Author Topic: Baltimore excursion  (Read 8672 times)

Brendan Barry

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Baltimore excursion
« on: January 24, 2013, 06:57:22 PM »
The hauling and rigging department took a ride to Baltimore MD late last night to drop off some rail at the Baltimore Streetcar Museum. The rail will be machined into switch points and frogs for the new yard tracks by Dave Crow and company. Had a quick tour of the machine shop dumped the rail but Dave wouldn't let me leave empty and gave me a load of ground throws destined for Alna ME. This update posted from the lovely New Jersey Turnpike.

Dave unloading rail. Tried to take the backhoe back but Dave wouldn't let me.


Ground throws loaded


Another view the background sign is appropriate after chaining down 18 ground throws.
United Timber Bridge Workers, Local 1894, Alna, ME

Steve Smith

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Re: Baltimore excursion
« Reply #1 on: January 24, 2013, 07:33:09 PM »
Lotsa hoistin' & chainin' they-uh! In the middle of a lotta comin' and goin'!

Bravo, Brendan!!!

Steve Smith

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Re: Baltimore excursion
« Reply #2 on: January 24, 2013, 07:35:14 PM »
Whoa! Forgot to add...

Bravo Dave!!

Mike Fox

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Re: Baltimore excursion
« Reply #3 on: January 24, 2013, 07:38:09 PM »
Nice load Brendan. Will look great back in Sheepscot. Thank you Dave for arranging this.

Put your Long Johns on before you come too far North Brendan. Around 0 again.
Mike
Doing way too much to list...

Dave Crow

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Re: Baltimore excursion
« Reply #4 on: January 25, 2013, 08:08:40 AM »
Thanks to one and all, especially to Brendan for driving all through the night - after swapping tow vehicles - to come down with the rail and to take back the ground throws.  Baltimore's Light Rail system had replaced all of these throws with electric switch machines late in 2011; I was able to talk to the contractor and arranged for me to "dispose" of them instead of his crews.  The Catenary Department for the Light Rail system stored these monsters for me until I was able to arrange for transport.  Since all of them had been in service until about 18 months ago, they all operate smoothly; a cleaning and repainting of the outside, as well as maybe loosing the reflectored targets, should be all that's needed to put them to use. Sixteen out of eighteen are a "New Century" style, which have the handle receivers cast in to the base so the entire throw is one piece.  There are two of the Century throws which have the separate foot treadle latches/locks for the handle; of course, I could only find one pair of these separate latches on the ground, but I'm sure things will turn up.  About two-thirds of the throws still have the connecting rod attached, and I found another one in the pile with the parts.

Anyway, have fun up north unloading and storing them!  What we don't use can always be sold or traded...

Dave

Stephen Hussar

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Re: Baltimore excursion
« Reply #5 on: January 26, 2013, 09:24:11 AM »
Wow!! Thank you, Brendan!! Thank you, Dave!!

Dan Shelley

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Re: Baltimore excursion
« Reply #6 on: February 03, 2013, 07:46:07 PM »
Wow, what a trade off. Yes it is like Christmas again. I would have been concerned about losing the reflectors on the trip back. How did that go, any casualties?
Thanks Dave & Brendan

Mike Fox

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Re: Baltimore excursion
« Reply #7 on: February 03, 2013, 08:34:08 PM »
Wasn't really a trade. Some of those switch stands will be used to throw the switches Dave is machining from the rail.
Mike
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Stewart "Start" Rhine

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Re: Baltimore excursion
« Reply #8 on: February 03, 2013, 11:12:22 PM »
AFAIK Brendan will bring the switchstands and trailer up to Sheepscot next Saturday, Feb. 9th.  Can't wait to see everything in person.

Stewart

Brendan Barry

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Re: Baltimore excursion
« Reply #9 on: February 06, 2013, 11:58:07 AM »
You will have to wait for the winter work weekend to see the trailer and ground throws.
United Timber Bridge Workers, Local 1894, Alna, ME

Stewart "Start" Rhine

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Re: Baltimore excursion
« Reply #10 on: February 06, 2013, 01:00:11 PM »
Good idea since Sheepscot is supposed to be buried under a bunch of snow Friday into Saturday.