Messages

1

Volunteers / Re: October 2025 work reports

« on: October 22, 2025, 05:37:59 AM »

Anticipated work for Saturday Oct 25:

* Last day of Pumpkin trains.
* Engine house tweaking
* Grounds work
* Archives
* Basement shelving assembly and cleanup

2

Other Maine Narrow Gauge / Re: Industrial tramway at Mechanic Falls, Maine

« on: October 20, 2025, 05:43:31 AM »

If you look at Google Maps for Mechanic Falls, there's a rail spur coming off the main line to the mill site.  However once you switch to Satellite view you'll see that the spur is overgrown and very likely has been removed.  Plus it looks like the mill area is under heavy reconstruction.

3

Volunteers / Re: October 2025 work reports

« on: October 18, 2025, 04:23:15 PM »

Work done on Saturday Oct 18:

* Pumpkin trains - well attended.
* Basement - Linda and I assembled two shelving units, and filled one with food prep stuff, and the other with spare archival stuff (picture frames, etc).  Then I helped her order supplies for the Archives, and reinvigorated an old laptop for archives use.
* Shop - Tours were being given, and Bryce was working on something for 52.
* Engine house - Stewart was in there working, but I don't know on what.

4

Volunteers / Re: October 2025 work reports

« on: October 15, 2025, 05:38:49 AM »

Anticipated work for Saturday October 18:

* Pumpkin Trains to SeaLyon Farm.
* Engine house organizing
* Grounds
* Archives

5

Work and Events / Re: Fall Work Weekend 2025

« on: October 12, 2025, 06:38:02 PM »

There were a lot of people I don't recall seeing before.  I was told someone's Groom Party were there on Saturday.

6

Volunteers / Re: October 2025 work reports

« on: October 11, 2025, 05:29:22 PM »

Work done Saturday (and from the week preceding) Oct 11:

* Track - Monday there was a charter.  Tuesday the track was removed south of Humason Brook.  Wednesday/Thursday the roadbed was regraded.  Friday the track was relaid.  Saturday the track was spiked, ballasted, lined, and some lifting.
* Basement - Friday Linda started removing some items from the basement west wall.  Saturday this continued, then a new shelf was assembled and put into place, some other items were moved around, and then some items started to come back in.  A bunch of stuff was kicked out (hopefully) never to return.  Some of these have found new homes - some filing cabinets, some antique tools, etc.  The west side of the basement is now very organized.
* Coach 8 - Friday Eric S and crew put on a coat of varnish.  Saturday he and his crew put on a second coat of varnish.
* Loco 11 - Friday the crew put the eccentrics on the drivers.  They probably did more than that, but I didn't catch any of that.
* Machine shop/Vacuum brake bench/electrical - Friday many of the objects occupying the east wall of the shop extension were moved out from the wall, and Josh did some electrical work.  Saturday Stewart put in insulation and a wall panel on a section that never got it, and other work was done in that area too.  The east wall is getting a vacuum brake workbench soon.
* Food - Nancy and her crew were busy making 3 squares each day for folks.
* Coal - Mike spent the day moving coal from the dump pile to the new coal bin. 
* Board meeting - We met at 9 AM on the Sheepscot Platform for an abbreviated, 19-minute meeting.

There may have been other projects going on that I didn't catch.

7

Work and Events / Re: Fall Work Weekend 2025

« on: October 09, 2025, 06:08:04 PM »

Camping on-site is generally allowed - please be neat and considerate.

Just be careful not to park your tent over a culvert - years ago someone did that, and was kept awake all night long by beavers traversing the culvert with building material for their lodge.  His nickname was "Beaver Bob" forever after.

8

Volunteers / Re: October 2025 work reports

« on: October 08, 2025, 05:41:52 AM »

Anticipated work for Thursday - Monday October 9 - 13 - Fall Work Weekend

* Track replacement at Humason Brook - this is a critical piece, grading of it is today, track replacement starts Thursday and MUST be done by Sunday evening.
* Pumpkin trains - on Monday (which is why the track must be done on Sunday)
* Carpentry work - perhaps residing the rest of Alna Center
* Archives - a clean-out on Saturday (not sure what Linda has in mind, but she needs help)
* Board meeting - Saturday at 9 AM, location still TBD
* Food - Nancy and crew
* and probably a number of other projects that I've forgotten.

9

Volunteers / Re: October 2025 work reports

« on: October 04, 2025, 04:10:24 PM »

Work done  on Saturday Oct 4:

* Coal storage bin: Mike picked up the blocks (with the forklift), and Brian W, Bryce and myself helped spot them.  The bin is ready for coal (except maybe the concrete surface has to cure for a little more time).  We had a coal delivery this past week.
* Engine house: Stewart was puttering around in it.
* Pumpkin trains: One trainset, but only going to Top of Mountain.  Loco swap at Sheepscot, between 9 and 52.  Sold out trains.
* Archives: The Archives Committee had a meeting.

10

Volunteers / October 2025 work reports

« on: October 01, 2025, 05:35:21 AM »

Anticipated work for Saturday Oct 4:

* First day of Pumpkin trains, with two trainsets running.  All hands needed.
* Coal storage: Mike will be placing the blocks as the walls of the coal bin.
* Engine house tweaks
* Archives

11

Volunteers / Re: September 2025 Work Reports

« on: September 27, 2025, 04:33:45 PM »

Work done on Saturday Sept 27:

* Coal bin - Mike built the form for the concrete, then Auburn Concrete showed up at 8:45.  The pour went well, with almost nothing left over.  Then Mike started working on the blocks for the far end to put notches in them to match the notches on the blocks going 90 degrees opposite.  Later he (assisted by Brian W and me) moved the blocks from the parking area over to be lined up for placing next week.
* ML&M #11 - Jason and Brian F removed the steam dome cap to replace a seal.
* Earth works - A crew emptied one of the flatcars to make a shoulder in a narrow area.
* FWW prep - Dan led a crew stacking ties in bundles for use by the track laying gantry.

12

Volunteers / Re: September 2025 Work Reports

« on: September 24, 2025, 05:35:33 AM »

Anticipated work for Saturday Sept 27:

* Pumpkin trains dry run(s).
* Coal bin floor pouring
* Archives
* Engine house touchups

13

Museum Discussion / Re: Reviews, Thank You's, and Messages of Encouragement

« on: September 21, 2025, 01:17:02 PM »

From an annual fund drive donaor:

I continue to be amazed at your progress!!  Keep up the great work.

14

Volunteers / Re: September 2025 Work Reports

« on: September 20, 2025, 04:20:29 PM »

Work done on Saturday Sept 20:

* Engine house - Brendan was working on some punch list items.  Stewart was building shelving.
* Machine shop - Earl and others were working on projects, and giving tours
* New volunteer day - we had 3 new folks show up and a few others returning. Tours were given and old ties were picked up out on the line.

15

Volunteers / Re: September 2025 Work Reports

« on: September 17, 2025, 04:51:04 PM »

Anticipated work on Saturday Sept 20:

* Engine house work
* I think there's a charter this weekend.
* Archives