Messages

16

Museum Discussion / Re: Internet connectivity at Sheepscot

« on: August 14, 2024, 08:37:58 PM »

This Verizon blog page about "fixed wireless" shows a pole top antenna similar in shape to the one near Averill Rd. In the Verizon case the amplifier/controller boxes are close to the antenna, whereas the Averill Rd instance has the boxes below the high voltage wires.

https://www.verizon.com/about/blog/fixed-wireless-access

There is a benefit to having the control boxes below the high voltage wires as the 'normal' wireless maintenance crews may not need training to deal with high voltages, so those with lesser experience can be used. (read: pay them less), and the bucket trucks can have shorter booms (costs less).

The FCC database page says there are two candidates for FWA (fixed wireless) in the Alna area, Verizon and Redzone. I haven't seen anything that suggests who the Averill Rd setup belongs to.

17

Museum Discussion / Re: Internet connectivity at Sheepscot

« on: August 14, 2024, 03:21:21 PM »

The FCC, with state and local partners has compiled a Broadband database for every USA address. Put in an address here:
https://broadbandmap.fcc.gov/home

Here is what the FCC Database shows for 97 Cross Road:



I'm don't see anything there that looks like a traditional Telco, so presumably the Museum connection is through the cable company. And I wouldn't be surprised that those speeds shown are not consistently achieved. 

18

Museum Discussion / Re: Internet connectivity at Sheepscot

« on: August 14, 2024, 01:16:57 PM »

Its good that you are able to get your work done remotely.
But according to the BOD Meeting Zoom instructions, there are issues at times.

4. The online Moderator shall, if practicable, provide the Agenda and prepared reports at the start of the meeting via the relevant topic and thread on the WW&F Discussion Forum. Please note that due to the tenuous Internet connection available at Sheepscot, this is not always possible.

I believe that I have also seen a recent reference to [possibly] hosting a server that was deemed problematic due to connectivity, but I haven't found that reference at this point.

19

Museum Discussion / Internet connectivity at Sheepscot

« on: August 14, 2024, 11:17:07 AM »

Periodically I see references on the forum to the somewhat 'limited'  Internet connectivity available at the Sheepscot campus.

So it appears to be good news that there is a project to improve connectivity in Lincoln County that was awarded a $6M grant a few days ago. Story links:

https://www.wiscassetnewspaper.com/article/6m-grant-aid-broadband-wiscasset-boothbay-edgecomb-woolwich-other-towns/189896

https://www.telecompetitor.com/maine-connectivity-authority-announces-9-6-million-in-broadband-grants/

The Lincoln County and Consolidated Communications partnership received an award of $6,000,000, matched by $24,309,864 in private and public investment including Lincoln County American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
...
In partnership with Consolidated Communications, this project will serve 14,436 homes and businesses in Woolwich (in Sagadahoc County), Wiscasset, Alna, Dresden, Boothbay, Edgecomb, Waldoboro, Whitefield and Nobleboro.

Details of exactly what is planned seem to be scarce, however IMO there is likely to be significant amounts of fiber installed.

20

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

« on: August 05, 2024, 10:21:33 PM »

I'm wondering if maybe Ed bribes dogs with 'dog treats' from his pocket to induce dog parents to submit those reviews. 

21

Volunteers / Re: July 2024 Work Reports

« on: July 23, 2024, 10:22:50 PM »

* Jerry and Carlos are trucking along.

I saw what you did there.

22

Whimsical Weirdness and Foolery / Re: The X-cart

« on: July 12, 2024, 09:39:59 AM »

The xDave machine will need a cupholder.

23

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

« on: July 09, 2024, 12:56:24 PM »

Ted, by doing the reuniting of  the hoppers with their trucks at Edaville, no crane will be needed at Sheepscot as the hoppers will arrive on a "roll-off" trailer.  I understand that ML&M (based in Alna) is coordinating bringing the hoppers to Sheepscot.

