W.W.&F. Discussion Forum
WW&F Railway Museum Discussion => Volunteers => Topic started by: James Patten on August 29, 2018, 05:57:29 AM
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Anticipated work for weekend of Sept 1 & 2, 2018. Note that we are not open on Labor Day (at least for train rides).
* Bridge
* Mountain Extension (although no Mike this weekend)
* Caboose 320 cupola
* Operations etc
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Won't Fred want to cut some ties?
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Yes, and Joe will probably want to sort rail.
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We are doing very well with the rail. I estimate 2-3 days ahead of schedule. Special thanks to everyone who has helped make it happen.
We are up to 68 rails ready for use. I think the best thing would be to have a crew help Fred cut ties if theres anyone looking for a project.
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Also need to get 3 more coats of Copper Naphthenate (CuCnH2n-zO4) on the outrigger supports.
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2 More coats! Put one on today.
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Only 1 coat today Fred? You must be slowing down
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2 More coats! Put one on today.
When did you sneak that in today?
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Just before I went home.
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Wow. It was hotter than h--- today. Not a fun job even when the weather's decent. Saw (and definitely smelled) the coat Bob C. put on the turntable Saturday.
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Work done on Saturday Sept 1:
* Bridge: preservative was liberally applied to the two "wing" timbers, and to other timbers associated with the bridge. The pieces arrived this week which will allow the bridge to be moved, currently scheduled for Saturday morning next week.
* Mountain Extension: Fred and crew got hardwood off the roadbed north of the trestle. Brendan and Dan were welding up something for the work weekend in the shop.
* Caboose 320: The cupola has been moved from outside to a 4-wheeled car and brought into the wood shop, where Marcel is fitting up the vertical pieces. One vertical left, the problem is the hole which was drilled at a bad angle.
* Flanger 40: People were salivating over the project this morning. Dan removed the protective (from vandal-thrown rocks) mesh screens from the windows.
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Marcel and Jake working on the caboose.
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge/IMG_4480.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge/IMG_4483.jpg)
Dan welding the legs for the rail gantry together.
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge/IMG_4478.jpg)
Bob working on the turntable's annual wood treatment.
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge/IMG_4475.jpg)
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Is there going to be anyone there on Monday 9/3 working on anything?
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Hey Ed, I will be around Monday to either do bridge work or much needed track work in the yard. Weather depending, I may even do some ballast work as well.
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There will be things going on Monday.
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What is the "rail gantry" being welded?
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What is the "rail gantry" being welded?
My understanding is that after the Moose Trout Brook Bridge has been installed the two temporary bridge pieces will be removed and re-purposed to become a flat car mounted bridge crane which will pick up rails from a loaded flat car at one end and move them forward ahead of the other end. This will make building track a lot easier on us old guys who can't lift as much as we use to.
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Great. Can't wait to see it in action on Mtn Xtnsn!
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Replacing switch ties in front of the water tower.
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge/IMG_4502.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge/IMG_4514.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge/IMG_4527.jpg)
Caboose work.
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge/IMG_4521.jpg)
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Monday 9/3 Fred cut some switch ties and brought them over to the tool house. James, Brendan and I replaced 3 switch ties in front of the water tower today and dug out 7 more rails today and reorganized the "needs work" rail pile.
Marcel was working on the cuppola for the caboose.
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Thanks guys. I imagine it was not fun work during today's hot muggy weather (as seen by the waiting water bottle in the early morning sun in the top photo and Joe on the right in the second!). Greatly appreciate seeing the photos and description of the work completed today.
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New Trackwork by the water tower looks great. Thanks Joe and company.
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Fred and I managed to sort out 5 more rails today, then moved on to working at the bridge site.
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Joe, Is it your plan to stage rails in the parking lot, or to try and get them to TOM before the FWW?
I guess that also begs the question is it the plan to take all the 700 ties to TOM also?
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Bridge work crew call
Today through Friday, final big push on site work before access is blocked by the bridge. Any and all help will he appreciated.
Thanks,
Jason
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Anticipated work for weekend of Sept 8 & 9:
* Bridge move Saturday (probably very early morning).
* Mountain Ext prep (Mike and any helpers he needs).
* Operations (of course!) - including a 70-person birthday party in the PM Saturday.
* Any final Caboose 320 prep needs (hopefully the cupola's on by Saturday)
* A visit to MNG to prep document for boxcar shipping (please coordinate!)
* Board meeting Saturday @ 4:00
* Last concert on Saturday @ 5:00.
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I hope the bridge move is well attended by the media...
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I have our Contractor Jeff scheduled to help me Saturday with the installation on Location 9's 4 foot culvert. This is the last obstacle to be able to lay between 1200 and 1400 feet of track for the FWW. Sunday, I will be cutting 2 pine trees and a few small fir trees that are in my way for ditches and clearing that mess. Jeff will be removing the stumps next week. After the trees, I have a small culvert to install.
Jeff is planning to backfill location 8 and 9 next week.
Next weekend I start ditching north to south, hoping to finish at the access road September 29th..
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Also on Saturday -
* There will be a birthday party group with 70 people.
* The third concert will be Saturday evening with a special train leaving Sheepscot at 5 PM. Chairs and the snack sales table will need to be transported to AC and set up in the tent.
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I'll be away at a wedding this weekend so Cyndi Longo will be the point person for the concert setup/takedown.
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Let's not forget about the folks working our table at the National Narrow Gauge Convention in Minneapolis. Thanks Jeff and crew!
