W.W.&F. Discussion Forum
WW&F Railway Museum Discussion => Work and Events => Topic started by: Ed Lecuyer on March 20, 2024, 04:34:02 PM
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(https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/f_auto,c_limit,w_608,q_auto/v1710909740/organizations/7/8/8/a/788adaed-a103-4e58-9a27-e2895594a491/fce50ae3-31a9-44d2-aa79-a14df990d4e8.jpg) (https://wwfry.org/africa/)
Today, March 20, 2024, the WW&F Railway is officially launching the Bring Trains to Maine up from Africa (https://wwfry.org/africa/) fundraising campaign to purchase and transport two ballast hoppers from Sandstone Estates in So. Africa.
Please help us by spreading the word about this unique opportunity to be part of a world-wide narrow gauge movement.
We promise to make regular updates on https://wwfry.org/africa/, Facebook, Instagram, and this Discussion Forum, as the project progresses.
Learn more at: https://wwfry.org/africa/
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How much money does the museum estimate it will take to get these two hoppers to Alna?
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The cars and transportation are currently estimated at $66.000 - which is the goal of the social media fundraising campaign. The total cost is a bit higher, as we are sharing shipping with Edaville - who is also getting one ballast hopper and some other equipment.
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The cars and transportation are currently estimated at $66.000 - which is the goal of the social media fundraising campaign. The total cost is a bit higher, as we are sharing shipping with Edaville - who is also getting one ballast hopper and some other equipment.
any hints on what equipment Edaville is getting?
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any hints on what equipment Edaville is getting?
It's not our place to disclose exact details (Edaville did agree that we could promote them as a partner in getting the hopper cars.) That said, the equipment (besides one hopper) Edaville is acquiring is not incredibly exciting or particularly interesting; but will be useful on the Cranberry Belt Line.
(So no Garratts going to So. Carver either.)
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I'm excited about this development, and also gratified to hear that the EBT couplers we got from Mount Union may finally find a use.
As an aside, I've noticed that caboose 554 is on SAR trucks. I'm curious, was there a previous purchase of South African equipment by Edaville?
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I noticed a photo on RailPictures.net today, which appears to depict a couple of these hoppers running at Sandstone Estates back in 2009. The photographer is Daniel Simon from France. I have not met him, but have corresponded with him a few times.
I assume these hoppers are perhaps 600 mm gauge?
https://www.railpictures.net/photo/854109/ (https://www.railpictures.net/photo/854109/)
/Kevin Madore
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Sandstone has substantial 2-foot (610 mm) track. All their equipment came out of the various now-closed 2-foot gauge railways around South Africa.
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(https://fh-sites.imgix.net/sites/5735/2024/03/27124407/Sara.png) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OShclk232v0)
Some great press hit this morning.
First, across all things social media, our friend Sara "Ironhorse" Kammeraad posted this fun skit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OShclk232v0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OShclk232v0)
And Railfan & Railroad picked up the story too:
https://railfan.com/wwf-to-purchase-narrow-gauge-south-african-ballast-hoppers/ (https://railfan.com/wwf-to-purchase-narrow-gauge-south-african-ballast-hoppers/)
Can we raise $5000 before the end of the month?
Oh... We're halfway there!
https://wwfry.org/africa/ (https://wwfry.org/africa/)
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Like most members; I had never heard of Sandstone Estates Ltd. So I looked for it on Google, where else? It is an extensive farm museum with an operational Twenty-four-inch Railroad and a static display of Fourty-two-inch (Cape Gauge) locomotives and other items like a steam cane and a caboose. The web site shows a map of the active track; but not scale so I can not tell just how much track it has. The video on their site shows several locomotives in service; but no roster as such.
There are a large number of buildings which house equipment displays like tractors from steam to gas power. And stationary machinery including a gas engine powered washing machine!
As usual with farm museums there are lots of animals: oxen, cattle and chickens and others.
The have a Facebook companion site to go with their own home page. Like the old saying goes; Try it you will like it!
Ted Miles, Long time WW&F member
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They also have antique airplanes some of which are still flying.
Their collection also includes World War I and World War II military equipment.
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Sandstone used to have their own "Mountain Extension" - a loop around one of the hills at the northwestern end of their line. Erosion and theft during the pandemic caused them to lift it. Their Garratt locomotives would pull trains on special occasions around that loop.
