Messages

1

The Original W&Q and WW&F: 1894-1933 / Re: Head Tide Wreck of 1905-09-12

« on: October 29, 2016, 08:03:21 PM »

Curse those puny pixels. What I thought was a stovepipe was the displaced board of the brakeman's platform on that car.

Here's the other other photo.



This is the downstream side, so I'd attribute the water depth to a generous wet season rather than the engine damming the stream.

2

The Original W&Q and WW&F: 1894-1933 / Re: Head Tide Wreck of 1905-09-12

« on: October 05, 2016, 10:03:05 AM »

The photographer was on the bit of high ground between the highway and the brook. The red line indicates the center of the scene. The north end of the combine (#1?) is resting on the north abutment, and for reference, is about 45 feet long. The brook turns northward under the pile-up and is hidden by the plant growth on the east bank. Is the box car a dairy or potato car? That looks like a stovepipe on the visible roof end.

3

Work and Events / Re: 2016 Fall Work Weekend

« on: August 06, 2016, 08:54:01 AM »

Subject to change, then change back.

"Constants aren't. Variables don't."

4

Work and Events / Re: Mountain Extension - Official Work Thread

« on: March 05, 2016, 11:50:41 PM »

A panorama shot.

5

Work and Events / Re: Sheepscot Turntable - Official Work Thread

« on: January 17, 2016, 12:23:54 PM »

Going by the data on this site and the size of the ring rail, some back-of-the-envelope figuring comes up with a bearing capacity in the low-rent neighborhood of 150-170 tons. That's assuming a one-piece slab accommodating the center pivot and ring rail. Seems more than adequate.

6

Work and Events / Re: WW&F No. 9 - Official Work Thread

« on: December 12, 2015, 09:50:24 AM »

Within the last two or three days, I've dug out the August 1983 issue of Trains magazine, in which Peter Rickershauser describes a 1974 weekend visit to the Ramsdell farm, during which he and a friend repaired a short section of track in front of the shed in which No. 9 reposed, then barred the old gal outside so they could repair the track inside the shed. Apparently Alice was so thrilled with their actually showing up and doing the work that she offered them meals and put them up overnight! The piece includes multiple photos of the work underway and two color photos of No. 9, numbered and lettered as Sandy River & Rangely (sic) Lakes No. 6.

7

Museum Discussion / Re: Please tell me the RR's typeface again

« on: January 23, 2015, 10:32:43 PM »

Century Schoolbook Bold is a good fit.

8

Work and Events / Re: Fall 2014 work weekend

« on: September 09, 2014, 08:36:53 AM »

> Most will be cut to 5' right in the lot.  Some will stay longer for switch ties.

What becomes of remnants that fall short of usable tie length?

Consider this:



Some links:

http://urbanlandscapes.info/2011/02/14/1983/

http://vancouvertrueborns.com/post/81825862771/sometime-between-mud-and-cobble-stones-there-were

http://www.landmarks-stl.org/news/the_creosoted_wood_block_one_step_in_the_evolution_of_st_louis-paving/

9

Whimsical Weirdness and Foolery / Re: A most EVIL engine...

« on: July 29, 2014, 12:06:52 AM »

I was resisting the urge to post this link, Ed, but since you broke the ice ...

http://www.fark.com/comments/8352058/Theres-an-apocalyptic-collection-of-abandoned-trains-rusting-away-in-a-North-Carolina-forest-this-photographer-will-take-you-there?cpp=1

The Daily Fail link referred to is a bunch of decrepit transit equipment, mostly PCCs from Boston and Philadelphia.

10

Volunteers / Re: July 2014 Work Planning

« on: July 16, 2014, 12:27:03 AM »

I re-mowed from 218 south to trout brook and then lugged the mower over the brook and mowed up towards the mountian.

Energetic fellow, you are. What's the elevation above the stream? Ten, twelve feet, easy. With a mower, yet.



Above, looking NW. Below, looking SW

11

Museum Discussion / Re: Museum website redesigned

« on: June 30, 2014, 05:59:10 AM »

"Narrow" can do without the quotes.

12

Massachusetts' Two Footers / Re: Edaville will build a new "Thomas Land" amusement park.

« on: June 16, 2014, 08:53:14 AM »

Oh joy.

I was in that area yesterday and swung by Edaville on a whim. That news would explain the hugely expanded parking lot, the earth berms where the fence was, and other signs of construction at the main gate and on the grounds.

13

Museum Discussion / Re: The Trout (Carlton) Brook Bridge

« on: May 30, 2014, 11:15:23 PM »

For reference, looking south.

14

Museum Discussion / Re: Van transport needed

« on: April 25, 2014, 10:00:19 PM »

It won't fit in my car. Drat.

It will, however, fit on the screen.

15

Museum Discussion / Re: Clary Mill Tour

« on: April 26, 2012, 08:08:51 PM »

Very interesting film. OSHA would have been horrified, but who cares?

Ah, the OSHA reference reminds me of a conversation I had with someone who had worked in a mill in or around Bridgewater, MA until it closed. This was one of those shaft-and-belt setups and the speed changes on the machines were accomplished on-the-fly with a broom handle to the belt in question. When an OSHA inspector saw the open belts it resulted in guards being applied to same. That's when the belt-related injuries began.