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Since the bridge is apparently not going to be moved when 'we' would like it to be, the parking lot situation is going to be critical in the morning. Let's park off campus in the morning. I volunteer to help with parking and would like at least 2 others to help in the morning. We will need to keep the public out of the way of the bridge move. Once the bridge is on 218, we can resume(?) our normal tasks.
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As I understand it, bridge move tentatively scheduled at 5:30 AM. IF all goes well, the bridge should arrive at 218 ROW before 7:00 (three miles at 3MPH).
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As I understand it, bridge move tentatively scheduled at 5:30 AM. IF all goes well, the bridge should arrive at 218 ROW before 7:00 (three miles at 3MPH).
The contractor is saying 9:00am - 5:30am would certainly be a much better time. Maybe Jason can change his mind.
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The times have been set forth by the permit (to my understanding) as the morning rush traffic has tapered off at 9:00a.m.
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Morning rush on a Saturday?
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All the volunteers trying to get the Museum.
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Helpful if you more clearly ID what bridge is moving on what day...steel on Thursday, wood on Saturday?
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Morning rush on a Saturday?
Probably being ironic...
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All the volunteers trying to get the Museum.
That rush is usually over before 8 a.m.
Except for our president.
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Is there a planned day for the bridge to be moved into place? Some of us would want to be there for that historic event!!
Also when and what volunteer work still needs to be done to prepare for that moment. I can certainly be there at those times...
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All the volunteers trying to get the Museum.
That rush is usually over before 8 a.m.
Except for our president.
Someone trying to get kicked out of The Breakfast Club?
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All the volunteers trying to get the Museum.
Plus Fred running errands. ::)
Jeff S.
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Due to severe damaging winds in the area Monday night and yesterday, is there any chance someone can do a patrol in the morning for downed trees? I would if I was available, but wont be out of work till 9a.m.
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Work done on Saturday Sept 8:
* Bridge: the move is done, the bridge is in place over the brook but not yet down on the pilings. They started out around 7:30 or so but had trouble getting out of the parking lot. They backed up, fixed some things, and by 8:30 were on Cross Road. Then they ran into problems getting on to 218. Once they got on it things seemed pretty smooth after that. I caught them at the fire house, then half an hour later as they were coming down from the Alna Store and crossed the brook on the highway bridge. They backed in on the ROW, then to the bridge site, and eventually crossed the stream.
* Fred was cleaning up the spot that the bridge sat.
* Birthday party with 2 cars (60 people).
* Concert
* Board meeting.
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You really can call that Saturday a Day !
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Plus Mike and Jeff set the second and final 48" culvert on the Mountain Extension.
Another slow Saturday on the WW&F!
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Hey everyone,
We will need help sorting rail Tuesday 9:00a.m. (or earlier) to 1:30, and looking for help on Saturday to cut ties, sort joint bars, and other FWW prep projects. Bridge work and other projects will be going on during those days as well.
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Marcel put the rebuilt cupola back on 320 today.
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_5479.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_5481.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_5488.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_5495.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_5499.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_5509.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_5522.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_5534.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_5543.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_5549.jpg)
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Bravo ! Marcel I look forward to the caboose being on the line again .
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Another Marcel Masterpiece, as usual. :)
Not to be pushy, but is box 67's door rollers ready?
A project so close to finished.
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Superb craftsman work by Marcel!!
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Really appreciate the fine woodwork performed by Marcel. Thank You
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Our blacksmith and other machine shop crew have been "piled" up with bridge work. #10's boiler and boxcar 67 are two projects at tge top of the list to resume once manpower permits.
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Additional projects and news -
*Third concert -
The Saturday evening Golden Oak concert went well with over 60 people attending, many with young children. People enjoyed the music and complimented the crew on the train ride. The return trip was at dusk with the coaches lit by kerosene lamps. The refreshment sales table did well thanks to the crew that baked cookies, etc. on Friday afternoon. Some of our volunteers stayed at AC and helped clear the chairs and tables while the band packed up. It was a nice end to a long day, a couple of members had over 15 hours starting with the bridge move and finishing with the concert.
*Old car display -
On Sunday morning an antique car group put on a nice display at Sheepscot and rode the train. The group took photos of the WW&F Model A flatbed truck still loaded with chairs from the concert, noting that it was good to see an 88 year old truck that still worked for a living. They were surprised to see the Model T railcar and asked many questions.
*Caboose 320 -
One would think we would start relaxing by Sunday afternoon …. As the above photos show, Marcel and Brendan brought 320 outside and Brendan used the forklift to set the cupola while Marcel guided. The process took a while as Marcel applied sealer to each joint before the mortise and tenons came together. A bit of coaxing by a crew on the roof and everything went into place. No sooner was the cupola set than Marcel began test fitting the windows.
*Percival house -
In the last week, Zack and his crew have been working on the dog house entrance to the cellar. Debris from the old deck was removed and hand grading was done to fill in the low spots along the house foundation. The dog house south side wood trim was repaired and two coats of paint were applied. Zack plans to build a new front porch during the FWW.
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Due to heavy rain on Tuesday, SWW track prep is post-poned till Wednesday. Sorry for any inconvienence.
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Fred has started tie production back up.
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge/IMG_5568.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge/IMG_5574.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge/IMG_5576.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge/IMG_5582.jpg)
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Good job Fred. Only another 500 to go..
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We’ll use those at ToM. As Fred and I discussed this morning, that means without today’s cut we had exactly the right number. Fred plans to cut a few bundles for insurance.
See ya
Jason
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Good job Fred. Only another 500 to go..
