Messages

31

Volunteers / Re: Printed Rulebook Pledges

« on: August 20, 2024, 10:21:52 AM »

Many of you may be wondering what happened to this project. The rulebook committee began meeting in earnest about six weeks ago to finalize the manuscript. After
what turned out to be a surprisingly intensive review effort, we intend to present the manuscript to the Board for approval at their September meeting. The publisher will then begin the design process, and if all goes well, we will issue the rulebooks in 2025.

Thanks for your continued interest and support!

32

Museum Discussion / Re: Internet connectivity at Sheepscot

« on: August 14, 2024, 12:13:22 PM »

I think what is limited is mostly cell coverage. From the towers in Damariscotta, Golden Ridge creates a "shadow" over most of the campus. This is easily demonstrated by the fact that I can get cell service just by going upstairs.

Broadband internet on campus is fast and reliable, such that I am able to work my day job remotely from the Percival House without any slowness or other issues. My guess is the problems on past livestreams have come when the streamer strays too far from WiFi coverage (which is mostly just inside buildings and the immediate vicinity.)

Still, we recently had fiber installed just a bit further south (Topsham) and it had the immediate and desirable effect of lowering prices across the board.

33

Volunteers / Re: August 2024 work reports

« on: August 13, 2024, 01:27:11 PM »

8/12 - Having replaced the leaking fuel line and shutoff on the railcar, I wanted to give it a shakedown run. I decided to bring along the backpack blower and do some fire mitigation. I cleared pine needles from the ballast near Sutter's and near Fossel's. The frustration of trying to get the needles out of the gauge gave me some ideas about a little contraption that might help.

34

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

« on: August 07, 2024, 10:27:26 AM »

The equipment was in realistic operating order, including wear and tear.

I can't decide if this is a compliment or not.

 

35

Work and Events / Re: So. African Hoppers 2806 and 2807 - Official Work Thread

« on: August 07, 2024, 10:26:33 AM »

This will be done in-house using the trailer that is being repaired.

Towed by ... ? I'm assuming the stake body doesn't have enough GVW.

36

Museum Discussion / Re: Sources for period clothing?

« on: August 06, 2024, 02:30:04 PM »

I think you'll find that people largely wore what they had. Especially crew members who were not passenger-facing. Remember this was before mass-produced clothing, so what few pieces people owned, had to be versatile. The big roads probably had uniform suppliers and more stringent dress codes, but shoestring operations like the WW&F didn't concern themselves with such things.

If you know any thespians, ask them where they source costumes. Try looking in thrift stores. This is one area where close enough is good enough. Especially in the cab, you want something first and foremost that is functional.

Something else I've found: develop your own style. That will help you "feel the part." Many volunteers have developed their own styles within the realm of "generally period-looking" and even though the rivet-counters might balk, people eat it up. Some examples that spring to mind: Bob, Ed, Steve P, Dan, Bryce, JB, and Josh Recave among others. I can identify any of these folks from 500 feet away just by their clothing.

My forum avatar shows the top half of one of my usual costumes: wool cap, Bean flannel, jeans, and steel toes. I also wear a honkin' strap leather belt with a PRR K4 on it. That's definitely not period, but that's what I have. There are many ways I could make it more correct: Better would be suspenders (even moreso buttons). Better would be traditional-cut pants, not modern fit jeans. Better would be welted soles instead of glued soles on my boots. Better would be brass aglets, not polymer. Better would be wire-rim glasses, not plastic ones. My point is you can chase it to oblivion if you want. Or you can pick something close and own it.

37

Volunteers / Re: August 2024 work reports

« on: August 05, 2024, 01:29:20 PM »

Busy day at ToM. I mowed everything Jeff hadn't ripped up.

38

Work and Events / Re: WW&F No. 11 - Official Work Thread

« on: August 01, 2024, 03:21:30 PM »

Will not try to remember names, but...
One of very first American Locos also exploded because the water tender/fireman did not like the sound of steam escaping from safety valve.
The story goes that is why State Legislature required car with cotton bales between engine and passenger carriages.
That is the story I remember from a lot of years ago.

Best Friend of Charleston, 1831.

39

Work and Events / Re: WW&F No. 11 - Official Work Thread

« on: July 31, 2024, 11:36:10 PM »

... they also blew boilers up by sitting on levers of sprung-lever safety valves.

Literally the first steam locomotive in the world, Locomotion No. 1 of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, was blown up this way.

"On 1st July 1828, Locomotion [No. 1]’s boiler exploded at Aycliffe Level (NZ271225, now Heighington Station) during a stop for water. The driver John Cree died of his injuries two days later, and water pumper Edward Turnbull was maimed. The cause of the accident was attributed to the driver tying down the safety valve arm to prevent it rattling as the unsprung locomotive jolted along the track."

40

Work and Events / Re: So. African Hoppers 2806 and 2807 - Official Work Thread

« on: July 11, 2024, 08:23:29 AM »

Don't forget, the history of the WW&F did not stop in 1933. Since the inception of the Sheepscot Valley Railroaders, the museum has been creating more of our own history. These pieces of rolling stock are part of that history. As for paint schemes on secondhand equipment, the museum has gone both ways. Bridgton cars under the museum's ownership are painted for B&SR. But 52 no longer wears its Carpenter Steel livery.

In a few years (2028 or 2029, depending on how you count) the museum will have existed longer than the original railroad!

41

Whimsical Weirdness and Foolery / Re: The X-cart

« on: July 10, 2024, 09:58:10 AM »

It doesn't strike me as something you'd want to operate much faster than a snail's pace.

42

Work and Events / Re: So. African Hoppers 2806 and 2807 - Official Work Thread

« on: July 09, 2024, 07:54:01 PM »

Seeing "do not cut" raised my heart rate for a minute. A number of artifacts have been lost over the years due to ignorance or honest mistakes having to do with spray-painted instructions.

43

Work and Events / Re: Boxcar 56 for Hobo Service

« on: May 06, 2024, 12:46:06 PM »

I know of a source for pallet wood in Topsham, if you need to fill in gaps.

44

Volunteers / Re: Volunteer Needed May 11th - Gatekeeper / Greeter

« on: May 03, 2024, 06:43:51 PM »

(And no, you don't have to use the same corny jokes I do.)

Thank God.

45

Work and Events / Re: So. African Hoppers 2806 and 2807 - Official Work Thread

« on: May 02, 2024, 08:24:28 AM »

Great news! This campaign is really picking up steam, as it were.