1
Two Footers outside of the US / Re: Rillé steam railway society
« on: March 17, 2025, 06:08:00 PM »
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2
Two Footers outside of the US / Rillé steam railway society
« on: March 17, 2025, 06:07:18 PM »
We received the following invitation and photos from ANOTHER French two-footer...
Please tell your members that they would be most welcome on our train if they come to visit our region some day!
The 2025 season will begin next May and (as usual) we are very busy, preparing the rolling stock and locos.
All infos, photos and videos about our railway and society are on Internet: aecfm.fr
All the best to you all!
Jean
Rillé steam railway society
Please tell your members that they would be most welcome on our train if they come to visit our region some day!
The 2025 season will begin next May and (as usual) we are very busy, preparing the rolling stock and locos.
All infos, photos and videos about our railway and society are on Internet: aecfm.fr
All the best to you all!
Jean
Rillé steam railway society
3
Museum Discussion / Re: Reviews, Thank You's, and Messages of Encouragement
« on: March 16, 2025, 06:43:29 PM »
via email...
I have just discovered your railway on Internet and was enthusiast about what I saw on the different videos .
Congratulations to all the volunteers of your society !
Jean DAVID
Chairman of the Rillé steam train society ( FRANCE )
also a two foot heritage steam train
I have just discovered your railway on Internet and was enthusiast about what I saw on the different videos .
Congratulations to all the volunteers of your society !
Jean DAVID
Chairman of the Rillé steam train society ( FRANCE )
also a two foot heritage steam train
4
Volunteers / Re: March 2025 work reports
« on: March 15, 2025, 06:25:30 PM »Quote
Hopper car work: Brendan and crew was building a cover for the South African hopper in worse shape. Or maybe a platform for turning into a dome car.
The purpose of the deck is to use the car as staging in Bay 1 of the Morse Engine House while installing the celling and smoke jack over the pit. See the Engine House work thread or Stewart's photos on Facebook.
5
Museum Discussion / Re: Reviews, Thank You's, and Messages of Encouragement
« on: March 12, 2025, 10:20:39 PM »
via email...
Dear Build [11] Team: Once again, as always, you folks continue to amaze. When we started telling people that the WW&F Museum was building a locomotive from the ground up they would look at us with that "yea, right-that'll happen" expression. Your photo journal sure wipes that smirk off of their faces and helps them realize this is a real hard working museum, not just some small time operation. Keep going-we're all proud of you!
Dear Build [11] Team: Once again, as always, you folks continue to amaze. When we started telling people that the WW&F Museum was building a locomotive from the ground up they would look at us with that "yea, right-that'll happen" expression. Your photo journal sure wipes that smirk off of their faces and helps them realize this is a real hard working museum, not just some small time operation. Keep going-we're all proud of you!
6
Moderator Announcements / Re: NEWSLETTERS!!!
« on: March 12, 2025, 09:38:16 PM »
March / April 2025 Newsletter is posted at: https://wwfry.org/newsletters/ (4-digit code required as password.)
7
Work and Events / Re: WW&F No. 11 - Official Work Thread
« on: March 11, 2025, 07:26:10 PM »
Build Locomotive 11: March 2025 Update
Our latest Build 11 work session was held on February 18 - 20. Brendan Barry and Jason Lamontagne picked up driving wheels, axles and counterweights from Mountain Machine Works in Auburn, Maine and transported them to Millinocket Fabrication and Machine on Tuesday where they were joined by Quentin Bethune and Rick Sisson. Preliminary inspection of the axles was performed and additional work identified. On Wednesday MFM personnel – Robert, Rodney and Gary joined us in the fabrication shop and prepared their 200 ton hydraulic press to press our wheels and counterweights onto the driving axles. These guys were great to work with, took pride in their work and treated our components with care.
