W.W.&F. Discussion Forum
WW&F Railway Museum Discussion => Volunteers => Topic started by: James Patten on July 29, 2020, 05:45:39 AM
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Anticipated work for Saturday, August 1:
* Crew training - 9 - 4 Since testing will be administered online after the training session, you have no excuse to miss the....
* Board meeting at 4.
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Work done today, August 1:
* Crew training. It went rather well.
* Wood splitting. Since Fred can't stand meetings, he (and maybe Zack) split wood and hauled it over to the woodpile.
* Board meeting. Our apologies that it wasn't online tonight.
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AC looking very nice thanks to some of the unsung heroes of the week..
(https://i.postimg.cc/rwwwtZSg/0801200847.jpg)
Class time..
(https://i.postimg.cc/hPrGvR7f/0801200912a.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/mgp233j4/0801201318-Burst01.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/rmxVLBky/0801201351.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/QMBNfBYT/0801201351a.jpg)
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Our apologies that it wasn't online tonight.
This was due to an unexpected personal crisis in my family that developed over the 10 hours prior to the start of the Rules Review. Kudos to Jason and James (and anyone else who helped) in getting the livestream of the Rules Review up and running. Thanks also to the participants in person and online for their patience throughout the situation.
That said, on a personal note, I deeply appreciate the continued support and prayers from my WW&F Family.
-Ed
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Anticipated work for Tuesday, 4 August and Wednesday 5 August 2020.
Tuesday:
* Tamping, finish lift tamping Fossal Crossing south where more
ballast has been put down……… Pending weather.
* Shop projects, #52 springs, prep locomotive #9.
* Mowing AC and SS campus…….Pending weather.
Wednesday:
* Tamping if called off Tuesday.* Shop projects
* Coach #3
* Mowing
Note: There is an expectation work maybe canceled with reports of heavy rains related to the incoming
tropical storm.
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Work done Monday, August 3rd -
* Percival House - Dirt/debris pile removed around the new north concrete step pad and the area raked cleaned.
* Exhibit Hall - Door hardware completed by trimming bolts and painting latch brackets and rods.
* Coach 3 - Linda cleaned the interior and brought supplies to clean the other cars for Friday.
* Engine 11 - The new frame members and parts arrived and were stored in shop bay 1.
* Coach 9 - Eric and Ron put in a full day, working on end sills and bolster plates.
* Picnic - Cindy purchased all the beverages for Saturday and cashed in two large bags of bottles.
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Thanks for cleaning up that pile.. I was going to Saturday but got sidetracked..
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Anticipated work for Saturday, Aug 8.
* Annual Picnic. It will be a shadow of its former self, however we still will be running some trains. Folks are needed for cleaning the trains and other areas.
* Pavilion. Mike will be at work on the pavilion.
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Anticipated Operations for Fri/Sat Aug 7/8:
Friday 8/7:
Afternoon: Qualifying run with #9 and coaches to MP8.
5:00pm: First Public trip to MP8. A few tickets still available. Virtual rides (videorecorded) available.
Saturday 8/8 - Annual Picnic:
11:00am: Scheduled Train to ToM and return. Train is effectively sold out (39 passengers.)
1:00pm: Scheduled Train to ToM and return. Tickets Available.
3:00pm: Scheduled Train to ToM and return. Tickets Available.
5:00pm: "Second Section" of First Public trip to MP8. Tickets still available. Virtual rides (videorecorded) available.
Assistance always needed crewing trains - contact crewcaller@traincrew.wwfry.org to sign up, or learn how to be qualified.
All trains in 2020 are limited to 40 passengers and all tickets must be purchased in advance.
Visit www.wwfry.org (http://wwfry.org) and click "Book Now (https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/wwfry/items/?full-items=yes)".
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Work completed Tuesday 4 August and Wednesday 5 August 2020.
Tuesday:
* 16 volunteers
* Tamping crew worked on 2 lifts on the grade just south of Fossal Crossing.
* Locomotive #9 crew worked on prepping for a test run and the annual picnic.
* Coach #9 crew working on assembly.
* Coach #3 work finishing repairs prep for painting.
* Shop welding projects continued.
