Author Topic: WW&F No. 53 - Official Work Thread  (Read 18462 times)

Brian Whitney

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Re: WW&F No. 53 - Official Work Thread
« Reply #15 on: April 06, 2022, 05:08:57 PM »
And 11 and coach 9 and flanger and box car and Engine House and

Trout Brook station & Turn Table and parking lot and ........

It would be nice to see one or two projects completed before taking on more. We have limited volunteers that have limited time to commit and complete all that is already on our plate. But I suppose we are looking into the future. The railroad is growing and the maintenance and upkeep is getting more demanding to keep the increasing amount of public trains to run safely.

Carl G. Soderstrom

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Re: WW&F No. 53 - Official Work Thread
« Reply #16 on: April 06, 2022, 10:38:03 PM »
Brian

The Trout Brook track has a dead line.

And a few of Mike's jobs are ASAP. Or are they all ASAP?

The rest are when they get done - there are crews that are dedicating themselves
to getting jobs done to very high standards in a timely fashion -- It is amazing all
 that is done in so short a time. It is a privilege to be associated with each and every one!!!!




Brian Whitney

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Re: WW&F No. 53 - Official Work Thread
« Reply #17 on: April 07, 2022, 05:41:42 AM »
The railroad has a great and dedicated group of volunteers with a wide variety of experience and knowledge which fits well for the variety of work to be done. In just the short two years I have been there we have gained many new people. That is a good trend for sure. We all make it work and it shows with the public participation and positive comments that we get.

Ted Miles

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Re: WW&F No. 53 - Official Work Thread
« Reply #18 on: April 09, 2022, 09:07:03 PM »
Folks,

With all the projects going on at the museum; I wonder if it makes sense to contract out the truck re-building of the #53. If local shops are busy several of the museums have used the Lyons Industries in Pennsylvania to do truck work in the past few years.
As the #53 is a long term project, there is lots of time to find a shop to do the new trucks frames and work on the wheel sets.

Ted Miles, WW&F Member 

Mike Fox

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Re: WW&F No. 53 - Official Work Thread
« Reply #19 on: April 10, 2022, 05:55:32 AM »
Hi Ted.
That is the plan. Jason got approval at the board meeting last night to seek out those possibilites.
Mike
Doing way too much to list...

Rick Rowlands

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Re: WW&F No. 53 - Official Work Thread
« Reply #20 on: April 11, 2022, 06:35:23 AM »
McHugh stands out as perhaps the most capable at rebuilding industrial GE locomotives and could probably engineer and execute a narrow gauging of these trucks. 
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Ed Lecuyer

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Re: WW&F No. 53 - Official Work Thread
« Reply #21 on: April 11, 2022, 08:41:48 AM »
We had an extensive conversation with McHugh before purchasing this locomotive. While they do excellent work, we are pursuing a different approach to our locomotive.
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Steve Leet

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Re: WW&F No. 53 - Official Work Thread
« Reply #22 on: April 11, 2022, 03:07:11 PM »
I will reach my 1 year volunteer anniversary this weekend so perhaps I am still an outsider looking in. But here are my 2 cents worth any way! It seems to me that we/ the WW&F keep taking on new projects and I understand why, its to keep the interest of those who are showing up the most. However with that said as the railroad expands and the project list just keeps growing the one area that seems to be lacking is maintenance. More track more projects but the weekday track crew isn't growing and with the number of projects started those that are getting finished are few and far between, but through no fault of their own the track crew is falling further and further behind. I caution all that the trend could end up with the WW&F as a static museum. That ought to ruffle a few feathers!

Ed Lecuyer

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Re: WW&F No. 53 - Official Work Thread
« Reply #23 on: April 11, 2022, 03:15:10 PM »
Hi Steve,

I've noticed that the track and related infrastructure is now in much better shape than it has been in a while. While there is still a lot more to do, the efforts of the revitalized track gang have definitely not gone unnoticed by the operating crews!

And there is strong sentiment that we will likely outsource much of the reconstruction of 53, so that our volunteers can stay focused on finishing the tasks already at hand.

Happy Anniversary. We're glad you came aboard!
Ed Lecuyer
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Benjamin Richards

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Re: WW&F No. 53 - Official Work Thread
« Reply #24 on: April 11, 2022, 06:44:48 PM »
Not to hijack this thread too much, but I would also say that the track is in better shape than it has been prior. For one, there are currently no speed restrictions due to bad track. I remember being part of the conversation where we discussed the importance of lifting the several restrictions then in place, on account of the dampening effect such restrictions have on the visitor experience. Similarly, there was also a time (a long time?) when folks were frustrated that #11 was not getting the attention it deserved, given the importance the museum claimed it held. Now it is getting that attention.

That said, I am intimidated to a certain degree by the number of projects. I would like to see a period of "consolidation and refinement" sooner than later, and I think it is on the horizon.

I think the idea that people need "new and exciting" in order to show up is not correct. It's easy to see how one might come to that conclusion. The WW&F is a museum that started from essentially nothing. There have always been new projects, new development, that is what we are used to. But consider the EBT, which is on the complete opposite end of the spectrum. There is not a single "new" thing. Everything that exists, has existed for a century or more. Some might even say that to build something new at the EBT would be a heresy. And yet, the FEBT can turn out volunteers for track work, building rehab, rolling stock refurb, mechanical, &c. just the same.

Robert Hale

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Re: WW&F No. 53 - Official Work Thread
« Reply #25 on: April 13, 2022, 07:35:09 AM »
Ah! Outside frame trucks, can be narrowed easier than conventional ones I would think.
M.Nix

The limiting factor will be the traction motor width. Will be an interesting project.

Wayne Laepple

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Re: WW&F No. 53 - Official Work Thread
« Reply #26 on: April 16, 2022, 07:35:05 AM »
I'm pleased to report that yesterday (April 15), we were finally able to get No. 53 running for the first time in about 10 years. We had tried previously, but the unit would only run wide open. We learned that the Cummins PT fuel/injector pump was thoroughly gunked up, and we removed it and took it to a Cummins shop for a thorough overhaul. Once we got it back in place, the engine started right up and idled well, purring like a kitten. I was able to moved it back and forth a bit to be certain it would load and stop.

We have a few more tasks before it is ready for shipment to Maine, which we hope to complete soon. It is expected to be loaded during the week of May 8 and arrive at Sheepscot the following week.

Jeff Schumaker

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Re: WW&F No. 53 - Official Work Thread
« Reply #27 on: April 16, 2022, 07:48:54 AM »
That's great news, Wayne.

Jeff S.
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Bill Baskerville

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Re: WW&F No. 53 - Official Work Thread
« Reply #28 on: April 16, 2022, 08:31:30 PM »
Wayne, I was under the impression that 53 had two diesels, each running a generator and a traction motor. Was the first option that was rejected?
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Wayne Laepple

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Re: WW&F No. 53 - Official Work Thread
« Reply #29 on: April 16, 2022, 08:51:41 PM »
Not at all, Bill. The unit does have two engines and two generators. But we knew going in there was an electrical issue on one end. Seems the engine would run, but there is an electrical issue that prevents that end from loading electrically. So no point in messing with it. It can move itself on one engine and traction motor, and that's all we need at this time. The Wizards of Sheepscot will deal with it in due time.