It is like a carrot for FWW. If ties, spikes and rail keep magically appearing in the ROW, then the crew keeps feeling obligated to keep working. Next thing ya'know you're at the bridge.
So keep cutting Fred!
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In that last photo, it looks like Steve Z. is directing Fred, but I know better. Fred's always in charge!
Fred has the right idea. Some insurance is good -- we always reject a few ties out in the field.
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Anticipated work for weekend of Sept 15-16:
* Mountain Extension: Mike will be ditching, among other things. Plus Fred will want to cut ties. And rail sorting.
* Bridge: not sure there's anything for weekend crew to do?
* Caboose 320: It may still need paint on the cupola
* Operations, of course. I don't know of any huge parties showing up.
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Contractor Jeff was supposed to backfill location 9 Monday. I am planning on finishing up that location with any seeding or mulching it needs, then start working south from there. Sunday I will be installing the last culvert, this one near the slide, and continue with ditching along with possibly taking another pine tree down that we had left near the slide. It is on the inside of the curve and will impair visibility if left. There are smaller trees too, but they are much easier to handle than the pine.
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Looking forward to seeing all that has been accomplished since I visited in July. I'm sure Fred will give me the 50 cent tour when I come up for FWW.
Jeff S.
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As of 10:30a.m. Eastern Time, the 100th usable rail was moved into the rail piles. Thank you everyone for all the help.
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Great news, Joe. When do the rails get loaded onto a flat car?
Jeff S.
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This summer while cleaning and changing fluids and filters and strengthening the head lamp mount (commonly used as a hand hold) on 52 a few of the snow plow folks mentioned that handrails on top of the cab and hood would be a good addition to keep them from pitching off into the snow banks. For us spring, summer and fall folks it would also help keep us from pitching into the not so soft weeds and stumps.
So, the local Western Virginia Door and Window Shop has expanded it's operations to include handrails. This will make it easier to comply with our "Three Points of Contact" requirements.
Hence fabrication of four handrails, shown on top of my little car, have been completed today. The two short ones are for the cab roof and the two longer ones are for the hood. The longer over hang ends go to the rear of the hood over the sander boxes. They will come up with me to the FWW along with appropriate mounting hardware and installation tools.
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Always good to see safety improvements.
While doing not-experienced switching one summer at Lamy/Santa Fe Junction, I fell off ATSF road switcher RSD5 2118, landing on really rough mainline ballast.
Arm not broken, but got reeeally cut up forearm.
Hard to forget.
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This summer while cleaning and changing fluids and filters and strengthening the head lamp mount (commonly used as a hand hold) on 52 a few of the snow plow folks mentioned that hand rails on top of the cab and hood would be a good addition to keep them from pitching off into the snow banks. For us spring, summer and fall folks it would also help keep us from pitching into the not so soft weeds and stumps.
Hence fabrication of four hand rails, shown on top of my little car, have been completed today. The two short ones are for the cab roof and the two longer ones are for the hood. The longer over hang ends go to the rear over the sander boxes. They will come up to the FWW along with appropriate mounting hardware and installation tools.
Bill,
Those of us who have bounced along on the running boards of 52, thank you.
Jeff S.
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Maybe we need handholds on the roof of the truck, Bill. And maybe roller skates.
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Nice job, Bill.
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I won't miss hanging on to the gutter with my fingernails. I'm not a rock climber, so my fingers aren't strong enough for more than a few minutes of that.
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Bill,
I think Fred threw some shade on your antics riding the running board.
Dave
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Bill,
I think Fred threw some shade on your antics riding the running board.
Dave
Yes, I figured that out.
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Calling for bridge help Monday, Sept 17. Trying to bridge the labor gap to our regular crew surge on Tuesday. Please let me know if you can make it.
Thanks,
Jason
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Work done today including but not limited to:
Tightened track bolts, brush (and phone line) cutting, sorted joint bars for Fall Work Weekend, caboose 320 work, Mountain grading, train operations, turntable painting, lunch for the crews, and a few shop projects.
Wait, did he say brush and phone line cutting? Yes, but by accident. Only plus side is, we found A break, and hopefuly THE break but wont know until it is repaired. (Sorry John, I am to blame)
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Gee, a whole week went by since I repaired and tested the line from TOM to Sheepscot. Maybe it's time to add phone line repair to your career. Here goes:
Phone line repair steps
1. Using a very sharp knife, cut away the outer sheath in the damaged area, being very careful not to cut into the conductor insulation (black, white). There are two flat sides of the outer sheath; by cutting into the center of those flat sides, you will probably miss the insulated conductors and hit only the paper-wrapped bare ground conductor (no worries). The cable often has a slight twist to it, so don’t try to make too long a cut at once lest your cut migrate away from the flattest part and hit the insulated conductors. Try to cut only about three inches at a time.
2. Repeat the above process until you have exposed the black/white pair for about four inches on either side of the damaged area. Cut away and discard the sheath pieces.
3. Cut the conductors at the damaged point and strip the insulation for about 1.5 inches on either side. This should be enough to make a good twisted joint that will be soldered at a future step.
4. Cut two pieces of shrink tubing about three inches long and slide one onto the black wire and one onto the white wire. This will be long enough to cover the twisted joint, but short enough to fit between the joint and the jacket during the soldering process. Don’t allow the shrink tubing to slide too close to the soldering process or it will shrink prematurely and not get over the joint.
5. Now that the shrink tubing pieces are in place, make a firm twist spice. A two-hooks splice will be OK if you squeeze it small enough without breaking the wires.