* SS campus clean up continues from trash and dump runs to sign changing.
* Gift shop prep.
* Coach cleaning.
* Wood stacking
* Safety Officer up dating crew qualification books.
* Lettering SONOCO begins on tank car.
* I’m sure I have missed something but it was a busy day.
Wednesday:
* Yard switching through out the yards and car barn.
* Mowing and weed whacking around the SS campus
* Coach #3 platforms repainted (it looks good too)
* Car barn display area cleaned and museum artifacts unloaded from box car
and set up for display.
* Coaches and caboose interiors cleaned and ready for the weekend.
( a special thank you to Linda for tackling this job by herself)
* 8 volunteers
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Work done Thursday, August 6th -
* Coaches - Linda did a complete cleaning of coaches 3 and 8 as well as caboose 320.
* Fire wood - Fred and Zack split, hauled and stacked more wood.
* Engine 9 - The check valve was installed and the locomotive steamed in the morning for testing.
* Gift Shop - Cindy picked up the 2021 WW&F calendars and delivered them to the gift shop.
* Shop - More cleaning: floors swept, trash removed and tools organized. The crew at the dump has seen us almost every day this week.
* Freight run - A steam powered freight was operated up to ML&M, delivering 3 flatcar loads of machines and rail. (photos are on FB)
* Tank car - Catherine spent all day lettering the south end and west side of the car for "Standard Oil Company Of New York" (She's probably wishing the car shipped Esso products).
* Mile Post 8 special - Final plans were worked out for the arranging of scenes at Alna Center on Friday evening.
* Promotion - Two videos were shot featuring the consist of the freight train. Eric filmed for the members/friends access video and Steve ran a Facebook live broadcast of Jason explaining the history of the B&SR/B&H/Edaville machine shop machines.
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Bravo to Catherine. This will make the tank car much more appealing! I know she's been waiting to do this a long time..
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Bravo to Catherine. This will make the tank car much more appealing! I know she's been waiting to do this a long time..
From a fb post on the matter.
(https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/117414880_937771980071712_7354190675397299597_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_ohc=T--DO_3MzCgAX8KTvV7&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=9fdb41a24ddc9d3f9e504d20435a857d&oe=5F52842D)
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Outstanding lettering!
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Although I believe there is still more lettering to be accomplished, what I see so far is really, really, good !!!!
Watch out Start - you've got competition !!!
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Wow ! Talk about a stunning work on a dazzling tank. Amazing restoration it'll look great in a freight consist. Bravo!!!
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Stellar job, Catherine. And not an easy one to do that well!
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FANTASTIC!
It looks like a full-color version of the photos from "BUSTED AND STILL RUNNING" !! ;D ;D ;)
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Work done on Saturday August 8:
* Picnic: nothing like picnics of the last several years, but we had sold out trains. Nancy Weeks did the food assisted by Cindy.
* Pavilion: Jeff Verney dug out a hole for the last two post foundations (which were poured two weeks ago) and helped placed them. Then Mike, Dwight and I put up all the remaining posts (minus two - one is broken and we need an extra one) and put up the header on the posts for the entrance.
Here's a picture of the 1:00 train taken from Alna Center.
(https://i.imgur.com/vskdDPu.jpg?2)
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Here's a picture of the 1:00 train taken from Alna Center.
For some reason I don't see James' photo embedded in his post. In case others are experiencing the same, I think this is a direct link to his photo: https://imgur.com/vskdDPu
Thanks James.
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I fixed the embedded image.
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Bob Longo passed these images along of the 5pm train to MP8..and also included this text
"Five o'clock train on Saturday. Dana and Joe engineer and fireman. I (Bob Longo) was running 52 waiting at the bottom of the mountain in case 9 needed a push, it did not. Fun was had by all"
(https://i.postimg.cc/dQNWKDgq/IMG-3095.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/4NKW4sTp/IMG-3096.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/rp9JZpS2/IMG-3097.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/vHp3ckQk/IMG-3098.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/yNKjTR3T/IMG-3099.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/K8BQLfjz/IMG-3100.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/VvJWNB2z/IMG-3101.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/76YNFyVG/IMG-3102.jpg)
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Great to see it was a sunny day. Great day for a train ride.
