W.W.&F. Discussion Forum
WW&F Railway Museum Discussion => Volunteers => Topic started by: Stephen Lennox on July 30, 2023, 04:11:07 PM
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Anticipated work for Tuesday and Wednesday 1-2 August 2023.
Engine House
Equipment repair
Passenger car trucks/vacuum brakes
Coach #9
Grounds clean up and mowing
Track work, bridge stone work, track maintenance (pending)
Gift shop/mail, archives
Freight Station (pending)
Note: Train photo shoot Saturday, Mixed train Sunday and music concert.
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Track crew doing the stone work today under Trout Brook Bridge. One stone at a time.
(Steve Lennox photos)
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Anticipated work for weekend of Aug 5&6:
* Grounds work/Vehicle repair
* Engine house
* Boxcar 56
* Public trains Saturday and Sunday.
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Work completed Tuesday and Wednesday 1-2 August 2023
Tuesday:
* Track crew completes the required stone work under the north side of Trout Brook Bridge.
(Steve Lx, Brian W, Paul R, Ellen, Tyshawn, Joe D, James P)
* Locomotive #9 rebuilding the rear buffer beam continues. (Eric, Harold)
* Coach #9 assembly. Prep for varnishing continues (Lou)
* Passenger car truck rebuild, design corrections being made (Jerry, Carlos, Jason)
* Rail car Training (Pete S., Ben R, Jason)
* Trout Brook Bridge pest control, equipment repair (Bill Baskerville)
* Alna Center mowing. (Randy)
* Sheepscot Yard maintenance and repair. (Jay Barta)
* Engine house build continues. (Stewart, Fred, Brendan)
* Archive work continues (Linda)
* Gift shop/mail continues (Cindy R)
Wednesday:
* Locomotive #9 Buffer beam work continues (Eric, Jason, Roger and Wes C)
* Engine House build continues. (Brendan, Stewart)
* Equipment repairs and SS yard maintenance continues. (Jay Barta)
* Admin work. (Steve P)
* Archives work continues (Linda)
* Polling stock oil/greasing (Phil B)
* Off site work on various truck parts (Randy)
Notes: Bob Longo in for schedule work… noted work canceled.
Megan on leave from the Coast Guard, visits and helps Track crew with stone work.
A lot of work going on this week.
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Work done on Saturday, August 5:
* Grounds: Mike (and Cody) were working on drainage west of the upper parking lot.
* Loco 11: Harold (and new volunteer Bill) were machining parts for #11.
* Engine house: more insulation and plastic on the east wall
* Grant work: Nicole was working on grants.
* Public trains: well attended.
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FWIW, on Thursday 52’s air drier and its drain valve that had been sticking open, causing a loss of air pressure, were replaced. In the process a piping defect was also corrected. This morning Dan adjusted the brakes.
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Sorry for my lack of photos today. Very busy.(https://i.postimg.cc/25Bxpnz8/0805231511-HDR.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/4x01FWRS/0805231603-HDR.jpg)
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Anticipated work for Tuesday and Wednesday 8-9 August 2023.
* Prep work for TB turntable maintenance (note heavy rain forecast for Tues)
* Coach #9 build
* Passenger car trucks rebuild
* Engine house
* Equipment repair
* Archives, Gift shop
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Anticipated work for weekend of August 12-13, 2023:
* Annual Picnic! Public trains with activities at Sheepscot and Alna Center. Help needed. Volunteers should park in the west lot.
* Engine house
* Board meeting Saturday afternoon at 4:30.
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The lost stepchild 52 is always forgotten, new brake shoes arrived and the wiring refurbishment and upgrade continues this week.
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Work completed Tuesday and Wednesday 8-9 August 2023
Tuesday:
* Track crew does prep work for TB turntable repair
(Steve Lx, Steve Lt, Brian W, Paul R, Ellen A, Dan, Joe D)
* Passenger car truck build continues with alterations on bolsters. (Jerry, Carlos)
* Coach #9 build continued (Eric)
* Engine House (Brendan, Fred, Stewart)
* Locomotive #52 repairs/maintenance continues (Bill B)
* Archives work continues (Linda)
* Gift shop/mail on going (Cindy R)
* Admin work (Ed, Steve P)
Wednesday:
* Engine house (Brendan, Fred, Stewart, Jay Barta)
* Coach #9 build- crew cleans up, prep for Annual Picnic (Eric, Ron, Seth)
* Archives work (Linda)
* Equipment repair (Bill B, Bob L)
* Track Inspection (Steve Lx)
Notes:
* I’m sure more volunteers were working on projects and I have missed them.
* Representatives from the Silver Dollar City RR visiting, Jason might add more to this.