Also, the containers can be released & returned  sooner, likely saving some money.

24

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

« on: May 24, 2024, 10:47:01 AM »

Hi  given the map it will take decades for the hoppers to arrive in the US if they travel on camel back from Djibouti to Marocco unless every country come to an agreement to build a Trans Sahara railroad a twofooter of course it'll be easier and maybe more quickly.

Perhaps rebuild the Trans-Saharan Railway? 

The Trans-Saharan Railway was a project conducted by France to build a rail line south through Algeria to sub-Saharan Africa. Its original intended use was to connect coal mines and boost trade throughout North Africa, tie together the French Empire, and connect North Africa to sub-Saharan Africa[1] by connecting the existing rail system of French Algeria to those of French West Africa.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans-Saharan_Railway

25

Work and Events / Re: Boxcar 56 for Hobo Service

« on: May 06, 2024, 07:27:41 AM »

Riding mowers are often shipped in wooden crates (protects the machine and allows forklift handling  & stacking).  Typically the crates are 'one-way' so the dealers end up having to get rid of therm. Asking local mower dealers may be useful. A mower crate may be more 'open' than a traditional  crate but that is easily remedied  with more scrap wood, perhaps salvaged from a different crate.

26

Work and Events / Re: Sheepscot Passenger Platform Reconstruction - Official Work Thread

« on: April 18, 2024, 12:48:52 PM »

Note the style of fence matches the Wiscasset platform of the common carrier era.

Hmmm . . . . yet the decking boards orientation is reversed from the 'common carrier era' photo. 

27

Work and Events / Re: Engine House - Official Work Thread

« on: March 08, 2024, 08:16:21 AM »

The WW&F Engine House scores an article and photo at the Railfan & Railroad Magazine site:

https://railfan.com/wwf-wraps-up-engine-house-build/

 WW&F Wraps Up Engine House Build 
   By Justin Franz


Maine’s Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum put the finishing touches on its new three-stall roundhouse over the winter. The building is based on one used by the original railroad into the 1930s. The structure has been dubbed the “Morse Engine House” in honor of longtime volunteer Frederick Morse who passed away in November 2023. Friends remember Morse as “the soul of the WW&F” and over the decades he put in more than 20,000 volunteer hours at the museum.


The roundhouse was finished just in time for a weekend photography event in February and was prominently featured during a night photo session with WW&F 0-4-4T 9. The roundhouse gives the railroad a place to store its two steam locomotives (plus a third being built).


Located in Alna, Me., the WW&F is perhaps the most accurate recreation of the famed Maine two-footers.
 

This article was posted on: March 7, 2024

28

Volunteers / Re: What to Name the new Excavator?

« on: February 15, 2024, 10:44:53 AM »

I suspect that the name chosen will in some way honor either Candelaria or Tower.

And while the Kubota is commonly considered an excavator, its primary job at the WW&F is track maintenance. In that role, the 'thumb' is a key component, and the ability to swap the bucket for a different tool is important too.

So in that spirit,  'Tower Thumb Tool' or T³ AKA T-Cube 

- or - 

 'Tower Track Tool' or T³ AKA T-Cube   

 

29

Volunteers / Re: What to Name the new Excavator?

« on: February 13, 2024, 07:38:38 PM »

CandyKub   



Hopefully I don't have to explain the mashup. 

30

Volunteers / Re: Printed Rulebook Pledges

« on: February 11, 2024, 01:44:17 PM »

Set the price higher, with a discount offered to Operating Crew Members.   Its a common practice in the specialty book publishing industry to offer "pre-publication" copies at discount to gauge interest and also generate some cash flow prior to having to pay the print bill.

One pricing scheme could be $40 to "anyone" (make it available in our bookstore), a $32 Pre-Publication price (with up-front payment), and $20 to Operating Crew Members. 

 And yes, increase the print run -- the more copies sold, the lower the unit cost (should work that way, at least).