Messages

316

General Discussion / Re: Navy Service

« on: February 02, 2009, 07:00:42 PM »

Diesel boats and diesel electric locomotives operate almost equal.  Exception is number of propulsion motors and method of controlling propulsion.  Having served on 7 submarines, of which 3 were diesel boats (I've been there, done that).  Even nukes have diesels and can go diesel electric propulsion (even closer to GE units).  The engine room on a diesel boat is like standing in the engine hoods, at same time, of two EMD (or ALCO with FM engines) units running in notch 8 with a freight drag doing 15 mph.  If you stood in the hatch between both engine rooms it would be like four units.  I loved it! DBF

317

Museum Discussion / Re: The next WW&F rolling stock to build after the WW&F tankcar project?

« on: January 30, 2009, 09:48:47 AM »

I know everyone has his "pet" new car, but a copy of the cream car is mine.  A yellow car with a green roof would really add color to the a freight or mixed train consist.  It would double as a tool car.  Add the stove and you have a warming shelter for winter work projects.

318

Work and Events / Re: Spring Work Weekend Dates 2009

« on: January 30, 2009, 09:39:08 AM »

I plan on being there for the Spring work weekend.  Still working on getting an air compressor from GSA-Maine.  I figure I'll assist Julius at Alna Center, again.  Has anyone come up with a flag holder for A.C. yet?  If not, I'll see if I can find a antique cast iron holder, but I will need the diameter of the red flags currently in use (3/4",1",1 1/4"?) .  I plan on bringing an old milk can along as a stool.  One polished up to go along with the cream cans.  How is our work glove supply?  Should I bring up a couple of dozen pair?

319

General Discussion / Re: WW&F Visa Cards

« on: January 07, 2009, 08:48:13 PM »

Oh, of course I meant items that are not sold in our store.  Some of us read fiction books and Maine Two- Footer history is non-fiction.  Don't kill a Golden Goose, even if it only lays pullet size eggs.  I believe eBay has a partnership deal and all of us use eBay.  It would be nice to get a kick-back from each eBay transaction via our web site.  Remember, "Never look a gift horse in the mouth".

320

General Discussion / Re: WW&F Visa Cards

« on: January 07, 2009, 08:23:06 AM »

Our group has a button on our web page for Amazon.com.  If that link is used to make make a purchase, then we receive a percentage.  There are other "buy" sites that offer the same sort of "partnership" deal.  It may be worth looking into.  We all use these sites to buy books, DVD's, electronics, tools, etc.  A few extra bucks for the bottom line can't hurt.

321

Museum Discussion / Re: preservation and hokum

« on: December 31, 2008, 09:24:36 AM »

While it would be best if the museum owned and operated a period concession wagon/stand, perhaps a local resident would like the concession for selling ice cream, popcorn, etc.  The purpose is to add "value" to our passenger's visit and thus draw more riders.  Even if the "locals" only stop by for a Sunday afternoon ice cream cone, they might decide to take the train or shop our book store or join us.

Being out in the woods and away from US 1, we need all the ideas and help that we can get to increase ridership/visits.  More riders means more members equals an improved bottom line.  The improvements in parking and the addition of restrooms should open us up to the charter bus trade.

322

Museum Discussion / Re: preservation and hokum

« on: December 30, 2008, 05:50:50 PM »

 I believe victualer license is a Commonwealth of Massachusetts name for a vendor's license.  No doubt Maine has a vendor's licenses.  They are usually no problem to acquire.

323

Museum Discussion / Re: preservation and hokum

« on: December 30, 2008, 02:56:40 PM »

How about one of these (or similar era piece) at Sheepscot Station?  Vending popcorn, hot dogs, cold drinks and ice cream.

324

US Two Footers / Re: Pennsylvania 2-Foot Rairoad

« on: December 30, 2008, 08:51:57 AM »

Drawing and Photos of Mt. Gretna Narrow Gauge Railroad Baldwin 4-4-0

325

US Two Footers / Pennsylvania 2-Foot Rairoad

« on: December 28, 2008, 04:20:28 PM »

The Mount Gretna Narrow Gauge Railway was a 2 ft (610 mm) gauge narrow gauge heritage railroad in the state of Pennsylvania that operated between 1889 and 1916. It was built by the Cornwall and Lebanon Railroad, who earlier had established a station and picnic ground at Mount Gretna, Pennsylvania.

