Author Topic: Reviews, Thank You's, and Messages of Encouragement  (Read 46663 times)

Wayne Laepple

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Re: Reviews, Thank You's, and Messages of Encouragement
« Reply #75 on: August 15, 2022, 02:21:18 PM »
I received this from an old friend -- one I hadn't seen in about 25 years -- who came to the RRE event on Aug. 6 on the bus. This is just part of his message....

"What a WONDERFUL Presentation!  It was good to see how everyone in the WW&F organization pays close attention to the "Care and Feeding of Volunteers."  WW&F is - from my observations - THE BEST among the New England Railroad Preservation community at engagement of their volunteers." 

Wayne Laepple


Ed Lecuyer

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Re: Reviews, Thank You's, and Messages of Encouragement
« Reply #76 on: November 27, 2022, 11:24:01 PM »
We went up to the farm. Where there were goodies and games for the kids.
The train brake man and conductor were very handsome in their suits. Professional. Also knowledgeable about the trains.
We had a very lovely time.
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Ed Lecuyer

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Re: Reviews, Thank You's, and Messages of Encouragement
« Reply #77 on: June 20, 2023, 06:25:33 AM »
Posted last night on Facebook:
The Staff/Volunteers were very courteous and very knowledgable. The combined smells of the Maine forest, the coach interior, the steam and the coal smoke on the train trip made for a very unique and satisfactory sensory experience. One could have come from the year 1920 and would probably feel very much at home sitting in the authentically kerosene lamp lite and well upholstered Franklin & Megantic coach traveling down the rails in 2023, with the time period being the only noticeable difference.
 
It was one thing to see the museum via photos from the Work & Events forum and website, but it was a very different and exhilarating to see and experience it all in person, with virtual free rein to walk around and view the different cars and engines on display. The plush SR&RL Parlor Car on display was a BIG surprise, and I was very happy to see it and all the work shops in person, along with the conversations of those in the shops. The train crew was very authentic in appearance and informative as to how the train was run to be like those run a century ago. A BIG treat was the invitation from the train crew for any passenger at the Trout Creek station to help turn Engine #9 on the turntable there for the return trip to Alna. I jumped at the chance, and also the chance to help turn the engine at the large turntable at Alna. It was a lot of fun. The gift shop stocked with memorabilia like WW&F tee shirts, hats and other items along with many books on the subject of the Maine Two footers was also a welcome treat. 

As a former railroader having worked as a yard freight car inspector and repairman for a major eastern freight carrier, a Chicago regional commuter railroad and America’s last Interurban (The C,SS&SB RR), and having worked in the last two railroads as mainly a shop carman rebuilding passenger cars and repainting/lettering diesel engines, I can say that the staff/volunteers are as dedicated, informed and professional as any railroad employee that I have worked with, along with having a good sense of humor. The shop facilities and vintage equipment and machinery especially were a familiar sight.

As an amateur railroad historian, I can truly say that if you are looking for the authentic Maine Two Foot gauge railroad experience from yesteryear, whether you are a former railroader, a railfan or an average tourist, THIS IS IT. The  W,W&F railway museum easily rates Five Stars. It is a Must See.
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Ed Lecuyer

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Re: Reviews, Thank You's, and Messages of Encouragement
« Reply #78 on: June 20, 2023, 08:36:51 AM »
Email received following Saturdays rainout and (BBQ/Farmstand) cancellation:
Thank you!  We had a wonderful time - you volunteers do a great job!
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Stephen Piwowarski

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Re: Reviews, Thank You's, and Messages of Encouragement
« Reply #79 on: June 20, 2023, 10:51:45 AM »
Also from this weekend, via email:

“ My husband, son, and I went on the train on Saturday and had a blast. The operators of the train did a fantastic job. There were specifically two younger boys (early 20's and early teens?) that did a fabulous job explaining what they were doing to the guests and including the kids in the experience. Just want to tell you how impressed I was!

We would love to come back and certainly will! ”

Stephen Piwowarski

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Re: Reviews, Thank You's, and Messages of Encouragement
« Reply #80 on: June 21, 2023, 01:17:22 PM »
One more, via email:

“Had a house full of guests last weekend … and we all went for a train ride!! It was a total blast!!  You folks are doing an amazing job out there!”


Ed Lecuyer

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Re: Reviews, Thank You's, and Messages of Encouragement
« Reply #81 on: July 09, 2023, 06:15:06 PM »
All of these comments came in response to the Lavender Pickin' Trains to SeaLyon Farm, and Sheepscot Valley Steam Trains that ran on Saturday, July 8th, 2023.
A special thanks to everyone who "stepped up" to make the memories for these visitors possible:

Thank you for such a wonderful time on the Lavender Pickin' Train. Everyone, from signing in to the train trip, were wonderful.

Our family took this ride yesterday and had a fantastic time! Thank you to the friendly and knowledgeable train staff for a wonderful experience.

