December 2016 Work Planning

[Jason M Lamontagne]

This device will be a real, retractable flanger.  Being mounted on the plow frame means one less thing we have to store, and when the plow is reversed at ToM, so is the flanger.  The flanging mechanism will be pneumatically operated.

Jason

[Bill Baskerville]

Well, it looks like our innovation and manufacturing crew is, again, cleverly and diligently at work.  In looking at the picture it looks like the flanger blade is welded to the square tube, which is welded to the existing plow.  Does this mean that the entire plow mounting will be modified so it can be raised?

[Mike Fox]

RowMow flanger idea was a rear mounted york rake with the tines removed or shortened for rail. Just a small one like one towed behind a small garden tractor, with rail wheels and some added weight.

This design of Jasons is much more durable, and should be very effective.

[Wayne Laepple]

Most of the remaining Denver & Rio Grande narrow gauge engines were fitted with similar air-operated flanger blades behind the pilot and ahead of the cylinder saddle. If you look carefully at photos, you can sometimes see the air cylinders, mounted vertically under the smokebox.

[Paul Uhland]

Wayne...as Ed McMann used to answer  Johnny Carson's comic statements--"You are correct, sir!"
Since C&TS only runs  a couple Christmas trains in the winter, their flangers are never used, may not be hooked up anymore. Never really noticed when I volunteered in the Chama choo-choo shop.

And Merry Christmas to all 2-Foot Gauge Fans across the world!

[James Patten]

Work done on Saturday December 24:

* Counting store inventory - DONE!  A big thanks to Fred who sat and counted and categorized magnets the entire time!  Linda and I counted the rest.  I came over on Friday and counted most of the upstairs stuff.
* Mike worked around on the tractor.  I know he removed the seats from 126, I heard him puttering around elsewhere but don't know what else he did.

[Terry W. Shirley]

Merry Christmas to all you hard-working Maine Railroaders from way down here in Texas!!

[Mike Fox]

I also picked up the portable platforms and stacked them out of the way, moved some forms from near the coal pocket back over behind Brendans dump truck, moved the small trailer for easier plowing by the garage, and dug out the steel needed for the trailer modification. Also got all the cones that were in the parking lot broke out of the ice and picked up, and fixed a pull cord on the older power saw. It is a short pull so be careful. At least till we get some new starter rope. I think that was it.

[James Patten]

Anticipated work for Saturday Dec 31, 2016.

* Cleanup after Friday's storm
* Boxcar 67
* ToM tree cutting?
* Prep for the big photo shoots.

At midnight we'll drop our Waterford Crystal ball from the top of the car shop, while we all sing Auld Lang Syne, while millions watch on live TV.  Oh, wait, that's New York City.

[Fred Morse]

I'd rather see a MONEY BALL drop from the top of the car shop!

[Benjamin Campbell]

On a side note related to the museum's flanger project, I am posting two links to images at the B&MRR historical society's page which show 'mini plows' affixed to either side of cow catchers mounted on 440 locomotives. Really just scrapers in front of each lead wheel and designed to be retractable - though not while in motion. The section crews would have needed to be sure that all planking at crossings etc was below rail top height.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/bmrrhs/31697946485/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/bmrrhs/31697946255/in/photostream/

[Mike Fox]

Line was cleared today to TOM. All crossings were cleaned and 5 trees moved, first of which is seen below, just North of Brook Crossing. Snow on the rail was very tough. Lots of ice in it. Several times I had to back up and get a run at it. Even down hill. Had to back up on Davis grade twice and were plowing snow going down the ladder, and had to back up once there. Flangeways at the crossings were solid ice, with Janes Way and Brook Crossing complete ice. But Dave B, J.B and myself picked away at them...

[Steve Smith]

Mike, Dave and J.B., you deserve the Medal of Honor for ridding the line of all the @#$%^&* ice!

Idle Dreamer Department: Someday, an adaptation for Big Joe to chip the ice out of the flangeways. Or maybe a generator of superheated steam jets to melt/blast it out.

[Mike Fox]

Steve, I believe something to that effect was mentioned to me today by Dave B. Know anyone with a starter engine for a Chinook helicopter?

[Jason M Lamontagne]

The real mistake was that I couldn't get in to clear the line yesterday when it was 38 degrees. I do apologize, and thank you guys for the long haul today...

Jason