Sheepscot Turntable - Official Work Thread

[Gordon Cook]

In case anyone wants to see and photograph #9 under steam, on the turntable, and beautiful fall colors, we're running trips on Saturday for a couple of groups.
Departures at 11, 12:30 and 2:30 as I understand the schedule.

[Phil McCall]

It could be the engines were facing that way because it is more photogenic.
The front end looks better than the back end.

Generally true in all walks of life, eh? A joke during my grandmother's time was "you look like the south end of a northbound horse", when I was young a dig was "You are so ugly that when you were born the doctor turned you over and said "Look, twins!".

My guess would be Joe's idea, which way the engines would depart.

[Philip Marshall]

Steve, Your very thoughtful post has me looking for pre-1910 photos of roundhouses with tenders facing out.

[Ed Lecuyer]

Recall that the Wiscasset roundhouse doors open on the inside. Perhaps there is a connection there. That would yield more space around the front of the locomotive.

[Carl G. Soderstrom]

Joe - I was not thinking of the smoke vents but if the
crews might have set up locos for the photographer.

For a long time it was a big deal to get your picture took.

Natural light may also have a something to do with it

[Bob Holmes]

Today I had the chance to help turn #9 on the turntable at the end of the day.  It was amazing how smooth and easy it was to turn.  What a testament to the design and the builders!

[John Scott]

As a little research will readily show, there are plenty of precedents for engine house arrangements and engine stabling practices of all kinds. In more modern times, railroads that painted large engine numbers on the rear of their engine tenders would find it convenient to have those tenders facing out for purposes of ready engine identification. In other circumstances, the minimisation of the cost and mass of smoke jacks could be a consideration.

Apart from all this, it might be observed that turntables generally come in pairs. Accordingly, one might wonder where the second WW&F turntable will be located.

[Mike Fox]

John,
How about 3 turntables. We were given two turning rail and bearing bases for a 250 ton crane. We just need to attach the proper size steel beams.

[John Scott]

Mike, I suppose a TOM engine facility for snappers is a possibility ......

[Stephen Piwowarski]

We'll have to put it back in the woods. That way we can confuse folks when the locomotive is facing the opposite direction when it comes back.

[John Scott]

Actually, I would be interested to know in which direction of travel the engines ride better, especially whilst curving?

[Mike Fox]

Saturdays preference was a north facing engine. Perhaps because it is still a new way to run.

[Roger Cole]

Most steam tourist railroads that I am familiar with run the engines forward on the upgrade portion of the trip.

[Gordon Cook]

Mansfield was right:  4-4-0's ride much better than 0-4-4's.

For me it was mostly because it was a treat to run on a 'different' railroad with 9 facing north on Saturday.

[John Kokas]

I would think that using #9 and (eventually #10) by turning them every other run would be beneficial as it would balance wear on the running gear over time.  Not to mention the visitor experience of turning a locomotive in between trips.