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Cape Gauge is 3'6" – 42"
Like most members; I had never heard of Sandstone Estates Ltd. So I looked for it on Google, where else? It is an extensive farm museum with an operational Twenty-four-inch Railroad and a static display of Thirty-inch (Cape Gauge) locomotives and other items like a steam cane and a caboose. The web site shows a map of the active track; but not scale so I can not tell just how much track it has. The video on their site shows several locomotives in service; but no roster as such.
There are a large number of buildings which house equipment displays like tractors from steam to gas power. And stationary machinery including a gas engine powered washing machine!
As usual with farm museums there are lots of animals: oxen, cattle and chickens and others.
The have a Facebook companion site to go with their own home page. Like the old saying goes; Try it you will like it!
Ted Miles, Long time WW&F member
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News from South Africa: two of the three containers are on their way to the Port of Durban!
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If containers are moving, does that mean all the money was raised already? Or have we negotiated a financing option?
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If containers are moving, does that mean all the money was raised already? Or have we negotiated a financing option?
Hi John,
We have not raised the entire sum yet, nor did we negotiate a financing option. Understanding that this was an opportunity that would likely pass us by if we didn’t act on it, we utilized our funding reserves to act quickly with the understanding that we would replenish those reserves from the fundraiser. That fundraiser, as of this morning, stands just a few hundred dollars short of $10,000. Thanks everyone for your support of this project!
Best,
Steve
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Steve explained it well. We were hoping to receive a second grant (beyond the $100,000 supplied by the Candelaria Fund) to help cover the overall project of Mechanization of Railroad Maintenance and Expansion. However, that opportunity did not come to pass, so we decided to self-finance the acquisition of hoppers from our Reserves account, with the hope that this "crowd source" campaign may make up that difference.
So far, the "Bring Trains to Maine up from Africa" campaign has done very well, raising nearly $10,000 of the (estimated) $66,000 cost to purchase and ship the hoppers to the WW&F.
Hot off the press, here are some photos of the cars being loaded at Sandstone Estates. Expect a full update on Facebook (and https://wwfry.org/africa/ ) later tonight or tomorrow.
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Fortunately able to use one of those neat flat-rate boxes, I see ;)
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That's fantastic! So glad to see they're on their way now. Will we be giving them a fresh coat of paint when they arrive?
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Now that the ballast car are on their way to Alna; I would like to know the dates and name of the company that
built the two cars.I want to keep my file of roster cards up to date. TM WW&F Life Member
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Quote directly lifted from wwfry.org/africa
These hoppers, officially designated NGY-1 class, were built by Hudson in 1968 and 1976. They were originally constructed for a project to upgrade the Avontuur Railway...
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Car Nos. 2806 and 2807 were built in 1968, based on the roster posted here (see page 63): https://www.sandstone-estates.com/images/pdf/AMAR2022/18/SA%20RAILWAYS%20WEB.pdf
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I assume that "Hudson" refers to Robert Hudson, Ltd. in Leeds, UK: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Hudson_(company) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Hudson_(company))
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And in fact (according to that article) the firm had several factories in South Africa over the years.
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We're Shipping Trains In From Africa!
(https://fh-sites.imgix.net/sites/5735/2024/05/01000350/Location-4-30-2024.png)
Our ballast wagons have shipped from Durban, So. Africa and are in-route to the USA via Singapore! They departed just a few hours ago aboard the container ship Bay Bridge.
Meanwhile we've raised 15% of the $66,000 needed to recoup the cost of purchasing and shipping these cars - and are just $40! shy of hitting the $10,000 mark. Please consider donating at www.wwfry.org/africa
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We've cleared the $10,000 mark in fundraising to cover the expense of purchasing and shipping these hoppers! And there is another pledged donation "on its way" which will increase that total significantly...
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Are "offline" donations accounted in this total?
I know of at least one significant offline donation (not myself!) that does not appear in the donor list. Perhaps it just hasn't been processed yet.
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"Offline" donations are added to the online total once they are received and processed. This usually happens within 30 days. There is at least one notable donation that is not yet processed.
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Offline donations are now processed up to May 1, 2024.
The new total:
(https://fh-sites.imgix.net/sites/5735/2024/05/02015829/hopper-thermometer-26-e1714615304805.png)
$16,970
Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far!
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We're Shipping Trains In From Africa!
(https://fh-sites.imgix.net/sites/5735/2024/05/01000350/Location-4-30-2024.png)
Our ballast wagons have shipped from Durban, So. Africa and are in-route to the USA via Singapore! They departed just a few hours ago aboard the container ship Bay Bridge.
