February 2014 Work Planning

[James Patten]

Anticipated work for weekend of February 1:

* Road machinery: Mike (maybe others) will be busy working on our tractors/excavators/back hoes/sky cranes/helicoptors/etc.
* Garage
* Big E show: Decompression after the big show.  We'll tally up the sales and everything else.
* #9: Jason will be working on Friday and Monday.  I'm sure he'll leave instructions for Saturday crews.

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

Looks like the Wiscasset, Wingman & Flyover is off the ground!

BTW - Car 65 will need some cleaning on Saturday if the weather allows.

[Fred Morse]

I hope we can burn brush Sat. There's quite a lot near the new garage. I'll try to get a permit this afternoon.

[James Patten]

Work done on Saturday Feb 1:

* Slash and burn: Steve Z got a burn permit for the next month yesterday (we're in trouble now!).  Fred started up a fire near the big brush pile that had been built a few weeks ago, then got out the chain saw and started cutting up the big pine he dropped last weekend.  Once he was done with that, for good measure he dropped a poplar east of it and cut it up too.  Mike helped with the brush pile by using the John Deere tractor (got to specify them now) to push the pile onto/closer to the fire.
* Machinery: Zack had disconnected the backhoe from the Mitsubishi tractor yesterday.  Mike tried to start it but could not, so it was pushed off to the side.  Mike got the John Deere to haul the backhoe from the trailer to near the garage (using the scoop) then backed around to it to check on fittings.  Looks like it will all work, but Zack has a part on order which should arrive Monday.  Mike did some additional work on the Kubota.
* #9: Several people were in the machine shop working on #9.
* John R reported about $1300 in sales from the train show last weekend.  Neither the lanterns nor the set of Two Feet Between the Rails sold (unfortunately).
* Zack was cutting up more battens for the garage.

[Mike Fox]

Also, the brush pile by the coal pile was burnt, and the trailer received some modifications this afternoon.

[James Patten]

Anticipated work weekend of Feb 7-10:

Friday:
* Jason/#9 work day
* Board meeting (a week early because of Valentine's Day)

Saturday:
* With snow on the ground we can burn more tree trash
* Machinery work

Saturday at 1 PM there's a presentation at Owl's Head Transportation Museum regarding the MEC 470 locomotive restoration project - I think most of us will be there, so work will quit early.
Monday:
* Jason/#9 work day

[Mike Fox]

No me this weekend. Taking the Mrs. to Owls Head for an anniversary present...

[Pete "Cosmo" Barrington]

Can someone please give us Froma Wayers a report on the 470 presentation at Owl's Head? Thanks!

[Mike Fox]

Can do Cosmo

[James Patten]

Work done on 2/8:

In the prior week, Jason & crew have been working on the rear side of #9.  Now in place is the grate shaker mechanism, and the brake staff is in place. 

Friday was a board meeting.

Saturday:
* Mitsubishi tractor: Zack removed the beer keg full of rocks (it's now ready to supply ballast) from the front, and took the tractor out for a spin.  Cindy commented that it looked like Fred's tractor had had a baby.
* #9: A crew was working on #9 today.

[Brendan Barry]

The new backhoe was attached to Fred's tractor this afternoon. A couple of notes on the operation of the backhoe. All the backhoe controls except for the swing are backwards of the diagrams on the controls and be careful when picking up the backhoe with the 3 point hitch. The center link will crush the hydraulic tank if you lift too high.

[Mike Fox]

We will have to see about securing the lift so it can not be used while that particular attachment is on. We can Americanize the controls by swapping some hoses. Would be nice to have the controls work the same on the backhoe and excavator, for ease of operation and training, not to mention safety.

[Brendan Barry]

I think who ever assembled the backhoe put the hoses on backwards.

[Fred Morse]

A bolt can be placed in the slot of the lift arm to stop it from lifting to high.

[Brendan Barry]

Had a chance to play with the backhoe this afternoon. The backhoe seems to work ok a little slow until the hydraulics warm up. Fred's tractor is going to need an exhaust stack if anybody wants to spend any time in the backhoe seat without being fumigated.