Fall Work Weekend 2024

[Dan Malkowski]

Hi All,

As I do not have specifics on other projects that might be happening during work weekend, I do however have the plan for the track work to be done.
The Track Project for this fall will be to lift and tamp some spots along our main line. Most of these spots are low joints along the portion of the line between the bottom of the ladder on rosewood crossing. There are other smaller track lifts at Hummison Brook Bridge and along the Mountain that we hope to hit as well. Along with the track lifts, I plan to be prepared with materials and equipment for tie changing as well, so that if we come across a tie in need of changing, we can do so. I plan to start bright and early with the first work train departing at 8, hopefully every morning, with a crew shuttle making a return trip to pick up any stragglers. I still have to finalize details with Nancy about lunch but I hope to return to having lunch out on the line where we are working.

I will have another post in the coming days with more finalized details.
Hope to see everyone at Sheepscot.
- Dan

[Dante Lakin]

For other project leaders: What other work will be going on? I heard that Trout Brook station is getting platform work done to it, but what else will there be?

[Jason M Lamontagne]

Full list of projects that I know of:

Mainline track maintenance (Dan Malkowski)
Trout Brook Station improvements.  (Brendan Barry)
Build11.  (Rick S/ Gordon C)
Coach 8 detailing.  (Eric Schade)

If anyone knows of others please do drop them in here.

Thanks
Jason

[Benjamin Richards]

Minor projects that have been bouncing around my head, would be suitable for self-directed crews of 2-3:

Finish spiking and tamping the house switch.
Finish fastening ties on the turntable ring (drill and install wedge anchors).
Collect old ties from ROW
Remove dry material from ROW (fire prevention) - mountain and cockeye are spots I've noticed.

[Jeff Schumaker]

It appears in Mike Fox's photo of Saturday's N. bound train The Ladder could use a bit of maintenance.

Jeff

[Jason M Lamontagne]

Hi folks,

Thanks Ben for posting the small project list.  A couple minor caveats on two of those items: the house switch was never finish spiked as the closure rails need additional ramp down shimming.  If anyone is willing to lead this effort please check in with me and I’ll be happy to pass on details. 

I thought I had a flag on the turntable wall tie anchors but just doing the anchors is fine.  At some point those ties may need to be removed for an elevation correction on some of the enginehouse leads but having anchors in place won’t hurt as long as the studs can be removed from the anchors and the ties slid out toward the pit.  If the studs aren’t removable, the rails rolls have to be lifted to correct these tie thicknesses so that’d be a bother.

Thanks,
Jason

[Mike Fox]

It appears in Mike Fox's photo of Saturday's N. bound train The Ladder could use a bit of maintenance.

Jeff

That is not the ladder. That is one of the better looking spots actually. Plenty of vegetation to be cut if someone wants to tackle that

[Dan Malkowski]

Steve P had mentioned painting Alna Center Station and I further remember a discussion Jason and I had about applying another coat of paint to the boxcars that are currently on track 2 of the shop.

[Benjamin Richards]

I thought I had a flag on the turntable wall tie anchors but just doing the anchors is fine.  At some point those ties may need to be removed for an elevation correction on some of the enginehouse leads but having anchors in place won’t hurt as long as the studs can be removed from the anchors and the ties slid out toward the pit.  If the studs aren’t removable, the rails rolls have to be lifted to correct these tie thicknesses so that’d be a bother.

Best to check with Brendan, I think he already has the materials. All the wedge anchors I've used have been one-piece and non-removable, but maybe they make different ones.