Jeff S.
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Would like to lead a track crew Saturday, 8/15 to change a rail, and lift some low spots on the mountain. Shovel tamp as needed.
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Anticipated work for Tuesday 11 August and Wednesday 12 August 2020
Tuesday:
* Rail joint bar repair and bolt tightening.
* Retrieve flat car and stage for loading SS.
* Prep work for Saturday Track work (see Joe Fox post)
* Prep for up coming TOM work (clean up, rail crossing)
* Coach #3 work (pending).
* Yard switching.
Wednesday:
* Tie pick up along main line.
* Coach #3 work (pending)
* Continue prep for TOM
* Move sprayer to a car barn lead.
Note: Looking for volunteers Saturday for track crew detail.
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A possible addition to "Anticipated work for Tuesday 11 August and Wednesday 12 August 2020:
* Check area mowed and trimmed at SS and AC to find and mark where phone line was cut.
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Between the station and the pumphouse at SS, the line is on top od the ground and I noticed the area was bush hogged. Recently. I would check the first box north to see if that is it.. Wanted to bury that last section but was eay too wet the last few times when I was in the area with the Kubota
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John we will check it out for you, Mike thank you for the location, that will save time.
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If I had to guess that is where, but could be almost anywhere
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I am always fearful when I read that mowing and trimming as occurred, as phone line damage is likely. Despite my purchase and trial of various test apparatus, the most reliable fault finding is done by visual examination of the line. Fortunately, the exposed areas are a relatively small percentage of the total mileage, and almost all are along the tree line on the east side of the R-O-W. The best people to so this are the mowers/trimmers, as they know the territory. ("Gotta know the territory, gotta know the territory" (the Music Man). Here's my plan:
- Have the mowers/trimmers review the territory they worked, looking for line damage.
- Mark suspect spots with a yellow-tipped grade stake. I bought some stakes and stored them in the last stall of the garage.
- If the line is gray well wire (UFB), I can splice it. If it's black Telco 6-pair, I'll need assistance.
- After repairs are complete, leave stakes in place, add more.
- Where there are lots of stakes, bury the wire or install water pipe sleeving over it.
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Would telephone/telegraph poles be an option? (even if just for the trouble spots) ... Or, are they not authentic to the WW&F?
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The WW&F did not have a telegraph system or any lineside poles, save a phone connection between the upper and lower yards in Wiscasset.
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In addition to the lack of a WW&F prototype, except for the aforementioned upper-lower yard connection, recollection of the "Maine 1998 Ice Storm," coupled with the age profile of our pole-climbers, scotched the pole line idea the last time it arose. :)
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Anticipated work for Saturday, August 15:
* Mountain extension track work - led by Joe. Change out a rail, jack and shovel tamp.
* Pavilion - led by Mike. Put up header boards.
* Coach 9
* Vehicle repair
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Work completed on Tuesday 11 August and Wednesday 12 August 2020.
Tuesday:
* Track repair, 13 joint bar bolts cut off and replaced, Steve L, Mark, Randy, Ben, Chuck.
* Flat car #126 retrieved from Sheepscot Mills.
* Fred checked for a break in the telephone line at SS campus, none found.
* Unloaded the large drill press and staged in the machine shop. (don’t know proper name)
* Clean up and follow up from grand opening, Stuart, Cindy, Linda
* Dump run, Stuart
Wednesday:
* Yard switching and car staging, Steve L, Mark
* Sprayer maintenance and ready for service, Bob L, Bryce, Dan
* Repairs continue on Turner Dairy Car, Randy
* Catherine completes lettering the tank car (It looks great)
* Roger and Jason up date Locomotive #9 paper work
* Prep for track detail, 30 ft rail made up, Mark, Steve L
* Fred, James N stops by.
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Nice recap, Steve. Here's a bit more:
Gift shop mail orders have been brisk this week with a dozen orders shipped in just the last two days. The 2021 calendar and WW&F face masks are the popular items along with clothing and history books. The mail room has been so busy that the trash crew was enlisted to help.
We appreciate everyone who supports the museum by purchasing items through the on-line gift shop.
