Coupler Capers in Mt. Union

[Ed Lecuyer]

Can 3' trucks be modified/narrowed to 24"? I mean making a new bolster or cutting it down to work?

No. I think the biggest issue is the wheel size. The Maine Narrow Gauges use 20" wheels; these are much larger.

[John Kokas]

If my memory is correct I believe the wheels on EBT equipment were either 26 or 28 inches.  The other issue would be axle spacing as the trucks I observed are probably 12-18 inches further apart.  Don't know how they would handle our tighter radius.

[Wayne Laepple]

To those members asking why I/we have not gotten more parts from the EBT:

It's not just all that simple. It took almost two years of asking every couple of months to get Mr. Kovalchick to turn loose the couplers. To be completely honest, I do not have a clue why he suddenly agreed to do business with us. He does not "give" anything away. Everything is a game with him, and he holds all the cards. Perhaps at some later date, I will again approach him and inquire about grab irons and other hardware, but until I/we get the 10 couplers safely moved to Sheepscot, I am lying low.

Wayne

[Jeff Schumaker]

To those members asking why I/we have not gotten more parts from the EBT:

It's not just all that simple. It took almost two years of asking every couple of months to get Mr. Kovalchick to turn loose the couplers. To be completely honest, I do not have a clue why he suddenly agreed to do business with us. He does not "give" anything away. Everything is a game with him, and he holds all the cards. Perhaps at some later date, I will again approach him and inquire about grab irons and other hardware, but until I/we get the 10 couplers safely moved to Sheepscot, I am lying low.

Wayne

Smart move, Wayne.

Jeff S.

[Robert Hale]

To those members asking why I/we have not gotten more parts from the EBT:

It's not just all that simple. It took almost two years of asking every couple of months to get Mr. Kovalchick to turn loose the couplers. To be completely honest, I do not have a clue why he suddenly agreed to do business with us. He does not "give" anything away. Everything is a game with him, and he holds all the cards. Perhaps at some later date, I will again approach him and inquire about grab irons and other hardware, but until I/we get the 10 couplers safely moved to Sheepscot, I am lying low.

Wayne

Smart move, Wayne.

Jeff S.

Would this be considered "knuckling under"? 

[Wayne Laepple]

Couplers update: next Tuesday, Dec. 12, Rick Rowlands and I will meet in Mount Union to collect and load up the couplers. We've had to rent a Bobcat to for this step, which has been part of the delay. Anyway, we'll do that on Tuesday and return to Lancaster. On Wednesday morning we plan to go to Cattail Foundry and get the remaining castings for the Jackson & Sharp trucks for WW&F coach No. 9. Once we're loaded, we'll head north. Our anticipated arrival at Sheepscot is Thursday, Dec. 14. So I hope someone has an idea where we'll unload all this iron.

[Bill Baskerville]

Good Show Wayne!

[John Kokas]

Wayne,

Please  make sure that we get all the buffer springs and plates.  And PM me about our other discussion.  Thanx

[Wayne Laepple]

Yep, we'll put all those goodies in the bucket of the Bobcat, along with the cut levers.

[John Kokas]

Don't forget those little knuckle pin shackles.   

[Bill Reidy]

So I hope someone has an idea where we'll unload all this iron.

Kielbasa Dave's barn.  It's a short trip up 218 to Head Tide.

[Philip Marshall]

I'm glad the cut levers are heading north as well. It wasn't clear to me if they were included or not.

[Bill Baskerville]

One thing we all know about Wayne is that he thinks things through and is thorough.

[Jeff Schumaker]

Couplers update: next Tuesday, Dec. 12, Rick Rowlands and I will meet in Mount Union to collect and load up the couplers. We've had to rent a Bobcat to for this step, which has been part of the delay. Anyway, we'll do that on Tuesday and return to Lancaster. On Wednesday morning we plan to go to Cattail Foundry and get the remaining castings for the Jackson & Sharp trucks for WW&F coach No. 9. Once we're loaded, we'll head north. Our anticipated arrival at Sheepscot is Thursday, Dec. 14. So I hope someone has an idea where we'll unload all this iron.

Wayne,

Are you sticking around for Victorian Christmas?

Jeff S.

[Wayne Laepple]

Unfortunately  not. Have to get the truck back to Enterprise by 5 p.m. Friday.