Messages

1

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

« on: December 19, 2022, 03:41:58 PM »

  Hello FS&K enthusiasts wherever you are, I check in once in a while.  Yes, Linda now has my misplaced FS&K folder of Farmington Chronicle articles.  I hope that new book becomes a real thing as interest in the Farmington portion of the WW&F has been haphazard at best.  I have lost all the old computer pix of the railbed between F. Falls and New Sharon which were posted here probably more than ten years ago.  Maybe they exist in the archives somewhere showing my day with an old Falls Fisherman as he let me explore the railbed and granite headers still there to see.  He died shortly after we made that trip.  I also hope the pix of the actual blue prints of the Farmington to F. Falls portion exist.  Those are still available to see hanging on an office wall in Farmington,  Contact the Farmington Historical Society as this is a very busy private office.  One of the Main street headers in Farmington is still visable on a side street, can't remember street name but turn off Route 2 by Wiles Memorial and cross to High Street, on left about half way thru.  If that new book becomes available please update this post.  I want a copy.

2

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

« on: December 07, 2020, 06:01:27 PM »

Hello FS&K enthusiasts, First time on here in awhile. I've been out of service for a long time.  Health issues restricts further investigation of the FS&K impossible.  I have a large folder of Farmington Chronicle articles to about 1900, copied from the archives located at University of Maine, Farmington Library.  I would like my research to get into hands of a real FS&K interested person.  In my past museum associations not much interest exists in the Waterville to Farmington extension.  I'd be happy to meet and deliver for free all my notes or mailing can be an option at cost.  Just let me know if you'd like everything I possess.  I still think the Atwood dream was an important aspect of WW&F development.

3

The Original W&Q and WW&F: 1894-1933 / WW&F ROW on Four Wheeler Trail in S. China

« on: May 23, 2016, 06:21:59 PM »

 I was at Tobey's Store on Route 3 Palermo / S. China Line last Saturday.  There were several four wheelers gassing up there and I was able to talk with some of the local club Members.  They said there was a 25 Mile Loop from there that included some of the WW&F Right of Way which they had been repairing that day.  It also includes some power line travel, but they said old men like me could do the loop.  I want to do this!!  Anybody running it that would let an old man tag along? Love this map. Thanks ( I also had this post on the WW&F Mapping site)

4

The Original W&Q and WW&F: 1894-1933 / Re: Mapping the W&Q and the WW&F

« on: May 23, 2016, 03:29:32 PM »

  I was at Tobey's Store on Route 3 Palermo / S. China Line last Saturday.  There were several four wheelers gassing up there and I was able to talk with some of the local club Members.  They said there was a 25 Mile Loop from there that included some of the WW&F Right of Way which they had been repairing that day.  It also includes some power line travel, but they said old men like me could do the loop.  I want to do this!!  Anybody running it that would let an old man tag along? Love this map. Thanks

5

The Original W&Q and WW&F: 1894-1933 / Re: Interior photos of Maine NG yard offices

« on: April 11, 2015, 01:20:49 PM »

I found this reference to Telegraph poles in a FS&K Discussion a ways back (2010).  I can't bring up the photo mentioned:  Glenn

 

Mike Fox
Museum Member
 Yardmaster
*******
 Posts: 2,098





View Profile Personal Message (Offline) 
 
Re: FS&K 2009 *PICS*

« Reply #26 on: February 17, 2010, 12:16:19 AM »
Reply with quoteQuote 


Photo Courtesy of Allan Socea

 

 
 Report to moderator    Logged 


Mike
Head Membership Secretary (yes I have Minions), Life Member, President of ROWMOW 1 Manufacturing, Inc., Permanent pain in the neck
 
 
 
 

Eric Larsen
Museum Member
 Switchman
**
 Posts: 81





View Profile Personal Message (Offline) 
 
Re: FS&K 2009 *PICS*

« Reply #27 on: February 17, 2010, 04:12:40 AM »
Reply with quoteQuote 


It is also interesting to note the tellegraph poles in some of these pictures that look like they follow the FS&K ROW.  The SR&RL had them on thier line but the WW&F did not.  If this had ever been built to a connestion in Waterville, I would bet that the WW&F would have gotten tellegraph too.  Another interesting "what if" - Perhaps John McNamara should ask for some "stimulus money" for this project.   Grin
 

