2016 Fall Work Weekend

[John Kokas]

FWIW, if there is a lot of main line trackage that needs TLC, would it not be prudent to start marking out bad ties and joints, laying out ties, etc. along the mainline so that when the FWW gets here we can break up folks into section crews along the line and get a lot of work done?  All we need is one knowledgeable track person and 2-4 apprentices to make up a crew.  I can think of at least 5-6 track guys off the top of my head in our membership who could lead crews and there's probably more that I don't know of.  If I don't have to work, I'll be glad to lead one.

[Jason M Lamontagne]

This has been an on-going effort this summer.  We're developing a nice track inspection and record keeping system.

See ya
Jason

[Joe Fox]

Most if not all of this years ties are hopefully replaced before fall. More important is to line track, so I have hopes of seeing 8-12 guys line track. Maintenance is good and much needed, however for some reason we seem to get less volunteers for maintenance than we do to build or ballast track.

Next spring I will try to have ties marked for replacement for the Spring Work Weekend unless we can continue North, however I believe that may still be at a stand still. I estimate another 30-40 ties for next year. As much as I was against a tie inserter, I think we really need one. When and if we get one it should have a list of qualified people to run it. It may not seem like a big deal, but I have personally seen guys mess up good track because one guy wanted to train himself to use it.

[Jason M Lamontagne]

Ohh I tend to disagree on the priority after ties- we need to raise joints and fix cross level.  Lining should happen after surfacing as the lifting will loosen the stone and make the lining go easier. 

Track down the mountain is awaiting permitting research and execution.  Not complicated but there's just too much going on right now to deal with it.  I expect we'll be extending again by fall next year.

See ya
Jason

[Mike Fox]

No tie inserter...To build, have built, or even spend the kind of money that a tie inserter would cost to only change a handfull of ties a year. Yes, we do have some ties to change, but not enough to warrant an entire machine for it. Unless of course we get a standard gauge one given to us to repair and regauge

[Joe Fox]

I think a small, as I call them, yard machine would be very easy to convert over. And the nice thing with them is I know how to line track with them in the right areas. But at the same time with a poor operator you can hump track or mis-align track very easily.

[Bill Fortier]

Subject to change, then change back.

"Constants aren't. Variables don't."

[John McNamara]

To control/report train movements between Sheepscot and Alna Center, we have a period-appropriate magneto telephone system. Last year Brendan Barry and I made a substantial improvement by installing a new cable between Sheepscot Station and Brook Crossing.

With the cable along the edge of the R-O-W having had damage from sharp-toothed forest creatures and sharp-bladed brush cutters, I suggested we bury the cable and do so near the tracks where burial would be easier in that nearly rootless environment. Mike Fox did yeoman's work with the Kubota burying the line for several hundred yards, ending a bit north of the water tower. However, the Kubota migrated to the Top of the Mountain, and area beyond where Mike stopped may be unsuitable for the Kubota anyway,

The path to reaching the goal of having this section of cable safely buried lies with rental of a trencher, and the Board has approved this. I used one to bury a section of cable immediately north of Alna Center station, and I can attest to two things: 1) they work, and 2) they are a bear to wrestle, requiring at least two sturdy people. Any takers? The dates would be Friday, 7 October thru Sunday, 9 October (hopefully not all that time).

Thanks!
John (Chief Ding-a-ling)

[Richard "Steam" Symmes]

And. . . "A wet duck never flies at night!"

[Hunt Dowse]

Wiscasset Woods (aka Wiscasset Motor Lodge in years past) is almost full for FWW.  They have four rooms left for the weekend.  As Saundra wrote just now in an email, "Our reputation for a great breakfast, good rooms...and a big wedding that weekend have just about filled the place.  Please get the word out to others coming up for the work weekend."  Nothing like success to fill up the place.....

[James Patten]

Didn't anyone tell the couple that they couldn't get married that weekend?

[Dave Buczkowski]

Maybe the wedding party would like to continue what Annie and Steve's wedding party started!

[Skip Breyfogle]

I just made a reservation for the next to last available room at the Wiscasset Motor Lodge. The room has 2 double beds and I can only sleep in one at a time so if there is anyone else who needs a place to stay and doesn't mind sharing a room please let me know.

[Paul Uhland]

So the star project of FWW is to be the TOM spur install with ,hopefully, the turntable essentially set and getting finishing touches, maybe even in service?

[Jason M Lamontagne]

I have the official list from the last board meeting; when I get home next week I'll post it.

Both of these projects are high on the list.

See ya
Jason