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Volunteers / Re: Steam Maintenance Days
« on: March 07, 2025, 04:24:14 PM »
Excellent! And ending at some point before 3:45 or so, owing to the board meeting at 4?
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Volunteers / Re: Steam Maintenance Days
« on: March 02, 2025, 04:05:38 PM »
I'll be there!
As for future sessions being weekdays, is there any work planned for this program that can be done while the engine is on the water heater, or otherwise "warm" within 24 hours after a day in steam?
As for future sessions being weekdays, is there any work planned for this program that can be done while the engine is on the water heater, or otherwise "warm" within 24 hours after a day in steam?
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General Discussion / Cleaning Engines Historically
« on: February 12, 2025, 04:07:23 PM »
Hello all. Historically, what would the procedure have been for cleaning equipment? I've noticed in some images, even our own #9 was kept shiny all around, during the early days on the SRR when covered stations dotted the line.
I've heard that at least in some parts of the world, kerosene/paraffin oil was used, often mixed with oil to keep locomotives clean and sparkly, but is there any documentation about what was used in Maine, on the 2-footers? Would the modern equivalent materials cause active damage to equipment?
I ask because one of my favorite jobs is to wipe down #9, keeping 'er nice and pretty.
I've heard that at least in some parts of the world, kerosene/paraffin oil was used, often mixed with oil to keep locomotives clean and sparkly, but is there any documentation about what was used in Maine, on the 2-footers? Would the modern equivalent materials cause active damage to equipment?
I ask because one of my favorite jobs is to wipe down #9, keeping 'er nice and pretty.
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The Original W&Q and WW&F: 1894-1933 / Re: Alna Center depot and freight house interior
« on: February 07, 2025, 02:17:57 PM »
What company even made the windows? Mathews Brothers?
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Work and Events / Re: Coach 9 - Official Work Thread
« on: December 16, 2024, 10:19:02 AM »
John, the way it's been described to me is that we're going to have attachments that slot over the Miller couplings to act as "half-automatic" knuckles. Think how 52's knuckles work, where you reach in to move/remove the pin. As well, the thought is to have lighter-weight knuckles, in case we need to split the train (think doubling the hill reenactments). From how I understand it, this whole system of knuckle adapters over the Millers is cheaper than sourcing (or building) full automatic couplers. Plus, it makes coaches 3 and 9 more original to 1894 standards 
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Volunteers / Re: November 2024 work reports
« on: November 26, 2024, 09:20:59 AM »
Work done on Sunday, Nov 24:
* Switching - Dan, Nick A. and Dante moved the tamper from shop bay 1 to bay 3, and staged hopper on shop 3 as well. Fire car was taken off rails ahead of winter season.
* Vacuum brakes - Nick A. and Dante applied another coat of flex seal onto Coach 3, Combine 8 and Caboose 320. Nick took inventory of parts needed for conductor stands.
* Switching - Dan, Nick A. and Dante moved the tamper from shop bay 1 to bay 3, and staged hopper on shop 3 as well. Fire car was taken off rails ahead of winter season.
* Vacuum brakes - Nick A. and Dante applied another coat of flex seal onto Coach 3, Combine 8 and Caboose 320. Nick took inventory of parts needed for conductor stands.
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Museum Discussion / Re: A Tree for Sheepscot
« on: November 22, 2024, 09:31:04 AM »
Instead of a pulp rack, why don't we just put pine trees in a flatcar's stake pockets? Would honor the tradition of the railroad using birch for stakes while changing the theme to be more Christmassy
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Volunteers / Re: November 2024 work reports
« on: November 18, 2024, 08:06:40 AM »
Work done on Sunday, November 17th:
* Plumbing vacuum hoses on Caboose 320 and Coach 3. 320 has most of the hoses installed, with clamps/wires securing them together and one coat of flex seal over all the joints in the plumbing. 3 has the hoses installed, clamped/wired but no flex seal.
* Plumbing vacuum hoses on Caboose 320 and Coach 3. 320 has most of the hoses installed, with clamps/wires securing them together and one coat of flex seal over all the joints in the plumbing. 3 has the hoses installed, clamped/wired but no flex seal.
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Work and Events / Re: Coach 8 - Official Work Thread
« on: October 10, 2024, 12:36:15 PM »
I've heard tale of work on Coach 8 happening this weekend, what kinds of work is on the docket? Is there gonna be work for someone who isn't a woodworker to join in the fun?
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Work and Events / Re: Fall Work Weekend 2024
« on: October 03, 2024, 11:21:45 AM »
For other project leaders: What other work will be going on? I heard that Trout Brook station is getting platform work done to it, but what else will there be?
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Museum Discussion / Re: How did you hear of the W.W. & F. Ry. Museum?
« on: September 25, 2024, 11:15:53 AM »
I heard about it on my first trip on Maine Narrow Gauge (which sadly I forgot how I heard about them). This was only back in about July 2019 and things were being prepped for the "Steaming Together" charters, so the sense of community was running high. I made my way up to Alna for the first time on October 5th, 2019 and was invited to come back the next weekend for the Fall Work Weekend.
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Work and Events / Re: Sheepscot Passenger Platform Reconstruction - Official Work Thread
« on: August 23, 2024, 10:05:48 AM »
For the seats on the platform would cast iron bench legs work? There's a place called "Old House Parts" in Kennebunk that has a number of them for sale, $45 per leg. I haven't gone to see them in person yet but I can do if there's interest. I've attached an image from their website to show what they are.
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Work and Events / Re: Coach 9 - Official Work Thread
« on: August 08, 2024, 11:00:28 AM »
Will the coach be available for viewing this weekend?
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Museum Discussion / Re: Reviews, Thank You's, and Messages of Encouragement
« on: August 07, 2024, 10:52:44 AM »
I'd say it's a compliment. As is said occasionally "imperfection is perfection." Can't tell the story of a functional railroad without some battle scars 
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Museum Discussion / Re: Sources for period clothing?
« on: August 06, 2024, 02:48:00 PM »Something else I've found: develop your own style. That will help you "feel the part."
My point is you can chase it to oblivion if you want. Or you can pick something close and own it.
Now that's given me something to think about. I've had an idea for an outfit called "The Brakeman in Black" using all black clothes from Historical Emporium but put it off due to feeling it would be just a touch too far-gone from what was "original" but you're right.
Now an all-black outfit might not be completely appropriate this time of year, but it would definitely look nice come pumpkin season