Car Barn Extension - Official Work Thread

[Brendan Barry]

Roofing progress today.

[Wayne Laepple]

You guys are simply amazing! Well done, all!

[Bill Baskerville]

Whoa, now your talking.  I know it has taken a lot of work to get us to this stage, but now... Things are really looking great.  A large percentage of the space is now dried in and knowing our Alna locals, the west wall and the remainder of the roof will quickly be completed.  Then a few windows and doors and some of the things that are hovering around in the shop can be rearranged to free up more working space to allow social distancing while working on the many shop projects...

Well done to all who have been working on this, from design, removal of the south wall, footers, rails, concrete, framing, roof trusses, siding, and now roofing. 

A hardy WELL DONE! to all.

[Bill Reidy]

Just like the old days, A small group of people working on the same project to get it done. In hope it goes that way for a while.

I agree, Fred.  Always great progress, despite what limited resources have been available over the years at a given time.

I miss visiting Sheepscot and seeing friends terribly, but this will pass in due course.  Meanwhile, thanks to Brendan and Stewart for posting photos on the car barn progress.  It helps dealing with social distancing.

 

[Bob Holmes]

Do I assume there are no clear roof panels on the extension because we are expecting to get enough light through the window?  Or because we will be getting electricity and lighting to the building?  Or both??

[Mike Fox]

Bob, it was decided that the roof panels did not provide the light that was hoped for, so were omitted from the addition. Electric will eventually be needed.

[Paul Crabb]

Is there a plan to build an interior wall between the bump out and the rolling stock storage area? If so it would provide additional wall space for displays. Of course there would need to be doorways between the two areas.

[Wayne Laepple]

I am not privy to any plans for the carbarn addition, but I do have a couple of thoughts regarding Paul's question about a wall between the bump out and the rest of the structure. By leaving that space open, there would be opportunities to position some larger artifacts (Vose inspection car, handcar, etc.) or a diorama that could be viewed from all sides. It would also be possible to use two-sided display boards or display cases in that space. In addition, if there was a need for a space for a historic presentation, for instance, it would be available to place chairs, a lectern, a screen, etc. Finally, an open space would permit short-term displays of a collection of photographs, ephemera or artwork. I hasten to add that, other than "Rangeley," I don't know which rolling stock will be displayed in the main space, and there would be  a need to allow circulation of visitors throughout the structure.

[Mike Fox]

There will be no wall between the bumpout and the car barn itself. Trying to create an open display area. To that end, the MNG had some displays that when we were discussing their needs and desires would be part of the display in the bumpout

[Al Michelis]

Mike, thanks for confirming what most of us locals already knew.  I think Wayne has said it quite succinctly.  An open area will make for better exhibit space.  I can envision a changing exhibit, perhaps 2 or 3 times a season.  Much like what Maine State Museum (MSM) does.  If interested, I can ask my friend at the MSM if she would be willing to consult with WW&F and MNG on doing special exhibits.  Perhaps this could serve as an additional attractor.

[Bob Holmes]

Clearly, the sooner we get electricity to the car barn the better.  It will expand our options exponentially.

BTW, drove by today in wonderful weather, and it all looks great...

[Brendan Barry]

Today we dismantled the staging on the west wall and put up the sheathing.

With staging.



Without staging.



Boards going up.







Fred did most of the cutting.





The west side closed in.

[Bill Reidy]

Thanks Brendan.  Great progress on the barn, and it's good to see Fred and Stewart, albeit from far away.

[Bob Holmes]

Wow, absolutely Wow!  So are we going to sheath the internal walls?  Otherwise, the horizontal members will become just another junk wall...??

[Jeff Schumaker]

Fantastic!

Jeff S.