W.W.&F. Discussion Forum
WW&F Railway Museum Discussion => Volunteers => Topic started by: James Patten on March 31, 2021, 05:48:41 AM
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Anticipated work for Saturday April 3:
* Springtime Eggspress with SeaLyon Farm - trains to Alna Center.
* Boxcar 56
* Machine Shop reorg
* Vehicle repair
* Garage area reorg
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Anticipated Operations for Saturday, April 3rd.
10:30am: Springtime Eggspress with SeaLyon Farm (SOLD OUT)
11:45am: Springtime Eggspress with SeaLyon Farm (SOLD OUT)
1:00pm: Springtime Eggspress with SeaLyon Farm (SOLD OUT)
2:15pm: Springtime Eggspress with SeaLyon Farm (SOLD OUT)
3:30pm: Eggspress pickup
Extra assistance is always appreciated - contact crewcaller@traincrew.wwfry.org to sign up, or learn how to be qualified.
A qualified brakeman is needed to run the public trains next week on 4/10.
All trains are limited to 50 passengers and all tickets must be purchased in advance.
All passengers and crew must adhere to the COVID-19 Policy published at www.wwfry.org/covid (http://www.wwfry.org/covid)
Visit www.wwfry.org/tickets (http://www.wwfry.org/tickets) to buy tickets.
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"Springtime" Eggspress? What happened to "Easter" Eggspress? Cancel Culture arriving on Track One.
Don O. Treply
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Not cancel culture at all.
We're running the event on two consecutive Saturdays, only one of which happens to coincide with the Christian Holiday. While the Liturgical calendar does define Easter as a season (and the date of the celebration of Easter usually varies between mainstream and Orthodox Christian calendars) we decided using Easter in the name would cause confusion for our guests in regards to the days the event would be offered. Thus, the "Easter Eggspress" brand used in years past has been broadened to "Springtime Eggspress" in order to imply that the event would be occurring on more than just the Saturday prior to the celebration of Easter.
Careful eyes will note that the event description (on the ticketing page, Facebook event listing, etc.) does not shy away from referencing the Christian holiday; which has (IMHO) sadly devolved into an egghunt.
That strategy has proven effective, as tickets for the second date, 4/10, have also been selling very well.
Consideration was given to offering the event the last Saturday in March - but weather conditions can be very unpredictable at that time of year. For future years, we are considering always offering the "Springtime Eggspress" on the first two Saturdays in April, regardless of when the Easter holiday happens to fall. However, that has not yet been settled.
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Well said, Ed.
Jeff S.
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Work done on Saturday April 3:
* Springtime Eggspress trains - sold out trains today. The Easter egg hunt was put on by SeaLyon Farm at Alna Center. Folks I asked all had a good time.
* Ground work - in preparation for a temporary storage building alongside the machine shop, Jeff Verney was digging a drainage ditch and putting in stone for a base for the building.
* Ground work 2 - The Fletchers worked to remove half of the track bolts from the roundhouse run-through track, and the tracks coming out of the car barn. After the Egg trains stop, these tracks are coming up so that Jeff can grade outside and put a french drain in north of the barn.
* Boxcar 56 - Marcel got the end beams on.
* Vehicle repairs - Mike was unable to start the Kubota. He did get our bulldozer going so that it did a small amount of grading next to the garage. He also got the Dodge running, and drained water from the forklift.
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I took the dozer and was headed behind the containers to push but could not get there. There were 2 pallets if waste wood in the way as well as other stuff on top. We are not burning or burying any of it, so it went to the transfer station. I am trying to keep that area open so the dirt from the roundhouse project can get placed back there for fill, and we can cap it with gravel.
So please, any debris should get loaded in the truck and hauled to the transfer station. Leave the area around the containers clear so we can work in there.
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A few photos from today, showing a fraction of the work done.
Crew meeting this morning in preparation of the Springtime Eggspress service. Looks cold, eh? Trains were sold out, and I saw many young families around Sheepscot today. No. 9's consist was Franklin and Megantic coach No. 2, Maine Locomotive & Machine Works open coach No. 130, WW&F coach/combine No. 8 and WW&F caboose No. 320. Fifty passengers max seated over the four cars.
(https://i.imgur.com/iryj9XB.jpg)
Marcel Levesque was busy with B&SR boxcar No. 56 in shop bay 3. In this view, Dwight Winkley (left) was assisting Marcel (right) in preparation to attach an end car beam.
(https://i.imgur.com/iwDKpii.jpg)
Later in the day, the end beam is seen installed.
(https://i.imgur.com/PpQqDOl.jpg)
A view showing the proximity of work on B&SR boxcar No. 56 on the left in shop bay 3, with new WW&F coach No. 9 under construction in shop bay 2.
(https://i.imgur.com/MLYuSx4.jpg)
In the morning, local contractor and Museum friend Jeff Verney stopped by and prepared the ground around the southwest corner of the shop building for the temporary shop shed. The work included drainage. Brendan Barry is hidden behind the sawhorse working on a new drainage basin.
(https://i.imgur.com/FFdCQKU.jpg)
The restroom building letter board, near the parking lot, was re-lettered today. As noted last week, it had badly faded after many years facing the afternoon summer sun, so the background felt was stained black last Saturday. Here's how the left panel looked, badly faded.
