend prep and work
Post by: Bill Reidy on April 15, 2018, 07:46:20 PM
Thank goodness you have us around Mike.  Otherwise you wouldn't get nearly as much work done.
Title: Re: April 2018 Work Weekend prep and work
Post by: Wayne Laepple on April 16, 2018, 06:37:59 PM
Apparently the word has not yet gotten to Maine. No need for people to hold up shovels. A new, self standing model has been released recently.
Title: Re: April 2018 Work Weekend prep and work
Post by: John Kokas on April 16, 2018, 06:51:27 PM
I think Wayne is referring to the new training shovel that has come out for shovel newbies.  It comes with a two leg outrigger that folds down like a bicycle kickstand when you're ready to park your shovel.   :o
Title: Re: April 2018 Work Weekend prep and work
Post by: James Patten on April 16, 2018, 07:43:43 PM
Apparently the word has not yet gotten to Maine. No need for people to hold up shovels. A new, self standing model has been released recently.

Well that means that half of the State work crews can be laid off.  Our governor will like that.
Title: Re: April 2018 Work Weekend prep and work
Post by: Mike Fox on April 18, 2018, 01:09:54 PM
Tuesday track removal preperation

(http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m573/miketrainnut/IMG_9051_zpszmczgprz.jpg)
Title: Re: April 2018 Work Weekend prep and work
Post by: Joe Fox on April 22, 2018, 08:51:46 PM
Hey everyone, I will be at the railroad at 7:00a.m., if not before on Tuesday and Wednesday for two very long days of prep. Those who can help, please feel free to arrive any time. Tuesday will be a very busy day as we have rail to drill, ties to load (possibly), and much more. Wednesday, time permitting we may lay out ties for replacement.
Title: Re: April 2018 Work Weekend prep and work
Post by: Jeff Schumaker on April 23, 2018, 07:42:49 AM
Joe,

I should arrive at the museum around lunchtime Wednesday, provided Southwest doesn't cancel my flight.

Jeff S.
Title: Re: April 2018 Work Weekend prep and work
Post by: Bill Baskerville on April 23, 2018, 07:57:34 AM
It won't be to much help for the prep but I plan on arriving a little before noon on Thursday for the final push.  Can't miss lunch of course.

Bill
Title: Re: April 2018 Work Weekend prep and work
Post by: Joe Fox on April 23, 2018, 09:03:36 AM
Jeff that will be great. I will be away from Sheepscott for a few hours around Lunch, but hope to return by 2 or 3 to finish up what I need to get done.
Title: Re: April 2018 Work Weekend prep and work
Post by: Jeff Schumaker on April 23, 2018, 01:22:16 PM
Jeff that will be great. I will be away from Sheepscott for a few hours around Lunch, but hope to return by 2 or 3 to finish up what I need to get done.

That will give me time to get unpacked and put my work clothes on, as well as eat lunch. I'm sure Fred will be there and get me caught up with all that's been going on.

Jeff S.
Title: Re: April 2018 Work Weekend prep and work
Post by: Fred Morse on April 23, 2018, 02:28:05 PM
For the time being, all the ties are cut. Two bundles are left for bridge work. Perhaps they should be stacked for drying.