Is there a link that we use to find the location of the ship?
Jeff
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Great news! This campaign is really picking up steam, as it were.
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You can track the ship in real time or close to it, but it costs money.
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Go to marinetraffic.com, and search for Bay Bridge container ship. All for free.
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Here's the link I use. Then you can play with the zoom, track, etc.:
https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/shipid:413764/zoom:10 (https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/shipid:413764/zoom:10)
Bay Bridge is currently off the coast of Madagascar.
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Great news! This campaign is really picking up steam, as it were.
Well, it certainly is making waves. ::)
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Here's the link I use. Then you can play with the zoom, track, etc.:
https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/shipid:413764/zoom:10 (https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/shipid:413764/zoom:10)
Bay Bridge is currently off the coast of Madagascar.
Looks like the slow boat to China...........
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Boats to China need to take a left at Albuquerque. :D
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whats the route for them
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whats the route for them
(subject to change)
Durban, South Africa to Singapore aboard the 'Bay Bridge' (underway)
Singapore to Newark, NJ aboard the 'Wan Hai A13'
Drayage from Newark, NJ to So. Carver, Ma for unloading
Shipment from So. Carver to Alna via partnership agreement with Maine Locomotive & Machine.
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When I heard the ship went to Singapore, I thought the ship was going to the west Coast or the Panama Canal. Now it see they are back tracking to send the ship through the Suez canal. Seems like going the long way around!
Ted Miles WW&F Life Member
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Update as of 5/22/2024.
(https://wwfry.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5735/2024/05/Location-5-19-2024.png?w=1200)
The cars are currently offloaded in Singapore.
They are scheduled to depart aboard the vessel WAN HAI A07 (https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/shipid:7338710/zoom:10) on 5-28-2024.
It will take approximately one month for the vessel to travel to New York via the Suez Canal and Atlantic Ocean.
$18,000 has been raised towards the $66,000 cost to acquire and ship these cars to the WW&F. (This does not include a recent $1000 pledge.)
Donations are still being sought and accepted at www.wwfry.org/africa (http://www.wwfry.org/africa)
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Let's hope the Houthi's don't decide they want some narrow gauge hoppers. Traveling through the Red Sea now has its dangers.
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I was thinking the same thing. Also, Somali pirates.
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Hi given the map it will take decades for the hoppers to arrive in the US if they travel on camel back from Djibouti to Marocco unless every country come to an agreement to build a Trans Sahara railroad a twofooter of course it'll be easier and maybe more quickly.
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Hi given the map it will take decades for the hoppers to arrive in the US if they travel on camel back from Djibouti to Marocco unless every country come to an agreement to build a Trans Sahara railroad a twofooter of course it'll be easier and maybe more quickly.
Perhaps rebuild the Trans-Saharan Railway? :)
The Trans-Saharan Railway was a project conducted by France to build a rail line south through Algeria to sub-Saharan Africa. Its original intended use was to connect coal mines and boost trade throughout North Africa, tie together the French Empire, and connect North Africa to sub-Saharan Africa[1] by connecting the existing rail system of French Algeria to those of French West Africa.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans-Saharan_Railway
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But in this case it would be a coast to coast railroad that would cost a lot,
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(https://wwfry.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5735/2024/06/map-6-3-2024.png?w=1200)
On June 3rd, the hoppers departed Colombo, Sri Lanka aboard the vessel “WAN HAI A07”. It will take approximately one month for the vessel to travel to New York via the “long way” around the southern tip of Africa.
Meanwhile, our friends and followers from around the world have raised $18,125 to help defray the $66,000 necessary to purchase and ship these unique cars to the WW&F. THANK YOU!
Please help, even a few bucks will be greatly appreciated. Make your tax-deductible donation at: www.wwfry.org/africa or mail to PO Box 242, Alna, ME, 04535.
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(https://wwfry.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5735/2024/06/map-6-28-2024.png?w=1200)
So. African Hopper Update!
Our new-to-us ballast cars are due to arrive at the port of New York TOMORROW! Then they'll be offloaded and shipped to Edaville RR to be unloaded from their containers. If all goes well, we could see one or both of the hoppers on WW&F rails by the end of July!
Meanwhile, we've only raised 28% of the $66,000 necessary to purchase and ship these ballast wagons. If we had a dollar for every time someone asked us about extending the WW&F, these would be paid for! Please chip in what you can so that we can keep the dream of rebuilding the railway active for many, many more years.
