Messages

16

Work and Events / Re: WW&F No. 11 - Official Work Thread

« on: March 02, 2024, 12:27:26 PM »

The notations are the result of x-ray inspection of the castings to insure there were no areas that were porous or otherwise weak.
The issues found were small and not in critical stress areas and the castings passed all the tests that we required for acceptance. We don't think the sand inclusions will affect any machined areas of the parts.
We're really pleased with the quality and response of this foundry, located in Springfield, MA.

17

Work and Events / Re: WW&F No. 11 - Official Work Thread

« on: February 29, 2024, 09:35:14 PM »

Thank You Brendan !!!

18

Museum Discussion / Re: See Us On MaineLife TV!!

« on: January 29, 2024, 03:16:48 PM »

What Bill said, and nice video and drone shots. I especially liked the long range views.

19

Volunteers / Re: January 2024 Work Reports

« on: January 09, 2024, 08:39:34 AM »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1owFQgSPIsY&ab_channel=Tcostello105

20

Volunteers / Re: December 2023 Work Reports

« on: December 14, 2023, 05:08:44 PM »

Was this done so that No 9 could gaze northward and remember when?

21

Work and Events / Re: WW&F No. 11 - Official Work Thread

« on: December 12, 2023, 10:02:59 PM »

We are planning on installing that assembly during the January work session.
Holes will to be drilled and tapped in the frame to hold it in place.
Here's a view of the cross tie assembly in the 3D model:


Please note that this model leaves out some of the pins and bolts.
As you can see, the front suspension gets a bit complicated up in the front. Part of the complication was that we made the
front frames deeper in front of the lead drivers, as the original design was not strong enough there for the calculated stresses. This
lowered the crosstie, which caused the lead truck equalizer (the gray-blue piece) to interfere with the cross tie. The cross tie had to move
up vertically to give the equalizer clearance to pivot up and down with the suspension.

22

Work and Events / Re: WW&F No. 11 - Official Work Thread

« on: November 27, 2023, 10:23:44 AM »

Due to the holidays and busy schedules, we won't be having a formal No 11 work session in December. However, there will be ongoing work in the machine shop on the front and rear truck assemblies. Members are machining parts in their home workshops for those too.
A complete 3D model of the running gear is coming along that will be animated to confirm that the relationship between all the parts is correct. (And is also fun to watch.)
The drive wheel centers and main cranks are being cast soon, and we will be sending those along to be machined.
The remaining castings are being readied to send out for bid.
With everyone's help, we hope to be able to get wheels under the frame next year, which will be a major milestone.

23

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

« on: October 08, 2023, 10:16:08 AM »

Thank you, Fred, for your never ending dedication to and support of the WW&F Railway.

24

Work and Events / Re: WW&F No. 11 - Official Work Thread

« on: July 31, 2023, 05:00:49 PM »

The August Build 11 Work days are the 15th, 16th and 17th.
We typically check key individual's schedules during those work days and plan the next month's days.

25

Work and Events / Re: B&SR Box Car 56 - Official Work Thread

« on: June 25, 2023, 03:18:38 PM »

Good one, James. 

26

Work and Events / Re: WW&F No. 11 - Official Work Thread

« on: May 18, 2023, 05:04:11 PM »

Tease Alert!!!
Here's a picture of a boiler which is very similar to the one we will build for No. 11. It is sitting in the shop at Brecon Mountain Railway (https://www.bmr.wales/) in Wales, waiting for its hydro test. It is of welded construction except for the front tube sheet, which is riveted.  it will go into a replica of SRRL No. 10, for which they have frames, cylinders, drivers, and many smaller parts already done.  It is a long term project and will be finished when it's finished.



They have a very beautiful ride and a professionally run operation and they really have the Maine 2 footer 'bug'!

27

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

« on: May 02, 2023, 08:40:03 AM »

No. 9 spent Friday night tucked in her new home over the pit. Earlier the oil pads in the driving boxes were replaced with new oil-resistant material. The pit makes any work like this so much easier.



The fire was allowed to burn itself out overnight, so firing up in the morning didn't take very long.

28

Volunteers / Re: March 2023 work reports

« on: March 16, 2023, 06:32:11 AM »

Just wondering how this week's snowstorm affected the railroad and the Easter Eggspress trains?

29

Volunteers / Re: January 2023 Work Reports

« on: January 30, 2023, 07:29:56 PM »

There will also be a 'Build 11' work session from Tuesday to Thursday, January 31 to February 2.
We will be working on getting ready to assemble the entire front frame which includes the left and right frames, cylinder fixture, and rear frame extension casting. The cylinder fixture substitutes for the cylinder saddle which we won't have for a few more months. We have to prepare the two front frames to fit with the rear frame extension casting, get everything precisely aligned, and start match drilling and reaming holes to permanently bolt the pieces together with custom fitted bolts.
Once the front 'box' is assembled it can be married to the rear frame by the same process of fitting and match drilling and reaming holes for fitted bolts. Alignment of these components is critical to the successful operation of the locomotive.

30

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

« on: January 17, 2023, 06:01:54 PM »

Hey subs are very important, though here in RI we call them grinders, er grinda's

That's Dynamite! I keep supplies for making Grinders, Wieners, and Coffee Milk in a special Cabinet.

How's THAT for topic drift?

I grew up in southeastern Mass. (Edaville land).  There it was subs, hot dogs and (yes) coffee milk.  We always had a bottle of coffee syrup in the house.  Eclipse, I think, but it might have been Autocrat.

And, BTW, it was soda, not tonic.

I would also add coffee cabinets.  (See https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2016/09/05/492278535/whats-in-that-coffee-cabinet-a-delicious-taste-of-rhode-island-history#:~:text=Island%20Public%20Radio-,The%20coffee%20cabinet%20is%20a%20Rhode%20Island%20staple.,syrup%2C%20ice%20cream%20and%20milk.&text=Even%20if%20you've%20never,probably%20tasted%20something%20like%20it.
I had a definite preference for Eclipse syrup.  Last fall I went to the Star Diner in Taunton and got a coffee milk. Unfortunately I think they used Autocrat which is weak and sweet. Gotta have that good strong coffee flavor.