(https://i.imgur.com/lNCS8Uj.jpg)
And here's how the overall letter board looked this afternoon, after messages were again posted.
(https://i.imgur.com/6oM9rtg.jpg)
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(https://i.postimg.cc/d06jfzXp/0403210953.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/HxL9161x/0403210953a.jpg)
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Mike got my best side!
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Just had to show that those letters don't appear by themselves on there. You spent quite a bit of time on it
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Glad I had a spell checker. Thanks Brian Whitney!
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Thanks for the photos, Bill & Mike.
Jeff S.
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Anticipated work for Tuesday and Wednesday 6-7 April 2021.
* Tamper (Wilma) test
* Tamper (Big Joe) brake repair and road test
* Vacuum brakes
* Outside construction Machine shop/Round House (pending)
* Campus maintenance and clean up
* Shop work (pending)
* Track work, run through track removal, tie changing.
Rules and Standards for Operations
VI. Employees in Train Service (Rules 40-45)
44. Joining an Operation
Employees are prohibited from joining any operation without first consulting
with the crew foreman or conductor of that operation, and obtaining their
permission an instruction.
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Anticipated work for Saturday April 10:
* Springtime Eggspress trains
* Boxcar 56
* Machine shop reorg
* Vehicle repairs
* Electrical building
Note that the board meeting which would normally happen this Saturday has been postponed a week.
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Anticipated Operations for Saturday, April 10th.
10:30am: Springtime Eggspress with SeaLyon Farm (SOLD OUT)
11:45am: Springtime Eggspress with SeaLyon Farm (SOLD OUT)
1:00pm: Springtime Eggspress with SeaLyon Farm (SOLD OUT)
2:15pm: Springtime Eggspress with SeaLyon Farm (Tickets Available*)
3:30pm: Eggspress pickup
*As of 4/7/2021
Extra assistance is always appreciated - contact crewcaller@traincrew.wwfry.org to sign up, or learn how to be qualified.
We are looking for folks to fill a "Gatekeeper" position - which requires basic computer/tablet/phone skills and a knack for dealing with the public.
(Train handling qualifications are NOT required to assist as Gatekeeper.)
All trains are limited to 50 passengers and all tickets must be purchased in advance.
All passengers and crew must adhere to the COVID-19 Policy published at www.wwfry.org/covid (http://www.wwfry.org/covid)
Visit www.wwfry.org/tickets (http://www.wwfry.org/tickets) to buy tickets.
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Work complete Tuesday and Wednesday April 6-7, 2021.
Tuesday:
* Track Work, the run through track was removed, track panel’s stored, ballast stone recovered and
road bed graded. (Brendan, Fred, Steve L, Brian W, Chuck, Dan)
* Septic heights cleaned up, old wood cut up. (Dan, Bryce)
* Vacuum brake work continues (Johnathan, Randy)
* Locomotive #8, oiled, steam chest inspected, switched over to Machine shop, lead #3.
(Jason, Brian F, Bryce, Dan)
* Tamper (Wilma) moved to woods track, various function checks made, electrical issue discovered.
(Jason, Joe F, Steve L, Brian W, Chuck, Goran C, Phil B, Dan)
Wednesday:
* Tamper (Big Joe) maintenance continued, greased, oiled air line repairs. (Steve L, Chuck Leon)
* Truck unloaded with more parts for Locomotive #11, stored in container)
* Survey for the new run through track made, (Randy, Johnathan)
* Septic heights work, wood split loaded/delivered to Alna, old track panels recovered.
(Dan, Brian S, Brendan, Steve L)
* Coach #9 assembly continued (Eric, Ron)
* Tamper (Big Joe) placed on Main for function check and tamping, he is back in service.
(Steve L, Chuck, Dan)
Note: Various members in out today, Steve Z, Steve P, Zack, Stewart, Dave.
Always like to point out that work continues through out the week by members on various
projects.
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Great report Steve. What has happened to Monson #4. It's clearly not there at the turntable anymore.
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What has happened to Monson #4.
It is being kept socially distant from the other locomotives until it receives its vaccine. ;D
Actually, at last report, #4 was parked on the ramp/display track next to the rest room.
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Bob, as of yesterday afternoon, #4 remains on the loading ramp. I expect she will be there for a while.
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Pulling up the roundhouse lead.