Learn more and contribute at www.wwfry.org/africa
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FYI, the ship is in port, and the containers carrying the hoppers have either landed or will be landing soon. Thanks to some container sleight-of-hand to avoid extra charges they won't make their way to Edaville for unloading until next week.
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Unloading containers at Edaville this morning. We had two trucks today and the third truck will come tomorrow morning.
Extra trucks loaded at the back of the container.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9092.JPG) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9092.JPG)
Flatcars were laoded upside down on the hoppers. The flatcars are for Edaville.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9095.JPG) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9095.JPG)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9101.JPG) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9101.JPG)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9102.JPG) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9102.JPG)
One of the WW&F's ballast hoppers with the trucks for the flatcar and hopper loaded inside.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9103.JPG) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9103.JPG)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9104.JPG) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9104.JPG)
Hopper being unloaded and placed on it's trucks.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9105.JPG) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9105.JPG)
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9107.JPG) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9107.JPG)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9109.JPG) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9109.JPG)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9110.JPG) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9110.JPG)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9111.JPG) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9111.JPG)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9113.JPG) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9113.JPG)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9114.JPG) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9114.JPG)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9117.JPG) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9117.JPG)
Second truck being unloaded. The ballast hopper in this truck is Edaville's.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9116.JPG) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9116.JPG)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9118.JPG) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9118.JPG)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9120.JPG) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9120.JPG)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9124.JPG) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9124.JPG)
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Those trucks are in need of a good power wash.
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[Moderators Note]
Brendan's photo post was delayed by one day so to correspond with todays official announcement across all our social media platforms.
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Will the flatcars stay at Edaville?
Jeff
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Will the flatcars stay at Edaville?
Jeff
Yes the flatcars are Edaville’s. The flatcars look to have been drop side gondola’s that were turned into flats to carry 20ft shipping containers. The container locks were cut off the side of the cars to fit in the shipping containers.
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This may be a dumb question; but why were the WW&F ballast cars unloaded at Edaville?
Should not they have remained in the highway trucks and be delivered all the way to Alna?
The equipment sure looks impressive! It will do good things on the WW&F Railway.
Ted Miles WW&F Life Member Build 11 contributor
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Ted, by doing the reuniting of the hoppers with their trucks at Edaville, no crane will be needed at Sheepscot as the hoppers will arrive on a "roll-off" trailer. I understand that ML&M (based in Alna) is coordinating bringing the hoppers to Sheepscot.
Also, the containers can be released & returned sooner, likely saving some money.
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There is also a time limit on how long the containers can be away from port for final delivery. Delivering to Alna would have added significant time (and cost) to the container turnaround.
At present we plan to retrieve the WW&F hoppers from So Carver using our own equipment, minimizing cost of that final leg.
Thanks
Jason
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What does the schedule look like for their pickup from Edaville, if there is one at present?
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Based on the pictures it looks like a good powerwash and even some sandblasting is needed before any type of painting and repairs are accomplished. If there is room, some of that work would be a good winter project.
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The last hopper landed at Edaville after 3 blown tires on the way north :(
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What does the schedule look like for their pickup from Edaville, if there is one at present?
That is still being negotiated and the logistics determined. There may be a surprise in the interim.
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Hopper #3 (our #2) was unloaded today after much confusion and delay. Photos by Jason Lamontagne.
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Seeing "do not cut" raised my heart rate for a minute. A number of artifacts have been lost over the years due to ignorance or honest mistakes having to do with spray-painted instructions.
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When I saw "do not cut" I was reminded that we are playing an active part in preserving the once vast So. African 2' gauge rail network. These cars were saved by others, "not cut", then sold to us so that they could have a better life in America. This is cause for celebration, and we should endeavor to give these artifacts the same care and attention as those that served in Maine. They are now another chapter in the restoration story that is the WW&F.
Welcome to America 2806 & 2807. Welcome home.
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The third hopper and flatcar.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9157.JPG) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9157.JPG)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9159.JPG) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9159.JPG)
Monday's car delivery being parked on a siding at Edaville.
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9134.JPG) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/s5/bbarry74/IMG_9134.JPG)
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Looking great! What colors are we going to paint then, and will they carry So African reporting marks?
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In my opinion, these artifacts should be painted and represented for what they are - South African ballast wagons. If they were new builds, then it would be appropriate to paint them for the WW&F.
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I propose the other way.
They should be sheathed so they look like 1920's cars to fit
the Museum's time period.