 
 Report to moderator    Logged 
 
 
 
 

John McNamara
Operating Volunteers
 Conductor
*****
 Posts: 782


View Profile Personal Message (Offline)
 
 
Re: FS&K 2009 *PICS*

« Reply #28 on: February 17, 2010, 04:56:31 AM »
Reply with quoteQuote 



Quote from: Eric Larsen on February 17, 2010, 04:12:40 AM

It is also interesting to note the tellegraph poles in some of these pictures that look like they follow the FS&K ROW.  The SR&RL had them on thier line but the WW&F did not.  If this had ever been built to a connestion in Waterville, I would bet that the WW&F would have gotten tellegraph too.  Another interesting "what if" - Perhaps John McNamara should ask for some "stimulus money" for this project.   Grin

Eric,

Thanks for the thought, but I'm getting too old (and/or lazy) to climb poles.

-John

 
 Report to moderator    Logged 
 
 
 
 

Cliff Olson
Museum Member
 Switchman
**
 Posts: 96


View Profile Personal Message (Offline)
 
 
Re: FS&K 2009 *PICS*

« Reply #29 on: February 17, 2010, 01:52:12 PM »
Reply with quoteQuote 


Great photos.  At first glance, the bracing (or whatever) on the left of the smaller photo looked like a modern-day international cross-buck!
 

 
 Report to moderator    Logged 
 
 
 

6

The Original W&Q and WW&F: 1894-1933 / Re: Old Somerset Railroad Author to Speak in Smithfield

« on: April 11, 2015, 12:23:48 PM »

And YES I know this is an old topic, but worthy of updating once in a while.  The whole Somerset Railway is now unused at least as a railbed.  The portion from Oakland to Madison Paper Industries has had no trains since perhaps last summer.  All of the improvements mentioned above from Anson to North Anson went for naught.  Exploring the ROW is still a fun activity and, as far as I know, not much restricted.  I found an interesting unpublished photo of the Gulf Stream Trestle you readers might want to check out.  It hangs on the wall of a nice breakfast / lunch spot in central Norridgewock almost beside the RR Crossing.  It's called "What's for Supper" and has many great old local photos to peruse.  The photo I am talking about was taken about 1950, well after the trestle was abandoned for trains, but still used as a bridge to bring forest products out.  It shows a whole lineup of loaded trucks on the bridge.  In fact, 10-15 years ago one of my coffee buddies who owned trucks way back then told me of hauling loads across that bridge.  All rails and ties had been removed and edge rails (Probably old ties) were placed at each side just as a safety barrier.  His voice still quivered as he reminisced about those trips.  Maybe someone else has seen this photo or knows an old trucker story.  Stay Tuned.

7

US Two Footers / Strange Narrow Gauge Locomotive Made From Allis Chalmers M7 Snow Tractor

« on: November 23, 2014, 06:02:40 PM »

http://www.ewillys.com/2014/11/23/locomotive-from-1944-jeep-hickman-ne-8000/   

Take a look at this discussion and the links included.  It sure looks like it was made from a M7 WWII Snow Tractor of which just a few were made.  Looks about 2 foot gauge, but we don't know for sure.  There's even a video link showing a restored example in action. This is a favorite Willys Jeep site.  ENJOY

8

Work and Events / Re: TCDA No. 65 (Reefer) - Official Work Thread

« on: July 15, 2014, 02:22:49 PM »

These may not be related, but one part of the listing is spelled "Turner Centre".  Take a look and decide.

http://maine.craigslist.org/atq/4568363372.html

9

Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad / Re: Monson #3 status at Phillips

« on: July 15, 2014, 12:44:34 PM »

I was in Phillips on Memorial Day and drove thru  the open SR&RL Railway gate to the Round House.  Noah was there alone and showed us the progress.  Monson #3 is somewhat approaching looking like a locomotive again.  All the big dollar stuff is done, but final assembly has a long way to go.  Their working crew seems small.  Noah is still the spark plug; his youthful vitality can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I hope someone will update the website with more details. Our group left them a donation and plead with others to do likewise. This thread I found is more than a year old:

http://www.srrl-rr.org/news/money_troubles.htm

http://www.srrl-rr.org/Projects/Monson_3/Monson_3.htm   This one was updated 3/1/2014

10

Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad / New Book, "The Franklin County Narrow Gauges- The Next Stop is Rangeley"

« on: July 15, 2014, 11:01:17 AM »

This info is from the Friday July 11, Franklin Journal newspaper.  The author of this new book, Guy Rioux, will discuss it at a meeting of The Strong Historical Society, August 6, 2014 starting at 5pm.  The location is 79 North Main Street.  Maybe some of our members know about this book, but I did not previously.  I'm going to try to be there.  The author will sell and sign copies at 5pm, Pot Luck Supper at 6pm, Business Meeting at 7, followed immediately by the guest speaker.