6. Using one hand to hold the work, one hand to hold a small torch, and one hand to hold the solder, make a good solid solder joint. Allow it to cool completely before moving it. Once the joint is cooled, slide the shrink tubing into place and heat It slightly.
7. Starting two or three inches out from where you cut the outer sheath, spiral wrap stretchy rubber tape around the splice, ending about three inches beyond it.
8. Repeat the taping process using vinyl tape starting about an in inch past the end of the rubber tape and ending about an inch past the point where the rubber tape began.
9. Bring out your brush cutter operator voodoo doll and treat it appropriately.
On a more serious note, I think I will get some grade stakes and mark vulnerable spots. In the TOM case, the break was where the cable rises from the trackside ditch to the phone box.
John M
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John, the first three phrases in your Step No. 6 make for interesting reading. ;D
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Fred's crew cut and stacked ties and cleaned up the cut offs.
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Completely forgot about cutting up ties. Thank you Al. It was nice to clean up the dumped off mess. If things look tidy, then it is less of an eye sore.
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Have you guys seen the waterproof twist nuts?
Used direct bury on sprinkler systems - then (optional) a shrink tube over that.
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Today I found that the telephone cable cut was in a stretch of brand new 6-pair telephone cable placed well away from the track (after such intense work that those workers quit forever). This cable is 24 AWG rather than the 14 AWG well cable we normally use. Thus, the brute force (blow torch soldering) approach described above will not work. We need real telephone cable splicing technology. Takers?
-John M
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John,
What about the suitcase connectors designed for phone wires. I've used them inside, but do not know if they are good outside in the weather. A standard phone splice doesn't get soldered, but what do you use to heat the shrink tubing? Your tape technique should protect the repair.
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John, I'm sure you must be aware of the connectors I use for projects like this: Telephone Splice (Suitcase) Connectors. Simply strip about .25" on the wires to be spliced, slide stripped ends into the connector and squeeze the "crimp spot" firmly to join and seal the wires. Connectors have their own sealant. Used these on all of my outside underground sprinkler zone-control connections. They work well and are long lasting (haven't failed in 10 years of use). Unfortunately, though, they are not resistant to overly zealous heavy equipment operators and mis-placed shovels.
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John there’s underground splice boxes in the garage and I believe there’s scotchlocks to fix the the wires upstairs in the shop. I’ll be back up this week.
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Two underground splice boxes and about ten feet of wire would be wonderful (especially with a skilled splicer). ;D
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The regular phone splices are red the water proof are blue as I recall.
slide a shrink tube over all first - dab in a little silicone before shrinking.
Telephone repair did 50 pair by our farm using squeeze locks, then covered the splice with a big
cover filled with silicone lube.
There is a butane soldering torch with needle flame or solder tip attachment.
Works good & don't need 120V.
Would getting the wire 2 feet off the ground help? Old PVC pipe for posts? Poly Pipe
where it needs burying?
Dog Fence cable layer would get the wire 2-3 inches down - but there may be too many rocks
in the ROW.
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What about one of those underground lawn sprinkler machines. Maybe lay the pipe then run the cable thru it....
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I had dreampt up an attachment for the excavator a couple of years ago, gathered some material, but forgot one key element. Time to do it. I am hoping to get it done this year, or perhaps over the winter.
The knife is going to be about 16 inches long, with a piece of pipe or conduit on the backside for the wire to go through, with a 90 degree sweep at the bottom to gently turn the cable. My thought was to run it just outside of the ballast.
But, and this is where it gets good, the wire would be better if it came off a spool, like NEW wire. No splices or nicks.
I would like to think I can have wire buried to the bridge next summer. We really need it in that area, because modern communication devices have limited service ability there..
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I would like to think I can have wire buried to the bridge next summer. We really need it in that area, because modern communication devices have limited service ability there..
:) :) :) :) :)!
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Let me just add that from a train operations standpoint, the magneto phone system is essential. My cell phone is absolute junk almost anywhere in Alna. The magphone system works great and reliably - except when it is cut. Getting the line buried is probably one of the more important tasks we should complete during Spring 2019.
Then we should do something about the saplings growing along the line...
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I should clarify. If I can make the attachment, I think all new wire from TOM to the Bridge will be buried.
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At some point we should go back and bury the old wire. We'd still want the pole every thousand feet or so.
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Yes, but replace the old with new.
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Agree with Mike. Make a total, buried, reliable, replacement phone line a priority, especially now that the mainline is getting longer.
The first emergency that is helped by quicker communications will make it worth it.
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Were above-ground wires on poles ever considered? I know--it wasn't present on the original line. It was, however, present on so many railroads in the time period that the WW&F is trying to emulate. This symbol of 20th century railroading is disappearing at a phenomenal rate. I'm typing this as I'm looking at the green PRR telegraph insulator on my desk, a gift from my sister-in-law.
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Mike -- should we get the magneto phone line wire in place and buried before permits expire next year for TOM to Route 218 right-of-way preparation?
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Makes total sense to me. Have done telephone work.
Wires on poles present too much installation labor, attention, maintenance. No worries about windstorms, tree branch probs with underground use.
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My tenant buries 6 & 8 inch drainage tile with a rig like Mike is proposing.
Some bigger with GPS positioning but essentially the same concept.
May I suggest schedule 80 pipe for the inserter, 40 would last with the right blade
but 80 is better.
Also lay 2 or 3 cables at the same time - I suppose if they are cut they all will
but maybe not.
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2.6 miles of schedule 80 pipe to reach from Sheepscot to Top of the Mountain would be a bit pricey. $10,000?
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Might not hurt to bury a 2 or 3-pair cable for more-than-phone use.
