Messages

1

Volunteers / Re: A few stories ...

« on: August 14, 2022, 07:31:55 AM »

I felt a bit like Peter Parks yesterday as I climbed up into the cab of old Engine Number Seven. You ask who is Peter Parks. Well Peter Parks is a fictional children’s story book character who stumbles upon a narrow gauge train by the lakes. The Forgotten Little Train is a Whitman Publishing Company with a copyright MCMLI (1951). I still have my copy from being a train loving kid. The book is loosely base on Mr. Attwood coming to Bridgton Maine and out bidding the junk men of the day. My copy is very well worn because the story just pulled on my heart strings. And I guess it still does. Who does not just love a good ending train story?

So yesterday was like being with an old childhood friend. I remember my Dad taking me over to Number 7, at Edaville, and showing me the old girl. But that day I think we rode behind Number 3 from Monson. I was disappointed that day about not meeting Peter and riding behind Number 7 but, the day is still very vivid in my mind with great memories.

My wife and I had a great time talking with our friend Bob who arrange my cab ride. Plus we enjoyed the gift shop with Cindy & Joan.  To the kitchen we went to find Nancy whom we shared a trip and escorted a group of folks to the forgotten trains of the Allagash (Eagle Lake and West Branch RR). Stuart and I chatted about trains and his old trucks. And what can you say about Brice and Dan. These two young men are a real treasure. Jason was so busy we really did not get to talk with him. However, we did speak and was glad to see him. Bill our engineer gave me the ride of a life time. Really enjoyed coming up the mountain from Trout Brook. Old Engine Number 7 did well with Bill and our fire man (sorry, cannot remember the name) making the grade with an extra load. From the cab I could see the smoke, steam and cinders skim low over head as the little engine labored up the long grade. My wife was cover with cinders from riding in the open car. But, she loving trains as much as I…. was still carrying a smile all the way home.

Thank you all for a wonderful day.

2

Work and Events / Re: Coach 9 - Official Work Thread

« on: July 26, 2022, 03:30:38 AM »

Wacky Wood
Imported Italian Bending Poplar also known as "wiggle wood" or "wacky wood" is a bending plywood commonly used for cabinet applications, curved furniture parts, fixtures, spiral stairways and displays. Italian Bending Poplar offers a fantastically smooth surface for painting or staining.

 Have used wacky wood for structure then glued a veneer of chose to match the other component of the cabinetry.
Mrdeere

3

General Discussion / Re: Loco in So. Casco, ME

« on: March 21, 2014, 06:19:26 AM »

The Loco is just a homemade display. Too bad that the brass bell and boiler plate were stolen off it about  a year and a half ago. Other than the whistle which is rusted on hard are the only real locomotive parts that were on it. And at that, I am not sure that the bell and whistle were real locomotive parts or were they came from.The Maine Central speeder is the real thing and with a little love could come back to life.

Ed Deere

4

Museum Discussion / Re: Parking Lot Puzzle

« on: November 12, 2013, 06:02:09 AM »

As a suggestion ...... Google maps/earth and look at parking lots at about the same size. Super impose them into the photos shown above.

Ed Deere

5

Bridgton & Saco River Railway / Re: Ball Signals

« on: April 28, 2013, 08:13:41 PM »

Hi All
Had a few minutes tonight to try to figure this one out.

Two Feet to the Lakes, page 130, top photo,  January 2, 1937.....

There it is. A flanger sign just before the bridge.  Hidden somewhat by the platform  roof post  but ,looks clear enough to me.

Ed Deere
 

6

Bridgton & Saco River Railway / Re: Junction ROW

« on: February 23, 2013, 06:58:39 AM »

Hi Rob

You and I met yesterday over to Norm's "O" Scale. Here is a link to a you-tube video. A farm my wife made of where she grew up and the Bridgton Jct representation I did are both on the video. The module is made to interface with the Great Falls Clubs set-up so the Maine Central has double tracks. All the buildings are scratch-built bass wood. The narrow gauge cars are bass wood as well. The Loco is an HOn2. We will be displaying up to Owls Head Transportation March 23 & 24.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf9p7zKJz3Y

ED

7

General Discussion / Re: Eagle Lake & West Branch *PICS*

« on: January 19, 2013, 07:35:33 AM »

I just checked a bunch of different ice thickness charts and none had a locomotive on them. None I found showed a vehicle bigger than a pickup truck.  Here is a chart
http://www.nodakoutdoors.com/ice_fishing_safety.php

I think there is a reason if your car or truck goes through the ice, your insurance company does not have to pay to get it out. So with that said, I would say, the ice would have to go clear to the bottom in my thoughts. Or broken down into many smaller parts. The most I have seen was about 2 1/2 feet during a snowless and very cold winter.  If the water level drops there also could be a layer of air between the ice and water for the ice to float on. Plus moving water always has thinner ice and is not always seen. See the  video link above in one of my post. Terry makes it very clear they did not even think about bring the locomotives in over the ice.


