Topics

1

Museum Discussion / Are wood patterns obsolete?

« on: March 31, 2017, 09:22:46 PM »

On Wednesday I visited a modern foundry with a pattern for CNJ 113.  It is yet possible for them to do one off wood patterns but was informed basically that they were not really interested in that type of work or not using wood patterns.  What they really wanted was a computer disc where they could 3D print the sand molds and cores.  One of the people I talked to suggested that if I wanted to save costs would be to get some knowledgeable volunteer with access to the proper computer to write the program for the part.

He also went on to say that their pattern shop did not make patterns anymore, just did repairs and modifications.

I know that Jason is fully cognizant of the process of 3D sand mold printing, so what I am saying is not new to him.  What I am leading to is this:  is it really necessary to make wood patterns for our locomotive 11 project if they are going to be used a few times and then forever stored and never used again?  I am hoping that the currently finished patterns made by Allen, Howard, and myself will be used but if we wait too long, will they be obsolete?  

On my visit to the foundry, I was showed the machine that did the 3D printing and a large mold that was just done.  Even though I was aware of the process, I was shocked by the precision of the mold.

I was just wondering if it would be better and cheaper and more time saving if we just went totally to the new processes to get our parts cast.  Probably the only foundry that I know of that will probably continue to use the old methods is where Wayne got the castings made at the Cattail Foundry.  Their choice of metals is somewhat limited.

Any more thoughts?

Bernie

Edit:  It's been a while since I started a post.  I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing.  Thanx for moving it.

B

2

Museum Discussion / Shop Lights

« on: March 09, 2017, 11:15:43 PM »

Can anyone tell me where the old fashioned light shade assemblies in the shop were purchased?  We would like to purchase some for the Minersville Station canopy.

Bernie

3

Museum Discussion / Possible Something For The Archives

« on: July 14, 2016, 09:55:36 PM »

A friend found this on Ebay:  #112055914822 OLD MAINE MAP BOOK: MAINE CENTRAL RAILROAD TRACK SMALL TOWNS PLAT LAND OWNERS.  Even though most of us know the track plan at Wiscasset, this is the official document.  I have no part in its sale.

Bernie

4

Museum Discussion / Interesting New Book

« on: June 26, 2016, 10:53:04 AM »

I just recently purchased a soft cover book at Barnes and Noble entitled "Steam From Scratch".  It is all about British locomotives but is really a great read.  The Britts are light years ahead of everybody in this regard.

Bernie

5

Museum Discussion / #10s "new whistle"

« on: September 26, 2014, 08:05:32 PM »

I tested the three chime Crosby whistle on CNJ 113 today up to 180 lbs. steam pressure.  It was very tight with very little leakage.  If #10's crew is looking for quiet and non-ear piercing, I am afraid you are not going to get it.  Like all whistles, it is loud and makes the ears ring.  The three chimes are very harmonious.  It is possible on #10's small boiler the sound will be different.  When we are down in Schuylkill Haven tomorrow, I may put it on again and someone may record it and put it on Youtube.

Bernie

6

Volunteers / Trading 7/8n2 models

« on: September 25, 2014, 01:32:25 PM »

I know that this forum does not encourage this type of stuff, but I don't lurk anywhere else where I could post it.

I would like to trade the following 7/8n2 models (various stages of incompleteness) for a full sized 6" diameter whistle bowl/horizontal valve or Accucraft and Bachmann 1:20.3 F scale model trains.

SR&RL 556 series caboose with Stephen King passenger trucks (about 75% complete)

Manns Creek Railroad type hopper car with industrial trucks (about 50%complete)

Hartford 4 wheeled gondola (98% complete)

Hartford 4 wheeled flat car (75% complete)

ALL OF THE ABOVE HAVE KADEE COUPLERS

1 pair of Stephen King freight car trucks with outside brake shoes

1 pair of Stephen King freight car trucks with unassembled bolster hung outside brakes

Bags of parts.

I am posting this now because I could bring them to Sheepscot for examination on the work weekend.  I could email photos. PM me here with your email.

PLEASE NOTE OF WHAT I WANT TO TRADE FOR.  THERE IS VERY LITTLE ELSE I WOULD WANT.  

Bernie Perch

7

General Discussion / NNG An historic monent

« on: June 24, 2012, 10:32:07 AM »

I would like to mention that CNJ 113 moved under her own power in over 52 years.  It was only a few feet because of poor track, a balky power reverse unit, and a rod knuckle pin that had to be replaced.  We were not sure it was going to come off and with all kinds of tweaking going on it did not happen until the evening.  There is still much more tweaking to go before she is fully road worthy.  Two of us were wearing our WW&F hats.

An article is in the Pottsville Republican-Herald for today(Sunday 6-24-12), plus some photos in the gallery section.  republicanherald.com

Bernie

8

Monson Railroad / Monson Maps

« on: September 09, 2011, 09:21:00 PM »

Roger,

Where can I find an accurate track plan of the railroad down by the slate plants?  Every one I have seen is definitely innacurate.  Are there any track and siding plans for the extension?

Bernie

9

Other Maine Narrow Gauge / Boyd and Harvey Co.

« on: July 05, 2011, 07:51:13 AM »

On page 69 of Jerry DeVos' book--The Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railroad and Predecessors--Equipment Manufacturers and the Equipment, Volume II there are two photos of Boyd & Harvey flatcars.

The caption reads "The Boyd & Harvey Company, a lumbering operation in northern Maine, purchased at least four two-foot gauge cars from the Laconia Car Company Works.  These cars were manufactured and delivered in 1914.  The two four-wheeled trailers on the left and two eight-wheeled flatcars on the right were later resold to the Monson Railroad, a slate hauler in central Maine.-----"

I always assumed the Boyd and Harvey Company operated off the Monson, but the above capion puts it in another area of Maine.  Can anyone out there give more information on the Boyd & Harvey Company?  Was it a real railroad?  Did they have any locomotives?  Did they just use horses?  Any information would be of great interest to me.

Bernie Perch

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Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad / Model of #10 for sale on ebay

« on: January 14, 2009, 09:33:31 PM »

I just ran into a photo of a model of #10 which is for sale on ebay.  It looks reasonably good to my eyes. Scale-? Gauge?  Maybe someone who lives in that area can look it up and let us know more about it, or someone registered for ebay can throw a few questions at the seller.  ebay #290286590453 or just look up Sandy River.

Bernie

11

General Discussion / Proper Netiquette

« on: November 12, 2008, 11:49:08 AM »

Ed, James,

Thank you for your comments concerning the appropriateness of what is happening in this thread.  While I feel what appears to be young enthusiasts looking for information, it is taking a twist which caused me to avoid most other discussion forums and to avoid certain posters. 

Also, while I am commenting, I wish some new posters would use proper grammar and spelling (not counting the typos which spring up).  I just cringe when I read some some of the stuff which is being posted.  Some examples include: i instead of I, the improper use of their and there, the improper use of too, to, and two,  the improper use of break and brake, and the latest in one forum, the improper use of steel and steal.  I could go on and on, but I think most most people reading this get the point.

I do understand that we are not writing high literature here, but in a world wide forum we are exposing our souls permanently to everybody.

Bernie Perch

12

Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad / Bigelow Roundhouse Plans

« on: August 11, 2008, 11:01:00 AM »

Does anybody out there know where I could get plans for the SR&RLRR roundhouse at Bigelow?  I have the many books which show plans for the roundhouses at Bridgton, Wiscasset, Phillips and possibly others and could probably cobble a set from these, but I would like exact ones if I could find them.

Bernie