Topics

1

Other Narrow Gauge / EBT test fires #16

« on: February 02, 2023, 02:11:29 AM »

As some of you may know, 2/1/23 the EBT test fired #16 and ran it under her own power in the Orbisonia yard. There has been great photos and videos posted in various media groups of the occasion.

https://youtu.be/cAraXcfdcWk

Hats off to the entire EBT crew for the tremendous achievement and restoration undertaking in such a short turn around.

I must say, watching the videos reminded me of seeing #9 operate under her own power for the first time in decades. I am certain those guys had the same feeling we all did watching the testing of #9. 😊

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Volunteers / Thankful and Happy Thanksgiving

« on: November 23, 2022, 05:58:51 AM »

The amount of work and skill that we are fortunate and lucky to have at the railroad is truly amazing. Well done to all the volunteers who help make Harry’s dream possible, rather you can only help for 10 minutes a year, or several hundred hours a year. The talent, craftsmanship, and willingness to learn is inspirational.

And of course thank you to the generous donors who help fund the dreams and future.

Happy Thanksgiving to all the members and family at the WW&F.

I am proud to have my roots tied to such an amazing organization.

3

Other Narrow Gauge / East Broad Top must sees

« on: July 05, 2022, 12:23:00 AM »

Hey everyone,

Planning a trip to the EBT very soon, and am looking for some opinions on must sees of the railroad. I have seen Orbisonia, Robertsdale, and Saltillo once in 2012.

I’d like to see the Pogue trestle, and more but need help on how to find the more hidden gems. Any help is greatly appreciated.

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Museum Discussion / Narrow Gauge Off the beaten track YouTube presentation

« on: April 20, 2022, 10:46:07 AM »

I don’t know if this has been posted already, but I found this video and even as a volunteer/member I always enjoy hearing what fellow members, BoDs, etc say about our museum, questions that are asked, etc.

https://youtu.be/UU2G_mlKeW4

Dave did a really nice job with this presentation. Very thorough. But near the end he mentioned about dreaming of the future in 2033, with the 100 years since the railroad closed. And it got me wondering and thinking, I can’t wait to see what the museum looks like 11 years from now. 😁

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General Discussion / Corona virus and railroading

« on: May 22, 2020, 09:29:12 PM »

Well the virus impact has finally hit the railroad. Well, not really. Just leading them to do some stupid things like combining two trains. Here is a Edpo/AyPo combo I was on the other day. 11,000' of train, at 25mph. Takes a long time for us to go by. Lol.

https://youtu.be/bofeL8NKG3A

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Museum Discussion / July/August Newsletter

« on: August 02, 2019, 02:14:32 PM »

I just got my copy of the newsletter in the mail today. What a fantastic issue to celebrate the 30th year. Well done everyone who helped make it happen. What a great read for anyone who may or may not know the history.

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Volunteers / July 2019 Work Planning

« on: June 30, 2019, 04:54:06 AM »

As of right now I will be at the museum for Saturday July 6th. Would love to have a tamping crew join me as soon as possible on the Mountain that day. My plan is to leave Sheepscot around 7 a.m. in my vehicle to get a good head start on it.

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Volunteers / Summer Work Weekend July 20 & 21 "Rock the Mountain" - CANCELLED

« on: May 06, 2019, 07:00:50 AM »

With much left to do on the mountain we are going to coordinate a Summer Work Weekend to finish ballast a few areas on the mountain that have been lifted and need more ballast, as well as try to do more tamping. Other work that needs to be done is we also need to line the track to its final location. If time and crew permits we can look into doing prep work for the Fall Work Weekend. I am sure there will be a project or two at the shop that will require some help, but overall our primary focus is the Mountain in an effort to ensure it is ready for many rail laying trains this fall.

Thank you everyone for all your hard work during the Spring Work Weekend, and hope to see many of you for the Summer Work Weekend.

Joe

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Volunteers / Track Work Day 5/4/19

« on: May 01, 2019, 07:17:11 PM »

Hey everyone,

I am trying to get a track crew together to head North at 8-8:30a.m. on Saturday. The goal is to lift and tamp one joint near MP 6 on the way north and spot a car to be loaded with stone at Alna Center. If crew permits I would like to unload the car after the last train of the day, at around 2:30p.m on Davis grade. This would allow us to lift two speed restrictions on Saturday if all goes well. During train time I hope to tamp more on the mountain. If someone is willing to bring a lunch to stay up tamping that is great. Otherwise we can take the 11:00 train out of ToM back for lunch.