After getting fixturing in place on the press, and modifying keys for us, the gang pressed the first pair of wheels and it was lunch time. After lunch the remaining wheels and counterweights were pressed in less than an hour and a half. Brendan and Jason then brought the driving wheel assemblies back to Mountain Machine Works where the quartering will be checked and crankpins turned to final dimensions. We plan to install our tires (finished by Mountain Machine Works) during the WW&F Railway Spring Work Weekend.
This photo shows an overall view of the press:
Rodney, Gary and Robert (l-r) from Millinocket Fabrication and Machine:
One of the keyways – we put each key outside (in the snow) for a while to shrink the key:
We took care to ensure perpendicular alignment to the axle:
Pressing the counterweights:
Pressing the second wheelset:
On Thursday, Quentin turned an aluminum fixture plate that he will use to bore and turn the valve gear eccentrics. Quentin also brought back the cylinder heads that he worked on at home:
Harold Downey has also been developing a fixture to accurately position the shoes and wedges for machining. Harold has completed his tram measurements with which he can complete the shoes and wedges.
Noah MacAdam has continued to work on the lead truck journal boxes as seen here:
In other news...
Rick started to form part of the fire ring we will use to install the driver tires during the Spring Work Weekend: April 25-27, 2025.
Gordon Cook has been refining our 3D locomotive model so that the team can determine the center of gravity and weight on wheels so that we can specify and order the suspension springs.
Jason and Rick have reviewed and revised the main and parallel rod models and drawings and are prepared to send these components to outside machine shops for quotation.
Our 2025 fundraising - $120,000 challenge to put Build 11 On the Fast Track - is well underway. To date we have received $33,313 which will be MATCHED by an anonymous member, bringing us to 56% of the $120,000 goal for 2025.
Recent donations included an unsolicited check for $10,000 and $1309 from Western Maryland Scenic Railroad (in appreciation of our CMO, Jason Lamontagne assisting Maine Locomotive & Machine Works in repairs on a locomotive just a tad larger than no. 11.)
Remember, you can donate directly by check to the museum, use a credit card to donate through the gift shop, PayPal, or you can go to www.build11.org.
Our latest Build 11 work session was held on February 18 - 20. Brendan Barry and Jason Lamontagne picked up driving wheels, axles and counterweights from Mountain Machine Works in Auburn, Maine and transported them to Millinocket Fabrication and Machine on Tuesday where they were joined by Quentin Bethune and Rick Sisson. Preliminary inspection of the axles was performed and additional work identified. On Wednesday MFM personnel – Robert, Rodney and Gary joined us in the fabrication shop and prepared their 200 ton hydraulic press to press our wheels and counterweights onto the driving axles. These guys were great to work with, took pride in their work and treated our components with care.
After getting fixturing in place on the press, and modifying keys for us, the gang pressed the first pair of wheels and it was lunch time. After lunch the remaining wheels and counterweights were pressed in less than an hour and a half. Brendan and Jason then brought the driving wheel assemblies back to Mountain Machine Works where the quartering will be checked and crankpins turned to final dimensions. We plan to install our tires (finished by Mountain Machine Works) during the WW&F Railway Spring Work Weekend.
This photo shows an overall view of the press:
Rodney, Gary and Robert (l-r) from Millinocket Fabrication and Machine:
One of the keyways – we put each key outside (in the snow) for a while to shrink the key:
We took care to ensure perpendicular alignment to the axle:
Pressing the counterweights:
Pressing the second wheelset:
On Thursday, Quentin turned an aluminum fixture plate that he will use to bore and turn the valve gear eccentrics. Quentin also brought back the cylinder heads that he worked on at home:
Harold Downey has also been developing a fixture to accurately position the shoes and wedges for machining. Harold has completed his tram measurements with which he can complete the shoes and wedges.
Noah MacAdam has continued to work on the lead truck journal boxes as seen here:
In other news...
Rick started to form part of the fire ring we will use to install the driver tires during the Spring Work Weekend: April 25-27, 2025.
