Victorian Christmas 2017

[Richard "Steam" Symmes]

Phone apps too?  Jump the line, like Dunkin' Donuts.  All this reminds me of the wonderful days back at South Carver, Mass. at the original Edaville Railroad during the run-up to Christmas.  4 steam trains on the main line at once.  Long lines of folks waiting to board the next train after it emptied out. No cell phone zombies.  Just happy families engaged in conversation as they waited their turn.  We rode it every year. Had some great cab rides too. Things were pretty laid back and casual in those days.  God, how I miss that place.
  Dono Treply

[Charlie Lacasse]

Greetings all. I'm not sure if this is the correct spot for this, but here goes. I was just informed that work is temporarily closing my plant in Lewiston, and in Brunswick and moving its employees (from 2nd and 3rd shifts) to its merchandise distribution center in Freeport to assist with customer orders. Unfortunately I'll be working a six day week work schedule from now until Christmas or after.  I was supposed to work with Bob heating up the water and cider for our guests so he will need some help with this as I am sorry to say I will be detained at work. Thankyou in advance, and I was really looking forward to being able to help out with the Victorian Christmas, As I did last year. It was lots of fun. It just goes to show, this has been a crazy year for me in the work area, and hopefully things in the work field won't be so crazy after the new year comes around. Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving, and A merry Christmas.  I'll be up at the railroad again as soon as I can.

[Michael McCormack]

Richard you are not the only one that misses Edaville. For many years I lifted tickets on the Sunday Christmas Festival of Lights trains. My reward was usually a cab ride with Fred Richardson in #7. His favorite engine as well as mine!  A fine gentleman and very much missed.  You never know what you've got until it's gone.

[Richard "Steam" Symmes]

Yes, the late Fred Richardson was a true gentleman. We had the privilege of interviewing him on video a while before he passed away.  He was sitting in his living room and we spent the afternoon covering a range of topics, mostly about the history of Edaville and of course about Nelson Blount.  Edited down, the interview is about an hour long and we can supply copies on DVD to anyone interested in having one.  Contact me for details as to price, delivery time, etc.
  Richard

[Mike Fox]

Jason sent me some pictures of the prep work this week..

[Mike Fox]

2nd to last Steam Train coming south past the North Yard Switch



Mr & Mrs Clause caught short breaks throughout the day, but not for long..and photographer Kevin Madore prepares to catch some shots of the families as the disembark



And just to show there are other trains besides steam that we use to transport our guests, this was my ride today..

[Joe Fox]

Everyone I talked to today had a great time, with many new riders. All of whom said they would definately be back. It is awesome to share this wonderfull experience with so many.

[James Patten]

Wiscasset Newspaper reporter Susan Johns would like to know the name of the horses that Linda Verney had with her.  Were they Bill and Bob?

[James Patten]

Wiscasset Newspaper article:
http://www.wiscassetnewspaper.com/article/train-christmas/95795?source=fs&slide=1

[Kevin Madore]

Folks,

It was great seeing all of you up in Alna last Saturday!   This was my 10th Victorian Christmas and what a pretty day it was.   Bright sunshine for most of the day, nice, chilly air and a fresh blanket of snow.  Not much more you could ask for.....except a snowstorm like last year!   

With the sunny skies, I elected to hike the line this year and try for some spots that I don't usually get to.   While that was fun and interesting, I found that it consumed a lot of time, when I could have been shooting around Sheepscot and Alna Center.   None the less, I got to Alna Center when the light was just awesome.   Lots of keepers from AC.   In addition, when I got back to Sheepscot, the low-light stuff as the crew was putting the trains away turned out pretty darn nice.   I love it when the lanterns come out!

All in all, a very nice day.   Here's a small album to show the folks who didn't make it what things looked like: 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/112261457@N06/albums/72157667569791889

Unfortunately, I have some family obligations next weekend in CT, so I won't likely make it up for the 23rd.    Hopefully, someone else will post some images so I can see what I missed.

Here's wishing all of the WW&F Folks a very Merry Christmas, and an awesome 2018!

Thanks,

Kevin Madore

[Ira Schreiber]

Great photos, Kevin.
Thanks.

[Gary Kraske]

Kevin, Barb & I really appreciate your superb photography tech and composition as we cannot get to Maine as often as we would like.  Thanks again!

[Jason M Lamontagne]

Victorian Christmas Dec 23, 2017
Snow/sleet/freezing rain storm.
Operations statement.

Victorian Christmas 12-23-17
Operations Statement

We will run the event on a reduced scope: steam train ride and Santa Claus. 

Other activities may be offered based on crew availability, but if they occur they should be considered bonus.  This includes the horse drawn sleigh rides.

VOLUNTEERS: you are STRONGLY encouraged to take NO chances in coming in.  If you feel you can safely come to the event, your help is most welcome.  However if you choose not to make the drive, it is entirely understood.  We have enough local crew to offer the public the minimum experience described above.

Thank you, weather the storm well, and Merry Christmas!

[Bob Holmes]

After the fact, how well did the new boarding pass process for VC go?  Of course with the cold and the reduced # of visitors, it may be the new system was not really tested to its limits...

[Ed Lecuyer]

Victorian Christmas always brings out the photographers, and I always look forward to seeing their take on the railroad through their artistic lens. This one, however, is my all time favorite:



We received this beautiful card from the daughter of the Ames family that attended the 2017 Victorian Christmas. It captures the spirit of Christmas, and our railroad perfectly. Well done!