December 2020 Work Reports

[John McNamara]

...somehow those boxcars have flown the coop.

Oh my, even the non-English-speakers are being infected with pun-itis!

[Mike Fox]

Thanks Wayne I see. Out here quite a lot of derelict narrow gauge boxcars have been used as chicken coops or garden shelters. A few of them have been baught and restored to operation by volunteers of tourist railways, somehow those boxcars have flown the coop.

Guess we better follow their tracks..

[Stephen Lennox]

Anticipated work for Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9 December 2020

Tuesday:
*  Track maintenance:  Clean out crossing flange ways
                                      Make flange way shovels  (pending)
                                      Make switch covers  (pending)
*  Recover tamper from TOM.
*  Shop work… vacuum brake stand
*  Small engine repair:  various projects
*  Campus clean up
*  Archives and gift shop
*  Dump run

Wednesday:
*  Prep winter ops:  Assemble plow components
                                Relocate and mount plow on #52
*  Shop work
*  Ash clean up on Machine shop lead #4.
*  Small engine repair

NOTES:
Rules and Standards of Operations
V. Use of Signals (rules 27-39)

    #29.  Engineers Acknowledged Signal (page 16)
        b.  Secure Signals:
             Engineers receiving a hand signal indicating Secure from
             Movement must acknowledged either as prescribed in rule
             14a, bell, verbally, or by repeating the secure hand signal
              back to the requesting crew member.

[Jeff Schumaker]

We could point them WW&F green, and add a logo and slogan. "WW&F Rail, Road, & Air"

I understand the Road & Rail. But what about Air? Are we training homing pigeons?

Jeff S.

[Bob Holmes]

Great job Steve on including a rules reminder!!

Thanks (and I really miss being with you guys each week)

Bob

[James Patten]

Anticipated work for Saturday Dec 12:

* Pavilion - mostly the siding
* Boxcar 56
* Trimming Albee's field edges
* Removing ashes from Bay 4 track.
* Board meeting at 3

[Jason M Lamontagne]

We have two projects in dire need of attention prior to hard freeze up:

I am very much asking a Saturday crew to help with these.  Saturday will see a high in the 40s.

1.  Blade trim the right of way along Albees field.  (This is a requisite of a major charter next month).
2.  Clear ashes down to top of ties on bay 4 lead.  (It is possible this can be done with the new back hoe; if so we’ll know before Saturday and will report here.  Even so, some hand work will be required).

We’re up against the clock on these and just haven’t been able to get to them during the week.  I’ll be in mid morning or so to help, but if James or anyone else can lead either effort to an earlier start that’d be great. 

I’m asking this in the spirit of pulling together to get done what needs to get done for the railroad.

Thanks,
Jason

[John McNamara]

1.  Blade trim the right of way along Albees field.  (This is a requisite of a major charter next month).

Please take careful note of the magphone line that runs along here. Please avoid it - blade trimmers do a great job cutting it!
Thanks,
John M (chief ding-a-ling)

[Jason M Lamontagne]

A new priority Saturday will be clearing Sutter’s crossing of its 4” of mud.  Currently frozen, Saturday may be our best or only chance.  Then I do hope we can make a dent at albees field.  It will require a coordinated effort across multiple days and crews.  This effort is in support of a Pete Lerro charter- the first at our railroad.  Let’s all band together and show Pete and his guests a great time.

Thanks,
Jason

[Stephen Lennox]

Work completed Tuesday and Wednesday 8-9 December 2020

Tuesday:
*  Crossings to include Jane’s Way, Sheepscot Mills, Alna Center
    and Trask flange ways salted and cleaned out.
*  Shop work to include vacuum brake work and out side machine
    protection built.
*  Kerosene heaters purchased and old ones worked on/repaired.

Wednesday:
*  Follow up completing crossings except Sutters Crossing.
    Sutters has been salted for clean up on Saturday.
*  Vacuum brake work continues.
*  Coach #9, assembly continues.
*  Snow plow mounted and tested on #52.
*  Albees Field surveyed for brush cutting.

NOTES:  Sutters Crossing is fouled with ice and frozen mud.
                Albee Field cutting Saturday and Tuesday.
   

[James Patten]

Work done on Saturday Dec 12:

* Car barn: Stewart was repairing the double man doors.
* Boxcar 56: Marcel and Zack were dismantling and gurgling with delight at the condition of the stringers.
* Machine shop: Alan was dismantling the large New Haven lathe.
* Pavilion: A crew started to work on the siding but got pulled away for....
* Crossing clearing and Albee's Field mowing: Mike got to use the new backhoe to facilitate the clearing out of Sutter's Crossing (Brendan brought salt to help finish the job).  After lunch a crew of 6 (4 mowers, 2 loppers) cleared 2/3 of the high weeds at Albee's Field.
* Board meeting: Starting at 3, it went long (Dave's fault this time) getting out a bit after 6.

[Ed Lecuyer]

* The cinders in front of Bay 4 were dug out.

[Stephen Lennox]

Anticipated work for Tuesday 15, and Wednesday 16, December 2020. 

Tuesday:
*  Finish weed whacking along Albee’s Field east and west sides.
    Time permitting, continue cutting at Rose Wood and Humason Brook.
*  Retrieve Tamper (pending)
*  Shop work
*  Archives and Gift Shop on going.

Wednesday:
*  Presalt all crossings.
*  Make up and place switch covers.
*  Prep and clean up yards for winter storm.
*  Coach #9 assembly (pending)

Notes:
            Rules and Standards for Operations

General Rules (Rules A – U)

         S. Safety; Following the Safe Course    (page #40)

              Safety is of first importance. In case of doubt, the safe
              course must be followed.
              Take the time to ensure safety is maintained.

[Bob Holmes]

Steve, LOVE you putting in Rules Reminders in your report.

I hope everyone else on the Forum appreciates them as much as I do.

Bpb

[John Kokas]

I get the feeling that somewhere down the line we're all going to have to take a quiz on this.