Gordon Cook has been refining our 3D locomotive model so that the team can determine the center of gravity and weight on wheels so that we can specify and order the suspension springs.
Jason and Rick have reviewed and revised the main and parallel rod models and drawings and are prepared to send these components to outside machine shops for quotation.
Our 2025 fundraising - $120,000 challenge to put Build 11 On the Fast Track - is well underway. To date we have received $33,313 which will be MATCHED by an anonymous member, bringing us to 56% of the $120,000 goal for 2025.
Recent donations included an unsolicited check for $10,000 and $1309 from Western Maryland Scenic Railroad (in appreciation of our CMO, Jason Lamontagne assisting Maine Locomotive & Machine Works in repairs on a locomotive just a tad larger than no. 11.)
Remember, you can donate directly by check to the museum, use a credit card to donate through the gift shop, PayPal, or you can go to www.build11.org.
8
Volunteers / Re: March 2025 work reports
« on: March 08, 2025, 08:28:43 PM »Quote
* Steam Maintenance Day: A good sized crew worked with Roger and Wes on #9.
Some photos by Jason Lamontagne of today's "Back(shop) to School" session.
9
Volunteers / Re: February 2025 work reports
« on: February 15, 2025, 06:55:06 PM »
A huge thank you to everyone who helped keep our parking lot, pathways, and rails clear for three solid weeks of Maine winter.
Winter operations are grueling, challenging, and can be "not fun". But then riding the mainline decorated by snow covered trees can make it all worthwhile.
That said, without the tireless effort of Dan Malkowski and Bryce Weeks the rails would have remained snow covered and silent. Thank you for going above and beyond to make our railway safe and enjoyable for our guests, photographers, and fellow volunteers.
Now, let's hope this snow melts before the first Easter Eggspress trains on April 12th!
Winter operations are grueling, challenging, and can be "not fun". But then riding the mainline decorated by snow covered trees can make it all worthwhile.
That said, without the tireless effort of Dan Malkowski and Bryce Weeks the rails would have remained snow covered and silent. Thank you for going above and beyond to make our railway safe and enjoyable for our guests, photographers, and fellow volunteers.
Now, let's hope this snow melts before the first Easter Eggspress trains on April 12th!
10
Work and Events / Re: WW&F No. 11 - Official Work Thread
« on: February 11, 2025, 08:45:34 PM »
Build Locomotive 11 - February 2025 Update
The WW&F’s latest Build 11 work session was held on January 14 - 16. We’ve completely assembled the lead truck (less springs) and equalizer components, continued to machine small and large components and are closing in on tramming the shoes and wedges.
Quentin Bethune continued machining the front cylinder head castings that he started last work session.
Quentin has since taken these home where a friend drilled 7 equally spaced holes on his CNC mill.
Joe Monty continued work on the rear coupler. He’s shown here rounding the coupler end.
Gordon Cook fabricated a shoulder washer to be installed in the lead truck cross bar along with the pin and sleeve he machined at home.
The lead truck assembly is now complete, less springs. Gordon installed the spring hangers and pins, machined at home.
We finally received the clevises which, along with the threaded rod, connect the lead truck equalizer to the transverse equalizer. Harold Downey rounded over the inside corners of the transverse equalizer hangers (not shown) between work sessions.
On Friday Jan. 17, the team visited Mountain Machine Works to review their progress. Here we see driver centers, tires and counterweights ready for assembly.
Harold Downey has spent numerous hours and taken hundreds of measurements to set up accurate tram wires. He’s now in the process of transferring and scribing reference marks on the shoes and wedges. Harold will then finish machine these components to ensure absolutely correct alignment with the cylinders and frame.
Our 2025 fundraising has begun! To date we have received $14,615 – BUT every donation is MATCHED by an anonymous member bring us to nearly 25% of the $120,000 goal for 2025. Remember, you can make your matching donation directly by check to the museum, or use a credit card to donate via: www.build11.org
Thanks for your continued support and interest in the WW&F!