* Annual picnic Sat/Sun
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* Representatives from the Silver Dollar City RR visiting,
I was aware of that theme park railroad, but I didn't realize that it was a 2ft gauge railroad. ::)
More here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frisco_Silver_Dollar_Line
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* Representatives from the Silver Dollar City RR visiting,
I was aware of that theme park railroad, but I didn't realize that it was a 2ft gauge railroad. ::)
More here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frisco_Silver_Dollar_Line
At one time, they were operating 2-4-0 Davenport locos.
Jeff
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The SDC folks were in Maine on other business, so we gave a full tour of our facilities and projects. It was quite nice to make the connection.
Jason
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Another project this week -
Gift Shop - After weeks of working with photographer Kevin Madore, writing captions and text, editing and working with our graphic design people, the 2024 WW&F calendars were finished and picked up from the printers in Augusta on Thursday 8/10. Calendars will be final inspected on Friday and set out for purchase on Saturday. The price will be $16 + tax per calendar for in store sales. On-line sales (that include shipping cost) will be available after the picnic weekend.
The calendar is basically a WW&F photo album that showcases the work of talented photographers such as Stephen Hussar for many years - and for the last two issues, Kevin Madore. They have sold out for the last 5 years with the last few going to the ARS show at the Big E in W. Springfield, MA.
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Finally there will be no more searching for a key for 52. The misnomered ignition key switch has been replaced with a master (toggle) switch in the upper left corner of the dashboard. All other functions remain the same.
Also, the brake shoes were replaced. Check brake travel often as they may need adjustment a few times as the new castings wear in.
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Latest update on 52🫨. Both the front and rear wipers now work, along with the cab dome light. I added a ladder light and a ventilation fan for the engineer. Everything is now working properly.
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Wow! Great work!
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Work done on Saturday, August 12:
* Passenger Trucks: Jerry was doing some work on the trucks, then they were moved over to Bay 1 so that Loco 11 could take over the rest of their bay.
* Picnic: Well attended. There was model railroad exhibits in the car barn and at Alna Center; ham radio operators were at AC as well. Linda and Marcel were selling model RR stuff in the car barn as well to benefit the Archives. A food truck was over by the gift shop, they said that they did well. Two train operation today, to test out the timetable for Pumpkin trains.
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Also -
* Engine House - The carpentry crew including Brendan, Fred, Zack, Tom, Megan, Melanie and Start spent a good part of the day installing the rest of the plastic vapor barrier and a good bit of the wood sheathing on the east interior wall. The hope is to get the rest of the sheathing put up in the next couple days so the stall can once again be used for locomotive storage. Construction of the stall doors should commence later this month.
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Some photos from today. Engine house progress here (https://forum.wwfry.org/index.php/topic,3966.msg56672.html#msg56672), and J&S truck rebuild progress here (https://forum.wwfry.org/index.php/topic,4352.msg56673.html#msg56673).
The rest of the photos, in random order.
Two trains were run today. WW&F No. 9 handled the first class train, while No. 52 handled second class.
Engineer Dana Deering and fireman Bill Piche prepared and operated No. 9. I thought I saw Dana earlier with a bottle of Catawissa Moxie preparing for the day, before this photo.
(https://i.imgur.com/F1o9k0Z.jpg)
Second class train conductor James Patten (right) with Railway president Dave Buczkowski.
(https://i.imgur.com/esb6pJC.jpg)
James, with mighty clean gloves, discussing the day's operations with No 52's engineer Bill Baskerville.
(https://i.imgur.com/UcLzlsK.jpg)
The first train of the day led by No. 52 left Sheepscot at 10 a.m. Here is a view of the Lincoln County Amateur Radio Club exhibit with the first northbound train stopped at Alna Center.
(https://i.imgur.com/vSAa3Cg.jpg)
Carlos Steinke served as brakeman on No. 52's train. Here he is, riding 52 during the run-around move at Top of Mountain.
(https://i.imgur.com/DihvTI6.jpg)
No. 52's train, assembled at Top of Mountain for the return trip back to Sheepscot. The cars are flat No. 118 (with the new benches) and caboose 320.
(https://i.imgur.com/iTIU0Io.jpg)
I don't know who put together this sign (it appears it was produced a while ago) that was displayed on No. 118 today.
(https://i.imgur.com/MSe00HV.jpg)
And we had a stash of umbrellas available on the car during the sunny summer day. I did see passengers using them. What a seemingly small but brilliant touch sharing the railway's history.
(https://i.imgur.com/HfXuJnP.jpg)
Dan Malkowski (left) served as No. 9's conductor. Here he is with Bob Longo this morning.
