Messages

31

Bridgton & Saco River Railway / Re: Ed Mead's B&SR Photos

« on: October 31, 2019, 04:34:54 AM »

Thank you, both!  Mike, I have a nice copy of that photo of 4.  Philip, yes, that is the photo I was talking about.  And no, I don't have a copy of the second photo which was taken by Hugh Boutelle, I believe, and that is wife standing next to 4.  I'd take you up on the offer of a copy and would pay for any copying expense.

32

Bridgton & Saco River Railway / Re: Ed Mead's B&SR Photos

« on: October 30, 2019, 12:44:29 PM »

That's right James.  When I called them they said that they has some of the French collection cataloged but not all of it.  The photo I am looking for was not among those that have been so I need to make a trip up there sometime.

33

Bridgton & Saco River Railway / Re: Ed Mead's B&SR Photos

« on: October 30, 2019, 10:26:14 AM »

Thanks, Duncan.  Right now I am on the trail of a couple of photos.  One shows BSR 4 in front of Perley's Mills Station and I have found out that the photographer was George French.  I tracked his daughter in law (who is still living!) to Parsonsfield and she said that all of his glass plates went to the State Archives so that will be a next stop.  I'd like to get a copy from the glass plate as they make very clear photos. 

34

Bridgton & Saco River Railway / Re: Ed Mead's B&SR Photos

« on: October 30, 2019, 07:56:19 AM »

My goal is to get copies of as many photos of BSR 4 as I can find.  I have a few and I'd like to have good quality copies of others I've seen.

35

Bridgton & Saco River Railway / Re: Ed Mead's B&SR Photos

« on: October 30, 2019, 04:25:43 AM »

Thanks, Mike.  I have made two trips to the Bridgton Historical Society this year and didn't see the particular photo I am looking for but did find a photocopy of another photo that I am now pursuing in addition to the one I am looking for that was in Ed Mead's collection.  I don't remember the page number off the top of my head but the photo shows BSR 6 and BSR 4 double heading a plow train.

36

Bridgton & Saco River Railway / Re: Ed Mead's B&SR Photos

« on: October 29, 2019, 04:33:35 AM »

Thank you all for the info!  I'm trying to track down a particular photo that was part of his collection and was reprinted in "Busted and Still Running" and "Two Feet to the Lakes" hoping to get a copy.  These leads will be helpful.

37

Bridgton & Saco River Railway / Ed Mead's B&SR Photos

« on: October 28, 2019, 01:36:10 PM »

Does anyone know what happened to Ed Mead's B&SR photo collection?  Was it donated to some organization and if so, which one?   Or is it still in the family? 

38

Work and Events / Re: NOV. 2 - WORK-EVENT- ROCK THE MOUNTAIN!

« on: October 25, 2019, 04:23:33 AM »

I will be there.

39

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

« on: October 24, 2019, 04:38:33 AM »

Agreed, Bob.  Getting newly laid track in service takes a lot of effort and focus but I find it just as satisfying as spiking new track.  I also find track maintenance to be very satisfying.  We've dedicated parts of work weekends in the past to track maintenance and I remember it being as much fun as any other project I have worked on.  I know there are folks who want to help and may have limitations as to what they can do physically but they have other talents that can be utilized on other projects.  I think the keys are not to have too many projects going at once on a work weekend and striking a balance.  That can be challenging.  I thought the FWW was very well balanced.

40

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

« on: October 23, 2019, 04:37:03 AM »

I am not sure where this notion came from, that the only way to maintain interest and enthusiasm for the railroad is to keep laying track, but I disagree with it.  Getting the track down the Mountain and over the bridge was great.  At the same time, we were having trouble maintaining the track we already had.  We have to focus on maintenance for a while and on completing some of the other projects on our lengthy list.  We have a shingle mill and sawmill to set up at TOM, we have buildings that need to be erected (roundhouse, etc.), and we have a railroad to run, all of which take time and people.  All of these should be enough to keep folks interested and involved.  I still have to work for a living so my spare time is limited and I try to spend as much time at the railroad as possible but we all have lives outside of the museum and we can get over extended and I think that's where we are now.  I vote to take a breather on extending track and for getting caught up on the back burner projects.  I really don't think that would dampen anyone's enthusiasm.  Just my 2 cents.

41

Work and Events / Re: 2019 Fall Work Weekend (October 11 - 14) Track Work Planning

« on: October 15, 2019, 07:16:52 AM »

I can barely believe that the FWW has come and gone.  My shoulder tells me the it has but any ache or pain is completely worth it as I think about all that was accomplished.  I want to thank each and every person who worked on the spiking crew.  We had first timers and old hands and everyone worked so hard and it was amazing to see the progress that was made each day.  We spiked down an amazing 900 feet (!) on Friday and kept up the momentum right up until the last spike was driven late on Monday morning.  Everyone worked great together rain and shine and although we worked hard we had lot of fun, too.  I was surprised and impressed by how quickly the bridge disappeared from view once we started spiking on the north side it.  Thank you all so much!

I also want to add that without the kitchen crew and those who get the lunches to the crew out on the line, none of this would be possible.

 It also great to see friends from farther away who I only get to see twice a year. 

Dana

42

Volunteers / Re: September 2019 Track Construction

« on: September 23, 2019, 04:15:09 AM »

Thank you to all of those who showed up to help with the spiking on Saturday.  We had a good day and I appreciate all the help.  Skip and Larry came all the way from Pennsylvania to assist and deserve a special thank you.  Once the next cycle is put down this week we should be ready for the big push.  Now let's pray for decent weather for the FWW.

I also want to thank Fred for being willing to serve as engineer for the work train on Saturday.  That was a huge help.

43

Work and Events / Re: Trout Brook Station - Official Work Thread

« on: September 20, 2019, 01:16:36 PM »

I like "Trout Brook".  I think on the B&SR South Bridgton Station was nowhere near the village due to geography not allowing for building track through the town center.  Also West Sebago station was moved from one end of Hancock Pond almost to the other at Swamp Road.  It kept the West Sebago name but it could've been changed to "Farther West Sebago" or "Denmark" as it was just over or astride the town line in its last location.  "Trout Brook" sounds very Maine to me.

44

Volunteers / Re: September 2019 Track Construction

« on: September 20, 2019, 01:08:39 PM »

Perfect!  Thanks.

45

Volunteers / Re: September 2019 Track Construction

« on: September 20, 2019, 10:26:45 AM »

So we will be working on cycle 1 tomorrow with cycle 2 put down next week?