May 2021 Work Reports

[James Patten]

Anticipated work for Saturday May 1 - Annual Meeting day

* "Director's Special" - train ride for members going to MP 8, and also making stops at Top of Mountain and Alna Center (to review the pavilion).  I think departure is 10:30.
* Annual Meeting - online and in-person, in the car barn extension, at 2 PM.
* Machine shop organization
* Vehicle repair

[Ed Lecuyer]

Anyone planning on taking the Director's Special trip to MP8 should sign up at:
https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/wwfry/items/300032/calendar/2021/04/?flow=420374&full-items=yes

Those planning on attending the Annual Meeting online can do so at:
www.wwfry.org/meeting

[Bill Reidy]

Thanks for broadcasting the Annual Meeting online, Ed.

[James Patten]

Work done on Saturday May 1:

* Director's Special - departed 10:33 from Sheepscot, arriving ToM at 10:45 or so.  After #52 arrived (as insurance), #9 headed down the hill and stopped at MP8.  We left around 11:30, after running around at ToM we stopped at AC to take a look at the pavilion, returning to SS around 12:30.
* Annual Meeting - held in the car barn bump out.  Probably 12-15 people there, a few more online.
* Archives - Linda got a large format scanner, which required rearranging of equipment on the desk. 
* Nancy made lunch.

[Bob Holmes]

Sorry I missed the Special, it would have been great fun....

[Mike Fox]

You are in luck Bob. Here is a video of our ride from just south of the Bridge to TOM

https://youtu.be/ZNo9N0xScro

Here are some pics..









President Dave and I are looking at the new vents at the top of the bridge. These are to help improve airflow to discourage pests like carpenter ants.

[John Scott]

Thanks, Mike, for the video and photographs. Together, they give a very good idea of the experience. Riding a narrow gauge train through the woods in Spring is pretty good. The propelled ascent of the mountain was spectacular. I would have attended the AGM, except that its commencement would have been at 4am Sunday, here in Melbourne. Through your efforts, many have been able to enjoy the occasion.

[ALAIN DELASSUS]

Mike thanks for the report. The grade is really steep nearing TOM and it seems to me that # 9 was not very comfortable on that strech of track unless the rails were a bit damp it was rather early in the morning after all. Anyway a powerful locomotive like # 11 will be welcome in the years to come.

[Jeff Schumaker]

Great video, Mike. Thanks.

Jeff S.

[Stephen Lennox]

Anticipated work for Tuesday and Wednesday 4-5 May, 2021.

*  Prep-work for Saturday 8 May, Level the Mountain.
*  Measurements, planning bridge work
*  Vehicle repair:  servicing Tamper, Brookville (pending)
*  Campus, parking lots clean up.
*  Track inspection (pending)


                 Rules and Standards for Operations

IV.  Train Signals (Rules 17-26)

25.  Equipment Bad Order
       Out of service equipment whose Movement is restricted or prohibited due to
       mechanical reason must have a properly completed Bad Order Tag attached
       in a prominent location. These signals maybe removed by any Employee after
       confirming that repairs have been properly effected. If the in-service status of
       a piece of equipment changes from that reported in the Timetable for more than
       a day, this must be reported on the Informal Notice Board, for later inclusion as
       a formal Notice and finally the next Timetable revision. 

[Bill Piche]

Mike thanks for the report. The grade is really steep nearing TOM and it seems to me that # 9 was not very comfortable on that strech of track unless the rails were a bit damp it was rather early in the morning after all. Anyway a powerful locomotive like # 11 will be welcome in the years to come.

Those weren't slips in the video. They were Joe backing off the throttle because we were going to end up faster than the current maximum track speed for the area. Maybe one real slip but the track isn't leveled out completely yet, so probably hit a low joint.

When we go to regular operations with fuller trains 2 cars will still be fairly easy for 9 to take up the hill, especially since the train will pull easier at 10-15 mph than at the 5-10 we were doing in the video.

[ALAIN DELASSUS]

Bill thank you for the clarification but anyway the strech of line between Troot Brook Station and TOM will stay the more challenging  one for the engine crew but the best location for photographers and video shooters.

[Joe Fox]

The wheels never even attempted to slip under my gentle touch. #9 hauled that train up the hill with extreme ease, and she could have definitely handled more train. Back in the day they would pull 6-8 cars up the mountain with an engine like #9. Coaches being much heavier, 4 coaches would be around the max I would imagine.

Near the top of the grade I allowed the train to slow considerably to allow a smooth stop at ToM. One thing you learn with years of throttle time is how to minimize your effort and allow certain things to work in your favor. Running a train is like an art, and the longer the train the more patience and skill you need to have and you always want to know, where your train is at behind you. Not so important with a short train, but with a two mile long train the train behind you may be in 3 different states of travel so you need to exercise extreme caution in making adjustments of any kind.

[Bob Holmes]

Joe, great perspective from the guy in charge!

[James Patten]

Anticipated work for Saturday May 8:

* Level the Mountain - jacking and tamping the Mountain grade. 
* Machine shop organizing
* Pavilion/Alna Center landscaping
* Excavation work at Sheepscot for roundhouse and drainage.
* Vehicle repair
* Board meeting at 4