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Anticipated work for Saturday, August 15:
* Mountain extension track work - led by Joe. Change out a rail, jack and shovel tamp.
* Pavilion - led by Mike. Put up header boards.
* Coach 9
* Vehicle repair
Looking for something to help with on Saturday, any idea what time this track detail is looking to get started?
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If you show up by 8 you should be able to join.
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Sounds good, thanks for the info
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* Unloaded the large drill press and staged in the machine shop. (don’t know proper name)
To elaborate on Steve's post, we purchased a radial arm drill from a fab shop in Alna that was closing down. ML&M (Brian and Hannah) helped with the short distance trucking move. The intent of this machine is to replace the large drill press which is currently in the shop. While all of us in the shop love that drill press for it's age and really classy design- it is very tired- and we need something that is more reliable for large drilling operations. The new drill is large, but only slightly larger in footprint than the existing drill (believe it or not), but with a much larger capacity. My plan is to keep the existing drill press in-service until all preparatory electrical work is finished and the new drill can be put in the old one's place. Until then, "Lathe Alley" will be a bit crowded, so I am hoping to execute the changeover relatively soon.
It is a 6' Cincinnati Bickford Super Service Radial for anyone curious.
Thanks again to the crew for the unloading help on Tuesday!
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Alan.....I hope the old large drill press will remain in some capacity.
Those old camelback drill presses are a part of railroad and our railroad’s history.
Keith
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My father said "When you see machines you used starting in the trade exhibited in
a museum then you feel old."
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I remember many years ago giving my son a 55 Chevy Matchbox car for his collection. His reply was, "Thanks Dad for the antique car". Several of my friends had 55 Chevys.
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Work done on Saturday Aug 15:
* Track crew: Joe and crew finally got the rail near MP 8 replaced and spiked. They then jacked and shovel tamped some of the track on the Mountain.
* Pavilion: Mike and crew got the remaining two posts up, and got all the headers up.
* Machine shop: Alan was working on the new drill press. It's a massive piece of equipment.
* Archives: Linda had received a box of goodies and was processing them.
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" * Machine shop: Alan was working on the new drill press. It's a massive piece of equipment. "
PHOTOS, PLEASE!!!!
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This post is probably not totally on track for this thread, but I wanted everyone to know that the deadline for submitting nominations for the 2020 Legacy Honorees has passed. The Committee - me, John McNamara and James Patten -- will review all the nominees (there were MANY!) and recommendations to the BOD for their September meeting. Thank you to all who submitted nominations.
Bob
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Special thank you to TJ, Logan (Freds Grandson), Ed L, Emily L, and J. B for helping change out the rail and hand tamping in the morning. J. B. and Emily were unable to help in the afternoon but we still managed to getanother significant dip out.
I can not stress enough how important track maintenance is on our 3.25 mile railroad.
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I spent Saturday going over the new radial arm drill. The machine was working until we unplugged it for the move, but I wanted to "wipe the slate clean" so to speak, before putting it in-service. That means a general cleaning, getting chips out of the T-slots, making some adjustments, and re-oiling the machine. I'm about 50% finished now. I'd also like to install a coolant pump soon. Overall the drill is in nice condition considering it's age, and how we intend to use it. For large workpieces, one can fixture directly to the base of the machine and work from there. For day-to-day use on more moderately sized pieces, there is a table that bolts to the base and raises the work up to a more comfortable level. All of the drilling and feeds are run off the 7.5 HP motor, and the various levers change drill RPM, feed rates, direction, and move the head up/down and in/out. I'll be working with Josh Recave to get our electrical system prepped for the changeover.
To answer Keith, I meant it when I said that all of us in the shop are very fond of the old drill press for what it is, even if it's not up-to-snuff anymore. We are actively discussing what's next in store for it, but scrapping is 100% off the list. Everything else is being discussed.
