Messages

1

Museum Discussion / Re: Property/Houses for Sale Along/Including WW&F ROW

« on: November 18, 2023, 09:23:12 AM »

When it was sold 2-3 years ago it was purchased by a local builder and his son as an investment property and now he is selling it.

It was in rough shape when he bought it- and I think he purchased it for under 100,000. They put a LOT of work in. Of note is that the small structure up front (of which  you can see interior photos in the listing) has been rumored to be of WW&F origin.

Steve

2

Work and Events / Re: Victorian Christmas 2023 - Decorating Party & Potluck Supper - NOW November 19th

« on: November 16, 2023, 08:45:28 AM »

Hi All,

In light of the nasty weather expected for decorating on Saturday, I've elected to move our decorating party to Sunday, November 19th at the same time.

Here is the most up to date schedule of the activities on the 19th:
12 Noon - Meet at Sheepscot to decorate campus and trains.
2:30 PM - Train north to Alna Center
4:00 PM - Train back to Sheepscot
4:30 PM - Dinner at Sheepscot- Lasagna, bring potluck salads and desserts.

You can still sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084CAFAF2DA3F9CF8-45727708-november

Thanks,
Steve

3

Work and Events / Re: Victorian Christmas 2023 - Decorating Party & Potluck Supper - NOW November 19th

« on: November 05, 2023, 12:34:34 AM »

Hi all,

If you are planning on coming to help with decorating on the 19th know that you can by all means just show up.

However, signing up would help us know how much lasagna to make and also help us know how many/which dishes you might bring for the potluck.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084CAFAF2DA3F9CF8-45727708-november

Looking forward to seeing you there,
Steve

4

Work and Events / Re: Victorian Christmas 2023 - Decorating Party & Potluck Supper - NOW November 19th

« on: October 16, 2023, 12:26:21 PM »

Just to follow up on my original post with more specific times for November 19th they are as follows:
12 Noon - Meet at Sheepscot to decorate campus and trains.
2:30 PM - Train north to Alna Center
4:00 PM - Train back to Sheepscot
4:30 PM - Dinner at Sheepscot- Either Pizza or Lasagna, bring potluck salads and desserts.

Hope to see you there!
Steve

*As an additional note, we are collecting unwanted, but serviceable non-electric, non-tree ornament Christmas decorations. If you have something you'd like to contribute, please reach out to me prior to November 11th to arrange drop off at my house (so we can avoid storing and organizing them at Sheepscot)

Best,
Steve

5

Work and Events / Victorian Christmas 2023 - now collecting unwanted Christmas Decorations

« on: October 15, 2023, 09:12:54 AM »

Hello all,

In preparation for the Victorian Christmas this year we’d like to collect unwanted non-electric, non-tree ornament decorations for use in decorating our trains, the station at Sheepscot and our pavilion and station at Alna Center.

To take pressure off of the railroad for storing and sorting these items, please reach out to me directly so that they can be dropped off at my house for sorting an organizing, preferably prior to November 11th

Thanks very much,
Steve Piwowarski

6

Volunteers / Re: October 2023 Work Reports

« on: October 14, 2023, 10:15:06 PM »

Hi All,

I went into today knowing we were going to have a busy day thanks to our Fareharbor booking reports. At the end of the day, I totaled up our Fareharbor ticket sales for the day- 453 ticket sales spread over 7 trains. This does include some caboose charters, which means the actual passenger count is likely slightly higher. Aside from the 3PM train, all were sold out. To help put this number into perspective, according to the October Treasurer's Report we have carried 4,575 riders during January-September. Today we carried 10% of our YTD ridership in a single day- safely and, by nearly all passenger accounts, happily. This also represents an increase of more than 100 passengers in comparison to the same Saturday last year.

I am beyond thankful and grateful every person who has contributed on the railroad to help make this possible- in every department and area of work. The special contributions and talents that each volunteer brings to the table make the WW&F a special and memorable place for our visitors and for all of us.

With gratitude,
Steve Piwowarski

7

Work and Events / Re: WW&F No. 10 - Official Work Thread

« on: October 02, 2023, 01:01:10 PM »

I was so pleased to see you all working together to move #10 forward when I arrived at the Railway on Sunday morning! I hope I can join you to help as I am able.