The Gilded Age iron industrialist and railroad president Robert Habersham Coleman decided that a narrow gauge railroad to the top of nearby Governor Dick Mountain would provide an additional tourist draw, and in addition could service the Pennsylvania National Guard rifle ranges nearby. The line was built to the rare
(in North America) and very narrow gauge of 24 inches. Locomotives, apart from an early and unsuccessful H. K. Porter, Inc 0-4-4 Forney locomotive, were three 4-4-0 "American" types (#11, #12 and #15) built by Baldwin Locomotive Works. Locomotive #12 was ordered on 22 June 1889 and built in only 8 days to be ready for anticipated Independence Day crowds after the Porter Forney wheelbase proved too rigid for reliable service on small-radius curves. The Baldwin locomotives featured lagged smokeboxes and were the only 24-inch gauge 4-4-0s ever operated in North America; although Baldwin built a 600-centimeter gauge 4-4-0 for the Ferrocarril de Tacubaya of Mexico City in 1897.

A turntable, engine-house, water tank, runaround track, and storage tracks were near the junction with the Cornwall & Lebanon at Mount Gretna. Return loops were built near the rifle range and around Governor Dick peak. At first the railroad was popular, but the tourist trade declined after the novelty had died down. The loop around Governor Dick was dismantled after the summer of 1896, but the railroad continued operation for the National Guard rifle range. A serious accident in 1915 killed off that traffic. The line's passenger cars were open-sided observation cars boarded from long footboards running along the length of either side of the cars. One of the cars overturned on a sharp curve when a large number of guardsmen attempted to board simultaneously from one side of the car. There were some serious injuries, and the tiny railroad ceased operation in the summer of 1916, shortly after its parent company's purchase by the Pennsylvania Railroad.

326

Museum Discussion / Re: preservation and hokum

« on: December 23, 2008, 06:07:36 PM »

Oh the heck with it, let's "build" a dining car and serve Maine lobster dinners on an evening train. Reservations ONLY. Everything can be prepared "off-train" and served upon leaving Sheepscot.  Menu: salad with house dressing or cold slaw, 1,2 or 3 steamed Maine lobster(s)(pre-ordered) (Note: not boiled, but steamed), corn on the cob, small bag of chips, dinner roll, desert - Maine blueberry tart. Selection of cold soft drinks and iced tea.  YUM!  And, no I did not forget the drawn butter.  They do a big business with same basic menu at the Annual Lobster Fest in Rockland.

Service on Saturdays and maybe Sundays - June thru September.  Sure would beat Thomas or shoot'um ups.

I know this not "original", but restoration and preservation takes a lot of money, so lets make some.

A 2-foot dining car is great for couples, one facing one across a nice table, enjoying Maine lobster.

Pop does his train thing and rewards mom with dinner for two on the train.

327

Volunteers / Re: 2008 Volunteer Hours

« on: December 18, 2008, 09:17:04 AM »

How critical are the off-site hours?  I spend an average of three hours a week working with GSA Augusta looking for surplus property that is currently on our "most wanted" list.  I started this after I was up there for the fall work weekend.

328

Other Narrow Gauge / Re: 30-inch gauge Baldwins in Argentina

« on: December 16, 2008, 05:53:33 PM »

Wayne and All

My bad!  Your right.  I even have friends living in Brazil.  Sorry.

Ken

329

Museum Discussion / Re: Top of the Mountain

« on: December 16, 2008, 08:26:22 AM »

Why not have a run around track at TOM?  No need for second engine.  Would make even more sense if TOM is the EOL for a few years.  Add a very simple shelter with a bench for folks who might want to hike a bit and return on a later train.  The switch and shelter can always be removed later to keep with original track plan.  I think the ghosts of the old W.W.& F. won't mind.  Our name train could be "The Mountain Flyer", LOL.

As for the washout, are the Marines (or Army Reserve) available for the challenge?  Most State National Guards have heavy construction units, who may need a training exercise.

330

Maine Narrow Gauge RR Co. & Museum / Re: #8 History?

« on: December 11, 2008, 09:53:53 PM »

In the days of steam on the Burlington Route (C.B. & Q.) in was not unusual to spent 20 or more years as a fireman before being prompted to engineer.  My father hired on the 'Q' in 1914 as a switchman.  When prompted to brakeman 1915, a head(end) brakeman sometimes shoveled as much coal as the fireman did on heavy freights with a hand fired engine or broken stoker.