Removing track panels and stacking piles with the Case loader.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_3429.JPG?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) (https://app.photobucket.com/u/bbarry74/a/58e384d0-fdec-4da1-9e1e-c14e3edadb0c/p/28b5fdbc-350d-4788-8bf1-4942597421a4)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_3434.JPG?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) (https://app.photobucket.com/u/bbarry74/a/58e384d0-fdec-4da1-9e1e-c14e3edadb0c/p/afb61ad8-131d-41a7-aeb9-94b1c9b33cb5)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_3447.JPG?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) (https://app.photobucket.com/u/bbarry74/a/58e384d0-fdec-4da1-9e1e-c14e3edadb0c/p/815af446-af4c-4803-8aba-102a092429e2)
Forklift taking a stack of panels to the upper lot.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_3444.JPG?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) (https://app.photobucket.com/u/bbarry74/a/58e384d0-fdec-4da1-9e1e-c14e3edadb0c/p/d338932e-1cd1-403d-9f2c-fb037c2db913)
No. 8 being oiled for the move to bay 3 behind the shop.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_3436.JPG?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) (https://app.photobucket.com/u/bbarry74/a/58e384d0-fdec-4da1-9e1e-c14e3edadb0c/p/67b07d16-f940-4450-9623-11312606e1ca)
Joint bars being pulled and collected.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_3440.JPG?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) (https://app.photobucket.com/u/bbarry74/a/58e384d0-fdec-4da1-9e1e-c14e3edadb0c/p/10fc92f4-657f-4e05-a1e3-973dba35b178)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_3442.JPG?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) (https://app.photobucket.com/u/bbarry74/a/58e384d0-fdec-4da1-9e1e-c14e3edadb0c/p/5a05b5a1-f5f4-4733-b659-b548b57cbfea)
Track removed up to the switch in the north yard. The dirty ballst was scraped up and piled for use as gravel around the Sheepscot campus.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_3452.JPG?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) (https://app.photobucket.com/u/bbarry74/a/58e384d0-fdec-4da1-9e1e-c14e3edadb0c/p/21a208e8-c616-4b42-9952-dfff45a2ebef)
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Fred wanted to get the turntable girders stored on the right of way across the street from the railroad up out of the mud. Thursday morning we used the loader to pick up one end of the girders at a time and pull the girders up onto higher ground.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_3484.JPG?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) (https://app.photobucket.com/u/bbarry74/a/58e384d0-fdec-4da1-9e1e-c14e3edadb0c/p/1d18c242-1eb2-4604-86ea-55d8bcf5d0f6)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_3485.JPG?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) (https://app.photobucket.com/u/bbarry74/a/58e384d0-fdec-4da1-9e1e-c14e3edadb0c/p/aaa1bfc7-633f-4e8e-8ecc-03d10b3e9246)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_3486.JPG?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) (https://app.photobucket.com/u/bbarry74/a/58e384d0-fdec-4da1-9e1e-c14e3edadb0c/p/9d86ccc8-8599-4649-9c49-784c1e00a9ad)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_3488.JPG?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) (https://app.photobucket.com/u/bbarry74/a/58e384d0-fdec-4da1-9e1e-c14e3edadb0c/p/f4a5a618-439d-4d85-a328-94f69fdb6bd5)
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The yard area looks a lot different without the turntable lead.
Jeff S.
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Work done Saturday April 10:
* Office: The Apple computer originally in the Archives was turned over to me for my office computer last month. I finally got it set up so that I can use it (it has Windows Parallels so I spent a bunch of Saturdays updating Windows).
* Vehicles: Mike drained the hydraulic oil from the forklift as much as he could. The oil was white from moisture.
* Dozing: Mike took the dozer and pushed dirt and stumps around behind the containers.
* Boxcar 56: Marcel got the timbers that hold the draft gear ("cheek" somethings I think) attached.
* Machine shop: Alan was working on getting the small lathe fixed up.
* South ROW: Fred took a chain saw down the ROW south of Cross Rd and picked away at cutting up some fallen tree branches in the ROW (for mowing later).
* Electrical Building: Zack was working on it.
Dwight mentioned it was like old home weekend, as some folks we haven't seen in a while made an appearance.
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* South ROW: Fred took a chain saw down the ROW south of Cross Rd and picked away at cutting up some fallen tree branches in the ROW (for mowing later).
Tick season has begun. I just pulled one off me after I got home. I assume I picked it up when I walked down to join Fred. Temperatures reached the low 70s today in Sheepscot.
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The Forklift has a blown hose. I spotted marks in the dirt to the #11 container. I did not investigate because I assumed it was fixed.. Alan says it is underneath behind the hydraulic tank. Had I known or seen it, I would have fixed that too.
A little muddy behind the containers, but only the 2 maple stumps left to move. Little Casey just could not do it.. Also lost a track off. Got it back on in a half hour. Luckily I was not in the mud when it popped off..
(https://i.postimg.cc/Bv48xQX8/0410211336.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/zvVHVt30/0410211509.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/W48dSLk5/0410211509a.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/cLQgg84y/0410211510.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/BnWPnC3B/0410211510a.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/m21F45vr/0410211510b.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/QNyWR3nP/0410211510c.jpg)
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Definitely old home weekend. Saw several friends today I've missed the past year+, including Dana Deering, Steve Lennox and Steve Zuppa, as well as meeting new friends. As we inch closer to normal, I look forward to more days like this this year.
Some random photos I took today, as always only capturing a small portion of the work by many.
Brian Whitney (right) discusses the tie inserter with Mike Fox (left).
(https://i.imgur.com/16zPOd7.jpg)
A distant view of No. 9's steam-up this morning, showing other equipment north and east of the shop building.
(https://i.imgur.com/SLwDXUK.jpg)
A view out the shop bay 3 door (where B&SR boxcar No. 56 is being restored), showing No. 9 being steamed up on the shop bay 4 lead next to B&SR No. 8.
(https://i.imgur.com/7wQ6So7.jpg)
Crew meeting today, led by conductor J.B. Smith.
(https://i.imgur.com/TAjFuLA.jpg)
Mike bled and refilled the hydraulic fluid for the fork lift.
(https://i.imgur.com/Az7XqXu.jpg)
Alan Downey (left) discusses our 10 new car axles (mentioned in our March/April Newsletter) with James Patten (right).
(https://i.imgur.com/OxjU5j4.jpg)
The second return train of the day from Alna Center.
(https://i.imgur.com/TRCvS3C.jpg)
Steve Lennox handles the Sheepscot south mainline switch for the runaround move.
(https://i.imgur.com/fZnJfTe.jpg)
Conductor J.B. provides whoopie pies to the engine crew as engineer Bob Longo looks on today. Our thanks to SeaLyon Farm for kindly delivering goodies for our train crew today.
(https://i.imgur.com/joQRQSJ.jpg)
Based on James' earlier post, Marcel was working on something cheeky under the B&SR boxcar No. 56 frame.
(https://i.imgur.com/CecjO0Z.jpg)
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Thanks for the photo update, Bill.
Conductor J.B. provides whoopie pies to the engine crew as engineer Bob Longo looks on today.
I'll admit that I had to look up what whoopie pies were ... ::)
It is made of two round mound-shaped pieces of usually chocolate cake, or sometimes pumpkin, gingerbread or other flavored cakes, with a sweet, creamy filling or frosting sandwiched between them.
The whoopie pie is the official state treat of Maine (not to be confused with the official state dessert, which is blueberry pie).
The world's largest whoopie pie was created in South Portland, Maine, on March 26, 2011, weighing in at 1,062 lb.
More here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whoopie_pie
:)
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Mike, I hope you didn’t put the dozer away dirty!
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How can anyone in North America not know what a whoopie pie is?
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Fred wanted to get the turntable girders stored on the right of way across the street from the railroad up out of the mud. Thursday morning we used the loader to pick up one end of the girders at a time and pull the girders up onto higher ground.
I'm glad to see the turntable girders receiving some attention.
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Dave, letting the mud dry. I found a snake in the mud on the track when putting it back on and did not want to find his cousins..not a fan.
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Dave, letting the mud dry. I found a snake in the mud on the track when putting it back on and did not want to find his cousins..not a fan.
:o Wow! Snake on a [dozer] track is nearly as bad as Snakes on a Plane Train. :P
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How can anyone in North America not know what a whoopie pie is?
It's regional, like pop/soda/coke. In W. PA, the usual term is "gob".
https://www.dailyamerican.com/ourtownjohnstown/news/johnstown/gobs-or-whoopie-pies/article_d06987aa-ecf9-5ef3-86bc-e2b9a7559cf5.html
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How can anyone in North America not know what a whoopie pie is?
I believe the South has something similar called moon pies.
Jeff S.
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I thought there weren't poisonous snakes in Maine.
Jeff S.
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Moon pies have a two graham cracker cookies instead of cake and are dipped in chocolate.
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Just so you remember that Whoopie Pies were invented in Pennsylvania, not Maine or Ohio!
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Anticipated work for Tuesday and Wednesday April 13-14, 2021.
* Track removal north end of car barn (Wed.)
* Rail inventory continues (Tues.)
* Vacuum brakes
* Tamper (Tues./Wed.)
* Storage container for #11 rearrangement (Pending)
Rules and Standards for Operations
38. Passing Hand Signals
c. Side of Train to Pass Signals.
The side of the train from which to pass signals is given below
by priority.
i. Inside of curves
ii. Station platform side
iii. Engineers side
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Dave, letting the mud dry. I found a snake in the mud on the track when putting it back on and did not want to find his cousins..not a fan.
What did the snake look like? I couldn't have been poisonous unless it was a garter snake. But then I don't live in Maine so what do I know.
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Just a regular garden snake. Not poisonous, and not very responsive because it was cold..
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Anticipated work for Saturday April 17:
* Head Tide Haircut - Dave is leading the effort to clean up the trail between Head Tide Road and where the ROW crossed 218.
* Boxcar 56
* Machine shop
* Vehicle repairs
* Board meeting at 4
Any snakes Mike finds today should be even less responsive than last Saturday, as it will be colder.
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Anticipated Operations for Saturday, April 17th.
11:00am: Sheepscot Springday Surprise Steam-up! (Tickets Available*)
1:00pm: Choir Charter/Video Shoot (PRIVATE EVENT)
*As of 4/14/2021
Extra assistance is always appreciated - contact crewcaller@traincrew.wwfry.org to sign up, or learn how to be qualified.
We are looking for folks to fill a "Gatekeeper" position - which requires basic computer/tablet/phone skills and a knack for dealing with the public.
(Train handling qualifications are NOT required to assist as Gatekeeper.)
All trains are limited to 50% capacity and all tickets must be purchased in advance.
All passengers and crew must adhere to the COVID-19 Policy published at www.wwfry.org/covid (http://www.wwfry.org/covid)
Visit www.wwfry.org/tickets (http://www.wwfry.org/tickets) to buy tickets.
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Work completed Tuesday and Wednesday April 13-14, 2021
Tuesday:
* Rail Inventory Sheepscot yard rail pile. (Steve L, Chuck, Brian W)
* Right of way clean up (South of Sheepscot campus) (Fred)
* Yard switching, prep. for track removal. (Steve L, Chuck, Brian W)
* Surveying (Randy, Jonathan)
* Vacuum brake work (Jonathan, Randy)
* Painting Turner Creamery car. (Stewart)
* Archive work (Linda)
* Dispatch/Event/paper work. (Ed)
Wednesday:
* Track removal to include: Turntable lead, Car Barn Bay leads. (Brendan, Steve L, Chuck, Dan)
* Yard switching and recovery of Flat car #126 from ML&M. (Dan, Bryce)
* Ash removal from Machine shop lead #4. (Fred, Leon and his grandson)
* Ties readied/loaded on flat for April 24 work day. (Dan, Steve L, Chuck)
* New metal blue flag signals, made and placed on Machine shop leads (Leon and grandson)
* Turner Creamery Car painting continues. (Stewart)
Notes: New Notice on Notice board
Apologies to Leon’s grandson, I forgot his name.
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Leon's grandson is Jared.
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4/13: The new camera/microphone configuration for webcasting BOD meetings from the Percival House was also set up and tested. Thanks to our supporters from near and far for donating the equipment. It should provide a much clearer view of the next BOD meeting (Saturday 4/17 at 4pm.)
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4/17: Work crew cleaned up Head Tide ROW. Sorry I did not get any photos of before work. I took photos after we had mostly finished work. Most of the stuff we cleared was small saplings that we cut down with brush trimmers, loppers, and chainsaw. A couple of dead trees were taken down with chainsaws. One tree that had fell on the ROW was also cut up. A few of us also walked the ROW down to the bend in the Sheepscot River. Pedestrian walkways are in need of repair.
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Work done on Saturday April 17:
* Head Tide Haircut: As mentioned above by Joshua, a crew worked to clear the ROW of tall vegetative matter, mostly prickly or trees.
* Vehicle work: Mike did some repair work on the forklift.
* Machine shop: Alan was cleaning out a drawer to put something else in the drawer.
* Train trips: An AM pop-up passenger opportunity, and a PM choir trip. Mike also took the diesel out for something, but I don't know what.
* Electrical building: I think Zack is done on it.
* Board meeting at 4, got out about 6:10.
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I took the diesel out for this James. Casey to AC on the 1015.
(https://i.postimg.cc/vm0ypcKR/0417211019-HDR.jpg)
While waiting at AC for the steam train, I was on cleaning duty..
(https://i.postimg.cc/vBDyMGR4/0417211103.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/vBjsZCM3/0417211103a.jpg)
Pavilion from the North switch at AC
(https://i.postimg.cc/q7J0b8jX/0417211113.jpg)
And one of #9..
(https://i.postimg.cc/CxHSsvHx/0417211202-HDR.jpg)
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* Board meeting at 4, got out about 6:10.
It went on for another hour? I left around 5, after the Board had gotten through nearly all on the agenda.
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Two words: Executive Session.
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Some photos taken yesterday, Saturday, April 17th.
Yesterday's first Work Saturday event (https://forum.wwfry.org/index.php/topic,3936.msg49740.html#msg49740) was the "Head Tide Haircut." In this first photo, Dave Buczkowski leads a safety review with volunteers at Head Tide before work started. Ultimately 9 volunteers joined the effort (10 including young Johnny Piwowarski). My apologies for not catching everyone's name.
(https://i.imgur.com/DmcNo0b.jpg)
While others worked on brush clearing, Brian Whitney handled the chain saw, cutting down dead and fallen trees as well as large saplings. Not very good quality, but this photo shows a few things early on: The recently opened vista of the Head Tide Church on the left; Brian cleaning up the remains of a large white pine; and some the brush on the right-of-way that needed clean-up.
(https://i.imgur.com/rIjzlUC.jpg)
A later in the day reverse view looking north on the ROW toward Head Tide Road, showing volunteers busy cleaning up the ROW. The red Cape on the left at the corner of Head Tide Road and Route 218 can be seen in historic railway photos.
(https://i.imgur.com/QN34HPV.jpg)
In the Head Tide cut, Brian cut up two fallen trees blocking the ROW trail. We're looking south, toward Trout Brook.
(https://i.imgur.com/xUVph5t.jpg)
The reverse view, looking north through the cut.
(https://i.imgur.com/B59sQjP.jpg)
The end result late morning: The ROW trail cleared, looking south to north in these two views.
(https://i.imgur.com/Nj41BAQ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/pfksDRQ.jpg)
Dave (foreground) attends a few last details.
(https://i.imgur.com/Wykx1AJ.jpg)
At Sheepscot, Mike Fox replaced a hydraulic hose on the large forklift. Here he refills the hydraulic fluid.
(https://i.imgur.com/gPTgnze.jpg)
Steam trains were operating for the public and a charter. Here's the crew: (left-to-right) Conductor Ed Lecuyer, brakeman Dan Malkowski and John Robinson. Not shown is engineer Wes Carpenter and fireman Bryce Weeks.
(https://i.imgur.com/YJfUvWF.jpg)
A view of the charter returning back to Sheepscot, near the Sheepscot north yard switch. Consist south to north was WW&F caboose No. 320, WW&F coach/combine No. 8 and Maine Locomotive & Machine Works open coach No. 130.
(https://i.imgur.com/blgwVBZ.jpg)
Reverse view shortly after.