(https://i.imgur.com/zZ0tyiQ.jpg)
No. 9's first train of the train looks well patronized just before departure time.
(https://i.imgur.com/F6RgOpz.jpg)
No. 9's trains ran to Trout Brook and return, while No. 52's turned at Top of Mountain. At Trout Brook, a young family assisted the train crew in turning No. 9 on the B&SR turntable during its second run of the day.
(https://i.imgur.com/KD3m1QB.jpg)
No. 9 with a southbound train arriving at Alna Center in the early afternoon. Her consist today (north-to-south) was open car No. 131, W&Q No. 3, WW&F coach No. 8 and caboose No. 554.
(https://i.imgur.com/gmPxTeI.jpg)
The Alna Center pavilion is hosting the 2023 annual gathering of the North American 16mm Narrow Gauge Modellers.
(https://i.imgur.com/4F35twJ.jpg)
Three layouts fill the pavilion. Eric Schade's layout is seen in the third photo below.
(https://i.imgur.com/jebiBvz.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/1pSaYci.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/CC8XelF.jpg)
Alna Center station agent Pete Stevens did a great job providing signs to guide visitors, such as this.
(https://i.imgur.com/BShAZ5v.jpg)
At Sheepscot, Bitter Brew provided music in the engine house where arriving guests checked in.
(https://i.imgur.com/Wrenfa0.jpg)
The Great Falls Model Railroad Club had an exhibit in the car barn.
(https://i.imgur.com/W7MTfFG.jpg)
And we have model trains on sale in the car barn to benefit our Archives.
(https://i.imgur.com/8FDcP70.jpg)
As always, this provides a small glimpse of all the volunteer activities today, a brilliant New England summer day.
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Anticipated work for Tuesday and Wednesday 15-16 August 2023
* Engine House
* Coach #9
* Passenger car trucks
* Equipment repair
* Trout Brook Station turntable repairs
* Locomotive #11 work session (Aug 15-16-17)
* SS campus clean up, AC mowing
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Today I fixed the charging circuit on Fred's tractor. The alternator warning light was disconnected, and the socket for it was also bad. This matters because the alternator excitation field is energized through the warning light. No excitation current = no output.
I poached the oil pressure indicator socket for now, until a new one is ordered. After the repair I am getting 13.8 volts across the battery, and the alternator light works as expected. So we shouldn't need the constant trickle charge anymore.
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Thank you Ben. We have been scratching our heads for a while..
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Anticipated work for Saturday August 19:
* Grounds work/vehicle repair
* Enginehouse
* Boxcar 309
* Public trains.
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8/16/23: Track crew completes reinforcement of TBS TT center with spider arrangement
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Super job!!
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Work completed Tuesday and Wednesday 15-16 August 2023
Tuesday:
* Locomotive #11 work session, front and rear frames being bolted together.
(Rick, Harold, Quentin Bethune)
* Coach #9 work continues. (Eric, Ron, Lou)
* Engine House, east wall window frame work (Stewart, Fred)
* Archive work with a trip to Vasselboro. (Linda and Randy)
* Track crew, work starts on the stabilizing the base of TB turntable and ballasting.
(Steve Lx, Steve Lt, Brian W, Paul R, Ellen, Joe D, Jay Barta, Jason)
Wednesday:
* Locomotive #11 work session continues (Rick, Harold, Gordon C, Quentin)
* Coach #9 work continues (Eric, Ron, Lou, Seth)
* Mowing, SS campus (Fred), AC (Randy)
* Gift shop/mail on going. (Cindy R)
* SS station, Admin (Ben)
* Track crew completes TB turntable work, stone work at TB bridge.
(Steve Lx, Brian W, Steve Lt, Jay Barta, Joe D, Adam Fletcher, Jason)
Notes:
There was a lot going on this week and I missed several volunteers on both days to include a volunteer working with the Loco #11 crew, but did not know his name.
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Also on Wednesday, August 16th -
* Gift Shop Crew - A trip was made to the Lincoln County Printers for cases of new train tickets as well as new the Build #11 booklets. Mail orders for the 2024 WW&F calendars have required a number of visits to the Post Office as well.
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Saturday 8/19
* Delivery/Inspection - Mike F and Ed (plus new volunteer, Chris) delivered caboose 320 to AC and inspected the track/drainage along the way.
* Engine House - Zack, Stewart, Fred, and Mike did some work on the east wall (trim?) and then removed the temporary floor over the inspection pit.
* Shop - Harold and Alan were working on something; Marcel was working on box 56.
* Three trains with some passengers stopping at Alna Center for Ice Cream; others continuing to Trout Brook. Jay Wiley hosted at AC.
