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Topics - John McNamara

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1
Museum Discussion / Leaves on The Mountain
« on: December 08, 2022, 01:13:14 PM »
Recent posts have indicated that 52 and 7 (and 9?) had difficulties with poor traction on The Mountain due to wet leaves on the rails. NHN has had similar problems at the Ossipee Pit in NH, and I was aboard a train that took three attempts to leave Rockland ME.  How about a WW&F rail head cleaning system ?:
https://eandt.theiet.org/content/articles/2021/10/leaves-on-the-line-excuse-blown-away-by-new-rail-cleaning-system/
This was probably not a problem in the old days, as photos indicate few if any trees in the area.


2
Other Narrow Gauge / World's Longest Passenger Train
« on: November 05, 2022, 09:51:16 AM »
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9AqRys2nZ8

The train and the scenery are fantastic. From this comment and others I've seen that used the magic words "field phone," they evidently used a field phone line for communication between the crews due to the many bridges and tunnels.

"Btw, the train was operated by 7 conductors and 21 technicians. To ensure a stable communication also in the tunnels, a purpose-built cable reel phone line was used."

I hereby pledge to implement a similar system should we ever run a train of similar length over similar bridges and through similar tunnels.

By the way, I'm pleased to say that I have ridden and photographed this meter-gauge line. :-)

-John M



3
Museum Discussion / Publicity Outside of Facebook
« on: August 30, 2022, 11:30:36 AM »
The latest issue of Mass Bay RRE's Callboy features a great cover color photo by our own Stewart Rhine. Number 9 is shown crossing the Trout Brook Bridge during the Mountain Extension Grand Opening. Congrats Stewart!

4
General Discussion / Road Closures and Delays 2022
« on: April 05, 2022, 03:01:23 PM »
A route involving Dresden might be attractive these days due to bridge construction on Route 1 north of Taste of Maine. I welcome input from local drivers to elaborate on this....

5
Two Footers outside of the US / Lorenbahn
« on: November 17, 2021, 01:22:03 PM »
A worthy 600mm line in Germany discussed in a Tom Scott Video:

The Lorenbahn, the Lüttmoorsiel-Nordstrandischmoor island railway, is famous for the tiny, private trains that take residents to and from the mainland. But that's not why it was built: and it's got a more useful purpose as well.

-John M

6
Work and Events / Trouble-shooting the WW&F Magneto Phone System
« on: July 13, 2021, 11:45:35 AM »
As you know, the track-side magneto telephone line is an important part of WW&F operations. For several weeks, line defects between Brook Crossing and Sheepscot Station have disabled communication between these points. I have purchased a very fancy cable tester and have made some tests, but walking problems have limited my ability to pursue the results of these tests. I can use the cable tester to roughly locate the faults, but I need help to visually confirm the damage locations.
Is there someone available to assist some afternoon? Let's arrange something so I can bring a field phone and the magic tester.
Thanks!
John McNamara “Chief Ding-a-ling”

7
Museum Discussion / National RR Map Including Top of the Mountain
« on: May 22, 2021, 10:32:23 AM »
The following post on railroad.net is of interest.

https://www.railroad.net/finally-finished-an-interactive-map-of-us-rail-includes-railroad-crossings-bridges-tunnels-etc-t173127.html

It includes tremendous detail, including the track at TOM!

https://map.eliothertenstein.com/

8
Museum Discussion / Public Camping/Overnights at ToM (or elsewhere)
« on: January 30, 2021, 09:26:29 PM »
Ah but, opening the trail to Porcupine Palace will lessen the wilderness experience of finding one's way there. Further, visitors to Top of the Mountain will be wanting to go there to use the luxurious restroom facilities that were unfortunately revealed at the left in one of the pictures included above.

9
Volunteers / Telephone improvement at Rose Wood Crossing
« on: November 05, 2020, 05:39:45 PM »
Ed has reported a very crude splice (wire nuts) just north of Rosewood crossing. I'd like to replace that splice with something more weatherproof. I realize that many people are going to SR&RL or MNG on Saturday, but I was wondering if anyone was planning on being at Sheepscot tomorrow afternoon......
Thanks! (A year's free magphone calls as a reward for any volunteers.) :)

10
Museum Discussion / Sheepscot Station Buildings in an Ad
« on: June 24, 2020, 08:17:40 AM »
I was reading a Portland Press Herald article and the following ad appeared:
https://tpc.googlesyndication.com/simgad/10677923854224370722

11
Whimsical Weirdness and Foolery / Easter
« on: April 12, 2020, 01:36:45 PM »
Three clergymen were discussing the problem of mice in their churches. One said that mice were destructive and disease-carrying and should be dispatched promptly with a spring trap. The second said that mice should be trapped humanely and moved to some distant rural spot. The third said that they should be elected as members of the church; then they would only show up at Christmas and Easter.

12
Volunteers / TOM Telephone
« on: September 29, 2019, 09:16:00 PM »
The telephone at Top of the Mountain is back in service. Many thanks to those who restored the wire a few weeks ago and to James Napilini who helped me today. 🤗


13
Work and Events / Jingle, Jingle
« on: August 26, 2019, 05:58:40 PM »
I am extremely, extremely pleased to report that Brandon Barry and Fred Morse have found the break that most likely caused a failure of magneto telephone line service at TOM. A break was caused by an errant blade cutter used near the Rose Wood road. Fred motivated the repair project and Brendan, consummate professional phone man that he is, added a short section and made two waterproof splices. Testing will commence shortly.

Thanks guys!
John M ("Chief Dinga-Ling")

14
Museum Discussion / Reflections on 30 Years of the WW&F
« on: August 13, 2019, 01:15:13 PM »
On August 18, 1996 Jason was bending a guard rail for a Sheepscot switch. He was using flatcar 118 as a work surface.

15
Museum Discussion / Help Needed Getting Sale Materials From Sheepscot to Amherst Show
« on: January 02, 2019, 09:46:24 PM »
Now that the "Springfield Show" is less than a month away, it's time (past time) to think about getting our show materials there.

At one time, Bob Cavanagh / Zack (van) and John Robertson (large station wagon) brought stuff. Neither are going this year. I used to also bring stuff in my large station wagon, but I now have a very compact mini-SUV. Cindy and Stewart are coming, but they are handling her father's exhibit. I expect the Piwowarski family, but their status is unknown. The only people signed up are me, Susan Hackett (CT), Marcel, Duncan Mackiewicz, and Dan Malkowski.

I will be coming up to Sheepscot on either the 12th or the 19th, and staging stuff at my house in Maynard (MA), but my carrying capacity is limited.

Is there anyone out there who can help bring clothes, books, and trinkets from Sheepscot to W. Springfield on January 25-26? The more we bring, the more we sell, and the more money we make for the WW&F. Please post here or PM me.

Thanks!
-John M

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