(https://i.imgur.com/RsxtBEE.jpg)
In his Thursday post, Steve Lennox noted:
* New metal blue flag signals, made and placed on Machine shop leads (Leon and grandson [Jared]).
Here's a poor photo showing the signals installed on two of the four shop leads at the fouling points. I regret I didn't grab a photo when Brendan later showed me one set up as active.
(https://i.imgur.com/kBqJdpI.jpg)
The size difference between our No. 52 and Maine Narrow Gauge's Bridgton & Saco River No. 8 struck me, so hopefully this photo shows the comparison.
(https://i.imgur.com/eC1QYEO.jpg)
As always, this only captures a portion of the work done Saturday, missing among other volunteer work the gift shop and lunch crews.
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Looking at all that ROW work, it's a shame we don't have something like an off-road Gator to haul stuff in and out of those areas too narrow or unimproved for a full sized truck to navigate.
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Good to see you got the publicity shot of El Pres with a power tool in his hand at the end of the day.
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Steam trains were operating for the public and a charter. Here's the crew: (left-to-right) Conductor Ed Lecuyer, brakeman Dan Malkowski and John Robinson. Not shown is engineer Wes Carpenter and fireman Bryce Weeks.
Also not shown was Jay Wiley, Car Host.
Photo is of the Tapestry Singers charter, from their Facebook page.
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I particularly like Bill Reidy's photo of the back side of the Head Tide Church.
Here is what seems to be a similar earlier view, although from a bit further away:
(https://i.postimg.cc/yBNFNM8M/Head-Tide-Station-2.jpg)
That earlier photo of Head Tide is from this thread:
https://forum.wwfry.org/index.php?topic=3549.0
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Anticipated work for Tuesday and Wednesday April 20-21, 2021.
* Clean out of Machine Shop Bay #4 (expected 2 days for completion)
* Vacuum brakes (pending)
* Round House continued various prep. (pending)
* Loco #11 Container rearrangement. (pending)
Rules and Standards for Operations
XI. Yard Movement of Trains (Rule 85-89)
86. Movements in Yards and Sidings
When performing movements within any yard, the operating crew shall be
on a constant lookout for other railroad equipment, standing or moving, persons
on or about the track, or obstructions on the track.
Note: With the work sessions and summer operations, movements and activity increases.
Tick Season is upon us.
*** Tie and Dine, this Saturday 24 April. ***
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Good to see you got the publicity shot of El Pres with a power tool in his hand at the end of the day.
I believe that one has his name written on it. ;D
Jeff S.
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The abuse I have to take...
Dave
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Anticipated work for Saturday April 24
Spring Work Weekend! Except not this year.
* Tie and Dine - replace ties on the mainline, afterwards enjoy supper provided by Nancy at Alna Center (might as well use the pavilion for that!).
* Boxcar 56
* Machine shop reorg
* Vehicle repairs
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Work completed Tuesday and Wednesday 20-21 April 2021.
Tuesday:
* Clean out of Machine shop bay #4 begins.,
(Eric, Jason, Chuck, Brian W, Mark, Steve L, Brendan, Fred, Stewart)
* Vacuum brakes continue (Jonathan, Randy)
* Yard switching (Bryce, Dan)
* Archives (Linda)
Wednesday:
* Clean out Machine shop bay #4 continued/finished (more or less)
(Eric, Jason, Stewart, Alan, Randy, Jonathan, Dan, Chuck, Steve L)
* Roundhouse prep., more surveying (Randy, Jonathan)
* New cabinets complete/mounted for welding/gas parts pieces an supplies. (Brendan)
* Work Saturday prep. 54 ties laid out. (Stevel, Chuck, Dan)
* General campus clean up (everyone)
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Major shop clean up continued all day on Thursday 4/22.
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Great grunt work, guys. It's not sexy, but acutely important.
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How about photos of the clean bay 4?
Jeff S.
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Bay 4 isn’t ready for photos... it’s a big job :)
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Work done on Saturday April 24:
* Tie and Dine: A very successful tie replacement session. 30-something ties were replaced, all between the water tower and the first curve. The tamping crew started up by the car barn on the ramp track/woods track lead, then tamped behind the spiking crew. The spent ties were placed on the train behind the tampers.
* Alna Center: Mike was dozing around the pavilion. He also tried to get the Kubota going with no success.
* TCDA 65: Stewart was painting it at the end of the main line (the Sheepscot end, not the Trout Brook end).
* Boxcar 56: Marcel was working on truss rods.
* Archives: Linda and I were working on scanning/organizing
* Linda was also doing a bit of gardening
* Dave was doing correspondence in the office for most of the day.
I checked out Bay 4. The walls are getting makeovers. See the picture below.
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Only dozing I did at the Pavilion was moving it out of my way to work on the Kubota. As James said, it still was not ready to come out of its slumber. I thought it had a burnt valve and was checking the adjustments on them when I had a sneaking suspicion what the real problem was. Changed direction and removed the head and sure enough, head gasket had burnt through between the 1st and second pistons.
(https://i.postimg.cc/qvKHWFXr/0424211516-HDR.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/TYFX7xbQ/0424211516a-HDR.jpg)
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Forgot to show this..
(https://i.postimg.cc/504cY2c9/0424210818-HDR.jpg)
I set up one of the new track mounted blue flags. Excellent work by Leon and his grandson. Very impressive.