* 1pm train contained 101 passengers - which is a first for a "regular" day in 2023.
* Cindy and Cody ran the gift shop (not necessarily in that order.)
* Lunch - BLTs by Nancy Weeks.
Great day, thanks everyone!
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And we had a great visit with George Bartholomew and Gordon Fay. George loves to talk drainage and caught me figuring some drainage around the carbarn and enginehouse
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Anticipated work for Tuesday and Wednesday 22-23 August 2023.
* Track work at Brook Crossing
* Coach #9 build
* Passenger car trucks build
* Engine house
* SS clean up
* Equipment repair
* Archives room
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Anticipated work for Saturday Aug 26:
* Engine house work (doors, maybe?)
* Boxcar 56
* Grounds and/or vehicle maintenance
* Public trains
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Work completed Tuesday and Wednesday 22-23 August 2023
Tuesday:
* Archives, Office equipment, tables moved to the new Archive room.
(Linda, Steve Lx, Steve Lt, Brian W, Dan, Joe Fox)
* Passenger car Truck rebuild continues. (Jerry, Carlos)
* Engine House work continues. (Brendan, Fred)
* Gift shop/mail/beverages (Cindy R)
* Coach #9, looked to be more prime painting (Eric, Ron, Harold, Lou)
* AC mowing (Randy)
* Equipment repair (Jay Barta)
* Track lining at Brook Crossing and TOM.
(Steve Lx, Brian W, Steve Lt, Dan, Leon, Joe Fox)
* Admin work, (Dave, Randy, Liza Keene
Wednesday:
* Yard switching. (Dan, Steve Lx)
* Locomotive #7 moved to ML&MW. (Jason, Dan)
* Engine House work continues (Brendan, Fred, Stewart, Zack)
* Locomotive #11, machining parts. (Harold)
* Coach #9 work continued (Eric, Ron, Seth)
* Archives work continues, (Linda, Randy)
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Is Liza Keene a new volunteer? I do not recognize the name.
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Mike she is a friend of Randy's who has been helping Linda from time to time with the archives. I do not know if she is a member.
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Thank you. It is amazing the amount of volunteering that goes on during the week, and what gets accomplished..
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Work done on Saturday August 26:
* Boxcar 56: Marcel was working on it.
* Coach 9: Harold was working on it.
* Grant work: Several people were working on it.
* Public trains: Well attended.
Sorry I can't give more details, as I was on the train!
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It was sign day today. We (Cody and I) installed 2 handicap signs on either side of the house ramp, and will be putting more up before long. Basically, all parking between the house ramp and the bathroom (about 4 spots) will be reserved for handicap parking.
Next, a volunteer from Vermont came to see Steve P about a new museum sign. The overall from the volunteers that saw his display piece (a section of what the actual sign would be) were impressed. I did not take a close up, perhaps Bill did..
(https://i.postimg.cc/B6dTms6b/0826231131.jpg)
Here it is leaned up against our current sign.
(https://i.postimg.cc/wBjQv0Zq/0826231149.jpg)
Next, I recovered an unused sign post and Cody helped me set a replacement sign across from the shop. The previous sign and post vanished. If it happens again, I will anchor the post with cement...
(https://i.postimg.cc/FKCgJ0Xj/0826231357a-HDR.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/XJZKKXnt/0826231358-HDR.jpg)
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Next, a volunteer from Vermont came to see Steve P about a new museum sign. The overall from the volunteers that saw his display piece (a section of what the actual sign would be) were impressed. I did not take a close up, perhaps Bill did..
I should have, but I didn't. D'Oh! because I did see the sample in the Percival House meeting room, along with an image of what the final sign will look like. It will be very handsome--a great improvement.
I also should have taken photos of Mike and Cody installing sign posts and signs today. The one photo I did get of Mike was his work maintaining the Kubota. The grease port had clogged in the pin that holds the bucket in place, so Mike had just pulled the pin for cleaning. After cleaning, he later took a walk to the Fred Morse nail, nut and bolt emporium to find replacements for two bolts used to hold the pin in place.
(https://i.imgur.com/KDM5lca.jpg)
James Patten (left) was today's engineer, and Pete Stevens was fireman.
(https://i.imgur.com/7TgOYRm.jpg)
Pete tending the fire as James cleans up after oiling outside.
(https://i.imgur.com/PLxa8Kd.jpg)
James delivering coal, as Pete raked it into No. 9's bunker.