Joe

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Volunteers / May 2019 Work Reports

« on: April 30, 2019, 05:36:49 AM »

Hey everyone,

With a busy summer ahead, I hope to do a few Summer Work Weekends to coordinate some track work on the mountain, main line work, and Fall Work Weekend Prep. If we can, I would like to start with track work this Saturday. My thought is if I am able to be there, or someone else is willing to coordinate I hope to ballast the south end of Cockeyed Curve, and hand tamp one problem area near MP 6 that is a single joint. Ideal crew size would be 7-8 people. This would hopefully allow us to lift 2 speed restrictions on the main line.

Once that is done, we can regroup and see what others would like to do. There is much to be done this year and with your help we can definately keep things rolling along and shorten up the track project list.

Thank you everyone again for all your help this last weekend. A lot of work was done in just a few short days.

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Volunteers / Track Work 2019 (Not counting Work Weekends)

« on: March 27, 2019, 06:14:49 AM »

Hey everyone,

Spring is upon us and so is our track maintenance season. Last year I did a vast majority of maintenance alone. This year I hope we can get some intetested in doing some track work on a few Saturday as there are some track projects in Sheepscot that need repair. One of them I hope to tackle as soon as the ground is thawed and will require at least 4 of us to make it happen in one day. Preferably a Saturday when guys are looking for something to do.

Other track projects include things we were unable to complete last year.

I will try to keep this thread active and give everyone as much notice as possible.

Joe

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Work and Events / Spring Work Weekend 2019, and other upcomimg Work Weekend Prep

« on: March 27, 2019, 06:05:31 AM »

Hey everyone, its never too early to begin planning for the upcoming work weekend(s). The Spring work weekends primary focus will be to ballast the almost 1500'of unballasted track on the Mountain. We will be using #9 with two flat cars, and Monson #3 with two flat cars. (The fourtth will be on loan from MNG) While we are ballasting, there will also be a tamper crew to begin tamping from the end of track up the hill. Ballasting is not fun, but many hands make light work and I hope many of you are able to join us.

Later this summer, probably starting in late June or early July we will begin sorting out the 180 rails we need to build track to Route 218. To do so, I estimate we will sort through a total of 260 rails to get decent ones for us to use. Once we have all materials ready for Fall Work Weekend, I then plan to sort through the rest of the pile if there is any left. Make a pile for croppable rail and a pile for scrap rail.

Also this summer there will be a lot of other trwck projects that need to be done. (Some can be done on weekends. As the ground thaws I have already found a few spots that require attention. Some has been on the project list for a short time now, and a few have just popped up.) See the track work thread in the volunteer section for details.

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Museum Discussion / Maine Christmas video

« on: December 09, 2018, 08:40:22 AM »

Hey everyone,

Here is a video link of the WW&F Christmas slideshow I put together using the Maine Christmas song in the background.

https://youtu.be/-r6GW9Su5yA

Photos have been used from many previous events.

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Volunteers / Work Day 11/3

« on: October 26, 2018, 06:54:24 AM »

Hey everyone,

Since Albion Day has been canceled and there is interest in a work day still here is my plan for 11/3. I hope to be there, but am doubtfull. I know it is also the day for the Topsham Train Show, but I hope we can arrange the following.

I want to jack and tamp the last remaining stretch of Davis Grade. Line it if we have crew. (Could Come-A-Long the worst spots if needed) Ballast as needed behind the tamping crew.

If crew and myself are available, I would like to have 4 of us finish Cockeyed Curve as well.

If you are able to attend please let me know so I can make final arrangements and get things ready. Ideal crew size is 8-10 people.

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Museum Discussion / WW&F 2018 in Reveiw slideshow, and speech

« on: October 12, 2018, 07:27:03 AM »

Hey Everyone,

Unfortunately the slideshow and speech didn't really happen this year during the Fall Work Weekend, so here they are.

Thank you for all-of your support, dedication, and hard work. Without all of you, none of this would be possible. Rather today is your first day volunteering, or just another day from the last few years all of you are a cog in the wheel that helps keep this museum growing.

It is heartwarming to see so many of us all here for the same goal and passion. To restore and preserve this small part of Maine history, and in many cases we work harder here than we do at our every day jobs. Yes, myself included. As many of you know this has been a rather busy year for us, from the BIG bridge project, to Mountain repairs, track work, caboose repairs, and much more. At times the Bridge and Mountain projects were rather stressful and putting serous demand on our regular volunteers, everyone pitched in and kept their heads held high knowing it was for a great purpose. Even those of us not so regular, you are still as much a vital part of the museum as everyone else, because without everyone of you our progress on Work Weekends would not be nearly as spectacular.
We can’t thank you all enough for your dedication, support, and hard work. Please enjoy the following slideshow as we look back at 2018 in review.

After the feedback from the two slideshows I have assembled so far, I plan to make these an annual thing, with two in the works for next year. A 30 years presentation that will include before, during, and after photos. And a 2019 in review slideshow that will include photos from October 2018 to September 2019.

https://youtu.be/ziJApvP1Qvg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ev4BB33vJLk&t=9s