I just had an amazing experience at your site yesterday! Many thanks for the labor of love that has gone into restoration. We are looking forward to returning and have been reading up on other seasonal adventures with you. We will definitely be back.

Wonderful train museum and scenic railway. Every single volunteer made it their mission for our young railfan to have a spectacular time. You can go inside most rolling stock and locomotives on display, and see a working train workshop!

Staff lovely, helpful, and knowledgeable. Nice train ride. Plenty of parking, restrooms, and gift shop.

Wonderful afternoon in the narrow gauge. Highly recommend!

If someone said to me “I’m coming to Maine for the first time…what should I do to truly feel like I’m in Maine?” I would tell them to go here and do the lavendar farm trip on the train. It’s amazing. The volunteers and passion to preserve a piece of history is impressive to say the least. Top it off with the train dropping us off at this amazing lavendar farm with goats and chickens for 90min and offering horse and buggy rides, pick your own lavendar, a food truck, adult beverages and lavendar lemonade? With a trip back to catch our train to the parking lot. I’ve never heard an authentic train whistle before! Magical. There’s plenty of bathrooms, a full gift shop in an old passenger car, and restored/in restoration cars! It’s worth a trip for sure.
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Ed Lecuyer

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Re: Reviews, Thank You's, and Messages of Encouragement
« Reply #82 on: July 16, 2023, 09:56:45 PM »
Really enjoyable steam railroad.   Really neat tourist railroad with an incredibly friendly staff of volunteers.  We really enjoyed seeing riders able to help turn the steam locomotive at the end of the line, so cool!
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Ed Lecuyer

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Re: Reviews, Thank You's, and Messages of Encouragement
« Reply #83 on: July 22, 2023, 08:38:20 PM »
Two from Facebook today:
"We took the 1 o'clock trip today, had a fantastic time..the railroad crew were very informative and very courteous..at the sealyon farm, was great..thumbs up to all"

"This is a great event. We did it earlier this month and really enjoyed it."
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Ed Lecuyer

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Re: Reviews, Thank You's, and Messages of Encouragement
« Reply #84 on: July 30, 2023, 07:22:19 PM »
5-Star Review posted 7/29/23 on Google:
The WW&F Railway is an amazing place where people can learn about Maine's unique network of two-foot narrow gauge railroads, some of which survived until the 1930s. By comparison, standard gauge railroads are 4 feet 8.5 inches between the rails.

There is an incredible group of volunteers who have rebuilt a portion of the line on the original right of way, are restoring original equipment, and even building a steam locomotive from the original plans. You can ride on original equipment behind restored steam locomotives and explore the grounds, including the car shops and roundhouse. Highly recommended!!!
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Ed Lecuyer

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Re: Reviews, Thank You's, and Messages of Encouragement
« Reply #85 on: July 30, 2023, 07:33:17 PM »
5-Star Review posted July 2023 on TripAdvisor:
Nice train ride! Great volunteer crew. It was evident that they love their train. We did the ride that included going to the lavender farm. Great people there,too!

5-Star Review posted July 2023 on Yelp!:
Good fun as part of the trip to the lavender farm.  The staff is fun and all volunteers.  If you like old trains it is recommended.  I learned that it is coal fired instead of wood which makes the smoke smell like something you probably have not had the opportunity to smell if you are under 100 years old.  The staff was great and the price was right.

5-Star Review posted July 2023 on Yelp!:
Charming! The volunteer staff is knowledgeable and engaging.  Worth checking out if you are in the area!
« Last Edit: July 30, 2023, 08:12:27 PM by Ed Lecuyer »
Ed Lecuyer
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Ed Lecuyer

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Re: Reviews, Thank You's, and Messages of Encouragement
« Reply #86 on: July 30, 2023, 07:52:42 PM »
AND... We are now badged with "Traveler's Choice 2023" on TripAdvisor!!

This is a major accomplishment! Well done to everyone!
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James Patten

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Re: Reviews, Thank You's, and Messages of Encouragement
« Reply #87 on: July 31, 2023, 06:08:17 AM »
There are 4 things to do in Alna?

Graham Buxton

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Re: Reviews, Thank You's, and Messages of Encouragement
« Reply #88 on: July 31, 2023, 07:06:27 AM »
There are 4 things to do in Alna?


 ;) Depends on how you define Alna.  Here is a screenshot of the TA page:







Page link: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g29478-Activities-Alna_Maine.html
Graham

Ed Lecuyer

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Re: Reviews, Thank You's, and Messages of Encouragement
« Reply #89 on: July 31, 2023, 08:37:45 AM »
There was a time when TripAdvisor was young that the WW&F was listed as the "#1 of 1 things to do in Alna, Maine." I wish I had taken a screen shot of that.

Regardless, since no one searches for things to do in Alna, it is really important that we get high enough ranking so when people search for things to do in Midcoast Maine, Boothbay, Wiscasset, and Maine as a whole, our listing appears. Receiving a "Traveler's Choice 2023" badge is a really important milestone in this effort.
Ed Lecuyer
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