December 2021 Work Reports

[John Kokas]

While on the subject, a suggestion from hard lessons learned from the past.  When faced with a multitude of joint bars of different sizes and bolt patterns, an old timer showed me back in the 80's how to set up different pallet skids of bars by size and spacing and color coding with spray paint on the ends and also the pallet itself.  We also ended up spray painting the ends of rail so we could easily pull the correct material without having to sort and measure.  It took time and effort but well worth the investment down the road.  I would suggest setting a yard area like that in either AC or the future lumber mill siding and thus de-cluttering the main campus a wee bit.

[Bill Baskerville]

... I think a couple of similar canopies would allow us to consolidate and sort the many piles of joint bars that can be found throughout the campus - ...

Steve, I would like to see a dedicated space (out of the dirt) to co-locate all the switch stands and associated parts.  There is a dedicated fund already available to procure a building to house the loose parts.  I am sending a PM with more details. 

[Mike Fox]

Fred had started sorting joint bars off the woods track. That spot was out of sight. While it may not be next to the tool house, spots like that designated for those bulk materials are a great way to store them.

And I really like what you guys have done there around the toolhouse.

[Brian Whitney]

With the small track crew that we have with limited time and a large amount work that needs to be done, the idea of consolidating pertinent supplies will only help save time to get more work done. Hopefully, the tool car will also help. All of the materials for the fence and kiosk were donated other than a small piece of ice and water shield from the shop. The area around the tool shed looks much neater. Being on the ROW, it is a highly visible spot for the public. The entire railroad has an impressive large group of volunteers! It shows with the many projects that are being worked on and accomplished. 

[Stephen Lennox]

My general thoughts on all of this was trying to consolidate everything to make materials practical, easier to get at never the less find. The area around the line shack at the water tower works well. The fence and kiosk/shed and clean up of the area is a pleasant sight for visitors who go by it all day long. We have various thoughts for future storage. A thought would be to move the tank and parts across from the water tank and put in a nice looking Shed that could house switch parts and stands and consolidate the most used size of joint bars. Just a thought.

[Wayne Laepple]

Some years ago now, when we started thinking about the Whitefield section house, I suggested it be placed north of the water tank on the same side. I thought it would be a nice scene, especially if there was a handcar sitting outside the building. I was told in no uncertain terms that it would ruin all the photos and would clutter up the area.

[Stephen Lennox]

Just to clarify water tanks. The tank I am referring to moving is the B&SR tank (car).

[Stephen Lennox]

Work completed Tuesday and Wednesday 7-8 December 2021

Tuesday:
*  Track crew,  Service track lead finished lined, spiked, bolted for turn table.
                         (Steve Leet, Brian W, Paul, Leon, Randy)
                         Yard switching, B&SR #16 moved out, loaded and going to Portland
                         Rolling stock moved around and stationed on various tracks. (Steve L, Chuck)
                         Winter Prep completed, TOM, Tower N Yard switches covered
                          (Steve L, Brian W, Steve Leet)
   Shop work,    Vacuum brakes design/build continues  (Jonathan, Dave P)
                         Passenger car truck rebuild continues  (Jerry,Carlos
    Archives       (Linda),    Gift shop/mail (Cindy R) work continues
    Engine Hse   Build continues  (Brendan, Fred, Stewart, JB Smith)
    Loco #9        Boiler maintenance in progress  (Jason, Roger, Wes C)
    Rolling Stock oiling/greasing  (Phil B)

Wednesday:
*  Track Crew,  Replacing air lines on #52 plow/flanger  (Steve L, Dan)
    Engine Hse,  Build continues  (Brendan, Fred)
    Coach #9,      Build of roof continues  (Eric, Ron)
    Shop work,    Vacuum brakes design/manufacture  (Jonathan)
    Loco #9         Boiler maintenance  (Jason, Roger)
    Admin,          On going work  (Randy)
    Archives,       Work on going  (Linda) 

[Dwight Winkley]

The biggest collection of joint bars is North of Alna Center on West side of right of way between North switch and the North Yard limit sign.

[Ed Lecuyer]

Public passenger trains on Saturday 12/11 have been cancelled. Trains have been rescheduled for 12/18.

[James Patten]

Board meeting rescheduled for 3 PM on Saturday.

[Bill Baskerville]

In the trivia department, during my last visit I replaced the bell ringer on 52.  I took the inoperative bell ringer with me back to Virginia and yesterday got around to replacing all the 0-rings.  The parts no longer fit together loosely.  When I next return I will try it out on the loco.  Hopefully we will then have an operating spare.

[James Patten]

Work done on Saturday Dec 11:

* Vehicles: Mike, assisted by myself, Fred, and Dave, removed the plates from both chains on the dozer, and removed the chain on the left side of the dozer.  He also removed the sprocket on the left side.
* Boxcar 56: Marcel got up the lower interior sheathing.
* Shop: Alan and Nicole were making a pedestal on which to mount the tracer attachment to the big lathe.
* Computer: Week 3 of wrestling with the computer, this time I won.
* Board meeting: got out at 5:30.

[Mike Fox]

Track crew finished the service track this week.



And working in the garage is tight, but making it happen.. We removed what bolts we could and cut the rest..



End of day shots.

Left side done



Right side almost done.

[Stephen Lennox]

Anticipated work for Tuesday and Wednesday 14-15 December 2021.

*  Water tank repair
*  Joint bar sorting (pending)
*  Vacuum brakes design/build
*  Passenger car truck rebuild
*  Coach #9 assembly
*  Level ballast Service Track lead
*  Locomotive #9 maintenance
*  Afternoon Charter (Wed)