Ed

8

General Discussion / Re: Eagle Lake & West Branch *PICS*

« on: January 18, 2013, 07:21:47 AM »

That is neat, but everything is backwards. Like the slide was put in wrong way to

Ed

9

General Discussion / Re: Eagle Lake & West Branch *PICS*

« on: January 13, 2013, 07:04:46 AM »

Back a couple of years ago Terry visited The Great Falls Model Railroad Club and did a great presentation. The club produces Train Time Videos and we give to local cable access channels educational train videos. A part of our 501c(3). Anyway here is a link to a cable access channel in the town of Green Maine that has this video of Terry Harper and his presentation at that time of Nowhere to Nowhere.

http://wgltgreeneme.pegcentral.com/player.php?video=4965ed4b8c250371e95e521c30f59551

Ed

10

General Discussion / Re: Eagle Lake & West Branch *PICS*

« on: January 11, 2013, 09:59:55 PM »

     I wish I could make this presentation that Terry is doing this weekend. Terry is a wonderful speaker who's presentation is very clear and easy to understand. The history leading to building the railroad to its closer is told with interesting facts and photos. It is a must see presentation!


Ed

11

General Discussion / Re: Eagle Lake & West Branch *PICS*

« on: October 13, 2012, 08:52:37 PM »

Hi Everyone
   The Great Falls Model Railroad Club is having a Slide and Dine evening on Saturday October 20th.  If you missed it the first time you now have a second chance to see Terry Harpers “From Nowhere to Nowhere”. It’s the legend of the Eagle Lake and West Branch Railroad left in the North Maine Woods. When Terry was here last time he really captivated his audience.
   New will be Donovan Gray to share about narrow gauge railroad. Donovan comes from out west and now lives here in Maine. He is a member of the Maine Narrow Gauge Museum in Portland.
   A $5 dollar donation for a spaghetti dinner will begin at 5:00pm.
   Great Falls Model Railroad Club
   144 Mill Street
   Auburn Maine.

Thanks;
Ed

12

Bridgton & Saco River Railway / Re: Visited the Junction

« on: August 28, 2012, 05:16:48 AM »

My wife and I walked the Jct back on the fourth of July. I plotted with my GPS the engine house, turn table, and telephone pole at the station platform. I also plotted the mainline right away from the station to 113. The mainline travels through someones garden near the road. Also poision ive is present here.These numbers I entered into Google Earth and really gave me a lay of the land from above.  Now I really should learn how to get it on this forum.
Ed Deere.

13

Work and Events / Re: Reefer 65 - Official Work Thread

« on: June 05, 2012, 07:30:23 PM »

Hi Joe & to All

   Just got off the phone with our chief Videographer (Paul) and he is trying to put together a video crew for Saturday. Our plan is to be there by 8am. Let’s hope for good weather. 
Ed Deere

14

Work and Events / Re: Reefer 65 - Official Work Thread

« on: May 20, 2012, 08:12:14 PM »

As the Reefer 65 project comes to completion, the Great Falls Model Railroad Club Train Time Video Team is interested in filming this historic event. We visualize the Turner Center Dairy car in along with a string of other cars being escorted by number 10. Maybe some interviews…. And even some pictures that you folks have taken during the building process. I have seen some remarkable ones in this forum. Also would like video of the car being transferred down to Wiscasset and with any ceremony done there.
Please keep us in mind.
Ed Deere

15

General Discussion / Re: Conway Scenic

« on: April 25, 2012, 07:19:56 PM »

I was over to North Conway this past weekend and a friendly voice let out a hello, from the dispatchers office. It was of course Joe with a smile from ear to ear. He spied me outside getting a couple of photos of the locomotives with the Maine Central paint scheme.  I would insert a photo but, just have not figured out how to do it on this forum.

Ed