Messages

271

Bridgton & Saco River Railway / Offloading at Bridgton Junction

« on: April 22, 2009, 05:43:23 AM »

OK, here's another question that has arisen from my addled brain:  How did the B&SR off load locomotives and cars that were delivered by the MeC?  The Sandy River had an elevated track at the Farmington Transfer Yard and the standard gauge flat was backed up to this track so that the equipment being transferred from wide to narrow gauge was level with the two foot rails.  Using idler cars the car or locomotive was hauled off or pushed onto the wide gauge car.  So, how do you suppose this was accomplished at Bridgton Junction?  There was no elevated track there that I know of.  There was a dual gauge track to the coal shed but how do you suppose a car or locomotive was offloaded from car to rails?  There was no crane at the Jucntion.  Did the MeC bring in a Big Hook?  Any thoughts?

272

Bridgton & Saco River Railway / Re: Mystery Siding

« on: April 22, 2009, 05:35:25 AM »

I guess I'll have to take a look at those records this weekend, Allan.  I have seen the track maps at the Bridgton Historical Society which were made around 1915, I think, and don't recall seeing a siding at that location.  I looked at a photo of the Hancock Pond Tank, from the early years, that was taken facing north and you can see the target for the south switch of the passing siding and maybe the one for the north switch.  You can also see where the track begins to curve away from the shore of the pond toward the crossing but the copy of the photo is not sharp enough to see much detail in the distance.  I was hoping I could perhaps see a third switch target but the quality of the copy is poor.  Luckily the Sebago Historical Society has the original and two of my relatives are on the SHS Board, and the photo is from my mother's uncle's collection of BSR material that was donated to the SHS.  I'll be making a trip to their museum in the near future!

273

Bridgton & Saco River Railway / Mystery Siding

« on: April 21, 2009, 05:19:22 AM »

Hey Guys,

     I recently bought Peter Barney's B&SR pictorial book and I came across something interesting in the section with the track maps, on page 103.  Take a look at the map showing the Hancock Pond Tank siding.  You'll see the passing siding but move your eyes northward.  The map shows a second sidng there, before the track reaches the road crossing, and a fairly long one, too.  I've never seen any photographic evidence of this siding and having hiked along the ROW on the shore of the pond I never noticed any physical evidence of the siding but I guess it's time to go back and take another look.  Even though some camps have been built along that section the ROW is still fairly evident.
     I wonder, if there was a siding there, what it was used for?  There was a siding just a short distance south at the original West Sebago Station site and that would have made a good location for loading most freight items.  I wonder if it was used for log loading since it was down hill from the road and would have made good use of gravity.  It is a new revelation for me, just when you think there is nothing new to ponder!

274

Whimsical Weirdness and Foolery / Re: Smokey Joe's Cafe

« on: April 16, 2009, 09:48:49 AM »

"OK, Joe, when I count three, we pull.  When we get her tipped up I'll hold 'er while you oil underneath."

275

Museum Discussion / Re: Historical Photo Recreations

« on: April 15, 2009, 05:40:08 AM »

Nope,  there's a spot on Davis Grade that resembles the spot closely enough that with the right camera angle you'd barely know the difference.  Stephen Hussar and I scouted it out a couple of years ago.

276

Work and Events / Re: Easter photo freight

« on: April 13, 2009, 05:56:08 AM »

Here's the photo I was thinking of:

277

Work and Events / Re: Spring Work Weekend Dates 2009

« on: April 13, 2009, 05:37:10 AM »

