Topics

1

Volunteers / Steam Maintenance Days

« on: March 02, 2025, 09:21:08 AM »

Hello Folks,

Roger and I have discussed establishing a regular (perhaps monthly) series of steam maintenance days where we openly encourage involvement.  We would like to teach the basics of maintaining operating steam locomotives- the 'nuts and bolts.' 

This is meant to contrast from the big- exciting projects like No 11.  Instead- this is the day to day of what it takes to run steam locomotives.  Plus- our small team of maintenance volunteers need help!

Please note that some of this work is quite specialized and needs to be done correctly.  All work needs to be approved, and possibly supervised and/or taught by Roger or another regular steam maintenance person.  While we'll do our best to engage anyone interested- some tasks won't be appropriate for small children or folks with physical limitations so be patient as we match task with volunteer, especially as this program is just getting started.

Our first planned day is next Saturday, March 8, 2025.  (This could be kicked to March 15 if there's a strong sentiment here).  There's a variety of work planned- Roger is maintaining a running work list as part of his upcoming role as Enginehouse Foreman.

We don't yet have a brand for this program- though we feel it needs one.  "Steam Backshop Apprenticeship" or something.  We're open to ideas here- but we should put this idea in a branding box so it's easier to spread the word.

Please respond here if you can make it next Saturday.  Future month's sessions may have to be a weekday due to operations but we'll schedule month by month for now.

Also please feel free to share your thoughts on this program.

Thanks
Jason

2

Work and Events / Shop Annex

« on: October 06, 2024, 11:32:52 AM »

Hello folks,

As everyone knows our shop annex, which is essentially a stock room used for the purpose of maintaining usable workspace in the shop proper, has grown to be quite frustrating in its untidiness.  Wayne and Kitty Laepple used to keep after this when they were able to do so.  The lack of a space “keeper” over the last year has really shown.

Also as many of you know, my father, Joe Lamontagne, has been volunteering significantly of late- usually 5 days per week.  A couple months ago he offered to adopt the annex, give it a major overhaul and organization, and most importantly- he’s offered to be the keeper of that space once it’s under control.  He was a career warehouse manager at BIW and comes with a wealth of ideas. 

When he offered he asked if his proposal needed any sort of formal approval.  I didn’t think so as someone volunteering to clean up our mess seemed just dandy to me.  He’s now asked me to let folks know of this plan, so he isn’t bumping into anyone else’s potential plans.  He intends to tackle it as a winter project, beginning after Brendan is done needing him for the enginehouse project this fall.

Hopefully everyone else is as excited about this as me!

Thanks
Jason

3

Work and Events / WW&F MoW1018 X-Cart- Official Work Thread

« on: May 13, 2024, 08:54:41 PM »

Saturday May 11 2024 marked the formal beginning of assembly for the excavator cart, assigned MoW#1018.

James and Brendan worked on assembling the floating wheel carriage, which provides equalization for the 4 wheel cart.

Today, my father and I began assembling the main frame, after unloading and separating most laser cut components from the crate.

Assembly and welding will be complete this month.  Following this we have to build the hydraulic system, followed by the control system.

We will try to keep this thread updated.

Jason

4

Volunteers / April 2024 Work Reports

« on: March 31, 2024, 05:02:02 PM »

Anticipated Work
Week of April 1, 2024

Monday:
Vacuum Pot Verification in preparation for coach 3 truck install
V&S committee meeting
XCart material final quoting and ordering
Construct track into Head Tide

Tuesday:
Coach 3 truck install (if vacuum pot verification is positive)
Build11 prep for Full Session
Coach 9
Vacuum Pot Assembly

Wednesday:
Build11 Full Session
Coach 9
Vac Brake Work

Thursday:
Build11 Full Session

All week:
Platform work will likely proceed when Brendan is available. 
Sometime this week we will be retrieving the lead truck wheelset and otherwise rearranging the No11 container.  Looking for help with this.
We will watch the pending storm and run an inspection/ line clearing trip as appropriate late in the week.

