Messages

16

Museum Discussion / Re: Trains News Wire Year in review: Preservation stories from coast to coast

« on: April 16, 2023, 07:54:41 PM »

Actually Ted, taxpayers are putting a lot of money into this.  Many of us are scratching our heads on how they managed to jump the line with other shortlines for so much money.

17

Work and Events / Re: Northwest parking lot

« on: April 15, 2023, 06:50:05 PM »

I would suggest that the topping for the parking lots should be what DOT folks refer to as DGA (densely graded aggregate) versus what is known in Maine as gravel.  Having lived there, I know Maine gravels tend to have clay and organics in them and so when wet you still have MUD and it doesn't drain well.  With all the work we are putting into our new passenger consists, it makes no sense to continue to ruin floors and finishes to people with abrasive mud on their shoes/boots.  We should also start thinking about landscaping around campus with either asphalt or concrete walkways for foot traffic and also in consideration of our disabled and wheelchair bound guests.

OK, I'll get off my soapbox now ...................

18

Work and Events / Re: Casey the Bulldozer - Official Work Thread

« on: April 04, 2023, 12:03:23 PM »

Rachet and maul/sledge - field expedient way of repairing tracks whether a Dozer, Tank, or APC.

19

Work and Events / Re: Engine House - Official Work Thread

« on: March 31, 2023, 07:58:20 PM »

With the original engine house exposed on the shoreline as it was, I'm sure some of the Nor'easter winds that came across the river/bay were tremendous.  Diagonal bracing was a very prudent addition to the structure.

20

Work and Events / Re: Engine House - Official Work Thread

« on: March 31, 2023, 08:09:07 AM »

With our best mechanics being the ones in "the hole", maybe the signage should read:  Caution - Ace in the Hole !!!!

21

Museum Discussion / Re: Plowing Ahead - Snow removal discussion

« on: March 07, 2023, 08:20:34 AM »

With the steeper angle and longer cut this would go through the heavy snow and drifts much more easily than the plow on #52 right now.  Maybe we should take Rick up on his offer.  I always thought it would be cool to design and build a scaled down version of either a Jordan or Russell plow for the line.

22

Volunteers / Re: February 2023 Work Reports

« on: February 26, 2023, 08:15:57 AM »

Chip up those sugar maple branches.  They make great smoker fire fuel and especially wet chips for smoking.  Of course for those who prefer a little sweetness to their meat.

23

Volunteers / Re: JB Smith - Character of the County

« on: February 06, 2023, 08:38:14 PM »

It's stories like these that surprise, awe, and inspire me.  As a retired teacher, at-risk youth is a tough crowd to begin with.  But what JB has accomplished is worthy of a humanitarian award.  JB is just as much of a gem to this community as the railroad museum itself.  Not to mention he makes being a steam locomotive engineer very very cool.

24

General Discussion / Re: Brunswick-Rockland passenger trains?

« on: February 04, 2023, 01:34:08 PM »

Might be a business opportunity for a small "jitney" service.

25

Other Narrow Gauge / Re: EBT test fires #16

« on: February 03, 2023, 08:23:10 AM »

Wonder which engine is next in line to be restored?

26

Whimsical Weirdness and Foolery / Re: MegaMillions award to the WW&F

« on: January 15, 2023, 08:25:17 PM »

Graham,

Wawa started off as a deli, farm stand, and dairy.  They combined and created the mini-stores similar to 7-11.  Gas pumps were added much later in it's corporate existance.   Corporate HQ is in (you guessed it) Wawa, PA.

27

Whimsical Weirdness and Foolery / Re: MegaMillions award to the WW&F

« on: January 15, 2023, 08:25:39 AM »

Readers note to Moderator:

Decisions,  decisions ..........................

28

Whimsical Weirdness and Foolery / Re: MegaMillions award to the WW&F

« on: January 14, 2023, 10:37:23 PM »

Mike,

Once you get a Wawa you'll never go back to Duncan Donuts .......  Better than Starbucks coffee and a lot cheaper.

29

Whimsical Weirdness and Foolery / Re: MegaMillions award to the WW&F

« on: January 14, 2023, 03:46:43 PM »

Not to debate the quality of subs but "Jersey Mike's" has better subs and franchise deals.  But when I'm on the go, I can always count on a good Wawa sub.  (Not available in New England - yet !)

30

Whimsical Weirdness and Foolery / MegaMillions award to the WW&F

« on: January 14, 2023, 08:19:23 AM »

(If only it was true  )

Unknown to many, someone bought the winning Mega Millions ticket for the WW&F.  Upon hearing the news Dave gathered the BOD and secured the votes to immediately hire real estate specialists and attorneys to help with the huge task of re-obtaining original ROW's not currently held by the museum or its associates.

Jason is scrambling to find personnel to hire full-time as the board has committed to rebuilding the entire line as well as a whole new fleet or locomotives and rolling stock.  Mike Fox has been appointed Construction Manager for the expansion of the line and is already gathering the required personnel and contacts to get the required Environmental and Construction permits in place for a 2024 kickoff of new construction.  Steve P. has already made contact and has set up meetings with Wiscasset town officials to obtain land from the town in order to build a new station for the WW&F on the site of the old Maine Central Wiscasset station.

Stay tuned folks as things are going to move rapidly.  If you are interested in a full time position, please leave a message on the museum's voicemail and the appropriate person shall contact you shortly.  For the volunteers, the BOD has directed to expand the work-weekends to four per year due to amount of work that will be available.  Dates have yet to be established.