So this is the new radial arm drill:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3fBNr7GhEhnWpL53X_ZDCBshiGj6fKxYIC_s1deNvPAxqJGIa3_0COckZahn1QO-9KsBgwlXNLdlJ1USZMJgb_Cvw5asVUIu6Ul5oUw4EKYNdL9wF6emK2xVSRCa_Jg5kHompoCizU7ePNSRiXyVaO5Ag=w727-h969-no?authuser=0)
Another angle:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3f3sLDEMHklJYYbtELogEAn6UmmHZMhENnnoR_Kp9WY90A3gafvcCHpSnMYkVs1PCa_PbGUgPoH0Kh1uV8jhcRtaIm9CHjvsrdwMkjcSLsEWaicXE-Txniye-tKXm1P_gC85HqyFDADcO-rUyZ-6IVHhw=w727-h969-no?authuser=0)
For grins, I put our largest drill bit in the spindle (2-3/8"). It looks right at home! Note the 17" of spindle stroke.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3eX77Lnpa-CxodUZ1FO17l_zHADf_LmSzi5Ep5ErlXAlxhbpzF_k3Kv5tnoCF50PmXwgmsPNAy1ATZ2bX9PdeTnDx-h3u6gkZlBzw_EatqqQLzZ2-3wKBr-o7zCUwCxr9OH8iS7cr_VEGaJ7Kp-Op7NyQ=w727-h969-no?authuser=0)
In addition to mounting morse-taper bits in the spindle, you can of course us a drill chuck. It came with a Jacobs 20N chuck, which can comfortably hold a 3/8"-1" shank. Side by side with my favorite drill bit... moral of the story with this machine is that it's big, can drill big holes, and hold big stuff.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3fy8uV4x2-1G76jCmxjSw4zCEln8N-QnqXyF8wBsfrdmaOn38ldAd1Li-eoU9AavAPj0sSn0U2sqtRHwBlfpJKuZvlLlYfwcGGdzeRChW6gw3fxon8YObvmiac9mG-6LGdts5Qo0tHBlXC5P_78vUlh0Q=w1292-h970-no?authuser=0)
This is the table, and vise that came with it as well.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3fvlmCcYh9Tv3dg3pfsoyU1QQhgf1V-at95_Ca2n4Q_6ljD5xdr8yozvB96WXz5HNa_-562rEyd_AM9alBfGmeASmdqijG8JLG-Q5bYEEYwSeSDKN3VimEkG9jJNVsGmgnpReVMk9CYBQVhmMEikLQUKQ=w1292-h970-no?authuser=0)
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Is there an antique machinery association or museum we can donate the drill press to? I don't think it would be wise to have it take up space in the shop if its not being used. I also would not want to see it scrapped but it needs to find a good home.
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Anticipated work for Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 August 2020.
Tuesday:
* Picking up/organizing TOM. This will include tie organizing, scrap and the likes
in preparation for mowing.
* Switch inspection and review TOM.
* Locomotive # 9 brake stand installation.
Wednesday:
* Preparation for TOM switch replacement.
* Locomotive # 9 brake stand installation.
* Coach # 9 assembly.
* Final joint bar tightening (pending)
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Is there an antique machinery association or museum we can donate the drill press to? I don't think it would be wise to have it take up space in the shop if its not being used. I also would not want to see it scrapped but it needs to find a good home.
It never hurts to have more than one drill press, or lathe, or milling machine.
And those old drill presses are designed to be rebuilt. Back then there wasn’t a throw away mind set.
Keith
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I think the old drill press would be right at home in the next large building project..
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John,
We are hanging on to the old drill press. It just needs a bit of fluffing up. Interestingly, Alan has been helping me get a 1948-49 Walker Turner 15” drill press I inherited into operating condition. I found a place in Connecticut that can supply virtually all parts needed for it. They even responded to my emails yesterday and today (Sunday). My point is that we should be able to find what we need for the old drill press. Gotta love Google.
Dave
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You definitely need different size drill presses. A small one for holes 1/2 inch and under and smaller parts, a medium size one for larger parts that one man can lift onto its table and bigger holes. The radial is for big parts and large holes but it's also useful for small holes in big parts that are hard to reposition for drilling.
M. Nix
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Perhaps the sawmill/shingle mill planned for Top of the Mountain needs an under-roof space for 'mill maintenance' tooling like that drill press. 8)
The steam engine powering the mill might then also need an alternator to run the drill press. :o
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Or line shaft?
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Last thing I'd do is part with that latest drill press.
