Messages

136

Work and Events / Re: Trout Brook Bridge - Official Work Thread

« on: September 06, 2017, 09:55:27 PM »

Guys, what are we thinking to get the walking/biking trail across Trout Creek parallel to the bridge?  That will need some planning with the Mid-Coast Conservancy folks.

The Midcoast trail does not go across the stream. I believe in prior threads on the TOM trails it was stated that Midcoast does not have any plans on putting a trail on the other bank.

137

Work and Events / Re: Trout Brook Bridge - Official Work Thread

« on: September 06, 2017, 07:21:37 PM »

By installing the bridge hopefully next year, this will literally be one less bridge we have to fill when the tracks get there,

Does that mean that it is "A Bridge Not too Far"? I still think that is a cool name for the Fundraising Campaign.

138

Work and Events / Re: Trout Brook Bridge - Official Work Thread

« on: September 06, 2017, 07:15:20 PM »

Wayne,
We could do a 25% scale model (10ft long vs. 46ft for the actual) of one of the trusses at the "Trout Brook Station" near the RT 218 crossing. We could either 3-D print the cast iron nodes or actually cast them at Catskill Castings in Greene/Walton, NY or at Cattail near you.

The scale model would be a great avenue for the fundraising, a plaque could be put on / near the model to acknowledge the donors without being in any photos taken near the bridge.

The scale model could also be used as an exhibit to interpret the history of the bridge and the science/engineering behind Howe's design. We might even be able to do some interactivity with the exhibit. We would then have a science exhibit and it might open some additional avenues for fundraising.

Alex

139

Work and Events / Re: Trout Brook Bridge - Official Work Thread

« on: September 06, 2017, 05:03:59 PM »

So the December 31 funding deadline is just to get Barns & Bridges of New England to resize the bridge to 10' wide? It wasn't clear what needed to be done by the deadline.

Oh, and the actual bridge prior to the fire at it's original location in NH ...

140

Museum Discussion / Re: Alna Center Station

« on: September 06, 2017, 04:54:58 PM »

BUMP

141

Work and Events / Re: Trout Brook Bridge - Official Work Thread

« on: September 06, 2017, 04:54:23 PM »

Now that the embargo is over ...

What was the result of the core samples? Were both ends sampled, the other forum entry only talked about the north side. Since it was implied the bridge isn't quite long enough to fully span Trout Brook, what is the approach going to look like? Fill? Trestle? Poured concrete abutments with forms or precast sections with poured concrete infill?

Did someone do an artist's representation?

Inquiring engineers are interested...

142

Museum Discussion / Re: 37th National Narrow Gauge Convention

« on: September 05, 2017, 05:48:16 PM »

Could always file the paperwork to create a non-profit that exists just to host the convention. Have each of the museums own 25%. It's a way to isolate the liability and the surplus profits can be donated to the non-profit museums that hold the seats on the board.

It's an excellent marketing opportunity.

That is what the committee did for last year's convention.

Jeff S.

So does that non profit still exist from last year's convention? Makes things a lot easier re-using the corporate entity and saves a lot of time.

143

Museum Discussion / Re: 37th National Narrow Gauge Convention

« on: September 05, 2017, 06:50:27 AM »

Could always file the paperwork to create a non-profit that exists just to host the convention. Have each of the museums own 25%. It's a way to isolate the liability and the surplus profits can be donated to the non-profit museums that hold the seats on the board.

It's an excellent marketing opportunity.

144

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

« on: September 03, 2017, 09:23:28 AM »

I wish it was financially feasible to send you some bluestone from NE PA, it would look real sweet at the end of the culvert instead of the big cobbles!

Otherwise it is quite awesome looking and getting closer to a foot above the top of the pipe. I see visions of the railhead at Rt 218 ...

Is there enough time to get the other two smaller pipes installed and covered before the permit windows runs out?

145

US Two Footers / Re: Jones & Laughlin 58 Restoration

« on: September 02, 2017, 03:25:44 PM »

Rick,
The photos from the marketing sheets do not do the engine justice, pound for pound that little brute is a pocket-sized superpower machine. I wish my scheduled allowed visiting on the 23rd from NE PA, but I always look forward to updates.

I wonder what the "tale-of-the-tape" would be in comparing against her standard gauge cousins from Lima, Baldwin and Alco? I wonder what modern efficiencies could do to safely improve her as-built specs. 

Alex

146

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

« on: August 20, 2017, 09:57:20 AM »

Excellent work by our awesome construction team working to push the rail head northward! Onwards to Albion! 

147

Museum Discussion / Alna Center Station

« on: August 18, 2017, 07:01:54 AM »

What are the rough footprint dimensions of the station?
From the older construction photos in the forum it appears to be around 10' x 12' based on the scaffolding used?

148

Work and Events / Re: TOM Phase 1: Passenger Platforms and Hiking Trails - Official Work Thread

« on: August 18, 2017, 06:56:23 AM »

Agree that Alna Center is the best and only place for special events.  This discussion is more about what we can do moving forward to make ToM a "destination" as described by Steve.

... Start working on Temm's Shingle Mill and the To-Be-Named / Morse Sawmill.

Like Jason and Steve are saying, having an interpreted, working shingle and saw mills operating at TOM are a destination unto themselves.

Getting the railhead back to RT 218 and putting an Alna Center-sized "Trout Brook" station there coupled with the Midcoast trails will provide another destination with a different theme.

Alna Center, in addition to "large", flexible event space, could be use to interpret how the local farms leveraged the existence of the railroad. Yet another thematic destination. The WW1 reenactment is a perfect example of the event space flexibility.

Finally Sheepscot, standing in for the Wiscasset yards, gives a railway-based thematic destination.

We use the railway as a method of transporting the visitor to the particular thematic area they are interested. Maybe a visitor getting on at Sheepscot Station and really wanting to go take a walk on the trails at Trout Brook Station, sees all the interesting stuff at TOM Station and spur-of-the-moment decides to get off and spend time there. 

149

General Discussion / Re: Who Am I? or, Let's Introduce Ourselves

« on: August 16, 2017, 05:11:56 PM »

Hello Alex, and welcome:

There are a couple of WW&F projects that will take place in Pennsylvania between now and the end of the year.

Any details available?

150

Work and Events / Re: TOM Phase 1: Passenger Platforms and Hiking Trails - Official Work Thread

« on: August 16, 2017, 05:00:56 PM »

... and the Head Tide bridges got maintenance this summer.

My point being museum resources (capital and volunteer effort) were expended. The Head Tide Trail does further the main purpose of the museum. It helps preserve ROW for future use.

The original comment is ... are Museum managed trails at TOM within the core mission?

If Midcoast wants to seek Museum permission to construct and manage trails at TOM, that is a completely different kettle of fish.