Messages

1

Volunteers / Re: October 2021 Work Reports

« on: October 30, 2021, 09:18:47 PM »

I guess the original plans for building and maintaining the railroad as in days of old have given way to reality. I doubt the original railroad had forklifts, tampers, payloaders or any modern "toys". At least I've never seen photos of any. Also, didn't the original WW&F use gravel ballast? Again practicality has substituted stone ballast (I helped shovel off a few car loads at work weekends past).
  As for such things as event pavilions, you need to be careful not to turn the new WW&F into a theme park like the new Edaville USA. Or the water slide and other "amusement rides" such as at Clark's Trading Post. There's a great temptation to add more crowd pleasing "gee-gaws" to the place. Just saying. . .

2

Museum Discussion / Re: LGB/Marklin Releases Model of #9

« on: September 16, 2021, 04:23:20 PM »

The coaches look "short" to me. I guess one could buy a couple and resection to get a scale length car.  As someone mentioned, the cab roof of the locomotive is not correct. It would take a bit more modeling skill to correct that.  The outside frame is wrong too, as someone else pointed out. All in all, from what I see so far, I rate this a C+. Nice try but no cigar!
 Richard

3

Volunteers / Re: July 2021 Work Reports

« on: July 22, 2021, 09:18:23 PM »

Are you going to re-stage the infamous Mason's Wreck?  CGI it on video. what the heck. . . If James Cameron could sink the CGI Titanic, you should be able to sink the train and bridge.  C'mon. . . some "techie" out there ought to be able to pull it off. I double dog dare ya!
 

4

Work and Events / Re: Event Pavilion for Alna Center - Official Reassembly Thread

« on: June 13, 2021, 07:33:50 PM »

Beginning to look like the old, old Edaville Railroad "Chicken BBQ under the Pines" at "Cranberryland".  Those were the days. 

5

Volunteers / Re: June 2021 Work reports

« on: June 05, 2021, 08:50:59 PM »

Isn't Alice's nephew, a Mr. King, the man who leased the #9 to the WW&F, along with a boxcar?  I met Alice once years ago down at the Walker Transportation Collection at Beverly Historical Society. Every Wednesday evening was an open house / work session at the collection. There was an elderly deaf lady who used to visit once in a while. One night she came creaking down the stairs to our basement headquarters, and behind her was another old lady whom we'd never seen.  The first lady introduced her to us. . . "This is Alice Ramsdell". Well we were dumbstruck! The fabled owner of the WW&F locomotive down in Putnam, CT herself!  They stayed an hour or so and we dragged out lots of photos of the loco as SRR #5, SR&RL #6, KC #4.  She had a great time looking at them. It was the only time I ever saw her. I'll never forget it.
 Richard Symmes

6

Volunteers / Re: April 2021 Work Reports

« on: March 31, 2021, 01:55:17 PM »

  "Springtime" Eggspress?  What happened to "Easter" Eggspress?  Cancel Culture arriving on Track One.
  Don O. Treply

7

Whimsical Weirdness and Foolery / Covid19

« on: April 06, 2020, 09:19:51 PM »

Word has it that emergency beds will be placed in the car shop for the duration of this epidemic. Any truth to that?  Seriously, once (or if) the world comes back, will anyone have any money to visit tourist sites?  Could impact the WW&F this year.

8

Museum Discussion / Re: Sheepscot pictures for the away crowd.

« on: January 23, 2020, 11:30:29 AM »

Are there any plans in the works to create a pilot plow for future winter events?  So many shots of the SR&RL show those plows in action, throwing snow to both sides of the train.  That would really recreate the past.

9

Work and Events / Re: Maine Two-footer Winter Photo Specials 2020

« on: January 23, 2020, 11:12:11 AM »

Was the owner of SR&RL #6, I believe a Mr. King, invited to this event?  Is the locomotive still under lease from him?  Alice Ramsdell would have been pleased to see her beloved engine running.  Her father and his friend William Moneypenny, are the reason the engine still exists. 
  It's sad that the Phillips group seemingly is left out of these events. They have done some great restoration work on some of the rolling stock in their museum. I've been there several times and seen the results.  Were they even invited to join in this "reunion" event?  If not, why not?

10

Museum Discussion / Re: Sheepscot pictures for the away crowd.

« on: January 18, 2020, 07:39:01 PM »

All of this, plus $2 will get you a cup of coffee!  Donuts are extra.

11

Museum Discussion / Re: Sheepscot pictures for the away crowd.

« on: January 18, 2020, 06:22:14 PM »

SR&RL #6 was originally Sandy River #5 until the renumbering of 1908.  Perhaps "they" had just changed over and the new front number plate hasn't been cast yet??  Hey, makes a good story.

12

Work and Events / Re: Maine Two-footer Winter Photo Specials 2020

« on: December 30, 2019, 01:59:45 PM »

I note that several posts mention they can't afford it. The price is pretty steep for young working people and retirees on fixed incomes.  Members, and especially Life Members, ought to be given a discount and first dibs on reservations.  Beyond that, perhaps a lottery system could have given away a limited number of tickets.
  Most attendees will need to stay overnight in a motel which will add greatly to the total. 
  Maybe change the name of the event to, "Maine Two-footer Money Specials"?

13

Work and Events / Re: Mountain Extension - Official Work Thread

« on: October 20, 2019, 10:46:39 AM »

Bigger things have been done before in many places.  As many have said, all it takes is "will" and lots of money.  How much of the ROW in that area was in the Percival holdings? 
  I think of the bridging of I-93 over the White Mountain Central ROW at Lincoln, NH, and the new ROW / highway location at Conway, NH which shifted the former MeC Mountain Division a bit.  Things CAN be done, but everyone's interests have to be considered. That's the tough part.

14

Work and Events / Re: Mountain Extension - Official Work Thread

« on: October 17, 2019, 03:24:38 PM »

How much, if any, right of way did Harry put together between 218 and Albion?  What would be the major problem of heading in that direction?  What buildings are in the way?  Back in 1971 I hiked in to Whitefield trestle, which even then was a tumbling ruin. I suspect there's not much left of it now.
  What's in the way south of Albion where their track ends now?  What's the distance, some 40 miles, between the two present ends?  This of course is all day dreaming, but could it be done if there was a will to do so? 
  Most of the old duffers would never live to see it, if it were to happen, but you have to keep the old carrot dangling in front of the horse of progress.  That's what's kept it going to this point.  The carrot fell off the stick at Rt. 218.

15

Work and Events / Re: Mountain Extension - Official Work Thread

« on: October 16, 2019, 06:29:24 PM »

All the "projects" mentioned are improvements, but nothing can generate the enthusiasm of laying track to more and more distant locations.  That's called "trackitis" and it can be addicting.  I stand by my prior post.