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Anticipated work for weekend of Sept 22-23:
* Mountain Extension: Mike will continue ditching and other prep work. Presumably rail sorting and prepping, and tie prepping will continue to happen.
* Caboose 320: Any finish-up work left on the cupola.
* FWW prep.
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Mike -- should we get the magneto phone line wire in place and buried before permits expire next year for TOM to Route 218 right-of-way preparation?
Yes, especially in the shoreland zones (bridge and wall)
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Saturday will be a short day for me. I will be working on the last culvert I installed, buildingca retaining wall out of a couple of rejected ties and cut-offs. Then do some ditching. Leaving around 10:30.
Sunday will be more ditching and grade prep. There is a row of silt fence between the wall and location 8 that I need to remove. It will not come out by hand so the Kubota will make short work of it. Then finish that area grading and sloping. Then continue south ditching after I finish that spot. I hope to be done to location 2 by the end of the weekend.
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Mike -- should we get the magneto phone line wire in place and buried before permits expire next year for TOM to Route 218 right-of-way preparation?
Yes, especially in the shoreland zones (bridge and wall)
Could you just move them to the very edge of the right of way and not bury them ? Are you using the heavy line that the phone companies use for temporary service? That stuff seems pretty tough.
Mike Nix
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Mike -- should we get the magneto phone line wire in place and buried before permits expire next year for TOM to Route 218 right-of-way preparation?
Yes, especially in the shoreland zones (bridge and wall)
Could you just move them to the very edge of the right of way and not bury them ? Are you using the heavy line that the phone companies use for temporary service? That stuff seems pretty tough.
Mike Nix
Unfortunately, the edge of the right of way zig-zags a bit. While there are locations were the line is deep in the trees, there are places where the wild grasses project substantially into what would normally be the tree line. In such areas, the wire is necessarily crossing the grassy areas. The grass has gone uncut for a long enough time that metal-bladed trimmers are needed. These can easily cut 14 AWG cable and have done so. Wrapping the cable in yellow caution tape isn't too effective, as it can't easily be seen in 4-foot grass. Installing four-foot grade stakes to mark the line location will be needed along with an understanding that clearing and extra two feet isn't worth the risk.
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Oh, I think an appropriate replacement cable needs to be totally and safely buried, away from machinery, curious animals and destructive humans, with marker posts for location.
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The schedule 80 pipe was only for the wire laying machine.
Though schedule 80 PVC conduit would be a good idea from underground to junction boxes.
As good as metal (and does not rust) against string but not quite so good against saw blades.
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Marcel's progress on the caboose.
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_5969.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_5971.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_5974.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_5977.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_5979.jpg)
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Great work, Marcel>
Jeff S.
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Another quality craftsman job by Marcel.
Well done!
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Really nice work Marcel.
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Stunning!
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Work done on Saturday Sept 22:
* Caboose: nearly finished, except for one window that Marcel is going to try to get in tomorrow.
* Bridge: a crew worked the whole day on planking the bridge, but ran out of screws.
* FWW prep: The two temp bridge spans were taken into the shop and modified to turn them into the rail gantry. The supporting towers were gusseted and welded, then one of the spans was brought in and the queen post removed, and one of the ends was modified. The end of the other was also modified, then the spans were put end to end and tack welded together. I left at that point.
* Clean up: Fred was cleaning up material brought back from the bridge site.
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I'm done cutting ties for a while. We have enough to go Twenty Four hundred Feet. That should do it for this year. Al painted tie ends of the piles I stacked this week. Will be glad when the FWW is over. Then a good rest.
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The cut tie pile at Sheepscot.
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_6174.jpg)
Caboose work
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_6196.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_6198.jpg)
New windows for the cupola
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_6200.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_6201.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_6257.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_6305.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_6283.jpg)
The temporary bridge spans from the covered bridge off loaded from the trailer onto a flatcar for the trip over to the shop for conversion nto the rail gantry crane.
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_6157.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_6160.jpg)
Legs for the rail gantry crane going together.
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_6205.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_6210.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_6243.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_6297.jpg)
Trimming the end off on one of the temporary spans.
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_6247.jpg)
Bringing one of the beam sets into bay 2
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_6280.jpg)
Lining the two sets of beams up.
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_6309.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_6318.jpg)
Tacking the two sets of beams together.
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_6330.jpg)
Bolting the beams to the legs.
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_6353.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_6366.jpg)
Mounted on the flatcar.
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_6379.jpg)
Rolled out into the yard. More welding and bracing still needs to be done.
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/bridge%20move/IMG_6382.jpg)
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Looks impressive. Now, how is it supposed to work?
Jeff S.
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Also, work done on the Mountain this morning included building a retaining wall, a little ditching, and gathered some stone for the culvert inlet.
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I wonder why, with all the various trucks and trailers available, that ties were not taken out along the right-of-way on the mountain and dropped off in advance of the rail-laying. Seems to me that a crew could be kept busy positioning ties ahead of the rail laying folks if the ties were already staged along the grade.
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Also, work done on the Mountain this morning included building a retaining wall, ...
Mike, is the new retaining wall on the east or west side of the tracks
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I assume the wall Mike mentioned is this one. If yes, it's on the east side, south of the slide area.
(https://i.imgur.com/WaERw6S.jpg)
Zack, Dana, Bryce and I took a bridge break a bit after 9 a.m. to walk up the right-of-way to where Mike was working, since we knew he had to leave for the day a bit later in the morning. Mike had been ditching on the east side and was getting stone for the area around this culvert.
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Looking good there Mike. Is that the last culvert to install before the bridge?
