W.W.&F. Discussion Forum
WW&F Railway Museum Discussion => Work and Events => Topic started by: Kevin Kierstead on March 08, 2024, 07:09:11 PM
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Has there been developed a "hit list" of work to be done this year? The past couple of "work week ends" seemed somewhat unorganized. (IMHO)
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The major “general crew” project is currently planned as ballast distribution on the Mountain and elsewhere in preparation for major lifts over the summer.
Other major projects that are known at present:
Install the second baggage door in coach 8.
Install vacuum brake equipment on rolling stock.
Build11 work session.
I suspect there will also be painting, building and possibly brush cutting efforts but I can’t speak to those at present.
Thanks
Jason
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I am sorry to hear you feel the last few work weekends have been unorganized Kevin. Others have mentioned this as well.
One important thing to note is the coordinators are now trying to figure out how to keep everyone busy with “smaller” projects so to speak. For me, coordinating the mountain work was a challenge on trying to figure out how to keep everyone busy. My first weekend was a little bumpy, but the next got better and better. The same will happen here as we begin to deviate away from track expansion temporarily at least.
A lot of work goes into the planning, and after 3 years of helping organize and plan work weekends while working on the mountain I can attest it can be stressful, but very rewarding.
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I certainly hope there will be a major push to build the new passenger platform / gift shop / ticketing counter as we have been operating in work-around mode for far too long. We have a lot of carpentry capable members from away. Put out the word and many will show up with tools and equipment if needed.
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Although I'm going to put this in the Anticipated Work entry in the April work reports thread, I thought I would post the projects for this weekend:
* Coach 8 handicap door installation on the opposite side of the other handicap door. Eric is team leader.
* Sheepscot platform work. Brendan is planning to have the platform area ready to work on, and was talking/hoping to lower the gift shop building as well (which would mean modifying the still-existing platform).
* Alna Center clean up work. Mike will lead a team (Saturday) to clean up the AC area from the storms this past winter and the road leading into it.
* Track ballasting. Dan will lead this team.
* Food. Nancy is in charge of this again and would be happy with some assistance.
* There'll probably be other, smaller projects, such as archival, grounds, and machine shop.
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From the railroad Dept perspective, projects are as follows:
Ballasting (Dan)
Build11 full work session
Vacuum Brake Plumbing (Dante, Dom, Nick)
Coach 8 baggage door
Build11 work will include forming work in the flanged and babbitting 20 new bearings.
I understood the platform to be the other major project, with smaller ones filling in.
Thanks
Jason
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There are a few trees at the Pavilion to remove (one down, one dead standing) that will be done Saturday if anyone is available to help. We need the area ready for Mothers Day Tea..
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Also Saturday afternoon: A group of about 20 cub scouts and their leaders will tackle the cleaning of all coaches and cars that are not being worked on (or in use on the work train.) I will be leading that project (unless someone else wants to do so.)
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Replying to Mike, I cut up the one closest to the pavilion the other week with pete.
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Folks we’re having some noteworthy fire dangers this spring in Midcoast Maine so we’ll be reducing some of our “bonus” steam ops. Unfortunately this will likely include ballast trains this weekend, resulting in 52 with 2 flats.
We are still considering a steam passenger trip for volunteers this Saturday evening, as is our tradition, but we’re balancing this against the fire danger, once again. For that reason- can we get some show of interest in the steam trip here? If it ends up being a diesel trip to reduce fire risk, how much of a disappointment would that be?
Note we can’t promise anything no matter the responses- it’ll have to be based on the official fire rating and actual conditions this weekend. However it’d be helpful to understand how much our volunteers may be looking forward to a steam trip.
Thanks
Jason
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Folks we’re having some noteworthy fire dangers this spring in Midcoast Maine so we’ll be reducing some of our “bonus” steam ops. Unfortunately this will likely include ballast trains this weekend, resulting in 52 with 2 flats.
