December 2022 Work Reports

[James Patten]

Anticipated work for weekend of Dec 17-18, 2022.

* Saturday will be the second half of a Nor'easter snow/rain storm, so no public trains on Saturday.  Instead we'll be running them on Sunday.  Crew and ground support needed.

[Mike Fox]

No tinkering Saturday due to the storm.

[Stephen Lennox]

Work completed Tuesday and Wednesday 13-14 December 2022

Tuesday:
*  Engine house shingling and tar papering continued, the walls are looking really good.
    (Stewart, Zack, Fred)
*  Passenger Truck Build continued  (Carlos, Jerry, Randy)
*  Track crew inspected the main line, thawed out switches, loaded the flat with parts and moved the
    Czech Loco and flat car to ML&MW. Winter prep continued. (Steve Lx, Brian W, Steve Lt, Brendan)
*  Archives work continued  (Linda, Randy)
*  SS clean up (Stewart)

Wednesday:
*  Vacuum brake work and making brake beam parts  (Jonathan, Randy)
*  Engine House build, I wasn’t there but I assume some work may have been going on.

Notes:
Dec 12th, Brake part making-Jonathan, Stewart and Cindy in for mail, gift shop.
Saturdays events moved to Sunday….. it’s not to late to sign up for support and crew.

[Ed Lecuyer]

We will absolutely need help Sunday morning shoveling out from the storm(s) and ensuring the paths are clear for our visitors and volunteers.

Please come and help, if you are available.

[Pete Stevens]

What's anticipated for Saturday? Looks like the majority of the snow is Friday night switching to rain for the day Saturday.

[James Patten]

I'm not anticipating anything Saturday.  Whatever happens for this storm looks like won't be over until after dark Saturday.  I don't expect to be out on the roads until Sunday.  However don't let my aversion to driving in a storm keep you from coming if you feel the desire and are safe doing so.

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

Thursday, December 15th -

* Engine House - no less than 4 people worked on the exterior of the building for a good part of the day. Carpenters included: Fred, Zack, Start and Brendan.

* Shop - Jason was working on something, not sure which project though.

* Operations - A special private charter was run with engine 9 pulling coach 2 and caboose 320 for a round trip to ToM with 30 guests. Wes and J.B. were in the cab and Dan was the Conductor.   

* Gift Shop - Mail orders + afternoon store time held in the freight house.

[Jason M Lamontagne]

Thanks for noting me Stewart.  I was doing design work on the brake system- specifically designing foundation brake gear for the J&S rebuild trucks and future trucks.  The lever arms and reach rods must apply the correct force to the brake beams in order to avoid sliding wheels while still getting effective braking action.  These levers had been designed for externally applied brake force, but we are now adopting the Eames Brake Co practice of truck-mounted vacuum pots, so the forces and mechanical systems which support them must be verified.  Remarkably- nearly the entire J&S truck brake system works as is with little modification while accommodating the vacuum pots that Jonathan had perfected. 

We are developing detailed sub-system design in order to perform an engineering group design analysis and verification.  We have been in communication with FRA representatives on this topic and have a desire to design and install this brake system in a manner consistent with the industry standard.  Once these documents are complete, reviewed and finally revised, our complete package will enable any sub part of the system to be implemented with clarity and predictability.

Loco 9 and train looked and sounded great coming in at twilight this evening. 

Thanks
Jason

[John McNamara]

I understand the latest braking systems are ECP brakes. I presume this stands for Eames Classic Proper brakes?

[Mike Fox]

The 15th of every month is the day to send out the dues reminders. This month there are 61 that are due for renewal out of the 527 Annual Members we have. There are also 5 reminders in the pile for those who have yet to renew from November. My mail carrier thanks me for leaving these in the blue box instead of my rural mail box..

[Pete Stevens]

You can take mine out of the pile. I finally paid up for life.

[Bob Holmes]

Terrific explanation of how complicated a braking system is.  Kudos to those who are working on the Eames.

Let's hope the storm fizzles so I can safely complete my final move from Philly to Woolwich by Sunday.

Best to all this Holiday Season!!

Bob

[Stephen Lennox]

Anticipated work for Tuesday and Wednesday 20-21 December 2022

*  Vacuum brakes  (Mon-Wed)
*  Passenger car Trucks
*  Coach #9
*  Engine House
*  Yard clean up, Crossings clean up
*  SS general clean up

[James Patten]

Anticipated work for Saturday Dec 24, 2022:

* Clean up from Friday's storm, especially along the line. 

That is, if anyone shows up.  It is Christmas Eve after all!

[Stephen Lennox]

Work completed Tuesday and Wednesday 20-21 December 2022

Tuesday:
*  Passenger truck build continues with more assembly to the trucks. (Jerry, Carlos)
*  Coach #9 assembly continued with more work inside and continually designing (Eric, Ron)
*  Engine House shingling continued (Fred, Stewart)
*  Archives work continues (Linda)
*  Locomotive #9 servicing (Roger)
*  Track cleans out yard switches, all crossings and Tom switches in prep of Fridays storm. Prep
    continued for freight station construction rolling stock moved, south switch stand removed.
    (Steve Lx, Brian W, Steve Lt, Paul R, Leon)
*  Supporting all the projects (Brendan, Randy)

Wednesday:
*  Train Operations, rearranging coach consists  (Dan, Jonathan)
*  Vacuum Brakes, work on linkage design  (Jonathan, Jason)
*  Shop work, jig design and manufactured for rod bending for trucks parts  (Brendan)
*  SS clean up  (Stewart)
*  Coach #9 work continued  (Eric, Ron)
*  Engine House shingling continues (Fred)

NOTES:
Monday work included Jonathan on Brakes, Stewart on clean up and Engine House, Cindy R in gift shop and mail.

Switch covers in place: SS- Service Track, Tower and North Yard switches. TOM run around switches.