If the Railroad portrays what it would be if it had continued until the 2020's
then ALL of the old equipment would be gone - Vacuum Brakes, Archbar Trucks,
Wood Frames, & Steam Engines.
So lets keep the rolling stock as period appropriate as possible.
I know there are late 20th Century intrusions but they should be kept to a minimum,
and behind the Green Curtain (With the Wizard ;) )
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To sheath a steel car could trap moisture and make the steel rot quicker. I do not think there is any reason to make these period looking.
As for the paint, that primer red looks good, if that is what they would have used. I think they should be lettered and numbered like they were originally. Honor the heritage..
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I like the red. It reminds me of the paint on the flatcars.
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Don't forget, the history of the WW&F did not stop in 1933. Since the inception of the Sheepscot Valley Railroaders, the museum has been creating more of our own history. These pieces of rolling stock are part of that history. As for paint schemes on secondhand equipment, the museum has gone both ways. Bridgton cars under the museum's ownership are painted for B&SR. But 52 no longer wears its Carpenter Steel livery.
In a few years (2028 or 2029, depending on how you count) the museum will have existed longer than the original railroad!
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I am glad that they are moving toward Alna! They should be painted and letttered for the SAR. It would be a good talking point for our visitors; that Two-Foot Gauge was used in many places across the world. Maybe someday a flat car from Wales could join our fleet of cars.
Ted Miles WW&F life Member narrow gauge fan
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Would it make sense to add a track parallel to the east side of the car barn (set out far enough to avoid runoff/falling snow from the car barn roof) to display the two hoppers and Australian tamper when not is use? If enough space is available, this could provide needed track storage for the equipment, and also serve as an exhibit of international equipment used to maintain modern two-foot gauge railways. Interpretive signs similar to that in the Trout Brook bridge kiosk could enhance the display.
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Would it make sense to add a track parallel to the east side of the car barn...
Great idea, but the track geometry doesn't work out to make that possible. We've discussed adding a "half bay" on the car barn in that location specifically for rail cars, rail busses, and similar light equipment that would be able to navigate the required switch. But even that idea may no longer work given the way the service track/run through switch is now positioned, and the need to maintain some sort of access way.
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Great idea, but the track geometry doesn't work out to make that possible...
Yeah, I wondered about that; hence my question. Thanks, Ed.
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I believe the hopper cars were painted black with SAR reporting marks. That’s probably how we will refresh them to, including their original numbers.
Dave
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Folks,
The ballast cars appear to have tanks on the two ends. What are they for?
TM WW&F Member likes narrow gauge
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Folks,
The ballast cars appear to have tanks on the two ends. What are they for?
TM WW&F Member likes narrow gauge
Vacuum reservoirs for the brakes. The brake cylinders are the vertical drums with the ribs.
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Folks,
The ballast cars appear to have tanks on the two ends. What are they for?
TM WW&F Member likes narrow gauge
Vacuum reservoirs for the brakes. The brake cylinders are the vertical drums with the ribs.
I note the Eames vacuum brake/trucks rebuild team has made a concerted effort to have the reservoir tank mounted on each truck, along with the brake cylinder. A couple of May 2023 photos here (https://forum.wwfry.org/index.php/topic,4352.msg56197.html#msg56197).
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Jason will explain....
Thanks to the South Devon Railway for the photo.
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It may be best for John Scott to describe this, if he sees this thread.
This is a standard European style vacuum brake cylinder. I’m sure there’s a model number and associated era when it was most common, but all the descriptions of European based automatic vacuum brake systems show this pot.
It is supposed by the two lugs on each side so that it is free to swing. It is universally mounted in the orientation shown in the photo- with the actuating rod vertical and pointing down. It pulls up on a bell crank which in turn pulls on the truck rod.
Our system is focused on reproducing the Eames Brake Company’s version, which functioned equivalently but was differently arranged. The two systems are compatible once we reconcile the end coupling sizes.
Photo was an internet grab from South Devon Railway. Very informative cross section- which creates a better visual than the numerous line drawings available.
Thanks
Jason
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Here are the drawings of the design we are implementing, for comparison.
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It is taking longer than I expected to move the SAR ballast cars and otheer hardware to Alna.
What is slowing things up? I think they will be useful at the next work party.
Ted Miles, Life Member, who is always interested in the WW&F
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Current status:
1. The cars are in storage at Edaville.
2. All cars received from So. Africa (3 hoppers and 3 flats) need to have compatible coupling mechanisms fabricated and/or modified. The details of this is still in-flux.
