Messages

1

Museum Discussion / Re: Bonus Steam Train Snow Day!

« on: February 22, 2022, 01:30:09 PM »

To digress, you mentioned that parts from Sandy River's steam outline locomotive were being delivered to Maine Locomotive & Machine.  Since the locomotive is being repaired, the group should consider changing the driving wheels.  When #11's drive wheel center patterns get back from the foundry, one or both of them should be modified to accept crank pins.  They then could be used to cast much better-looking drive wheels for the locomotive.  I know that this would be costly, but it would greatly improve the aesthetics of the locomotive.

Bernie

2

Work and Events / Re: WW&F No. 11 - Official Work Thread

« on: May 13, 2021, 07:42:05 PM »

When I get down there next time which will be about six weeks from now, I will ask permission to take some photos.  It is run by the Amish, and they may refuse.

Bernie

3

Work and Events / Re: WW&F No. 11 - Official Work Thread

« on: May 13, 2021, 05:29:28 PM »

I took the stanchion and flag pocket patterns along with the patterns for MEC 470's complete whistle to Cattail a week ago. I recommend that anyone visiting that section of PA to stop in.  It's like visiting a place that hasn't changed in 100 years.  It is the foundry version of what the WW&F is trying to emulate.  If I can, I will try to photograph the castings.  I hope to finish 470's whistle bell and put it on my B & M bowl/valve and put it on CNJ 113.  It should sound exactly like 113 as I used the core box from 113's whistle with additional spacers for the flat top version.

The reason you guys haven't seen many #11 patterns is that I have been working on the clamshell door patterns for CNJ 113 which were also cast at Cattail, and the patterns for 470's whistle. On the way to the foundry, the trunk and back seat of my car were filled with patterns.

Bernie

4

Work and Events / Re: Engine House - Official Work Thread

« on: March 22, 2021, 10:09:54 PM »

The stalls in the shop are 1,2,3,4.  The stalls in the car barn should be 5,6,7 (any direction).  The stalls in the roundhouse should be 8, 9, 10 (any direction).  If the speeder stall is added to the carbarn it should be adjusted accordingly.  With this system, stalls would not need clarification.  When someone says go to stall 6, one immediately knows it is the center stall of the carbarn without any explanation needed.

Bernie

5

The Original W&Q and WW&F: 1894-1933 / Re: The Franklin, Somerset & Kennebec Railway (FS&K)

« on: March 13, 2021, 10:38:36 AM »

Some or most of the field notes for the surveying of the FS&K are in the WW&FRy Museum archives.

Bernie

6

US Two Footers / Re: 1880s and 1890s 2 foot gauge porter question

« on: December 29, 2020, 02:59:39 PM »

It is possible they built a two foot locomotive to that exact design, but the problem is that with the locomotives you pictured, the firebox was between the frame members.  If you were to go to two foot with the exact design, the firebox would be too narrow.  When going to two foot gauge or 20" gauge as the existing locomotives in Arizona, the firebox was put behind the drivers so it could be wide enough.  If you are contemplating building a two foot locomotive to that exact design, it could be possibly be fired with oil or gas, but no solid fuels.  Porter built some construction locomotives to two foot gauge with the firebox over the rear drivers but it was resting on top of the frame and the overall locomotive was rather tall looking, not at all like the design you mentioned.  I corresponded with an individual that I have lost contact with who had a boiler from one of these locomotives with the builder's plate intact.  I believe he was going to build a locomotive with parts scrounged from a wreck site of an identical locomotive.  I wonder how far he got.

Bernie

7

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

« on: February 27, 2020, 10:07:53 AM »

Harold,

I am amazed at how you attack your projects.  Do you have time to eat and sleep?  The WW&F is blessed to have you as one of the amazing volunteers that are recreating the best part of the "good olde days" in Maine.  I wonder if in a previous life you worked for one of the car builders that made some of the varnish for the original two footers.

Bernie

8

Volunteers / Re: January 2020 Work Reports

« on: January 08, 2020, 01:09:26 PM »

I am curious as to what is being moved and will the current archives rooms be used for something else?  I spend the work weekends doing caption work on the photo albums and wonder if this material will be accessible.

Bernie

9

Work and Events / Re: NOV. 2 - WORK-EVENT- ROCK THE MOUNTAIN!

« on: October 19, 2019, 10:52:09 AM »

How come work has stopped in Albion?

Bernie

10

Museum Discussion / Re: Reflections on 30 Years of the WW&F

« on: August 14, 2019, 07:49:33 AM »

Ten years from now, someone will be referring to now as "the good olde days".  I do feel what Steve is referring to.  At one time the railroad was quaint.  Now it is starting to become "big time".

Bernie

11

Work and Events / Re: Eames Train Brakes - Official Work Thread

« on: June 28, 2019, 04:31:46 PM »

You guys are taking this to a mind bogglingly higher level.  I am in awe.

Bernie

12

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

« on: June 03, 2019, 11:37:30 AM »

Harold,

I am just blown away by your work.  It is difficult to imagine all the hours you have in your patterns.

Bernie

13

Museum Discussion / Re: Useful relics at Portland Co?

« on: April 10, 2019, 10:52:32 AM »

Wasn't there some sort of crane between the turntable and the coal shed in Wiscasset?

Bernie

14

Museum Discussion / Re: How Far is the WW&F going to restore the new track?

« on: February 14, 2019, 01:33:50 PM »

I rarely enter into these "expansion conversations" but I am going to enter my two cents.  When the railroad reaches 218 it will be about three miles long.  For the average tourist, especially with children, that is more than enough of a train ride.  Even though I understand why the railroad is expanding north to escape federal oversight, I always felt it was the wrong direction.  To go north beyond 218 in my mind is a waste.  It would require expensive crossing gates, expensive road crossing (thick boards would not suffice here), and would be limited to the next crossing.  Beyond that would require another major crossing which would require the road to be raised and the fill replaced beyond that.  All this would add another five minutes to the trip (both directions included).  What would the attraction be beyond 218--more trees and a field or two?  If there was a resort or tourist attraction to be reached which would produce more ridership, then I would feel differently.

I have heard stirrings of expansion southward.  There are houses and 218 in the way with all the problems mentioned above with crossings, but to me would be the sensible way to go.  Theoretically, when the railroad reached Wiscasset, with proper parking and promotion, the passenger numbers could greatly expand.  There would be no need to build a trestle or have a yard where the original was located.  Just put the tracks west of the current wide gauge ones.  There would have to be a little filling on the mud flats with its attendant permits, but considering what the railroad has done up to now, it isn't insurmountable. 

 Looking forward to SWW and all the progress since last fall.

Bernie

15

Museum Discussion / Re: Wonderful article on the WW&F Railway: NRHS Bulletin, Vol 81, No. 2

« on: December 20, 2018, 07:19:02 PM »

You should find a way to arrange to get more copies and have them sold in the gift shop.

Bernie