Messages

31

Work and Events / Re: WW&F Launches its first Summer Concert Series

« on: July 30, 2018, 12:11:06 PM »

[topic drift; I feel a split coming soon]

Just to get it back on topic and the original point....

My thought is that people will come for the concert and be so surprised and enchanted by the railway that they will want to learn more about it. I tried to do that last night in little pieces- some history in the introduction- at the intermisson (and questions) and at the end. This way, we got to carry a bit of the education into the concert itself.

So the thought is to tell the history of the railroad through song and narrative as one of the warm-up acts. I've seen this pulled off elsewhere and it can be real cool. Prairie Home Companion used to do something similarly with a skit or two.

Intersperse lyric-relevant, but short historical narration (call it an aside with the melody playing in the background) between the verses of the song, but it would depend on the content and construction of the lyrics to see if it could be pulled off.

Would best need three people; musician, lyric singer and narrator, but it could be done by one person depending on the instrument used. Hard to sing lyrics when you are playing woodwinds or brass.

I'd be interest in the lyrics and the melody. Pull it off the right way and it could be the museum anthem.

32

Work and Events / Re: WW&F Launches its first Summer Concert Series

« on: July 30, 2018, 07:47:19 AM »

The WW&F Two Footer and  Farewell  (Thurlow), page 9-10-11,  "The Sheepscot Narrow Gauge" by F.A. Naray

Anyone can get me a copy of the sheet music? Not all of us have a fully-stocked library on hand ....

33

Work and Events / Re: WW&F Launches its first Summer Concert Series

« on: July 30, 2018, 06:14:53 AM »

Here's a little bit more about the concert and a description of the feel that the venue provided. Mark Horn, who joined Chris and Liz Lannon on banjo and washboard last night described the venue as feeling kind of "like a medicine show".

The venue felt just right for old-time music and the sound of the band carried all the way to route 218 across Tom Albee's fields. Dave B. lent us a super quiet Honda generator which couldn't even be heard from the concert tent.

Joe makes a great point that we need to get the word out- more. Despite over 150 posters up in the Brunswick to Damariscotta Rte. 1 corridor and more around Warren, Thomaston, Rockland, there is a need to get the word out even more. Tell your neighbors, tell your friends. If they've never been to the Railway because a train ride isn't there thing- remember that this isn't just a train ride.

My thought is that people will come for the concert and be so surprised and enchanted by the railway that they will want to learn more about it. I tried to do that last night in little pieces- some history in the introduction- at the intermisson (and questions) and at the end. This way, we got to carry a bit of the education into the concert itself.

The traveling minstrel show....

We need the "Ballad of the Two Foot Railway" written and put to music. It tells the tale of the railway in song, interspersed between verses with narrative.
Something musically simple by memorable along the lines of Ken Burns did with "Ashokan Farewell" https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/09/ashokan-farewell-how-a-20th-century-melody-became-an-anthem-for-the-19th/407263/

Posters need to go at local stores. Anyplace where people stop and congregate. How about mentions in church bulletins two weeks before the event.
The advertising trailer signs need to be rotated between locations prior to the event.The day of the event use them to direct and draw people into the venue. Temporary so they don't irk the powers that be.

Remember, most people do NOT make up their mind until near the last minute. We need to advertise to both the "long term planner" and to the "spur of the moment" folks!

34

Work and Events / Re: WW&F Launches its first Summer Concert Series

« on: July 30, 2018, 06:00:44 AM »

At the concert, I took a quick poll to see who had visited us previously. The vast majority had not. So this was certainly a good way to make new friends and followers.

Could we put out a small washboard sign the week of the concert at the intersection of Cross/218 with something simple like CONCERT SAT. 5PM ? While a sign on rte 1 would be ideal, even increasing our exposure within Alna would be helpful in promoting special events.

How about four small 4'x8' trailer frames with 3 leveling jacks and ballast so it does not blow over.


Then any small car with a hitch can recover them. Negotiate with business to place the trailer on their property just before the event and removed rapidly afterwards.

Bill of materials:

• Frame ($290) - https://www.harborfreight.com/1090-lbs-capacity-40-12-in-x-48-in-utility-trailer-62645.html
• Jacks (3@$27) - https://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lb-swing-back-trailer-jack-41005.html
• Ballast
• Sign mounting hardware

35

Work and Events / Re: WW&F Launches its first Summer Concert Series

« on: July 29, 2018, 07:27:22 PM »

Rough Sawn is an acoustic band based around Portland, Maine. We play covers of classic country, bluegrass, folk, and western swing, as well as originals.