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A few photos taken today.
Dan Malkowski, who led today's tie replacement work, admires a Maine Central conductor's box recently acquired by Stewart Rhine. Stewart had another name for the box, which I can't remember.
(https://i.imgur.com/NX0IbJw.jpg)
Dan briefed Tie and Dine volunteers before the day's work started.
(https://i.imgur.com/wY69y4m.jpg)
Three teams performed the work today: Dan (left) led the bad tie removal work; Dana Deering (right) led the installation and spiking of new ties; and Jason Lamontagne (center) led the tamping crew.
(https://i.imgur.com/6o1LFJa.jpg)
Jacks were used to lift the rails to make removal of bad ties a bit easier.
(https://i.imgur.com/HZC7keZ.jpg)
Dana's crew followed, inserting and spiking to new ties.
(https://i.imgur.com/2SAnlhn.jpg)
While waiting on the first new ties to be installed. Jason had the tamping crew work in the Sheepscot north yard. The ramp/woods track leading out of the car barn bay 3 switch was out of level. Here jacks are set and the west rail was raised.
(https://i.imgur.com/xD0mHF5.jpg)
With the west rail raised, Bryce Weeks ran the tamper as shovelers added stone.
(https://i.imgur.com/Wgzvpyd.jpg)
Meanwhile, Bill Piche and Nicole Ormanski repaired the car barn bay 3 switch.
(https://i.imgur.com/7UOWiDU.jpg)
With the north yard work done, the tamping crew moved out onto the main line. Bryce Weeks is running Big Joe just south of Jayne's Way crossing shortly before lunch. By this time, the tie replacement crews had moved on north of the crossing.
(https://i.imgur.com/Un1hxwQ.jpg)
Late morning, just south of Jayne's Way.
(https://i.imgur.com/Go2Cboc.jpg)
By lunchtime, No. 52's work train, trailing Big Joe, had reached Jayne's Way crossing.
(https://i.imgur.com/wLYdTIw.jpg)
A view of the crews working just north of Jayne's Way before lunch.
(https://i.imgur.com/N9lg0CC.jpg)
Back at Sheepscot, Museum president Dave Buczkowski thanked today's volunteers during lunch.
(https://i.imgur.com/Sb2enrZ.jpg)
A casualty of the day's work.
(https://i.imgur.com/WGQN4pg.jpg)
In the afternoon, the work train picked up the bad ties, loaded onto flatcar No. 126.
(https://i.imgur.com/Y2W7DxL.jpg)
Other work included the cutting of brush along the main line between the Sheepscot north yard switch and Jayne's Way. Shortly after 3 p.m., the work train crew patiently waited for Stewart to finish painted the dairy car, before moving the car out of the way for the 4 p.m. dinner train.
(https://i.imgur.com/iJCfnZ7.jpg)
The 4 p.m. train to Top of Mountain and dinner at Alna Center consisted of No. 9, ML&MW open car No. 130, WW&F coach No. 8 and WW&F caboose No. 320.
(https://i.imgur.com/ZAUpBsP.jpg)
Nancy Weeks and the kitchen crew provided a nice lunch and dinner today. Here volunteers enjoyed dinner in the Alna Center pavilion.
(https://i.imgur.com/zHvLmBo.jpg)
After dinner, Dana regaled the crowd with the story of Gagnon, Moose Callaire Extraordinaire.
(https://i.imgur.com/4ghIcL4.jpg)
Bill Piche helped out No. 9 to bed at the end of the day.
(https://i.imgur.com/iERH4Ii.jpg)
Glad to see many new faces today. Sorry I didn't catch many names.
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Thanks for the cool photos, Bill (and Mike). Looking forward to seeing the progress myself in three weeks.
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Nancy Weeks and the kitchen crew provided a nice lunch and dinner today. Here volunteers enjoyed dinner in the Alna Center pavilion.
The photo accompanying that caption (the photo that shows Nancy's trailer) shows the extra-wide spacing of [roughly] middle pair of Pavilion support posts on that side being put to good use! 8)
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A very productive day yesterday! The spiking crew was almost all new faces from JB Smiths sailing crew. They were quick studies and were doing great by mid day and then moved right along after lunch. They seemed to be having fun apart from fighting off the ticks. Let’s see if I can remember all the names: Olivia, Nadie, Dinny, Noah, Scott, Walker, and Ian. I hope I got everyone. Also kudos to Dan for a very successful first time running of a big event like that. Great job, Dan. We got a lot accomplished and all of the crews worked really hard. It was fun to see so many of the folks I haven’t seen in a while. It felt like old times!
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Bill what happened to the pic of Jason with a tamping bar?
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Looks like a decent size crew and perfect weather.
Jeff S.
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The photo accompanying that caption (the photo that shows Nancy's trailer) shows the extra-wide spacing of [roughly] middle pair of Pavilion support posts on that side being put to good use! 8)
Yes. Mike Fox's post spacing redesign worked out well. The pavilion is a great event space.
Bill what happened to the pic of Jason with a tamping bar?
You mean this one?
(https://i.imgur.com/KL1UzXH.jpg)
Looks like a decent size crew and perfect weather.
Clear skies, with temperatures in the low 50s at the start and low 70s in the afternoon. Volunteers, ticks and black flies were all quite happy.
Dan Malkowski, who led today's tie replacement work, admires a Maine Central conductor's box recently acquired by Stewart Rhine. Stewart had another name for the box, which I can't remember.
Conductor's grip is the term Stewart used.
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Thanks, Dana, for acknowledging the crew of “schooner bums” who worked Saturday’s Tie & Dine.
They had a grand time. We’ll see some of them back in the future betwixt varied sea going duties.
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Anticipated work for Tuesday and Wednesday 27-28 April 2021.
* Bridge work: Install of ventilation ports, maintenance and repair. (pending)
* Vacuum brake work
* Vehicle repair/maintenance
* Coach #9, assist Eric and Ron (Wed)
Rules and Standards for Operations
XX. Safety Rule (Rules 140-152)
147. Riding Locomotive Footboards and Foot Stirrups
Employees shall not ride a locomotive footboard or end stirrup on the leading
end of a movement at any time, nor ride on the trailing end of a movement
when car are attached to it.
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Thank you so much for that busy Saturday's report. You all did a good job of work the weather was good and I'm sure ticks and blackflies did not ruin the great atmosphere of those well-organized and efficiently led trackworks. One question yet, could you tell me the reason why you did not use the tie inserter Mike had put in hours on repairing. Is there anything the matter with it.
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Alain,
It was starting hard since we had received it. Jay Barta looked into it and found the carburator was incorrect, and needed a rebuild or replacement. We have since had the proper used carburator donated for replacement, and is getting rebuilt by another volunteer Brian Whitney. He hoped the parts would be in so he could finish it and maybe put it together this week. I for one would like to see that being used.
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Glad to know there is some progress on the tie inserter.
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We fully intend to give it a shot when it’s ready to try. I suspect it won’t debut for the second Tie and Dine as it’ll still be too new to us, and everyone is really comfortable with the current system, however we may get ourselves there by the third tie and dine, and certainly ongoing, presuming we get the mechanics worked out.
Brief update on Wilmar: we are working through troubleshooting the electrical circuitry which controls the electric over hydraulic control valves. These are all aftermarket so the manual doesn’t cover them. Once diagnosed and we know that issue can be addressed relatively easily, we’ll disassemble it to address the mechanical concerns with the tamping mechanism. Clean, inspect, repair and paint wash step of the way. Some shop space for it will really accelerate the project. Looking at mid summer for that.
See ya
Jason
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Work completed Tuesday and Wednesday 27-28 April 2021
Tuesday:
* Bridge work:
New ventilation added to both inside walls. (Randy, Brian W, Chuck, Mark, Steve L)
Bridge inspection/final work plan for bridge completion. (Jason, Steve L)
Bridge insect inspection, outrigger/support bar tightened. Steve L, Chuck Brian W)
* Vacuum brake work, bellows function check (Jonathan, Jay Barta)
* Shop work (Alan, Jerry, Carlos)
* Archives (Linda)
* Gift shop Cindy)
* Model T repairs (Leon, Jacob)
* Helping every where (Fred)
Wednesday:
* Coach #9 Letter boards planed, these boards are 40 feet long.
(Eric, Fred, Brendan, Bryce, Dan, Randy, Leon, Jacob, Steve L, Jason)
* Septic Heights clean up continues (Dan, Bryce)
Note: I left at 10AM Wed. More work may have been done but I was advised both Letter boards
were planed. More work may have been completed during the day.
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Did Dan and Bryce volunteer to clean the septic tanks, or were they voluntold? :o
Jeff S.
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Septic Heights is not where the tanks are - that's in front of the car barn extension. Septic Heights is where the leach field for the Percival house was. It's mainly grass up there.
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Dan and Bryce are trying to get that area cleaned up to use as a picnic area. It will be able to be mowed when they are done. Also on the plan is a new marker for Buttercup.
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Jeff, Septic Heights was taken out of service when the new septic system was built for the new Restroom building.
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If we want to turn it into a picnic area, "Septic Heights" is probably not the name for the area anymore. Maybe "Buttercup Heights" would be better.
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Wow I really like that James..
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As 'Buttercup Heights' apparently is a former leach field, where is the current leach field for the septic system that the Restroom facility is connected to?
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The new leach field can be seen from the north side of the car barn. If you look to the left of the Whitefield Section House you'll see a cleared area extending up the hill, at the top of the hill is the leach field.
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As we continue planting memorial trees for past members maybe we should plan an organized planting such that it creates a tree'd grove. We can then refer to it as Buttercup Grove picnic area and Memorial.
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The new leach field can be seen from the north side of the car barn. If you look to the left of the Whitefield Section House you'll see a cleared area extending up the hill, at the top of the hill is the leach field.
We're facing the new leach field in this photo taken Saturday. We're standing in the north yard, looking north. The Whitefield section house can be seen on the right. The active leach field is behind (to the left) of the section house, in the hillside beyond the pine trees on the left-center. The pipe to and the leach field itself were buried before the north yard was built. The pipe runs under the tracks. Buttercup Heights is behind us to our right, between the carbarn and lower/south yard.
(https://i.imgur.com/xD0mHF5.jpg)
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Buttercup Heights: James, spot on!