Messages

16

Volunteers / Re: February 2024 work reports

« on: February 25, 2024, 04:49:35 PM »

The "other" Saturday -

Work done Sunday February 25th:

* Three S&S trains operated to Tom / Sea Lyon Farm.  Visitors included the Don Toothaker Photography Group on the 1:30 train.
* The gift shop did well, operated by Cindy, Joan and Cody.
* A nice lunch was provided by Nancy and served by Linda.   
* Morse Engine House - I did some measuring for installation of the stall door headers and rain strips.
* Archives - Linda worked in the basement library.
* Shop - A few tours were given and some clean up was done in the afternoon.

17

Museum Discussion / Re: WW&F Winter Photo Shoot 2024 >>>Photo Album<<<

« on: February 20, 2024, 09:03:12 AM »

Great album, there are def some 2025 calendar photos in there.

18

Volunteers / Re: Printed Rulebook Pledges

« on: February 11, 2024, 01:41:30 PM »

I would put up $50 for two rule books, not necessarily for me but to help a younger person or someone who can't afford the fee.

19

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

« on: February 10, 2024, 10:41:16 PM »

Zack and I finished the wood trim work on the northeast corner of the engine house today, 2/10/24.  Warm weather allowed us to finish the paint work as well.  There's only a small amount of shingles to be installed above the rear doors of the east stall for that section to be complete.

20

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

« on: February 04, 2024, 09:19:28 PM »

Brendan's crew pulled off an almost impossible feat by working on the Morse engine house about 7 straight hours on Saturday.  The impetus was the night photo session for visiting Winter Photo event photographers to be held that night.  By supper time the west stall door casing was installed along with new corner boards and header shingles.  Everything including the 6th door was prime painted while the sun was on the front to dry the paint.  When Mellanie was done with touch up paint, she set about cleaning the entire inside of the building with help from a few other volunteers.  Lumber was moved, tools stored, floors swept and general clean up made the place perfect for tours and photo sessions inside and out.  Zack, Brian, Mellanie and a few others helped Brendan astonish the visitors who saw an un-finished messy construction site in the morning and a finished, cleaned engine house at the end of the day.  Fred would be so proud.

21

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

« on: January 28, 2024, 06:02:02 PM »

* Engine house work Saturday - January 27th, (most of the day) and Sunday afternoon - January 28th.

Brendan and his crew moved the 5th / mostly completed door over to the west stall.  The east corner boards were cut and the top section installed.  Some shingle work was done above the east stall door as well.  Casing and trim boards were installed on the posts between the east and center stall.  The center stall doors were fastened closed to get measurements for the casing boards which may be cut and primed on Monday or Tuesday depending on the weather.

22

Volunteers / Re: January 2024 Work Reports

« on: January 27, 2024, 08:56:46 PM »

* Special thanks to Eric and Ron for allowing the engine house crew to use the wood shop, the heated bay was good for primer painting door casing and corner boards.  The first set dried quickly enough to be installed on the east stall of the engine house.  More casing and trim boards have been painted and will be installed on the front of the engine house in the next couple of days - weather permitting.

23

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

« on: January 16, 2024, 10:18:53 AM »

Sunday afternoon 1/14 and all-day Monday 1/15, Brendan and his crew (that included James and Roger on Monday) finished fabricating and installing the strap hinges on the (second) center stall door.  By Monday afternoon the door was lifted into place and the pintles secured to the post, so the center stall now has a full set of working doors.  The west stall has been partially cleared out to facilitate building / hanging the last set of doors which have to be built.

24

Museum Discussion / Re: Victorian Christmas 2023

« on: December 16, 2023, 09:48:51 PM »

Two sets of stills were posted on the WW&F FB page: December 9th and December 12th.  There's also a video of #9 shifting at AC the only day we had snow.

25

Volunteers / Re: A few stories ...

« on: December 09, 2023, 08:21:13 PM »

Today was the second Saturday of the Victorian Christmas Market event.  I tended the bonfire at Alna Center as I have for years, it's a nice way to speak with visitors to see where they come from or how they heard about the railroad.  A local friend, Tucker delivered a load of mill slash prior to the first Saturday and the pile was near the fire pit.  This afternoon I noticed a fellow looking through the wood and he pulled a piece out and carried it towards the pit.  I thought he just wanted to help with the fire as people sometimes do but he brought the piece over to me.  He asked "may I buy this piece of wood from you?"   My slightly confused look prodded him to add "our long-time family dog just passed and I'd like to make a special headstone for him".   I had noticed that his little son and daughter were quiet while most of the kids were running around and playing on the stone pile.  I said "take whatever piece you want as a gift".   He thanked me and showed it to his kids which brought a slight smile to his daughters face.   As they boarded the train I thought "this is the kind of thing that makes our museum a great place to volunteer". 

26

Volunteers / Re: December 2023 Work Reports

« on: December 09, 2023, 08:05:12 PM »

Things went well at AC.  I spoke to a lot of people around the bonfire and many were first time visitors.  Pretty much every one said something like "this is so much fun, thanks for doing a nice family event".    Market sales were good as I saw guests carrying items onto the train.  One group of people who were gathered on the east side of the tracks (waiting for the return train) sang Jingle Bells. 

27

Volunteers / Re: November 2023 Work Reports

« on: November 19, 2023, 08:36:07 AM »

Upon hearing of Fred's passing, the FB team spent the better part of Saturday putting a special tribute together.  This morning the post went up with photos and stories from the last 25 years showing Fred in many roles at the railroad.  We wanted to do something to recognize his contributions and friendship over the last 28 years.

28

Volunteers / Re: November 2023 Work Reports

« on: November 04, 2023, 06:51:41 PM »

Work done at Sheepscot on November 4th -

* Vacuum Brakes - A planning/discussion meeting was held in the Percival House.
* Archives - Linda worked on some recent acquisitions including photos taken in Whitefield during the W&Q era.
* Engine 9 - Bob L with help from Pete, Jason and Cody winterized some of the parts in the cab.
* Boxcar 56 - Marcel worked on the rolling door hardware.
* Engine House - The final pieces of trim were installed around the north stall doors.  All the new wood was painted in the afternoon.
* Campus - Pete & Cody rounded up and inventoried the water can fire extinguishers.

29

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

« on: October 31, 2023, 03:35:46 PM »

Most of the metal roof was installed today by a combination of Steve Lennox's crew and Brendan's crew, known as the magnificent seven.

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

« on: October 29, 2023, 09:13:03 PM »

Look'in mighty fine there Brendan.  Any thought given to add nylon brush sweeps under the doors to cut down on dirt and drafts?

There will be wooden sills on top of the concrete that go up to the rail height + weather strip seals on the bottom of the doors.