You never know what it will be useful for...
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Anticipated work for Saturday, Aug 22:
* Ice Cream Eggspress - combining the missed Easter trains with Ice Cream, at Alna Center.
* Pavilion construction
* Vehicle repairs
* Machine shop
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Anticipated Operations for Saturday, August 22nd:
9:00am: Handcar Hop on Mainline (if not annulled due to lack of ticket sales.)
11:00am: Handcar Hop on Mainline (if not annulled due to lack of ticket sales.)
1:00pm: Ice Cream Eggspress to ToM and return. Ice Cream and Egg Hunt at AC. Tickets Available.
3:00pm: Ice Cream Eggspress to ToM and return. Ice Cream and Egg Hunt at AC. Tickets Available.
5:00pm: Picnic Dinner Train to AC with Author Bill Kenny discussing "A History of Maine Railroads". Tickets Available.
Assistance always needed crewing trains - contact crewcaller@traincrew.wwfry.org to sign up, or learn how to be qualified.
All trains in 2020 are limited to 40 passengers and all tickets must be purchased in advance.
Visit www.wwfry.org/tickets (http://wwfry.org) to buy tickets.
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Pavilion work will possibly only be in the morning. I don't want to disturb our guests in the afternoon..
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I don't mind work - in fact I like work --- I can sit and watch it all day.
The only problem maybe that what Mike is doing will be more interesting to some riders
than what is going on at the Station.
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Work completed on Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 August 2020
Tuesday:
* Clean up of old ties and wood from TOM. Vehicle crossing built.
(Steve L, Mark, Randy, Bryce, Dan, Nick)
* Archives (Linda)
* Brake work Locomotive #9, Coach #3. (Jason)
* Dump run (Stewart)
* Radial arm drill (Alan D)
Wednesday:
* Caboose and coach spotted, cleaned (Linda).
* TOM clean up completed (Steve L, Mark, Randy, Fred & Logan, Chuck, Leon.
* Woods track survey (Randy & crew)
* SS yard switching consist made up.
* Gift shop-Booking (Cindy)
* Radial arm drill (Alan)
* Booking (Steve P)
* Brake work, Locomotive #9, Coach #3 (Jason)
Note: Missed reported, weed cutting around Alna Ctr, before opening (Leon).
Sunday 16 August, Track work (Bob L, Dan, Bryce)
Sorry if I missed anyone.
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Nice report Steve.
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Work done Thursday, August 20th -
* Vacuum Brake Test - Engine 9 was steamed up and the new train brake stand tested by Jason, Bryce, Roger, Wes and Jonathan. Wes had special test equipment attached to the system.
* Coach 9 - Eric removed the wooden components (made by Harold) from boxcar 67 and sorted them in Bay 1. A special storage rack was built on the east wall for the long stock. Eric also did some forge work in the afternoon.
* Radial Arm Drill - Alan dis-assembled the major sections of the machine for inspection and cleaning.
* Wood Shop - Bay 4 was cleaned and organized while #9 was out of the shop.
* Gift Shop - Cindy installed new book case covers on the stock storage shelves. More mail orders were filled, including merchandise going to Oregon and the U.K. Shipping mail orders is almost a daily occurrence, thanks to people who shop on line. The WW&F Railway has really been helped by gift shop patrons during this difficult year of reduced income.
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Work done on Saturday Aug 22:
* Pavilion: The diagonal braces are up, and the remaining boards up above were finished up with attaching.
* Machine shop: Jerry and Carlos were busy, probably on the squeeze riveter.
* Ice Cream Eggspress trains: two sold out trains.
* Archives: Linda was filing older Board material.
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3pm train departs Alna Center as the kids head for the eggs..
(https://i.postimg.cc/VvLrptTc/0822201518.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/fy2tNLnS/0822201518a.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/nV0Q7djV/0822201518c.jpg)
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I'm glad to hear that the ice cream/eggspress trains were sold out.
Jeff S.
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Operations Report Saturday, August 22nd:
9:00am: Handcar Hop on Mainline - Hosted for friends of the WW&F by Joe Fox.
11:00am: Handcar Hop on Mainline - 3 Passengers - daughter with parents. Aged 50+ and 80+. We made it to Humason and Return.
