Messages

31

Volunteers / Re: November 2022 Work Reports

« on: November 23, 2022, 10:55:56 PM »

Some photos I took Tuesday.

Work completed on Tuesday and Wednesday 22-23 November 2022

Tuesday:
*  Gift shop prep. (Cindy, Stewart, Paul R)

Some photos posted here.

*  Passenger truck rebuild continued with work on bearings. (Carlos, Jerry, Joseph G)
*  Coach #9 assembly/build continues  ((Eric, Ron)

Two photos posted here.

*  Engine house build continues  (Fred, Stewart, Zack)

And two photos posted here.

And the snowplow has been placed on No. 52 for the coming season.


Happy Thanksgiving.

32

Work and Events / Sheepscot Passenger Platform Reconstruction - Official Work Thread

« on: November 23, 2022, 10:15:53 PM »

Alluded to elsewhere, a project is now underway to provide a firmer foundation for the Sheepscot Station buildings and rearrange platforms for better guest flow during popular events.  A few Tuesday photos.

A temporary giftshop for winter events is being set up in Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes combine No. 14.  A view from the partially disassembled station platform looking into No. 14.


Inside No. 14 Tuesday morning.


A view inside the gift shop building, with Cindy Rhine and Randy Beach discussing the project. 


The largely disassembled platform.  A temporary platform ramp has been set up on the turntable lead track in the lower yard for our winter event passengers.

33

Work and Events / Re: Coach 9 - Official Work Thread

« on: November 23, 2022, 09:35:22 PM »

A couple of Tuesday photos.

Ron Ginger and Eric Schade discuss details on the next steps for coach No. 9's interior.


Jerry and Carlos Steinke work on final preparations to install the wheel sets in the refurbished passenger car truck frames in the background.  They've spent many, many hours preparing the trucks for the coach.

34

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

« on: November 23, 2022, 09:23:09 PM »

A couple of Tuesday photos of shingling the west wall.

Fred Morse working on the left, as Stewart Rhine works on the staging on the right.


Paul Richard assists Stewart.

35

The Original W&Q and WW&F: 1894-1933 / Re: Joint Bar Spacing

« on: November 21, 2022, 06:27:33 PM »

Reviving this old thread about parallel versus staggered rail joints.  I happened upon a November 19th isengard.co.uk photo showing track relaying at the Stwlan Dam Road level crossing renewal in Tan-y-Grisiau on the Ffestiniog.  The photo shows parallel joints along a curve. 

I'm guessing this has been and is the common practice in Wales.  I hope John Dobson and our other U.K. friends will weigh in.

I also understand Wales doesn't experience the deep ground freeze/thaw cycles that Maine does, and very likely has better soil conditions, particularly than mid-coast Maine, both of which would affect track alignment over time.

I know early on as the WW&F has been restored staggered joints were viewed as a concern for swaying cars at speed, but after many years of experience we've adopted staggered joints, particularly for curves, to avoid track kinks.

This post doesn't offer an answer for the practice historic Maine two-footers followed for track maintenance, but I think the comparison with Wales standards is interesting to learn.

36

Volunteers / Re: November 2022 Work Reports

« on: November 19, 2022, 08:05:16 PM »

I'm guessing the planned "Snow Siding" is to store the B&SR flanger and plow, and perhaps other equipment, off the woods track.

37

Volunteers / Re: November 2022 Work Reports

« on: November 05, 2022, 07:40:59 PM »

Thanks, Mike--greatly appreciated.  I had hoped to be there today, purposely clearing my work calendar, but then we had the all too frequent poor management work chaos intervene Friday, so I still had to work today and will again tomorrow.

38

Other Narrow Gauge / Re: World's Longest Passenger Train

« on: November 05, 2022, 11:42:18 AM »

I hereby pledge to implement a similar system should we ever run a train of similar length over similar bridges and through similar tunnels.

Before or after we install the catenary?

By the way, I'm pleased to say that I have ridden and photographed this meter-gauge line. :-)

Michelle and I did as well, 27(!) years ago.  I highly recommend experiencing the Rhaetian Railway (Rhätische Bahn) to anyone who ventures to Switzerland.

39

Volunteers / Re: October 2022 Work Reports

« on: October 26, 2022, 04:10:15 PM »

Happy Halloween, Steve, and as always, thanks for the updates.

40

Volunteers / Re: October 2022 Work Reports

« on: October 25, 2022, 06:01:33 PM »

I spy left-to-right in Jason's photo Steve Leet, Steve Lennox, Jay Barta and Brendan Barry.  Please correct if I'm mistaken.  Thanks for posting the photo.

41

Volunteers / Re: October 2022 Work Reports

« on: October 22, 2022, 09:39:39 PM »

Some photos of today's activities, largely focused on the well-attended public trains, our last day of Pumpkin Pickin' Trains to SeaLyon Farm.  We've been fortunate with some brilliant fall weather, and today was no exception, with temperatures into the 60s.

Wes Carpenter tending to WW&F No. 9 early in the day in the Sheepscot upper yard by the car barn.


Turning not quite 180 degrees, a view into the car barn, with track 2 nearly open.


Brendan Barry providing coal to Bridgton & Saco River No. 7, as Jason Lamontagne guides filling the coal bunker.  Bill Piche tends the fire.


B&SR No. 7 is centered on the B&SR turntable at Trout Brook Station.  This past two and a half months since the Mountain Extension opened August 6th, the historic B&SR locomotive and turntable have been reunited in operations at Trout Brook, thanks to partnership with Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. and Museum.  No. 7 will soon be returning to Maine Narrow Gauge for the Polar Express. 


Families look on as No. 7 returns to Sheepscot with her train.


No. 7's engine crew on this trip:  Bill Piche, Jason Lamontagne and Dan Malkowski.

42

Work and Events / J&S Truck Build/Rebuild - Official Work Thread

« on: October 22, 2022, 08:34:04 PM »

Jerry and Carlos Steinke have spent countless hours preparing the passenger truck frames for coach No. 9.  Checking shop bay 2 today, I found the passenger truck parts had recently been painted and set out to dry.

43

Volunteers / Re: October 2022 Work Reports

« on: October 22, 2022, 07:37:46 PM »

Well, in Dan's case, yes...

Dan and I started with low expectations and were surprised how easily it went.  We pushed the first 4' of the rod into the ground by hand.  And then we hit no obstructions hammering it the rest of the way home.  We thought for sure we'd hit some rock. 

44

Volunteers / Re: October 2022 Work Reports

« on: October 22, 2022, 07:09:21 PM »

Anticipated work for Tuesday and Wednesday 18-19 October 2022

*  Locomotive #7 Inspection  (Tues)
*  School Charter  (Wed)
*  Rail car assembly and test
*  Vacuum brakes
*  Passenger car trucks work
*  Coach #9 work
*  Engine house  (pending)
*  SS campus clean up and dump run

Can you add "install ground rod at TBS"?
Thanks!

Dan and I installed the 8' ground rod at Trout Brook Station this afternoon and attached the ground wire.  You will want to inspect the ground connection to ensure it meets the exacting telephone department standards.

Dan and I were shocked at how quickly we were able to drive the rod into the ground.
It was lightning fast. 
Ed says you're now in charge, John. 

Your turn, John...

45

Volunteers / Re: October 2022 Work Reports

« on: October 15, 2022, 08:26:35 PM »

During the Thompson Historical Society's event today in Connecticut remembering the town's railroad history, Dave presented an update on our Museum.  WW&F No. 9's long-time home was on the Ramsdell Farm there for many years, before Dale King let us become 9's current home and restore the locomotive.