Thanks
Jason
A pretty good rain storm is forecast for today April 24th, and that may reduce the fire danger some.
Keith
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As of today (4/24/24) the Fire Danger level in the Wiscasset area is Moderate. The rain today might help but we will just have to see and monitor the fire danger levels as the weekend draws near, to which we have plans in place for either outcome.
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Track work: Ballasting
Spot Ballasting will occur starting from Trout Brook all the way up the mountain. The goal will be to hit areas that need a little more ballast in spots whether its dressing the sides of ties or areas that a track lift will occur. As of right now the plan involves 52 with 2 flatcars of stone, this should be fine however I am still trying to figure out what we do in the meantime when they return to Alna Center for reloading. My first thought would be to bring the track jacks and tamping bars so that we can lift low joints and maybe do some lining.
I would like to depart Sheepscot on these times for the three days;
Friday - 8am
Saturday - 7am
Sunday - 7am
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Some photos of the brush cutting Friday and ballast work today (Saturday).
From Friday, sight lines were improved around Trask's crossing. Wild rose had become a thicket on both sides of the drive on the west side of the crossing. Since foliage had not come out yet, Friday was an opportunity to cut the roses back to the ground.
(https://i.imgur.com/9TKuY6D.jpg)
Crew cutting up blow downs and saplings along the right-of-way just north of Albee's.
(https://i.imgur.com/soUjm9M.jpg)
At Trout Brook, we watched a bald eagle circling over the bridge.
(https://i.imgur.com/nOMupwl.jpg)
A fuzzy close-up.
(https://i.imgur.com/oqxZqJb.jpg)
While cutting up blow downs just south of milepost 7, Dan discovered a broken rail from the original railway.
(https://i.imgur.com/pTPoxsB.jpg)
Looked to be 30 to 35-lb. rail.
(https://i.imgur.com/gPpCVPb.jpg)
Jonathan and Dom discussing car piping for the vacuum brake system.
(https://i.imgur.com/JYxWFD0.jpg)
From today, ballast work on the Mountain just south of the bridge.
(https://i.imgur.com/HFgLJSm.jpg)
And just north of Humason Brook trestle.
(https://i.imgur.com/P8S9RRT.jpg)
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Monday 29APR24 from Peter Finch (aka Trak Walker): All thanks to Dan M. for organising and conducting our “working on the railroad” (and the movie) weekend—Well Done!!
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One thing I noticed was Linda has been fixing up the garden by the Percival House. I did not get a photo of the progress she made Saturday, but this is what has been accomplished so far..a very nice improvement.
(https://i.postimg.cc/QtSKGbdw/20240427-084522.jpg)
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Not to deter from the excitement, was that rail by any chance found on the east side of the track? If so, chances are it may have been a spacer or reach rail from a rail pile from years ago. We used to use several short section of 30 lb or less rail on the line side rail piles. There used to be one just near mile post 7 in the level area on the east. Then it was relocated just south of ToM.
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The rail was found on the west side of the track, about 4 to 6 rail lengths south of MP7.
I can't recall where the rail pile was near MP7. I remember the ones on the west side by Albee's field to the south and on the east side approaching Top of Mountain to the north.
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Yea, we used to have ties and rails stored at MP 7, offloaded when we first reached that location in 2007. By 2009 we had moved the rail pile to ToM with the hopes of going down the mountain shortly there after. The rail pile might have been south of the milepost on the west side. I remember ties were stacked on one side of it, blocking the milepost from view when heading one direction. I do remember at Albees we had three piles of rail at one point. One small one for cropping and drilling, one “good” pile, and one pile that we were working with.
Nonetheless finding rail is always exciting. 😄
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Never mind about the rail, the track and ballast work the crew was amazing, even more so that it is under the radar. So many guys and gals doing the scut work is impressive.
Now just think about how the South African ballast cars are going to make this a lot easier!!!!!!!
Bob.