11

US Two Footers / Re: Two Foot Railroad for sale in NH

« on: June 22, 2014, 10:46:36 AM »

Well, I've read this 5 year old post and don't want to start a new topic.  I was in this NH neighborhood Friday, June 20 to capture a Willys Jeep and had come to know this gentleman previously.  My buddy and I were given a GARAGE TOUR, as we old car people call it.  I'm not going to further identify the owner as I see he is known to others that need.  This is a 20 acre site with more than a mile of 2' narrow gauge rail layout, several spurs including sap camps and side buildings.  The rolling stock he and relatives / friends have scratch built right on site in a very well equipped fab shop is amazing and mind boggling.  As stated above there is steam power as well as gas, lots of freight cars, a tanker, flats, crane, tandem locomotives, switcher, turn table, and much that I've not mentioned.  I'm guessing there is 25+ pieces of rolling stock mostly riding on trucks from old mine equipment which also provided most of the rail.  I didn't see any pile of extra rail and assume he used about what he had.  As stated above the facility is in a state of disuse, though I gathered he sometimes still makes short runs with friends. The quality of workmanship is exceptional, especially to the untrained eye, but probably not strictly to original standards.  As I understand it, all items are built to one-quarter scale.  The old buildings are holding up well and all rolling stock seems to be protected from the elements.  I'll not speculate on sale aspects, but being long past prime of life, he is hopeful it can be saved somehow for the future.  His brother, who had a big hand in the development of the project, is one of our "Breakfast Crew" here in Smithfield.  I listen to lots of great stories of young brothers working side by side developing ideas and methods, bringing what must have been a fantastic exhibit to fruition.  Our times today are much different with legal liability etc. and this  once beautiful layout is a victim. Contact me privately for further discussion.

12

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

« on: March 30, 2014, 06:36:24 PM »

Wow!  The Railway Commissioners Report recently listed shows the battle royal between Mr. Atwood's FS&K and MCRR went head to head from here, October 1900 to the decision July 1901.  Why, when he lost access in the MCRR yard, Mr. Atwood didn't skirt around Farmington and join SR&RL north of town is a mystery.  Already a huge expenditure had been used in developing the line to New Sharon. Surely Little Blue School would have been happy to be rid of that pesky 1000' trestle.

13

Monson Railroad / Exploring Monson ROW

« on: March 03, 2014, 02:42:43 PM »

Can someone tell me what portions of Monson ROW would be accessible by either 4WD or ATV in summer? Due to physical restrictions I cannot go in winter.  Some friends recently were on ROW by snowmobile and said many artifacts were visible.  Maybe others would also like to check this area of Maine out with my antique Willys Jeep or four wheeler. Is there a link to a ROW map?  Thanks

14

US Two Footers / American Pickers Find Abandoned Park Locomotives

« on: December 03, 2013, 04:58:05 PM »

Not sleeping well at 2-3 am recently found me wandering around TV.  The American Pickers were scrounging at a long closed amusement park perhaps somewhere in Missouri, I'm not sure, but remember they were at a closed Missouri  Prison next.  One rickety building they explored briefly showed two narrow gauge locomotives backed in, covered with debris. The guide showing Mike and Frank around mentioned they were used as a park ride years back.  I'm sorry my sleepy view lacks more details.  Maybe some one else saw the show and can help.  Just not often we find abandoned locomotives and I guess the Pickers weren't interested. 

15

General Discussion / Re: 2ft Brookville and Train - For Sale - Katahdin Lumber Co.

« on: January 25, 2013, 05:44:50 PM »

Thanks Mr. Moderator.  I also forgot to mention the snow plow. I should not have put the price of the dozer in above at 30K as it confused the topic.  The sign in the Caswell Liquidation Store said $40,000 for the train.  Sorry for the confusion.