1:00pm: Ice Cream Eggspress - 41 Passengers (sold out)
3:00pm: Ice Cream Eggspress - 43 Passengers (sold out)
5:00pm: Picnic Dinner Train to AC with Author Bill Kenny - 31 Passengers.
A special shout-out to Steve P for organizing and running the events, and to Emily Lecuyer (and her friend Kelsey Prebble) for running the egg hunts.
Lots of happy passengers - and the Handcar Hop patrons left a 5-star review on Google!
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One of the guys will have to give the full update, but this crew was at it again on Sunday.. Pictured here is Bryce working on the pump followed by Bryce and Dan smiling at the accomplishments on the pump.. Photos by Bob L.
(https://i.postimg.cc/T35xWkyF/IMG-3121.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZKMZnkq6/IMG-3122.jpg)
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What is "the pump". It's hard to tell by the photos, but I am assuming a weed sprayer.
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The pump is a gasoline powered liquid pump connected to a 60 gallon tank on a work flat. In the case of a cinder fire along the ROW it can be used to help extinguish said fire. It also can be used for similar needs.
According to Bullet Bob both the pump and the motor failed. I know last year we were having trouble with the pump.
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Bob said motor was fine but the rollers in the pump had failed towards the end of last year. 8oogered up the shaft slightly but they were able to change it out. He said it pumps really well now.
The spray unit was purchased about 10 or more years ago, and put on an old tip car chassis to use as a fire car. Extremely dry conditions would usually see a patrol after each train, or have the car on stand by.
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Anticipated work for Tuesday 25 August and Wednesday 26 August 2020
Tuesday:
* Work in Sheepscot Yard, unloading flat car
* Locating and loading ties, frogs, points various parts for TOM switch replacement.
* Yard switching (pending)
* Repairs on Box car #67, Coach #3
Wednesday:
* Spring replacement on #52
* Rearrange box car loads (pending)
* Yard switching (pending)
* Repairs on Box car #67, Coach #3
* Assembly Coach #9
* Main line joint bar repairs
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The spring replacement on 52 will be nice to have done. It has been years since it sat properly..
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Anticipated work for Saturday August 29:
* Pavilion
* Vehicle repair
* Coach 9
Rain is forecast, so the day might be good for inside projects.
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Latest forecast is afternoon rain, which I am only planning on working until noon or so anyhow at the Pavilion.
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Completed work Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 August 2020
Tuesday:
* Flat car unloaded, selection of various switch parts loaded.
* Number #3 lead to car barn lifted and hand tamped. (Joe F, Steve L, Mark, Chuck)
* Coach #3, plumbing and vacuum brakes. (Johnathan)
* Mowing SS campus (Fred) Mowing with 2 mowers AC (Fred and Randy)
* Coach #9 assembly (Eric and Ron)
* Archives work on going. (Linda)
* Gift shop mail orders. (Cindy)
* Trash pick up and Dump run. (Stewart)
Wednesday:
* Switching, Caboose #320 returned to car barn. (Mark, Steve L, Chuck)
* Coach #3, plumbing and vacuum brakes. (Jonathan)
* TOM, Tamper parts removed for repairs. (Steve L, Mark, Chuck, Fred)
* Small engine repairs. (Jay)
* Crew takes hand car with ties and tools and replaces 5 ties. (Dan, Brian)
* Locomotive #9 repairs. (Roger)
* Archives, grounds up keep. (Linda)
* Rail joints, 32 bolts tighten. (Mark, Steve L)
* Gift shop mail orders to include one order going over seas. (Cindy)
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Work completed Tuesday and Wednesday 25/26 August 2020
Missed notes:
* Leon and Jarred (Weeks) additional blue flag device's to car barn doors #2 and #3.
* #52 spring repair rescheduled
* TOM switch rebuild rescheduled
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Sunday, August 30, 2020
Dan Malkowski, Bryce Weeks and Brian Strait plan a tie changing party. I’m sure they’d appreciate any help they can get. No other trains are running so this is a great day for it.
Thanks,
Jason
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Work done on Thursday and Friday -
* Lowboy trailer - Brian Strait worked on cleaning rust and painting the WW&F Hudson Bros trailer frame.