Best,
Steve

8

Volunteers / 2024 Narrow Gauge Convention - Pittsburgh

« on: September 27, 2023, 07:44:19 PM »

Hello All,

I am working on arranging for us to have a table at the 2024 Narrow Gauge Convention in Pittsburgh, PA. Is there anyone planning on attending who would be willing to set up a table for the WW&F and man it at certain times?

If you would enjoy helping out with thus, please let me know either by email: stephen.piwowarski@wwfry.org or by forum message.

Thank you!

9

Work and Events / Victorian Christmas 2023 - Decorating Party & Potluck Supper - NOW November 19th

« on: September 27, 2023, 12:03:23 PM »

Hi All,

This year, someone special will be returning to Alna Center for Christmas! We're eagerly anticipating returning to an event that is more in keeping with our Victorian Christmas Trains of years past.

Saturday November 18th Sunday November 19th we'll be holding a work party at the Railway for the purposes of getting the railway decorated for Victorian Christmas. We'll gather beginning at Noon at Sheepscot to begin decorating process, ride the train up to Alna Center to decorate there and follow up with a potluck supper back at Sheepscot when we finish up.

Please join us if you can, we'd love your help!

Best,
Steve

10

Volunteers / Re: September 2023 Work Reports

« on: September 10, 2023, 11:26:11 AM »

If we were to go that route here  or anywhere else at Sheepscot (or elsewhere along the line) we’ve already worked out a great solution which has been adopted at Trout Brook and on the east side of the line at Top of Mountain. Essentially, w the Railway  recreated the historic line side fencing used by the WW&F. It’s easy to install, low maintenance and looks great.

That being said, in the turntable location specifically, we actively invite participants to turn the locomotive, we don’t want to encumber photography, and the TT at Wiscasset (to my knowledge) wasn’t fenced. The pathway has already gone a long way to define safe pathways for visitor access- and they look great!  (thank you Mike!)

Steve

11

Museum Discussion / Re: Property/Houses for Sale Along/Including WW&F ROW

« on: July 21, 2023, 07:25:13 PM »

I think my neighbor just renovated this house. He and his father are carpenters by trade and did a fair bit of work on what already was a nice house. I had the opportunity to check it out when the work was being done and have to say it’s a great looking house situated on a nice piece of land. It’s also very private from both the main road (218) and neighboring homes.

We’d love to welcome someone else with WW&F ties to the neighborhood (wait, is that a pun?!?)

12

Museum Discussion / Re: Voices of Midcoast Maine - Sunday June 25th

« on: June 25, 2023, 08:44:34 PM »

Thanks for listening. Sorry you did not get to hear the Alice’s Restaurant Massacreeeeee complete with 8 part harmony and full orchestration 

13

Museum Discussion / Re: Reviews, Thank You's, and Messages of Encouragement

« on: June 21, 2023, 01:17:22 PM »

One more, via email:

“Had a house full of guests last weekend … and we all went for a train ride!! It was a total blast!!  You folks are doing an amazing job out there!”

14

Museum Discussion / Re: Reviews, Thank You's, and Messages of Encouragement

« on: June 20, 2023, 10:51:45 AM »

Also from this weekend, via email:

“ My husband, son, and I went on the train on Saturday and had a blast. The operators of the train did a fantastic job. There were specifically two younger boys (early 20's and early teens?) that did a fabulous job explaining what they were doing to the guests and including the kids in the experience. Just want to tell you how impressed I was!

We would love to come back and certainly will! ”

15

Volunteers / Re: How (not) to deal with passengers

« on: June 16, 2023, 05:06:06 PM »

Thanks for posting Ed- yikes- certainly this bears further investigation, but NCNG museum has been put in the position where the damage to their reputation has been done. Not an enviable position, for sure! You (obviously!) treat visitors with the utmost respect.

I will also point out that in my visits to NCNG and interactions with their volunteers, this has been far from the experience that I have had. It is hard to understand exactly how such incidents could occur, but if there was training on what not to do (but probably, more specifically what to do!) the museum has recourse in disciplining the offending volunteer. Good training is the hallmark of a quality and consistent experience.

That being said, since our visitors are our reason for existence (by way of our mission statement), we must treat them with the utmost respect and kindness. They are why we can do what we do- and it only takes one news report like this to destroy a reputation that has taken years to build. Unfortunately negative news tends to spread far more effectively (virally, if you will) than positive news, so take heed of that.

Steve