And also to echo Wayne's question. Are we going to stage bundles of ties along the ROW to ease construction? Hint-hint, humping them from flatcar to laydown tires folks out real quick.
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Looks impressive. Now, how is it supposed to work?
Jeff S.
Jeff,
The crane is a long bridge crane that mounts on the flat car and hangs about half a flat car length over each end. A second flatcar is coupled to the south end of the crane flat car. Rails are loaded on the south flatcar with the forklift at Sheepscot. The two are then pushed to EOT Where the bridge is taken to the south end of the crane to pick up a rail and moved through the mounting legs across the crane flat car to the north end where the new rail is now positioned over EOT. After a second rail is moved and they are spiked down the two flat cars are then pushed to the new DOT where the process is repeated.
This will save our backs moving rails by hand.
Bill
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The rails are supposed to be spiked after the rail laying crane passes. No one should be working under the crane.
Pre staging was offered, but now can not be done because it is something that would have had to be done as I moved south. The grade is too narrow for trucks.
So, the order of progression with the crane is supposed to be this, or at least this is what I have been told.
Set out a bundle of ties to be dispersed. 16 ties in a bundle. 2 rails go on the ties. Another bundle of ties can be set on the north end of the next two rails so they are not so close to the ground. The joint bars go on. Train moves north. More rails then ties. Joint bars. Move north.
Meanwhile, the spiking crew is south of the crane, spiking track.
The crane car will have the tie bundles, and the flat car will have the rails. Joint bars and bolts will be on a yellow work flat ubder the crane, and the spikes will be on the other behind the locomotive (south side).
This set up should cary enough to do 450 feet in one go. I still don't have a firm grasp on exactly what they plan to do to reload all those ties, but the rail will be loaded in Sheepscot.
I myself am going to miss the old method. The teamwork and leadership that came from those days were great. Everyone was always smiling. It was all done like it would have been back in the day.
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Dads mentioned method is correct and the crane was developed by its designers to help take the burden off the guys lifting the rail.
I will be there Tuesday this week to unload the ballast I had scooped up on the flat car a few weeks ago, and maybe do some other track work.
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You know one way that will blend old and new is to build snap track sections by hand in Sheepscott then load them onto the gantry system for placement and delivery.
Finish spiking by hand when the section is placed to adjust for final gauge.
It give all the "fun" of hand spiking track without having to do it in the middle of the forest.
Then the ties don't have to be handled twice (onto the flatcar and off the flatcar) since the work is done on campus.
The Kubota, in addition to the gantry, could be used to coarse tweak the placed sections with hand baring for fine adjustment.
Once everything is done bring the MOW car to the new EOT to load the excavator.
I include a link to one of Jerry's fine photographs of the D&SNG rebuilding from the big washout with snaptrack.
(http://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/file.php?1,file=49696,filename=_8509918.jpg)
We all want to get to Rt 218, we just don't want to see anyone hurt or injured with material, tools and equipment.
The hand snaptrack assembly can then be closely supervised by the experienced folks and can be used as a learning experience
- a teachable moment! With a bathroom nearby!
A snaptrack section can be created during the year as an exhibit to show how track is laid by hand.
Participants would know that their little bit of effort with the display will actually be used on the railroad.
Interactive exhibits with explanatory signage are good.
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The rails are supposed to be spiked after the rail laying crane passes. No one should be working under the crane.
Pre staging was offered, but now can not be done because it is something that would have had to be done as I moved south. The grade is too narrow for trucks.
So, the order of progression with the crane is supposed to be this, or at least this is what I have been told.
Set out a bundle of ties to be dispersed. 16 ties in a bundle. 2 rails go on the ties. Another bundle of ties can be set on the north end of the next two rails so they are not so close to the ground. The joint bars go on. Train moves north. More rails then ties. Joint bars. Move north.
Meanwhile, the spiking crew is south of the crane, spiking track.
The crane car will have the tie bundles, and the flat car will have the rails. Joint bars and bolts will be on a yellow work flat ubder the crane, and the spikes will be on the other behind the locomotive (south side).
This set up should cary enough to do 450 feet in one go. I still don't have a firm grasp on exactly what they plan to do to reload all those ties, but the rail will be loaded in Sheepscot.
I myself am going to miss the old method. The teamwork and leadership that came from those days were great. Everyone was always smiling. It was all done like it would have been back in the day.
Will Thursday & Friday of FWW be used to test this new method of track laying?
Jeff S.
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If 450 feet of track can be built each day (Friday, Saturday and Sunday), that should be close to the 1,400-foot mark.
How will the gauge be maintained for the movement of the work train across the newly-laid rails until the spiking is done? Especially in the curves. Insta-track?
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Insta track will be used to hold the track in place, then spiking as normal behind the train. Our insta track holds the track well enough for the slow speeds and locks rails in at a set distance apart.
Panels of track would not work as it would be 2 tons of weight, not to mention extremely slow to unload. As track is built the rails do not line uo perfectly every time, especially on curves. Making modifications in the field and drilling holes would really hold up track building.
Secondly let me say that our old way was safe, only a few minor slips and falls with no known reported injuries. Our volunteers love to build track, and I have my fears for the future of track crew size. On a track building weekend we have around 100 volunteers. On a maintenance or ballasting weekend we have around 80. Why the higher number you ask? Everyone enjoys staying busy, and our old ways of track building those who wanted to work could work, those who needed a break could rest, and those who enjoyed watching could watch. With the crane we need far less people to put the rail down, and hope everyone that is able to spike can. However, I fear that those who do not like spiking may be lost which I hope is certainly not the case.