Link to the facebook page for the August 25th band - Rough Sawn from Portland.

https://www.facebook.com/roughsawnband/

36

Work and Events / Re: WW&F Launches its first Summer Concert Series

« on: July 29, 2018, 07:09:21 PM »

The first concert made the Newspaper:
https://wiscassetnewspaper.com/article/wwf-concert-combines-train-travel-music/105296

I figured Ed would post the link as soon as I saw the first picture in the article .... I like the coat.


^{WW&F volunteer conductor Ed Lecuyer welcomes guests
aboard the concert series train.
JANE CARPENTER/Wiscasset Newspaper}

37

Volunteers / Re: July 2018 Work Planning

« on: July 29, 2018, 05:18:45 PM »

Decent amount of passengers rode the train today, with several returning families and a returning family that has made a visit to the WW&F a yearly tradition while they are in the area from Oregon.

We need an easy way to get testimonials from folks like this. It is a marketing goldmine. Even if it is just cellphone video.

38

Volunteers / Re: July 2018 Work Planning

« on: July 29, 2018, 08:53:14 AM »

It went well! The band was great and a few visitors described the venue as a perfect one. Many also loved the concert setup, using the AA truck as a stage. We will undoubtedly have return participants. We also had two reporters, from both the Lincoln County News and the Wiscasset and Boothbay Papers present to report on the concert and upcoming series.

Huge thanks to all of the volunteers who played a role in making the concert happen as well. It was a great group effort and with some little tweaks, should be fairly easy to reproduce in a month with even more efficiency.

We had a light turnout, which we'll work to address on the next concerts- 26 passengers, which was 26% of capacity. Part of this may have been due to the very poor weather forecasted for this evening which didn't materialize here until around 10:15PM.

With all of that in mind- Annual Picnic is just 2 short weeks away!

Check your e-mail.

39

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

« on: July 21, 2018, 08:11:09 PM »

Marty the Mouse Trout! I like it!

Looks like lunch to me......

Hey, don't talk about Marty that way. Moose Trout are sensitive.

Jeff S.

Pan fried with lemon and pepper. 

40

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

« on: July 20, 2018, 06:38:24 PM »

Marty the Mouse Trout! I like it!

Looks like lunch to me......

41

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

« on: July 15, 2018, 02:15:46 PM »

So if the current EOT is at the 1100ft mark and the FWW plan is to lay ~1400ft, then the new EOT would be just past Location 10 9 (i.e. the 2nd 48" inch culvert installed) and 200ft shy of Location 11 10 at the 2500ft mark?

42

UK (Welsh, British) Two Footers / Baldwin-inspired LYN heads North from the L&B to F&WHR in September 2018

« on: July 13, 2018, 10:53:13 AM »

... on a truck.

http://www.lynton-rail.co.uk/story/lyn-head-north


_{Photo credit: Jerry Bird}

We are pleased to confirm that LYN - the World's newest steam loco - will be the star attraction at the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways Super Power Gala which takes place on September 14th – 16th inclusive.

LYN will be based on the northern section of the Welsh Highland at Dinas hauling special trains between Caernarfon and Rhyd Ddu.

This visit to North Wales will be LYN’s first trip away from her home base at Woody By Station in North Devon.

F&WHR General Manager Paul Lewin comments: “We’re indebted to our friends at the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway and the 762 Club for allowing us to borrow LYN. We’ve always had a very close and productive relationship with the L&B and this will hopefully continue.”

43

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

« on: July 13, 2018, 10:14:21 AM »

I'm pretty sure I saw it once before, but is there a drawing of the approaches and bridge in place?

Eric did some drawings on page 6 of the September/October 2017 Newsletter...

44

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

« on: July 12, 2018, 01:58:48 PM »

Contractor Jeff wants to use the access road and haul material in, rather than crossing the bridge.

I don't disagree with his logic. All Contractor Jeff needs is for his equipment to damage the bridge (and his equipment).
Less technical risk and less time by leveraging the access road and the re-opened ROW to the south side of the bridge.

45

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

« on: July 12, 2018, 01:52:58 PM »

Here's a link to Ed's post from January with his most excellent cartographic skills:
http://forum.wwfry.org/index.php/topic,898.msg35114.html#msg35114

and the map itself: