Spring 2015 Work Weekend

[Gordon Cook]

I've heard Zack and Fred talking about it - set up the scafolding and start working on it in place.  They may be thinking on a week day, since doing that would block the yard.

Not to over-think this but.....(when do we ever do that???)
A suggestion is to take it down so we can really de-rust it, i.e. serious sanding with a power tool, otherwise it will be rusty again next year. Or sand blast it if that is available.
It should also get a coat of rust-inhibiting primer before a couple of top coats.
Unfortunately if we need water for 10 that won't be possible, since we're also planning to fix the faucet in bay 3 and so the fire hose won't be available either.

Other than making up a temporary spout, perhaps it should be a mid-week job??

[John McNamara]

I think we've got a few days in April and most of May available between 10's operation for the Spring Work Weekend and the first Memorial Day weekend trains, so mid-week work may not be necessary.

-John M

[Stephen Piwowarski]

I'll be up from Thursday through Saturday or Sunday this week if this is something that could be tackled. Then it would be ready to go by next week.

Steve

[Fred Morse]

I want to let people know, we have a great supply of nails, spikes, bolts, and oil,oil,oil.,so don't buy any!

[Paul Crabb]

Any Car Barn work planned?

[James Patten]

We need dry ground in order to get a crane in to lift the roof rafters.  Right now it's pretty muddy, so it may not be until May or even June before we do that.

[Steve Zuppa]

We also want to repair the damage done to the southeast corner of the shop/car barn building by a snowplow. Also, if the ground is walkable on the east side of the new car barn, the staging has to be raised to the new working height. The cleats are already in place. The planking just has to be lifted. All in all, there should be plenty of projects to keep everyone busy.

[Paul Uhland]

A couple years ago the C&TS built a similar-sized/designed pavilion as a short-trip summer dining/entertainment venue 14-miles from Chama on Cumbres Pass, used mostly by weekly kids trains.
Its identical gable roof trusses went up in a day or two by four workers and a truck crane, was quickly completed.

To raise the Car Barn staging, I'd lay old plywood or planks over the mud, get after it ASAP.  

The Alna weather post shows steady, above-freezing temps, 50s and 60s highs for the next week.
Hopefully, Mr. Snow is leaving town rapidly. 
Ain't spring great?

[Steve Smith]

Work Weekend Volunteers: Protect Yourself from Ticks!

Recent articles (see links given below) in the Bangor Daily News by outdoor life columnist George Smith (no relation) have warned about Maine’s worsening problem of tick-transmitted diseases such as Lyme, and more recently, some new ones that appear to be even worse.

Suggestions for reducing the chance you’ll be bitten: 1) Fold trouser bottoms snugly around your ankles and then tuck them inside your socks. 2) Use repellant containing DEET. 3) Check exposed ski and hair often for ticks. 4) Once home or back to motel, etc. check you whole body for ticks.

http://georgesoutdoornews.bangordailynews.com/2015/04/17/environmental-issues/lyme-disease-breaks-out-at-the-maine-legislature/

http://www.georgesmithmaine.com/articles/georges-outdoor-news/march/2015/harry-vanderweides-long-battle-chronic-lyme-disease/

[Josh Botting]

Agreed Steve,

Today I got my first tick, so they are out up here.

jkb

[Duncan Mackiewicz]

The national weather forecast for Maine for the work weekend seems to suggest a damp time. Does the local forecast share that same dismal suggestion or will there be blazing sunshine and dry weather? I always bring enough gear to cover all the bases (hot to cold, wet to dry) but I was just wondering.

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

Hi Duncan,

Our local forecasters show a chance of rain everyday through Sunday. 

Breakdown:
Friday is partly cloudy with a 20% chance of showers, Saturday is 50% chance of afternoon/evening showers, Sunday's chance of rain is 40%.  Temps will be in the 55 degree range each day and in the upper 30's each night.  There may be periods of sun on Friday and Sunday. 

As you said, dress for rain and sun.  Good boots and layered clothing is suggested.

[Joe Fox]

Hopefully its a dry weekend, but lets try not to let a early forecast dampen our spirits. Its seems lately this has been there forecast, to show a chance of rain every day, and then if it doesn't rain then no one gets mad.

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

Volunteers can check the weather on our local NBC affiliate:    www.wcsh6.com

[Bill Reidy]

I'll be bringing my rain gear.  That usually keeps the rain away...