* Gift Shop - More mail sales (some overseas) and work on the stock shelf covers for the railroad books.
* Percival House - A new entrance lock was installed on the north door. (same code)
* Shop building - The north doors were cleaned and trued up and to close / fit better.
* Engine 9 - Work on valve assemblies.
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Work done on Saturday Aug 29:
* Pavilion: As mentioned in Mike's report, the trusses were uncovered, and the crane truck was fired up. Then it started to rain so we headed back to Sheepscot.
And that was it.
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It's okay, guys. there has to be some rain to make the grass grow.
C'mon now, sing it with me: "The sun'll come out tomorrow....."
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Maine is in the beginning stages of drought, so the rain is well needed.
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The lakes desperately needed to be refilled!
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Sunday, August 30th
Small crew of 4 (Brian, Nick, Bryce, and Dan) went out with 52 and a Flatcar and replaced 12 ties total.
We started the day by taking a trip to TOM to be able to run around the flat car then we headed back to Alna Center where we changed two red marked ties just south of the south switch. We continued then to Cockeye curve where we got one tie changed and were about to start on another two but come to find out that there was a bees nest in the first one we tried (no one was stung) and decided to not chance the other. (No it was not me who found this one). After that encounter we went to a section of track between Jane's way and Brooke crossing where there was a whole string of ties right in a row. we started to dig out the ties and then headed for lunch.
When we came back we started changing out the ties one after the other. We finished around 3:00pm.
Between the two days (Wednesday & Sunday) 16 total red dotted ties were changed.
Pictures will either come later (if I can figure it out). But they will also be up on my Facebook.
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We have a perfectly good tie exchanger. It cost us a lot of money to buy it and move it and regauge it. Why isn't anyone using it?
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Wayne, evidently there is a carburetor issue. The old updraft carb on it was challenging to get it running the first time, and took me over 100 pulls to finally get the right combination. I knew nothing of this issue until a few weeks ago, so could make no suggestions as to what I had done to get it running..
So the carb is off, I assume getting rebuilt.
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Jay Barta has agreed to adopt this project and is mid process getting a new carb. Jay is currently planned to be out for a couple months. Upon his return this is on his list, followed by the Brookeville rebuild (which will be moved in to shop bay 3 for him). Note the carburetor has likely never functioned correctly under our ownership.
Until and even after the tie changer is in service, the tie ladders provide a great service.
Thanks Wayne, all,
Jason
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One of the mounting posts for the float had broken off in the past, a repair appears to have been attempted eg: epoxy, JB weld ?? So the engine behaved like a sunk float. Found a trashed Zenith 63 L for cheap with a good cover, intact float posts, hope to "marry" the two.
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Thanks for the updates, Jay, Jason and Mike. From 500 miles away, it appeared that nothing was happening with the machine, and I put a lot of time and effort into finding it, negotiating the sale and shipping it to Maine. Mike worked hard to regauge it and as a bonus even repainted it. I just did not want to see it relegated to the scrap pile or something.
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Can someone please confirm that the Zenith 63L is the proper carb for this unit. I have a guy out near State College, PA who has a little ma & pa engine shop. He specializes in vintage engines and has found engine parts and carbs that were 50+years old and were new in their original boxes. He makes his living buying up old engine parts stocks from places going out of business. If I have good info on the carb, I'll visit him the next time I'm visiting my Grandkids out there and get a new one if possible before FWW.
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One of the mounting posts for the float had broken off in the past, a repair appears to have been attempted eg: epoxy, JB weld ?? So the engine behaved like a sunk float. Found a trashed Zenith 63 L for cheap with a good cover, intact float posts, hope to "marry" the two.
Thanks Jay. That explains the trouble I had with it. I did hear it run and made it operate, so this machine should work well for us, as long as it is used properly by the book. It is not designed to just grab a.nd remove ties. Some effort needs to be made, like clearing out the ballast from the tie end and jacking the rails, and keep the stone clear from the pocket while inserting the new tie to keep the hydraulic oil from heating up. Once the oil heats up, the O-rings in the cylinders will harden and start leaking again.