Messages

76

Museum Discussion / Re: Future Visitor Center and Museum Exhibits

« on: November 30, 2009, 11:43:44 AM »

The present Museum Guide costs us just over 62 cents to produce. Brochures costs about 6 1/2 cents. A one page black and white yard guide could be produced on our computer and printer for about 4 cents.

This info is why we try to limit Museum Guide distribution to one to a party taking the train and hopefully gives our membership a boost to add that "something extra" when they renew their dues each year.

77

Museum Discussion / Re: Future Visitor Center and Museum Exhibits

« on: November 27, 2009, 12:57:57 AM »

It's all about visibility - We need a future presence on Rt 218 - in that future, the parking lots and toilets we are about to build will only be a used as an overflow area for the crowds we should be getting when we make Head Tide a destination site - i.e a revived historic village with open shops and display of crafts and early twentieth century trades and skills.

People will come to spend a half day with us - and will find plenty of activities for the whole family.

The Dream Goes On.............

78

Museum Discussion / Re: Future Visitor Center and Museum Exhibits

« on: November 24, 2009, 04:37:12 PM »

My dream for the Sheepscot Visitor's Center has been influenced by other railroad museums I have been to.
I see a modern Visitor's Center (albeit a representation of an appropriate WW&F building) at the corner of Rt. 218 and Cross Road - with a large parking lot and included in the building a museum store, ticket office, display area,  restrooms and a snack bar. Then - with or without some kind of tram service  - a path or roadway down to the "historic" Sheepscot buildings and operations.

79

General Discussion / Railroad Speed Limits

« on: November 02, 2009, 09:37:35 PM »

Railroads set their own speed limits.

NTSB has no regulatory authority at all - and only fulfills their mission by using moral suasion.

FRA has regulated track standards - but does not set speed limits. Railroads must set their speed limits so that they are in compliance with FRA standards.

80

The Original W&Q and WW&F: 1894-1933 / Re: Union or Non-union?

« on: October 27, 2009, 06:35:14 PM »

None of the Maine Two-Footers were ever represented by unions. The SR&RL engineers had established a unit with the BofLE, but the union was never certified to formally deal with the company - and some speculate that this start of unionization was one of the reasons the company was shut down temporarily in 1933 and put up for auction in 1935..

81

Museum Discussion / Re: Shed plans

« on: September 30, 2009, 07:38:38 PM »

There are four or five manufacturers of WW&F Building kits  - and the models available include Sheepscot/Alna Center Station, Head Tide Station, Weeks Mills Station, Water Tank, & Palermo Potato House - and probably others - see ads in M2FQ magazine and on M2FQ Discussion Forum among others.

82

Work and Events / Re: Top Of The Mountain Siding - Official Work Thread

« on: September 30, 2009, 06:54:33 PM »

Afraid you have possibly used a local or regional definition - but google the standard dictionaries and railroad definition books, and you will see that siding can be used to define either a passing siding or a siding to set off cars.

A Spur can be a branch line, a track to set off cars for an industry, or a siding.

83

Volunteers / Re: Truck/Trailer needed for Work Weekend

« on: September 22, 2009, 05:19:49 PM »

We have permission from Dave Clark to take the John Deere tractor down to the right of way using his "Back Yard". Trailer should not be left in his driveway after unloading.

84

Volunteers / Re: Truck/Trailer needed for Work Weekend

« on: September 18, 2009, 07:15:13 PM »

When I get permission from Dave Clark , you will be unloading in his driveway . He lives one house north of the Octagon House.

85

Volunteers / Re: Truck/Trailer needed for Work Weekend

« on: August 24, 2009, 05:36:25 PM »

We have permission to use the partial road beside the Octagon House. End of track currently is just barely on Octagon property former right of way. If someone wants to walk it , I'll renew our conversation with owners. (He is an Ass't DA fpr the State of Maine.)

86

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

« on: July 15, 2009, 11:37:03 PM »

As I keep saying to those of you who think the only ideas or plans come from this discussion forum. Relax, take a deep cleansing breath, and have a little faith in your board. Also read the long range plan again. All will happen in good time, and the museum will not lose momentum or the faith of its tracklaying and non-tracklaying volunteers.

All will be well, I promise.

Remember that the newsletters and the annual capital fund raising letter are the principal methods of sharing information from the board - NOT this discussion forum.

87

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

« on: July 14, 2009, 11:52:29 PM »

A reasonable estimate for 6000 track feet of rail would be $120,000 at todays rail price.

$70,000 for ties, spikes and culverts.

$100,000 to repair two large washouts and one major landslide.

$60,000 in excavating and ballast costs.

$30,000 for the queen truss bridge over Carleton Brook (this may be high)

Total is $380,000.

If we used annual fundraiser for next 7 years just to extend track, we could be at Rt 218 in 6 to 7 years.

But as you know we have other needs to provide for.

88

Work and Events / Re: Top Of The Mountain Siding - Official Work Thread

« on: June 29, 2009, 09:28:34 PM »

Racor 22 switches are even more difficult to maintain than Spring Switches.

Let's cool off this siding and switch discussion from afar - We must not let our enthusiasm get us into a situation at the top of the mountain that possibly might someday cause an incident that could jeopardize the future of the museum.

I say this as a transportation officer at Penn Central in the 70's who spent all his time rerailing cars, and as the System Director of Operating Rules for 18 years at Conrail who spent much of his time working with the FRA & NTSB trying to prevent catastrophes.

Risk Management and Safety are not new tools in the railroad industry or at the WW&F.

89

Volunteers / Re: Please help identify mystery man...

« on: June 29, 2009, 09:13:49 PM »

Yes Stephen, that is indeed Ellis D. Atwood (EDA - ville).

90

Work and Events / Re: Top Of The Mountain Siding - Official Work Thread

« on: June 24, 2009, 08:54:30 PM »

We've got at least two, and probably three years before rail gets laid to the TOM (Unless someone has an extra $100,000 they want to give).       Everybody take a deep cleansing breath, hold it a few seconds, and blow it out. Now there, don't you feel better.