Messages

16

Work and Events / 2022 July 30 Rules Class

« on: July 10, 2022, 10:55:50 AM »

Hello folks,

I am just trying to get a qualitative feel of the potential attendance at this years Rules Class.  We may adjust the structure of the meeting depending on the expected participation level.

This year’s class is on Saturday July 30, 2022.  There is a general session in the morning, and break-out sessions for several disciplines (brakeman, engineer, conductor, etc) in the afternoon.  The afternoon will likely occur on the Mountain as territory training- with breakout sessions accommodated there on.

Feel free to answer the poll, respond to this thread, or both if you will or may attend.

Thank you.
Jason

17

Work and Events / Re: Mountain Extension - Official Work Thread

« on: July 06, 2022, 12:12:16 PM »

Does the pavement on Rt 218 count as a bumper? 

The rules will require a safety stop prior to entering the turntable and equipment will rarely be on the tail.  Movements in that track will be speed restricted to 5 MPH.  There’s also another 80’ or so from new end of track to the actual edge of road, so no real need for a bumper.

See ya
Jason

18

Museum Discussion / Re: Lincoln County News article on our Lavender Trains partnership with SeaLyon Farm

« on: July 05, 2022, 08:30:35 PM »

That's a great article and shows the railway exactly where we want to be- serving the community.  Nice to be recognized in such a support role.

thanks,
Jason

19

Work and Events / Re: Wilmar (the) Tamper - Official Work Thread

« on: June 29, 2022, 10:17:03 AM »

The Harsco tamper had a lot more power than Big Joe.  With that comes a lot more productivity but also the ability to make a big mistake very quickly.  Mainly for that reason we have made a conscious decision to use only the tamping function initially and get good at it. 

The jacking and lining functions work together off a pair of integrated hydraulic jacks.  These cylinders need rebuilding, as do hinged connection points.  The rail clamps do not properly grip our rail.  All in all we face a mixture of mechanical deficiency and significant learning curve before successfully using these functions.  On top of that there is no automated guidance and control system, as Joe points out- exacerbating the chances of error. 

For now we are making significant strides in our immediate goal of preparing the Mountain for service by using the Harsco for simple tamping.  Big Joe couldn’t do what the Harsco is doing now.  The Harsco still needs significant overhaul work, which we plan for after the Mountain is open, and there is shop space to accommodate the work. 

See ya
Jason

20

Volunteers / Re: June 2022 Work Reports

« on: June 23, 2022, 06:48:58 AM »

Jay Barta made the actual repair of the stand in the shop.  Dan and Steve P removed the stand Tuesday for repair; Dan and I reinstalled it yesterday after repair.

Thanks
Jason

21

Volunteers / Re: June 2022 Work Reports

« on: June 16, 2022, 09:01:28 AM »

This will serve as temporary ADA access at SS while the platform is being rebuilt.  The new platform will include a wood ramp.  After that, this unit is portable for use as needed.

Jason

22

Volunteers / Re: May 2022 Work Reports

« on: May 29, 2022, 08:58:53 PM »

Let’s see how well it works before we commit to an answer on that

23

Volunteers / Re: May 2022 Work Reports

« on: May 28, 2022, 06:05:27 PM »

Yes, Bill, there are to imperfections at present.  The main line does require further alignment as there is currently a kink engineering the table.  Also- the table has a sweep itself (it’s old and been through a lot), which we are accommodating.  (No practical way to un-sweep the sweep).

There is a LOT of work to do before August 6- so the alignment issue may or may not be addressed before then. 

But.. good eye.

Thanks
Jason

24

Volunteers / Re: May 2022 Work Reports

« on: May 27, 2022, 07:07:58 AM »

Monday and Tuesday we hosted two professional conservation assessors hired through a grant through the “Collections Assessment Program.”  The assessors look at our archival and historic collections (paper, photos, historic railroad equipment) in order to discuss and ultimately recommend potential improvement in the conservation of those materials.  The professional recommendations could offer us new ideas and approaches, and can also be powerful grant writing support material. 

Thanks,
Jason

25

Volunteers / Re: May 2022 Work Reports

« on: May 22, 2022, 06:57:57 PM »

Build11 work session Wednesday-Friday as well.

Thanks
Jason

26

Work and Events / Re: WW&F No. 53 - Official Work Thread

« on: May 20, 2022, 07:44:29 AM »

The operative word in Ed’s message was easier… nothing we do is easy.  The point Ed makes is that we considered a number of options- at least 5- including the derelict Edaville GE (presuming it were available), and concluded that the conversion of a GE 45 tonner made the most sense overall.  I wouldn’t necessarily use the word “easiest” there because the deduction process also included such factors as acquisition cost, transportation, current condition, parts acquisition (think big things like prime movers, generators, and traction motors with gearbox), body work, end capability, etc.  It all ends up being a series of trade offs for which subjective judgment calls had to be made, however what was most attractive about this unit was its completeness, it’s in working order, and it’s low acquisition cost (even with transportation). 

The heavy steel work Mike refers to is real work, to be sure, but it’s typical work for any number of heavy fabrication shops anywhere in the country.  At the moment we have a sincere interest in hiring out the heavy fab work on these trucks to a local Maine shop according to our specifications.  Keeping the nature of the work to what is commonly commercially available was a key point of this plan. 

Now that the loco is on site, we can verify and refine our conversion plan.  I hope to get conversion specifics with visuals posted within a couple weeks so our members can see the plan.  I know there’s a lot of rumblings about how big it is and seemingly impossible the conversion will be- however, like always, we are breaking it down into understandable and manageable chunks.  Further- pending a final proposal to the board and subject to their approval- I hope the majority of this project is hired out, so as to keep the project out of the way of projects more core to our mission. 

Thanks all,
Jason

27

Volunteers / Re: May 2022 Work Reports

« on: May 15, 2022, 04:46:57 PM »

I’d like to add to Steve’s work list to include the rest of the week.

Monday: prepare for GE53, receive 2 expected truck shipments, prepare for public train ops.

Thursday: final preparations for TBS turntable.

Friday: install TBS turntable, Steam charter 1pm.

Saturday: two train public day. 

Help is very welcome and encouraged ALL WEEK

Thanks
Jason

28

Work and Events / Re: Shop Building & Machinery Improvements - Official Work Thread

« on: May 09, 2022, 06:51:11 PM »

DRO was very old and nonfunctional.  Plan is to acquire a newer, more standard model.

Fear not!  At least no too much…

Jason

29

Volunteers / Re: April 2022 Work Reports

« on: April 29, 2022, 06:07:20 PM »

Don’t forget some huge news: No 11’s frame being assembled in the shop today!

30

Volunteers / Re: April 2022 Work Reports

« on: April 18, 2022, 11:47:47 AM »

Thank you, Pete and Mike.

Jason