January 2022 Work Report

[Bob Holmes]

The lingering ice has been bad everywhere in the MidCoast.

But the good news is that there should be good enough snow (and maybe even more) for Saturday's Sleigh trains!!

[James Patten]

Anticipated work for Saturday Jan 29:

* This weekend is the Amherst Railway Society's West Springfield train show (the big one).  Because of the pandemic, the WW&F decided not to have a table there this year, however Cindy will selling challenge coins from her father's table, just a few tables down from where we would normally be (near the Heroes and Legends cafe).
* It also looks like there's a major snowstorm headed for New England for Saturday, in which case I recommend you hunker down (either at home or at the show!) and wait for the storm to blow over.

[Jeff Schumaker]

I'd say you guys have been busy.

Jeff S.

[Jason M Lamontagne]

STORM PLAN for predicted January 28, 2022 blizzard.

The current forecast for tomorrow, Saturday 1/28/22 calls for a blizzard of 12-20” snow accumulation with strong winds.

CREW CALL: RAILROAD CLEARING: TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 1/2, 2022. 

We plan to open the railroad on Tuesday/ Wednesday February 1/2, 2022.  This will include plowing the main, sidings at AC and ToM, then opening SS yard tracks (prioritizing those required for Steam & Sleighs operations.  Thursday/Friday February 3/4 remain back up days for extended clean up operations.  Also- both steam locomotives will be prepared and test fired in the same period of time.

These clearing operations will be complicated not only by the quantity of snow but by it’s predicted fluffiness- resulting in drifting and falling back in behind the plow and flanger.  We also expect more crossing clearing challenges.  For these reasons a large crew will help greatly.  If you’re available please consider joining us.  We are carefully watching thaw/freeze cycles between the storm and the clean out date- Tuesday is the first thaw.  This is important in timing clearing operations.

If anyone is available and interested in helping before Tuesday- it would be FABULOUS to have SS switches cleaned to bare rail.  The the greater width and length of cleared snow around switch points and frogs the less likely these areas are to fill back in.  However, please  DO NOT attempt railroad plowing operations on your own accord.  We have carefully planned our clearing operations- trying to get a head start could adversely affect our plans and could be dangerous if something unexpected happens.

STEAM & SLEIGHS to SeaLyon Farm (nearly sold out public trains) commences Saturday, February 5, 2022.  For the good of our railroad, our partners and our patrons, next week’s clearing operations are critical!

Thank you in advance to anyone who can help!  Narrow Gauge winter railroading at its finest is coming our way!

Jason, 1/28/22

Edit: January to February- thanks for pointing that out to a couple of you..

[Ed Lecuyer]

Nancy will not be cooking lunch at Sheepscot tomorrow (Saturday) if anyone is crazy enough to be out in the blizzard.

[Benjamin Richards]

We'll be up at the in-laws Sunday for the kids to go sledding. I'll pop down and start hand-shoveling some stuff.

I wonder if we'll have any downed trees to deal with. Seems possible with the high winds.

[Brian Whitney]

We will definitely bring a chainsaw with us when we go up the main line. It will be a lot of work to open it up.
I haven't seen a large amount of snow at the railroad yet. It will be interesting to see how the plowing goes.
I may show up on Monday to help clear SS. I'll be there on Tuesday & Wednesday for sure.

[Stephen Piwowarski]

I'll try to get down to AC tomorrow and get the station platform cleared out, as well as the North and South switches.

[Brian Whitney]

Storm totals are varying a lot from station to station. We only got 6 to 8" max here in New Gloucester. I have seen reports of 8" to 18" in Wiscasset. With the winds we had I don't think anyone knows how much snow we got.
We will likely find places with 3 feet and other places with nothing. It should be an interesting two days of clean up.

[Mike Fox]

Light and fluffy. Should be easier than some past times. I hope to make it Tuesday..

[Benjamin Richards]

We will likely find places with 3 feet and other places with nothing.

You can find all that and more just in the yard.  The east side of the shop was drifted about 4 feet. But the shop 3 switch was nearly bare.

Gold star to whoever thought to park the train adjacent the platform. It was 97% clear.

[Mike Fox]

A little fun in the sun.. Sorry about the breathing. Had to hussle to beat Steve L.. Plus I may be a little out of shape..

https://youtu.be/4d9Dml2Y5cI

[Wayne Laepple]

From the forecast, it looks like you might have to do it all again on Saturday morning. Freezing rain forecasted for me. I'd prefer the snow.

[Mike Fox]

And another. Sorry about the focus. The sun was bright and tricking the camera

https://youtu.be/nPFw7qkBTCc

[Mike Fox]

Yes, discussions are under way of what to do. Any snow Friday is going to complicate things for Saturday.