Let me make this clear, IF ANYONE, AND I MEAN ANYONE is looking for something to do while building track, please let either Dana, Jason, Rick, or myself (if I am around) know and we will do our best to find something for you to do. Please do not feel discouraged and leave. If I can find something to find for an 8 year old to do, I am sure we can find something for everyone to do. Just be aware that some things, like the job of the 8 year old was limited at times, but is a big help in the timely moving of track building.
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Alex,
I know that snap track seems like a good idea, but I can't see it working for us. How would you deal with the curves on our ROW? This is not flex track. Also, we have been experimenting with staggered joints to relieve the stress caused by #52. If that is working well, Joe might want to continue this on the new track. Besides that, we have much to accomplish between work weekends and building snap track likely doesn't fit within our current task list. May I suggest that you review the 5 year plan and suggest ways to help us ORF's find easier ways to get this done and save money at the same time.
I want to thank all of you younger ORF's that could still muscle all that heavy stuff around. We couldn't have accomplished what we have without your dedication. I don't know how you get the time away from your jobs and wives, but thanks to you un-retired younger folks as well.
See Joe's last post.
Al M
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If more spikers would be useful, do we have a sufficient number of spike mauls? Have those that needed repair from SWW been fixed?
Jeff S.
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Alex,
I know that snap track seems like a good idea, but I can't see it working for us. How would you deal with the curves on our ROW? This is not flex track. Also, we have been experimenting with staggered joints to relieve the stress caused by #52. If that is working well, Joe might want to continue this on the new track. Besides that, we have much to accomplish between work weekends and building snap track likely doesn't fit within our current task list. May I suggest that you review the 5 year plan and suggest ways to help us ORF's find easier ways to get this done and save money at the same time.
I want to thank all of you younger ORF's that could still muscle all that heavy stuff around. We couldn't have accomplished what we have without your dedication. I don't know how you get the time away from your jobs and wives, but thanks to you un-retired younger folks as well.
See Joe's last post.
Al M
ORF = Old Rail Fan???
Jeff S.
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Spiking by hand is hard work, particularly if done correctly. I have seen many folks who want to drive the spike at an angle, which is not correct. The spike should be driven as vertically as possible, so that as it cuts down through the tie, the fibers act like the barb on a fishhook against the spike, helping to keep it from pulling out. Driving a spike that way requires one to keep the hammer parallel to the tie, which for most folks means bending at the knees. That's what makes it hard. It's also very important to set the spike well before trying to drive it home, to avoid it flying away or bending if not hit squarely on the head. I remember an old track foreman who once told me a properly driven spike should show shiny spot the size of a dime where the maul hit.
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ORF = Old Rail Fan???
Jeff S.
I'll go with that. I like that better than "Old Retired Fart"
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All spike mauls, or most of them at least, have been fixed and repaired by a few volunteers. We need some more tie nippers though, but lining bars, claw bars, and shovels can be used as well.
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Also to make it know, the crane will reduce some help, but definately not all. There is planned to be two cranes, which will require two operators and at least two handlers, maybe more, then 6-8 guys to lay out ties once they are put on the ground, a guy to mark the ties, a person to move insta tracks, and 2 people to handle joint bars, bolts, and tightening. So instead of 20-25 people to lay rail, it will be reduced to 13-14. There will still be lots to do and the numbers not really reduced by much. A big hold up on our production in the past has been spiking, so hopefully if all goes as planned spiking and rail laying will go about the same pace.
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ORF = Old Rail Fan???
Jeff S.
I'll go with that. I like that better than "Old Retired Fart"
That works for me, too, Al.
Jeff S.
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Insta track will be used to hold the track in place, then spiking as normal behind the train. Our insta track holds the track well enough for the slow speeds and locks rails in at a set distance apart.
Pray tell, what is insta-track? Tried looking it up but just got a bunch of internet references.
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Speaking of Insta-Track, Joe, I cut a bunch of replacement "clamps" for the ones that have broken over the years and they are in a stack on the shelf in the section house. The slots need to be cut, though, and I took one of the good ones and set it with the blanks so it could be used as a pattern. If you could get someone to cut the slots you would have more usable insta-tracks for the FWW.
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Insta-track is method of temporarily assembling track so that equipment can move over it to facilitate laying more track, until the spikers can spike the track down and remove it. It's a 6"x6" piece of lumber with notches cut out for the rails, and wooden clamps that can be slid over the rail bases to hold it all in place.
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How many sticks of Insta-TrackTM do we have and will be needed to support use of the rail gantry train? It's 3 Insta-Track pieces per 30-foot section of track. I understand the rail gantry train will consist of a locomotive and both flat cars, so let's call that 4 rail lengths (allowing a small buffer behind the train). Plus the track put down to be spiked (at least 1 rail length -- 2 would be better), plus the next section of rail to be put down by the gantry (1 rail length). I count 7 rail lengths, or 21 Insta-Track needed. More would be better to take pressure of the spiking crew behind the train while not impeding the rail laying process, plus a buffer for Insta-Track that gets broken while in use. Is my math off?
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Have the Insta-track ties been checked to see if any are in need of repair?
Jeff S.
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Dana, thank you. I will grab those and cut them up this week.
We have a lot of insta tracks, I am thinking something like 20+ Some of which need the blocks installed that Dana brought up.
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Thank you for the description, James. Good to use wood it takes care of thermal expansion concerns at different times of year. Again thank you.
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Would anyone have a photo of "Insta-track" that they could post?
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Posted in another thread..
The insta track is the 4x4 with the wooden slide fasteners. Notches are cut in the 4×4 to keep the rails in gauge.