3. The cars *may* see some use at Edaville, while they are there.
4. Meanwhile, the method of transportation from Edaville to Alna has changed slightly. This will be done in-house using the trailer that is being repaired.
5. The goal is to have the hopper cars in Alna before Fall Work Weekend.
Fundraising to pay for the cars has stalled at $22,778.00 (35% of the $66,000 cost). This will mean that some of our reserves will be necessary to fund the project.
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This will be done in-house using the trailer that is being repaired.
Towed by ... ? I'm assuming the stake body doesn't have enough GVW.
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Brendan has the details on the vehicle doing the towing. I know a hitch needs to be installed.
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First ballast wagon was transported by Brendan from Edaville to Sheepscot today. Photo is at Edaville (after loading.)
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Super! Trailer looks great...
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Didn't we pick up some spare couplers and buffers from EBT a while back? I remember going to Mt. Union with Wayne to scope out some candidates.
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Glad to see that one will be on site for FWW.
Jeff
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Didn't we pick up some spare couplers and buffers from EBT a while back?
Yes. Unfortunately most of them are cracked. Moreover, the adaptation of these cars to US-style couplers will be challenging.
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Moreover, the adaptation of these cars to US-style couplers will be challenging.
To quote Jason, literally just this morning, upon inspecting the current arrangement, "I like a good engineering challenge."
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As another member of Wayne's EBT coupler salvage team, I'd be delighted if we could find a way to use them on the new SAR hoppers.
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I would like to see a picture and an explanation about how the ballast cars will be coupled up with the Janney couplers on
the museum's trains. Thank you!
Ted Miles WW&F Member
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The current method uses a link-and-pin arrangement, with a special offset link to accommodate the mismatched height of the draft gear. I tried to find a photo of it, but was unsuccessful.
Any knuckle arrangement will also need to address the height mismatch. So it won't be as straightforward as just dropping a coupler into the pocket.
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The EBT did it...possibly a model
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(https://i.postimg.cc/hPkGkL4q/20241109-072349.jpg)
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Closeup of wagon 2807, which Brendan delivered from Edaville this past week.
(https://i.imgur.com/kwmZ49V.jpg)
And wagon 2806 was put to use again today. Here is No. 52 about to depart with 2806 late in the day, to be loaded with ballast at Alna Center before a drop on the Mountain extension. Dan, Bryce and others tamped a section there in the morning, requiring additional ballast after.
(https://i.imgur.com/PazJ5cH.jpg)
The coupling/link arrangement between 52 and 2806.
(https://i.imgur.com/sov4Xxb.jpg)
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I take it that the car can be dumped manually, if there is no way to activate the vacuum system.
Jeff
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As I understand it, the hopper doors are always manually operated by the large, centrally mounted wheel. I believe only the brakes use the vacuum.
Best,
Steve
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Bill,
Thank you for showing us the clever bit of metal work used to couple the two cars. You had to bend the coupler just right to
make up for the difference in height. That was the part i could not get my head around.
I guess later you guys can change the whole coupler pocket to make a permanent arrangement.
Ted Miles WW&F Member sinc 1989.
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It looks like a metal bar bent into a shallow S, with a hole at one end, for the pin to drop through.
Jeff
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Hi all, so unfortunately I'm terrible at keeping people informed on here (work first type later) BUT here we finally are.
I've adopted the hoppers and have plans for one of them (the rougher of the two) and will update as I can moving forward with it once ideas are finalized and work begins.
so far we've used the red hopper 2x since arrival. The first time was during FWW to test it, and 2nd time was 11/09 as Bill has posted.(thank you Bill)
The way the hopper dumps is the car is divided in half and each end is operated manually, UNFORTUNATELY it dumps on both sides which is problematic if you only want stone on one side. When we went out on 11/09 I simply blocked the gates on one side to block any flow. which worked well for the most part but was a pain to remove after the fact.
Another challenge is that it only dumps stone on the outside. So some manual shoveling is still required until we figure something out. The change of couplers is going to be a real challenge but we will steadily work on it. The next step I have is to add actual safety chains that will be in the next week or so, I will do my best to keep everyone updated as we continue on!
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Hey Brice, way to step up! I wish I lived about an hour closer so I could help you (and everyone else) more often.
One thought I had on the couplers:
There's some sort of "interference" (part of the chute/door mechanism?) directly below and parallel to the end beam, at least on the end I could see, making the idea of simply lowering the draft gear pocket rather complicated.
