Fall Work Weekend highlights -
This is one of the best Fall Work Weekends I've ever attended and I've worked every one since 1997. This year was like 2001 when we built to Humason Brook trestle or 10 years ago when we reached Alna Center. You could feel the excitement Friday morning as a large group of volunteers assembled with many new faces in the crowd. It was enjoyable meeting the newbies and hearing how they found the WW&F.
There are many people who worked hard to make the weekend a success, some starting months ago. Among the members are: Mike Fox who worked all Summer at TOM doing grade and ditch work, rebuilding 80 years of neglect. His grade work gave us a dry, level place to lay track. Jason, Jonathan and the shop crew designed and built 3 switches (especially the south switch a week before the FWW) so the track crew could hit the ground running laying ties and rail. Track boss Dana Deering inventoried and ordered spikes, bolts, ties and other material, planned the work and guided the crews each day. Other members include Steve Z., Brendan, and Zack who set things up to start construction of the car storage building. By Monday afternoon the concrete pedestals and east side support posts were installed. Bernie Perch rebuilt a classic 3 chime Crosby steam whistle for #10 which was installed Friday morning. It sounds great! Sue, Cindy and Fred are among the members who purchased food, set up the dining hall, prepared delicious meals and delivered lunch to the track crews on Saturday and Sunday. Our sit down supers were most enjoyable giving us a chance to catch up with old and new friends from near and far. There was much chatter and laughter in the dining room!
Other projects included more steam pipe work on #9 with Wayne and Dave, and fresh paint on the front and east side of the restroom building done by Annie B. and her parents. Another neat project was Steve P. and Linda redoing the museum displays in the north end of the freight house. The track crews never slowed even when we had to move both of the stub switches north on Sunday from where they were placed Saturday afternoon. By Monday afternoon the teams had set ties and rail and spiked new mainline and siding track all the way through Top Of The Mountain. Constructing the cross over lead took more of Rick and Jasons' engineering but it turned out well. Thanks to 4 days of hard work by over 90 people, everything will be ready for ballasting and some final switch work to get the track in service next year.
We now have an improved museum and a railroad with 3 original places on the mainline. Thanks to one and all for their dedication and we look forward to seeing everyone in the Spring.