(http://www.susandowneyphoto.com/Other-1/WWF/i-qTRvPgG/1/L/SHD_1845-1-L.jpg)
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We have a lot of insta tracks, I am thinking something like 20+ Some of which need the blocks installed that Dana brought up.
That doesn't sound like a lot, unless my math this morning was wrong.
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Is there someone at the museum who would be willing to check the insta-track ties and perform the necessary repairs?
Jeff S.
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The ones that need repairs Dana brought blocks up for, which will go home with me tomorrow so that I can cut the notch in the centers and then put them back on the insta track Saturday morning or Monday of next week.
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Insta-Track.
Verrrrry clever. ;)
Should also save labor. :P
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Not really a labor saver Paul, but a clever way to quickly get the rails in gauge so the work train can pass over.
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OK. But certainly sounds like a timesaver to me. :)
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Remember those videos of the tracklaying machine in Canada? You will note that the huge work train passed over freshly laid rail before spiking. How they held the rail in gauge with those insanely heavy machines, rail cars, etc. is a mystery to me. But they did it successfully. So we are just repeating history.
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Work done today but not limited to; more Fall Work Weekend Prep such as tool counting, insta-track inspection, marking rail center lines for crane lift, bridge wok, yard switching, and work on #9. Very busy but productive day. Now is crunch time for the regular volunteers to finish up the bridge work, and finish up the preparation work for the Fall Work Weekend. Although not much credit has been given to the amount of work gone into Fall Work Weekend prep, I estimate we are up to around 200 hours in just track material prep alone, from cutting ties, preparing the rails, sorting joint bars, etc. Thank you to everyone who has helped, and will be continuing to help in the next 9 days. Track building weekends are our most well attended work weekends, and I am anxious just like everyone else to build track down the mountain.
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Also for those wondering souls, we have 23 usable spike mauls, 25 insta-tracks, 5 tie nippers, etc. Other tools to be used for tie nipping can include lining bars on other ties, or lining bars on a 4x4 block. Or a claw bar used against the base of a shovel.
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How they held the rail in gauge with those insanely heavy machines, rail cars, etc. is a mystery to me.
If you watch the video several times and look carefully you will see a worker put down an iron spreader-gauge bar as the rails are are being placed. Later toward the end of the video you can see a worker with the spiking crew who picks up the spreader-gauge bar.
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Anticipated work for weekend of Sept 29:
* Fall Festival: Saturday during the day. Then there's a "moonlight" train that night. We'll likely need help at Alna Center for crowd control and games, and at Sheepscot for crowd and parking control.
* Mountain Ext. prep: Mike's last day, he hopes. Then there's any tie, rail, and tool prep for the big push, which is coming right up in 2 weekends.
* Bridge
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Ten days, counting.
Would do now what I didn't when fellow-westerner Ira posted me, asking if I was going to Work Weekend with him a couple years ago; but, worsening sciatica these days says--not a good idea.
Sorry.
BTW, how's Bridgework finish-up coming?
To me, this is exciting, like September New Car Rollout years ago. ;D
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Ten days, counting.
Would do now what I didn't when fellow-westerner Ira posted me, asking if I was going to Work Weekend with him a couple years ago; but, worsening sciatica these days says--not a good idea.
Sorry.
BTW, how's Bridgework finish-up coming?
To me, this is exciting, like September New Car Rollout years ago. ;D
Paul, Bridge work is completed for this year. They finished on Thursday.
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Marvelous!
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Work done today, Saturday:
* Mountain Extension prep: Mike worked diligently.
* FWW prep: Work continued on the rail crane.
* Operations: Fall Festival was today, and I had forgotten to mention the "moonlight" train this evening at 6:00, to Alna Center for a talk. The Festival was quite busy, made even busier by another tour group. This tour group had radio headsets for the guide to talk to the rest, it made it easy to disseminate information.
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Finished Mountain Extension work for this year. Only worked half a day. Yup. Just 12 hours.
Moonlight special was leaving as I returned to Sheepscot. Thrain looked pleasantly packed. Parking lot was full.
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Thank you everyone for all the tremendous help on all aspects today. What a HUGE day. Between Falls Festival, two trains running, a night train, and a LOT of other projects going on, it was fantastic.
Other fall work weekend prep included picking out two rails to crop and drill to help offset the rails for the crossing just north of end of track. Thank you to the guys who helped me get the rail, and who then drilled the rail. And also thank you to Dana and Fred for helping retrieve the crossing ties. It was a very long day for many of us, but in the end it was well worth it.
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Jasons pictures of Saturday nights Moonlight train.
Sutters Crossing headed North
(http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m573/miketrainnut/IMG_2495_zpspprrgd4s.jpg)
Run around, TOM
(http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m573/miketrainnut/IMG_2506_zps7lljktwo.jpg)
Plucking off the caboose at TOM
(http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m573/miketrainnut/IMG_2507_zpsafj5qfrg.jpg)
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I really like the photo on cock-eye curve. Good to see the caboose back in service.
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I was thinking the third photo looks a lot like an abstract painting.
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I was thinking the third photo looks a lot like an abstract painting.
I was thinking impressionist painting.
Jeff S.
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Well, okay. An impressionist painting. I never actually took an art class.
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I never actually took an art class.
Yes, we got that impression.
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I like the night time view at TOM...
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As part of my "retirement" education, I have taken up painting and am taking classes in both oil and watercolor. I am looking forward to next year and scheduling a week other than SWW and FWW to just photograph and sketch various locations and events for my painting inspirations.