Now, I'm no structural engineer, but I think it may be possible to cast a set of "offset shank" couplers. If the EBT couplers have workable pins and knuckles you might just get away with only having to cast the body/shank of the coupler itself.
A tricky project to engineer, to be sure, but we've no shortage of knowledge in-house and we have good ties with foundry and machine shops.
Anyway, that's my 2c ;)
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To add to Bryce's comments on the SAR hoppers a couple of thoughts. One: maybe it would be possible to add a steel plate perpendicular to the centerline of the car to make two sperate bays one on each end. Second: fabricate for what I would call 2 individual dump covers to block each delivery chute on the inside that can be removed or left in place. They could be added to one side of the car or the other to control ballast if one side of the mainline would need all or more of the ballast than the other. These ideas would keep both ends seperate and control dumping to one side of the car or the other when/if needed. However, I have not looked closely at the inside construction of these cars so I am not sure if these suggestions are possible.
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So as of right now the red hopper is staying as it is for use of "flooding new track with stone" when the rebuild of the grey hopper commences it will be for "spot ballasting" but it will take some time to rebuild it for that purpose..
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I have some thoughts Bryce I will catch you with sometime..
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The current issue (Issue 326 November 22-December 20, 2024) of Heritage Railway, a UK-based magazine, contains on pg. 24 a news item describing modifications to another of these ex-SAR 2' gauge ballast hoppers at the Vale of Rheidol Railway, in Wales.
"The significant upgrade, carried out in-house at the railway's workshops, included a comprehensive overhaul and the installation of an unloading mechanism designed to enhance operational efficiency. The updated system now allows ballast to be discharged both along the rails and outside the track, providing greater versatility and precision."
An accompanying 3/4-view photo shows that the as-built central discharge control wheel above the end platform has been replaced by two smaller side-by-side control wheels, each connected to what appear to be enclosed chain mechanism extending down below the platform deck. Furthermore, there now appears to be two separate discharge chutes visible below the side sill, suggesting that similar control wheel modifications have been made at the opposite end of the car so as to create four independently-controlled discharges, each capable of dumping ballast inside or outside of the rail as needed. In addition, given that the new control wheels are located outside the prominent angled car end structural members, some operator safety improvements have been added, with side handrails at each operating position as well as conventional end railings. These side and end railings together also appear to greatly facilitate access to the platform via the corner stirrup steps.
I don't have time at the moment to fool around with photo hosting sites etc., but I could email a copy of the magazine photo to anyone involved in the proposed WW&F hopper modifications, or perhaps some other member who receives this magazine could post a photo. It's possible that further details and photos might be able to be obtained through inquiry to someone at the Vale of Rheidol Railway, if any WW&F member has a contact there.
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It might be worth our while to contact the Vale to see if they have Engineering drawings of the conversion work that they would share or allow us to purchase for a nominal fee. Much better than having to reinvent the wheel. The Engineering/Shop forces have enough on their plate.
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The second hopper was unloaded from the trailer this afternoon.
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Some photos, courtesy of Dave B.
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To finesse the Knuckle Coupler/Link & Pin use by a railroad, Climax (the manufacturer of Janney Couplers back in the day) and Climax Mfg. Co. (the locomotive manufacturer) used a Knuckle Coupler with a Slot in the Knuckle. Due to the lesser size, strength & mass on the couplers the railroad is using, that may be unworkable.
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A lot of the railroads equipment have split knuckles, it's how we've been coupling it to equipment with a "bent special link" with the exception to #52 we just remove the coupler and direct link and pin couple it. It works very well. Just need for extra precaution when coupling. (The use of a wooden stick to hold up the link). I'll try to remember to get a photo of our link.
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Here is the photo of the Vale of Rheidol's SAR ballast hopper showing the modifications I described above, which appears in issue 326 of Heritage Railway. The magazine's photo credit is to Vale of Rheidol Railway.
Again, it appears that there are now two control wheels at each end, operating what may be enclosed chain mechanisms that allow each of four new discharge gates to independently dump ballast outside or inside of the rail. Besides the addition of handrails, the inward-angled "coal boards" are an interesting modification.