The WW&F’s latest Build 11 work session was held on January 14 - 16. We’ve completely assembled the lead truck (less springs) and equalizer components, continued to machine small and large components and are closing in on tramming the shoes and wedges.
Quentin Bethune continued machining the front cylinder head castings that he started last work session.
Quentin has since taken these home where a friend drilled 7 equally spaced holes on his CNC mill.
Joe Monty continued work on the rear coupler. He’s shown here rounding the coupler end.
Gordon Cook fabricated a shoulder washer to be installed in the lead truck cross bar along with the pin and sleeve he machined at home.
The lead truck assembly is now complete, less springs. Gordon installed the spring hangers and pins, machined at home.
We finally received the clevises which, along with the threaded rod, connect the lead truck equalizer to the transverse equalizer. Harold Downey rounded over the inside corners of the transverse equalizer hangers (not shown) between work sessions.
On Friday Jan. 17, the team visited Mountain Machine Works to review their progress. Here we see driver centers, tires and counterweights ready for assembly.
Harold Downey has spent numerous hours and taken hundreds of measurements to set up accurate tram wires. He’s now in the process of transferring and scribing reference marks on the shoes and wedges. Harold will then finish machine these components to ensure absolutely correct alignment with the cylinders and frame.
Our 2025 fundraising has begun! To date we have received $14,615 – BUT every donation is MATCHED by an anonymous member bring us to nearly 25% of the $120,000 goal for 2025. Remember, you can make your matching donation directly by check to the museum, or use a credit card to donate via: www.build11.org
Thanks for your continued support and interest in the WW&F!
11
US Two Footers / Restoring the Davenports - Private individual restoring TWO 2' "dinkys"
« on: February 11, 2025, 08:02:38 PM »
Check out this YouTube series of someone (unnamed) who has acquired two 2' Davenport 0-4-0Ts and is restoring them to operation. One of the locomotives was (I kid you not) blown apart with dynamite!
It's a great series so far with great explanations, etc.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5kvF2fB-opqyFJwepx6aKFkp0Gc1_mpS
Monthly updates are planned.
It's a great series so far with great explanations, etc.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5kvF2fB-opqyFJwepx6aKFkp0Gc1_mpS
Monthly updates are planned.
12
Museum Discussion / Re: Rail for extensions available from museum in WI
« on: February 07, 2025, 01:50:46 PM »
The WW&F BOD is aware of the roughly 1.2 miles of 60# rail that is for sale in Wisconsin. A proposal is being discussed - and there is a BOD meeting this Saturday @ 4pm during which members are invited to attend and voice their support or concerns. As always, we count on our members and friends to fund and support any acquisition of rail and possible further extension of the railway.
13
Museum Discussion / Re: Reviews, Thank You's, and Messages of Encouragement
« on: February 03, 2025, 12:33:27 PM »
Google, 5 stars...
Beautiful cold winter day. Perfect for a Train/Sleigh ride. Sealyon Farm is very nice. The campfire was very welcome. WW&F Railroad is great place to take a glimpse into the past. Thank you for great day!
via email...
It was a great time! Thank you!
Beautiful cold winter day. Perfect for a Train/Sleigh ride. Sealyon Farm is very nice. The campfire was very welcome. WW&F Railroad is great place to take a glimpse into the past. Thank you for great day!
via email...
It was a great time! Thank you!
14
Volunteers / Re: February 2025 work reports
« on: January 31, 2025, 10:17:38 AM »
Dave (plow guy) is aware of our situation and intends to plow us first.
15
Volunteers / Re: February 2025 work reports
« on: January 29, 2025, 06:12:53 PM »
Anyone who can help dig out the platform and walkways (and extra parking spaces) before we welcome 250 or so visitors on Saturday (starting at 10am) would be MUCH MUCH appreciated.