Thanks, Happy Easter!
Jason

5

Volunteers / Reducing Fire Danger on the Mountain

« on: March 12, 2024, 11:37:39 AM »

Folks we are heading for a dry start to our season.  Amongst other measures, we are concerned with the amount of dry material on the track between ToM and TBS.  Mostly leaves and pine needles, this material is dry and accessible now and could be readily blown clear of the track with careful use of the leaf blower.  I say “careful” because lack of care would also send the ballast off into the woods.

This is a two person job: one as a lookout and safety watch for heavy labor, and the other blowing.  That way the two can trade off as well. 

The blower was a huge utility for us blowing snow this winter.  It should work well for this as well.

Are any volunteers willing to take this task on?  It is important to mitigate our known fire hazards before we run again.

Thanks
Jason

6

Volunteers / Printed Rulebook Pledges

« on: February 10, 2024, 06:50:09 PM »

Hello folks,

For some time we have wanted to print pocket-size, hardbound cloth covered rulebooks in order to add a touch of class and pride to our operation.

We have gotten what we feel is a good quote from a local publisher.  Including the set-up fee it is $25 per book.  Future reprints will not require the same level of set up, reducing unit cost to under $12 each (barring inflation increases). 

This first print run would be 100 books for a total of about $2500.  We hope this book print lasts 5-10 years, but that depends on how many General Order updates we have to carry to keep the books up to date. 

The Board is willing to fund this however is unable to make this happen right now.  We wonder if individual museum members might be willing to pledge the cost of their book at $25 each.  If enough members pledge, the Board may be able to fund the difference and get these books printed sooner.  We had hoped for them in time for the April rules class- but we may miss that.

A photo of our inspiration is attached below.

Any members choosing to pledge, please vote "I will pledge" above.  You can vote multiple times in case you want to offer more donation than one book (though everyone gets just one book).  Or you can choose another option.

Thank you!
Jason

7

The Original W&Q and WW&F: 1894-1933 / Hobos on the WW&F to Head Tide

« on: January 30, 2024, 06:27:34 PM »

Hello,

Does anyone recall a story of hobos riding from Wiscasset to Head Tide in boxcars?  I recall this story being passed to us from a woman who had ridden the period railroad.  I thought James had received this story but he does not recall it, nor does Linda.  We’d like to track down the particulars of this story, however thorough they may be.

Any leads?

Thanks
Jason

8

Work and Events / Winter 2024 Photo Event Prep

« on: November 06, 2023, 08:52:40 AM »

Hi folks,

We are holding a photography event in early February, 2024.  A critical piece of success is brush cutting at several key locations, including Albee’s field, Top of Mountain, Humason trestle, rosewood, and possibly others. 

Is anyone reading this interested in leading and or helping with this effort?  We should try to accomplish this in November and December.

Thanks
Jason

9

Volunteers / October 2023 Work Reports

« on: October 01, 2023, 04:48:42 PM »

Anticipated Work
Week of October 1-4, 2023.  (Work Weekend Excluded)

Tuesday:
Truck Work.  Final (re)assembly expected.
Coach 9 work.
Flatcar Canopy (Randy and Jay B).  Canopy on flat 34.

Wednesday:
Track work- prep for Upper/ North Yard work on Saturday of FWW.  On Wednesday we will remove two track panels from Barn 2 lead, due to a significant hump in the roadbed.  Help would be greatly appreciated on Wednesday for this prep work.

Others please feel free to post work plans I missed.

Thanks
Jason
Coach 9 work.

Wednesday-Thursday (and into FWW):
Build11 will focus on cylinder work.

10

Volunteers / 2023 Fall Rules Class

« on: August 16, 2023, 11:02:30 AM »

Hi Folks,

Rules class for 2023 will be Saturday September 23, 2023.

Please note that attendance is required at least once every 3 years.  If this just doesn’t work out for you, we can offer an equivalent.

