October 2022 Work Reports

[John McNamara]

[Dan and I installed the 8' ground rod at Trout Brook Station this afternoon and attached the ground wire.  You will want to inspect the ground connection to ensure it meets the exacting telephone department standards.

Dan and I were shocked at how quickly we were able to drive the rod into the ground.
It was lightning fast. 
Ed says you're now in charge, John. 

Your turn, John...

Wow! Electrifying news! Thanks!
-John M

[Bill Reidy]

Some photos of today's activities, largely focused on the well-attended public trains, our last day of Pumpkin Pickin' Trains to SeaLyon Farm.  We've been fortunate with some brilliant fall weather, and today was no exception, with temperatures into the 60s.

Wes Carpenter tending to WW&F No. 9 early in the day in the Sheepscot upper yard by the car barn.


Turning not quite 180 degrees, a view into the car barn, with track 2 nearly open.


Brendan Barry providing coal to Bridgton & Saco River No. 7, as Jason Lamontagne guides filling the coal bunker.  Bill Piche tends the fire.


B&SR No. 7 is centered on the B&SR turntable at Trout Brook Station.  This past two and a half months since the Mountain Extension opened August 6th, the historic B&SR locomotive and turntable have been reunited in operations at Trout Brook, thanks to partnership with Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. and Museum.  No. 7 will soon be returning to Maine Narrow Gauge for the Polar Express. 


Families look on as No. 7 returns to Sheepscot with her train.


No. 7's engine crew on this trip:  Bill Piche, Jason Lamontagne and Dan Malkowski.

[John Kokas]

I just love the beard and bowler hat combo on Dan - vintage 1900 

[Stephen Lennox]

Anticipated work for Tuesday and Wednesday 25-26 October 2022

*  Engine house service pit rail work
*  Vacuum brakes
*  Passenger car trucks
*  Coach #9 assembly
*  Engine house (pending)
*  SS campus clean up

Note:  the weather forecast is for rain both days.

[Ed Lecuyer]

Work done on Saturday October 22:
* Pumpkin trains - mostly sold out.

Not "mostly" - we were completely sold out. In fact, because of the nice day, more passengers than usual choose to linger at the farm, which caused one southbound train to be standing room only!  The 6pm Stargazing Train was also sold out.


Work done on Sunday October 23:
* A pre-arranged Halloween photoshoot was hosted for a local professional photographer and her model. We appreciated being asked in advance so that we could safely accommodate their request.
* Coach 8 was spun on the turntable and the baggage door tested against the temporary boarding ramp; it aligned perfectly.

[Bill Baskerville]

Coach 8 was spun on the turntable and the baggage door tested against the temporary boarding ramp; it aligned perfectly.

"Aligned perfectly", as we would expect from Mike and our construction teams work.  Another well executed job.

[Fred Morse]

  A reminder for our volunteers, in a couple of weeks, the first Sat in November we'll be going to phillips Me to gave a helping hand putting rail into bay Three of their new car barn. I hope the weather is as nice as it was the last Two years. See you there!

[Ed Lecuyer]

The rails over the enginehouse pit were placed today. Jason's photo.

[Bill Reidy]

I spy left-to-right in Jason's photo Steve Leet, Steve Lennox, Jay Barta and Brendan Barry.  Please correct if I'm mistaken.  Thanks for posting the photo.

[James Patten]

Anticipated work for Saturday Oct 29:

* Storage area work
* Machine shop
* Engine house

No public trains!

I believe Saturday is the first day of deer hunting season.  People should wear orange.

[Jeff Schumaker]

I spy left-to-right in Jason's photo Steve Leet, Steve Lennox, Jay Barta and Brendan Barry.  Please correct if I'm mistaken.  Thanks for posting the photo.

Looks good to me.

Jeff S.

[Stephen Lennox]

Work completed Tuesday and Wednesday 25-26 October 2022.

Tuesday:

*  Track crew installs pit rail supports, drilling, cleaning, epoxied and bolts, 90 holes/bolts.
    Two rails were moved for the project, replaced and final 2 rails placed on supports.
    (Steve Lx, Brian W, Steve Lt, Paul R, Randy, Brendan, Jason)
*  Coach #9 assembly continued (Eric, Roger, Harold)
*  Passenger car truck rebuild continued  (Jerry, Carlos)
*  Trout Brook Station interior painting which looks complete (Fred, Andrew Zimmerman family)
*  Gift shop/mail on going  (Cindy R)
*  Rolling stock grease/oiling  (Phil B)

Wednesday:

*  Train operations, Crew moves Locomotive #21 from MM&LW to SS loading ramp. (Jason, Dan)
*  TOM fence, the last 2 fence post installed.  (Steve Lt)
*  TB bridge track inspection work (Steve Lx, Steve Lt)
*  Engine house clean up. (Randy, Steve Lt, Steve Lx, Jonathan)
*  Vacuum brakes work (Jonathan, Randy)

Notes:  Heavy rains Wednesday.
             October 29 starts Deer season in Maine, wear orange and be safe.
             Happy Halloween

[Bill Reidy]

Happy Halloween, Steve, and as always, thanks for the updates.

[John Kokas]

Was it ever decided whether or not to install guard rails on the Trout Brook bridge?

[James Patten]

Work done on Saturday October 29:

* Engine house: A relatively new volunteer (I think his name is Will?) was working just under the roof putting up tar paper on the walls and border boards.  Meanwhile Brian and I and Dan were tar papering the first course on the bottom of as many walls as we could get to.  Fred supervised and told us to use more staples. 
* Caboose 554: Dan did some painting inside (one wall).
* Electrical building: Mike finished the burying of the conduit.
* Storage area & west parking lot: Mike did yeoman's work moving things out of the west parking lot into the storage area.  Can almost get a third row of cars in there now.