(https://i.imgur.com/Bs7F1jO.jpg)
Today's photos of coach No. 9 progress, taken in shop bay 4. (https://forum.wwfry.org/index.php/topic,2944.msg56746.html#msg56746)
And B&SR boxcar 56 progress in shop bay 3. (https://forum.wwfry.org/index.php/topic,3838.msg56747.html#msg56747)
I had watched Marcel and Brendan work on No. 56's roof walk boards in the outside mill as I was updating the public signboard this morning. The updated signboard:
(https://i.imgur.com/N6aI8ey.jpg)
I had a chance to walk into shop bay 2 today to see the progress on No. 11. Mike's recent photos share the progress, and my following post today is a poor attempt to give a sense of the length of the locomotive's frame. (https://forum.wwfry.org/index.php/topic,11.msg56717.html#msg56717)
As always, much other work was going on today. Nancy Weeks provided another great lunch. Linda Zollers was busy in the Archives. Cindy Rhine and Joan Meehan were busy in our gift shop. And Nicole Orminski, Gordon Fay and Ed Lecuyer were reviewing grant applications.
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Thanks Bill for the nice report. The away crowd will enjoy it as i did.
Tom C.
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Anticipated work for Tuesday and Wednesday 29-30 August 2023
* Coach #9 build
* Passenger car truck rebuild
* Engine House
* Equipment repair
* Track crew work projects (pending weather)
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I will say I am very pleased to see the use of the tarp for ash removal. It contains the mess very nicely.
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I will say I am very pleased to see the use of the tarp for ash removal. It contains the mess very nicely.
Yes, my reaction, too, when I took the photo.
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I will say I am very pleased to see the use of the tarp for ash removal. It contains the mess very nicely.
Credit to Roger. The tarp is folded up inside the cab and is waiting for the next crew to use before firing up.
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The tarp is a great idea.
Jeff
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as long as there isnt a hot one in there.
Tom C.
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The tarp is used just before firing the locomotive in the morning; there should be no hot cinders present.
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On vacation this week, so I was able to travel up to Sheepscot and join Roadmaster Steve Lennox' crew today. A few photos.
The morning was largely spent cutting brush rubbing against cars and low overhanging branches on the Mountain extension. Work started within Trout Brook yard limits and proceeded south, climbing the grade. This first zoomed photo shows overhanging branches being trimmed between Locations 10 and 11 on the Mountain.
(https://i.imgur.com/1l1aWkF.jpg)
Steve Leet (left foreground) and Steve Lennox look on from the area of Location 9 as work progresses southward.
(https://i.imgur.com/XGkQXEw.jpg)
Near Location 9, the work train stopped so more overhanging branches can be cleaned up. Steve Leet (on the ground) discusses the branches to be trimmed with Ellen Renvely, atop WW&F flatcar No. 126, who is about to do the trimming.
(https://i.imgur.com/BNthQaL.jpg)
The Mountain work took the morning, so we travelled down to Alna Center to eat our lunches in the pavilion. While there, a couple of loader scoops of ballast were loaded onto one end of No. 126.
After lunch, we took a trip back north to milepost 7 (near Rosewood crossing), to cut some brush there rubbing against cars. Short work, we then proceeded back to Sheepscot, where attention was given to the couple of rail lengths leading up to the turntable on the turntable lead in the lower yard. Ballast was dropped, the track was lifted and leveled, hand tamped, and then dressed.
(https://i.imgur.com/nZlNSsD.jpg)
Many other volunteers were also busy today at Sheepscot.
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Work completed Tuesday and Wednesday 29-30 August 2023
Tuesday:
* Track crew cleans up ROW from MP7 north to TBS, culvert header around location 8
reinforced with rip-rap stone, SS turntable lead, ballasted, lifted, leveled an tamped.
(Steve Lx, Brian W, Steve Lt, Paul R, Leon, Tyshawn, Ellen R, Dan, Bill Reidy, Eric Rundell)
* Engine house build continues with wall work and knee braces.
(Brendan, Stewart, Fred)
* Coach #9 build continued with applying primer paint. (Eric, Ron, Lou)
* Passenger car truck rebuild (Jerry, Carlos)
* SS-AC mowing and grounds up keep (Randy, Jay Barta)
* Archives work on going (Linda)
* Gift shop/mail continues (Cindy R)
* Machine shop receives a new (to them) Victor 20X40 lathe (Jason, Harold, Alan)
* Admin. (Dave B)
* Wedding train prep. (Friday) (Ed, Dan)
* General support (Bob L)
Wednesday:
* Coach #9 priming continues (Eric, Ron)
* Admin (Jason, Randy, Steve Lx)
* Archives (Linda)
Notes:
I would like to note a visiting volunteer from Minnesota Eric Rundell, who was vacationing in Rangeley came down and worked with the Track Crew. Thank you Eric.