Also note- because Sept 23 is such short notice, for which I apologize, we will also be offering a spring 2024 rules class.  If you’re due to attend the fall 2023 class due to the 3-year requirement, we will honor the 2024 Spring class as equivalent.

More details to follow.

Thanks,
Jason

11

Volunteers / TBS Weed Whacking Crew Request

« on: June 26, 2023, 12:57:35 PM »

Hello folks,

Would 1-2 of our volunteers reading this be willing to weed whack the railroad right of way from track out to each ditch between Rt 218 at TBS south to MP8?  This is an area we cannot power-spray due to proximity of the public trail system.  The volunteer who has been taking care of this for the past few years has some new health restrictions.

Please let us know here if you’re willing.  We’d like to get this done within the next 2-3 weeks if possible.

Thanks
Jason

12

Work and Events / Jayne's Way Crossing Renewal May 30 and 31, 2023

« on: April 14, 2023, 09:58:04 AM »

Hello folks,

We are planning to replace Jayne's Way Crossing during the final week of May/ first week of June.  This work includes removal of 90' of track, excavation and installation of crossing drainage, and installation of new track.  This will be a large project requiring a strong support crew.  Anyone who is able to join us please do- and please let us know here or let Steve or I know directly. 

The specific dates are:
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Thursday, June 1, 2023

Thanks
Jason

13

Volunteers / 2022 Fall Work Weekend Volunteer Parking

« on: September 10, 2022, 04:03:40 PM »

Hello folks,

We are looking forward to a busy FWW- which will include public Pumpkin Trains on Saturday.  With the influx of volunteers attending work weekend along with public guests are causing us, we are developing a parking plan for the day.  This is important for the safety of the road, and our relationship with our neighbors and the Town.  Generally, the plan will include volunteers parking at the corner lot (still need to confirm permission) and the west lot, while trying to leave the majority of the main lot for Pumpkin passengers.

As part of this plan, we are looking for 3-4 volunteers to serve as parking attendants.  Are any readers here, who plan to attend this year's FWW willing to serve in this capacity?  We are stretched thin crewing trains and managing work activities- so we are asking for help from this group of supporters in hopes of covering this very important concern.

Feel free to respond here, or reach out to Ed or I directly.

Further information regarding 2022 FWW activities will be posted on that dedicated thread under Work and Events.

Thanks,
Jason

14

Work and Events / Mountain Extension Pre-Opening 2022 Final Testing and Preparation

« on: July 20, 2022, 04:19:29 PM »

Mtn Ext testing and training schedule (This list is for the railroad only- Brendan may add station work notes)

Week of 7/25/22: Re-set MP8 sign, final tamp turntable leads, assist with loco/ turntable testing.
Tuesday 7/26/22 Loco 9 TBS turntable testing
Wednesday 7/27/22 Loco 9 TBS turntable testing


Saturday 7/30/22 Afternoon, Loco 9 w/ 4 cars to TBS for crew training (Conductor, Engineer, Fireman, Brakeman training)

Week of 8/1/22: Set two new Yard Limit signs, final turntable adjustments as needed, any further final work deemed appropriate by Mr. Lennox
Tuesday 8/2/22 Loco 7 TBS testing
Wednesday 8/3/22 Loco 7 testing continued if necessary; otherwise possible full dress rehearsal both locos (if crew)

15

Work and Events / 2022 July 30 Rules Class

« on: July 10, 2022, 09:55:50 AM »

Hello folks,

I am just trying to get a qualitative feel of the potential attendance at this years Rules Class.  We may adjust the structure of the meeting depending on the expected participation level.

This year’s class is on Saturday July 30, 2022.  There is a general session in the morning, and break-out sessions for several disciplines (brakeman, engineer, conductor, etc) in the afternoon.  The afternoon will likely occur on the Mountain as territory training- with breakout sessions accommodated there on.

Feel free to answer the poll, respond to this thread, or both if you will or may attend.

Thank you.
Jason