(https://i.postimg.cc/py5str3p/thumbnail-4609379942142752524.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/py5str3p)
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Moving the gray hopper over behind the engine house Friday.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/aa7e0c3c-8950-44ec-83f0-db41558f775f.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/aa7e0c3c-8950-44ec-83f0-db41558f775f.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/b16b2213-d7cc-4186-83aa-818494925cfa.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/b16b2213-d7cc-4186-83aa-818494925cfa.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/a542bdd5-6738-431b-a1d4-cbbd6cdd266e.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/a542bdd5-6738-431b-a1d4-cbbd6cdd266e.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/4c6fe8a2-c6db-482f-a3cb-144a81528d55.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/4c6fe8a2-c6db-482f-a3cb-144a81528d55.jpg)
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Loading the hoppers for the trip to Maine at Edaville last fall.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/495ffb69-ba8d-4337-9af5-6e3eddaf144e.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/495ffb69-ba8d-4337-9af5-6e3eddaf144e.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/9ae6e1d9-551d-4389-b5ed-fac4db713a95.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/9ae6e1d9-551d-4389-b5ed-fac4db713a95.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/63215b65-d704-49ad-89cc-43ff1dae2d31.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/63215b65-d704-49ad-89cc-43ff1dae2d31.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/fe07212c-955c-47e2-9102-59cc82100561.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/fe07212c-955c-47e2-9102-59cc82100561.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/dbcfdb85-db6e-4913-8657-e76abf02f450.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/dbcfdb85-db6e-4913-8657-e76abf02f450.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/d1b9415a-e211-4e7c-a898-417a6e217cd5.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/d1b9415a-e211-4e7c-a898-417a6e217cd5.jpg)
The red hopper taking a break at the Kennebunk rest area.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/0b95364f-60b8-471c-9567-e65a114769f4.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/0b95364f-60b8-471c-9567-e65a114769f4.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/54578cac-5417-476c-a031-07d0f75c938e.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/54578cac-5417-476c-a031-07d0f75c938e.jpg)
Made it to back to Sheepscot for the work weekend.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/e0a6d024-3fee-4c67-98f6-e12354ad9cf7.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/e0a6d024-3fee-4c67-98f6-e12354ad9cf7.jpg)
On the trip south to pickup the gray hopper we're coming off the Tobin Bridge and going around the ramp to get on I93 south. For those who aren't local Boston Sand and Gravel is in the old Boston and Maine yards and I believe the only freight customer left in Boston. Sand and stone is shipped from Ossipee NH by rail to Boston.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/b3791514-b344-4a0e-a2f4-31e899bf6db6.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/b3791514-b344-4a0e-a2f4-31e899bf6db6.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/0af1a33c-bc29-4e15-af84-30b226895a3c.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/0af1a33c-bc29-4e15-af84-30b226895a3c.jpg)
We're now on I93 south on the Zakim Bridge about to go through the tunnel under Boston. The Boston Garden is on the right.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/7819ec00-ce89-43b3-bcdb-cbcb831176cb.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/7819ec00-ce89-43b3-bcdb-cbcb831176cb.jpg)
The gray hopper north bound on I93 going underneath Boston in the tunnel.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/1c5e57d4-d800-484f-ad9a-8049d368a01e.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/1c5e57d4-d800-484f-ad9a-8049d368a01e.jpg)
Heading north on I93 over the Zakim bridge.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/0dcfe001-092a-40c1-965d-ff8627ae2d81.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/0dcfe001-092a-40c1-965d-ff8627ae2d81.jpg)
The gray hopper at Sheepscot behind the house.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/f32e8fd7-4116-4dc9-ae0f-3490db273508.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/f32e8fd7-4116-4dc9-ae0f-3490db273508.jpg)
Unloading the red hopper onto the run around during the fall work weekend.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/232d536b-4ce6-4469-a301-aa20e9b410d7.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/232d536b-4ce6-4469-a301-aa20e9b410d7.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/095e0023-7ec9-4ce7-b5cd-535f61f6b191.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/095e0023-7ec9-4ce7-b5cd-535f61f6b191.jpg)
Loading the red hopper with stone at Alna Center.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/d81d8acc-644b-4606-98b6-813ac920ece9.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/d81d8acc-644b-4606-98b6-813ac920ece9.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/b2c23b61-e6b7-45ea-a7f9-0b5504bb2008.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/b2c23b61-e6b7-45ea-a7f9-0b5504bb2008.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/36ab5af3-68d0-4f40-a8cf-6e7b4f575a0e.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/5248d6c3-9c69-435e-ab5f-ef5c5d2b852d/36ab5af3-68d0-4f40-a8cf-6e7b4f575a0e.jpg)