Messages

1

Volunteers / Re: Online Safety Test

« on: April 30, 2025, 11:18:21 AM »

Hi Bill,
I just sent a test message to training.officer, and I got it. I also tested pete.stevens, which works, so something fishy is happening out there.

Just so you know, you took all the tests a year and a half ago, so you don't really need to do them again. You're certainly welcome to if you're extra excited about tests.

2

Volunteers / Re: Online Safety Test

« on: April 29, 2025, 06:22:33 PM »

Hi Emmett!
I'm very sorry that you've been waiting for a response to your email this long! Something clearly went wrong, as I definitely didn't receive your message. I'll PM you with a link to the basic safety test. Please let me know if you encounter any hiccups.

Great to hear that you'll be joining us next Saturday for the Tie 'n' Dine. Here's what's published regarding the day's activities:

Tie and Dine: May 3, 2025
A “tie and dine” is a special work day that is set aside to do maintenance along the railroad – usually installing ties and ballast. After working most of the live-long day, we all board the steam-powered special “dinner train” for a cookout or pizza party as “thank you” for our volunteers. The Springtime Tie and Dine is timed to allow those who wish to volunteer on the railway in the morning, break for lunch, then attend the Annual Membership Meeting at 2pm.

3

Volunteers / Re: April 2025 work reports

« on: April 11, 2025, 02:45:58 PM »

I'll add that I believe the best car hosts are the folks with the most experience: you might be a conductor or engineer one weekend, and then car host the next. While we encourage newer crew members to get experience as a car host, it's you veterans who have the most to offer.

4

Volunteers / Re: April 2025 work reports

« on: April 11, 2025, 12:01:38 PM »

One of the topics brought up at the rules review last Saturday was the importance of the Conductor being able to focus on safe and efficient oversight of the train operation. Passenger engagement often falls to the conductor, but this is a much better task for car hosts. Everyone who has passed the basic safety test can serve as car host - whether you've been here since the beginning or just a few weeks.

Tomorrow is our first Easter Train and it would be fabulous to have a few people sign up to serve as car host to give the passengers better attention: answer questions, explain the history of the operation, remind them to stay seated. And let the conductor conduct.

5

Volunteers / Re: 2025 Rules Class and Volunteer Recruitment

« on: April 03, 2025, 04:35:37 PM »

Will any of this be available online for the away folks?

I hope I can pull that off. A recording at least should be possible.

6

Volunteers / 2025 Rules Class and Volunteer Recruitment

« on: March 18, 2025, 07:12:14 PM »

It's spring, which means it's time for a review of the rules! This year I'm reversing the sequence of things to ensure engineers and conductors truly have time to review rules and practices together. The day ends with scheduled time to complete tests.

April 5th at Sheepscot Station.
Volunteer Recruitment Event Concurrent with morning sessions

8:30 - 9:30
Conductor session - Open to all active and aspiring conductors

9:45 - 10:45
Engineer session - Open to all active and aspiring engineers

11:00 - 12:00
Brakeman session - for all active and aspiring crew members.  Engineers especially encouraged to attend to share your perspective.

12:00-12:30 Lunch

12:30 - 1:45
Basic Safety session - for all, including new recruits

2:00 - 3:00
Testing session - take the test sections appropriate to your qualification level and be done!

Questions? Ideas? Ask/share them here or email the Training Officer: training.officer@wwfry.org

7

Volunteers / Re: Steam Maintenance Days

« on: March 04, 2025, 05:18:36 PM »

I’d love to be involved, but I doubt that’s in the cards at this time.

8

Volunteers / Re: January 2025 work reports

« on: January 17, 2025, 06:08:54 PM »

Re: If you know you cam help and can let me know here, please do so.

Cody and I can help.

9

Volunteers / Re: September 2024 work reports

« on: September 26, 2024, 05:35:08 AM »

Rules class will start at 10:00. This time around will not include anything like bingo.

10

Volunteers / Re: July 2024 Work Reports

« on: July 24, 2024, 05:49:36 AM »

* Jerry and Carlos are trucking along.

I saw what you did there.

There was at least one additional detail written in Edlish.

11

Volunteers / Re: 2024 Training News

« on: May 19, 2024, 08:05:07 PM »

Attention!
If you are interested in joining the Operating Crew:

WW&F  Railway: Operating Crew Training Event - Entry Level .
Saturday June 1, 2024.  9:00AM - 4:00PM

The day's purpose is to give you substantial hands-on train operations experience so you can begin volunteering on operating days as a supporting member of the train crew as Trainman (brakeman in training). Following that, the more time you put in, the sooner you’ll be ready to qualify as a Brakeman.

Eligibility:
You must be a member of the Museum
You must have volunteered at the Museum for four full days (6+ hours) not including other training events prior to this event. 
The day will begin with an overview of basic safety rules. You will need to pass an open-book test to participate in the hands-on portion of the day.

Attire:
Over the ankle, leather, heeled work boots.
Work gloves
Work pants

To sign up for the event or for more info, email training.officer@wwfry.org

12

Volunteers / Re: April 2024 Work Reports

« on: April 28, 2024, 08:11:02 PM »

Additional work today:
Eric's crew continued working on the coach 8 baggage door.
Rick got more done on #11.
Pete mounted new fire extinguishers in Millie and the railcar. Also continued corralling, inspecting, and pressurizing fire extinguishers and Indian pumps for use on fire trains.

13

Volunteers / Re: 2024 Training News

« on: April 21, 2024, 09:00:25 AM »

Many thanks to everyone who helped make the Rules Review Class happen! Thanks to Stewart for getting the engine house tidied up. Thanks to Dan for organizing a crew to get tables and chairs set up and for so flexibly taking on the role of training engineer in the afternoon. Thanks to somebody for putting it all away afterwards!! Thanks to Jason for all the assistance getting myself organized before hand and for jumping in during the review to add much needed levels of detail. And many thanks to all the participants for showing up as well as adding helpful perspectives on many rules. I plan to take this experience and build on it as I prepare the fall rules review class. 

We had 30 participants in total, 8 of whom are yet to be entered into the training program, and another 8 of whom are currently in the training program. There was a very healthy age spread represented - at least three were under 15 - which speaks well for the long range future of the operating crew!

14

Volunteers / Re: 2024 Training News

« on: April 19, 2024, 04:25:59 PM »

Thank you Stewart! I plan to bring up a few tables in the morning for Bingo. Should be about 20 people.

15

Volunteers / Re: 2024 Training News

« on: April 19, 2024, 09:26:16 AM »

Rules review starts at 10:00 in the engine house. I’ve emailed everyone who is entered in the crew roster with details. Anyone is welcome to attend.