Hi All,

     I went all the way to the end of the line on Saturday so I could look things over and get a plan of attack together in my head.  First, I'm pleased to report that the snow is gone.  Second, the black flies haven't hatched out yet!  I think that the first order of business on Friday will be hauling gravel to the low (that's an understatement!) spots on the unballasted section.  This will entail hauling it pretty near the end of track so I'd like to do that first before we start jacking and tamping, that way we will avoid a later shuffling of equipment.  Once the gravel work is done we can commence tamping on the already ballasted section.  The jacking and tamping crew will go first, then the lining crew, then stone cars will come behind to add the finish dressing of ballast.  Once we reach the end of the ballasted section we'll have to shift around.  We'll send the jacking and tamping crew to the very end of track (or we may do this part in pieces so we don't end up with an unfinished gap in the middle if time runs out) then bring in loads of stone behind them.  This way there should be constant progress with all crews out of each other's way.  The tamping crew will be on the far north end working south and the ballast trains will keep dumping stone south of them and everyone should be moving south without interference.  The lining crew will be the northmost crew in Phase II and once the whole piece has been tamped and lined the last thing to do will be to come back through with the "ballast dressing" operation.  As always plans can change.  Some famous general once said that every battle plan is sound right up to the moment the first shot is fired so we'll stay flexible within the broader plan.
     One thing I would ask is that if there is anyone going to Sheepscot this coming Saturday (4/18) who is looking for a task here's a request:  Would you please go through the shop buildings and gather up any track jacks, shovels, and lining bars that aren't being used and either put them in the section house or just consolidate them in one spot so we can collect them on 4/24?  If not, then we'll have to do that first thing on the 24th.

Thanks!  Now let's all hope, pray, dance (your choice) for good weather for our work weekend!

278

Bridgton & Saco River Railway / Re: Bridgton ROW

« on: April 08, 2009, 11:59:31 AM »

Duncan,

     I have an original copy of a book called "Sebgo Lake Land" that has an aerial photo taken around 1940 that shows the Harrison Yard.  The station was still there as was the engine house, corn shop, etc.  It would be a good reference image to use when we go.  My grandfather used to visit an acquaintance in Harrison who claimed to live in the "old depot".  I never got up there to check out the story but maybe there is a railroad building still up there that we don't know about.  Maybe it was moved.

279

Bridgton & Saco River Railway / Re: Bridgton ROW

« on: April 08, 2009, 07:43:20 AM »

Hey Guys,

     I'm up for a trip on either end of the line.  I have to admit that I'd prefer we explore the Harrison Branch but I'm flexible.  I've never seen the Harrison Yard area and have wondered if there is anything left on the ground that's still identifiable as a railroad location.  For instance, is the old corn shop building still there?  And what about the siding that crossed the main road to a grain mill/store?

280

Work and Events / Re: where to stay for work session

« on: April 03, 2009, 09:09:25 AM »

Room 320 at the Sheepscot Hilton has two bunks currently reserved but the third one may be available. 

281

Museum Discussion / Re: Historical Photo Recreations

« on: April 03, 2009, 09:01:15 AM »

Gordon,

     We've talked about re-creating the Head Tide gravel train photo for quite a while and as Stephen noted we even have a spot picked out.  I have a large copy of the original photo from which I was going to work to position everyone.  It's just a matter of setting a time, getting the people together, and doing it.

282

Volunteers / Re: 2008 Volunteer Hours

« on: March 20, 2009, 08:00:33 AM »

Mike,

     Since hours started to increase around November and I haven't been up all winter it looks like I should stay away more often...

283

General Discussion / Re: Wiscasset pronunciation

« on: March 13, 2009, 05:31:20 AM »

Whew!  That's a relief.  For a minute they-ah I thought we were losing you to the dahk side!   

284

General Discussion / Re: Wiscasset pronunciation

« on: March 12, 2009, 07:31:32 AM »

There are still pockets of the "real Maine" throughout the state.  We may be outnumbah-ed by the flatland-ahs but we haven't been out smaht-ed.  Hey Mike,  I spent a lot of time working with old timers on the farm and in the woods, and I've known a few coastal fisherman and I have never heard a Mainer call one of our famous storms a "nor'easter".  I've always heard it called a "noth-eastah", invariably, until folks from away began to outnumber the natives.  No Mainer worth his salt would pronounce the letter r (ah) if he can avoid it. 

How many times have you heard someone refer to the Say-co River?  It's fun to listen to them try Nesoudenahunk or Wassataquoik!  James, I once heard a guy pronounce it De-Mare-is-cotta!

285

Work and Events / Re: Spring Work Weekend Dates 2009

« on: March 12, 2009, 07:18:53 AM »

The snow shall be gone by then...I decree it!