Spring Work Weekend 2023

[Russ Nelson]

The first weekend in May (board meeting day) is the 6th, so the Spring Work Weekend is April 28, 29, 30, and May 1 (Friday through Monday). The most people show up on Saturday, but many are working Friday and Sunday, and some stay over to Monday. Hope to see you there!

[Ed Lecuyer]

And, this just in...

On Saturday, April 29th, we'll be having the raffle drawing for a complete G-scale WW&F train set!



LGB has donated this train set from their 2022-2023 catalog, showcasing our railroad! Here's your opportunity to own the complete set - including the special LGB Club edition of Boxcar 309 - while supporting the museum.

The retail value of this set is nearly $1500.

Buy your electronic raffle tickets for the drawing to be held on Saturday, April 29, 2023 during Spring Work Weekend.

[Jason M Lamontagne]

2023 SWW

Work List

Track: Foremen: Dan, others TBD.
Friday: Construct Garden Track off turntable
Saturday: 2 Crews.  Crew 1: ballast, tamp, reballast Garden track.  Crew 2: Main line- remove excessive ballast from track, change ties.
Sunday: 1 crew: Main Line: remove excessive ballast from track, change ties. 

Car Painting (130, 554) Friday-Sunday: Shop bay 1.  Crew from Mt Washington Cog

Head Tide Trail Saturday only, Steve P Foreman. 

Trout Brook Station Painting- Will a crew foreman please step forward for this?

Brendan may have enginehouse work arranged.

All readers- please let us know here or by direct contact if you plan on volunteering on one of these crews (and which crew you prefer).

Thanks,
Jason

[Benjamin Richards]

FYI the paint for 554 was left inside 554 all winter at ToM and froze, so someone will need to procure new paint.

[Russ Nelson]

I enjoyed working on the engine house in the Fall, and would like to continue that work.

[Bryce Weeks]

I would be willing to run the tamper.

[Dan Malkowski]

Ben I apologize for the paint, but as long as someone picks up the names for each color they should be able to finish Caboose 554 at the very least. I know the Tan paint had the name of, "Sandy Hook Gray".

The Ballast removal should have the primary focus on the mountain, removing Ballast from within the gauge in spots where the Ballast exceeds to the top of the rail. Once the spots on the mountain are done then the crew can continue back along the main. Or at least that's what I understand, Jason and Steve will tell me I'm wrong but that's what I know.

[Mike Fox]

I plan on having a small clean up crew on Saturday 4/29, cleaning up the spoils from this winters plowing. Hoping to have a power broom or 2 on hand to make things easier.

[john d Stone]

I should be up there for most of Saturday and Sunday with at least one other Stone. Glad to fill in with either track gang if that's where the need is.

[Dan Malkowski]

Further refinements on Specifics for each day of the Track Crew.

All of this was talked over and approved by Jason.

Friday: 2 Crews
             Crew 1 = Crew Forman - Dan M.
                              Building and Finishing Garden Track.
             Crew 2 = Crew Forman- Bill R.
                              Stone removal from within the gauge.
                              Mountain is priority, then the rest of the
                              main. Return for lunch.
*Please note that if the area that you are working in has stone up to the railhead inside and out of the gauge, the stone should be shoveled onto a flatcar as not to waste. If stone is up to the railhead only on the inside then it is ok to just put to the side.*

Saturday: 1 Crew - Tie Changing.
                  1 Crew with 4 sub crews, just like Tie & Dine.

                  Sub Crew 1 = Pulling spikes. Objective will be to stay ahead of other crew pulling spikes on the ties that are to be changed and loosing the spikes two ties on either side of the Tie that is to be changed. Then move on to the next Tie.

                   Sub Crew 2 = Preppers. Objective is to dig out holes for track Jack's, lift the rail, pull the Tie out, and lower Jack's. Then move on to the next Tie

                   Sub Crew 3 = Installers. Objective is to dig out hole for new Tie, insert new Tie, Gauge and spike the tie. Then move on to the next Tie.

                   Sub Crew 4 = Tamping. Objective is to go through and dress and tamp the Tie.

If all goes well this should work like an assembly line.

Sunday: 1 Crew - Stone Removal
                It will be the same attack plan as Friday continuing from where Fridays crew left off.






I'm trying to think if I left out anything but I'm sure Jason could add any points that I may have missed.

[Bill Reidy]

For Friday's crew 2, I plan to have X52's train ready for the trip north to Top of Mountain by 8.30 a.m. for departure from Sheepscot at 8.45.  The weather forecast looks very good for the day's scenic trip up the valley and work on the Mountain.  Hope we have a good turnout for this important maintenance work.  Thanks to all who attend.

[Russ Nelson]

Where should we park?

[Ed Lecuyer]

Where should we park?

The main lot should have enough room to accommodate everyone. There are no public train rides this weekend.

By FWW, the new "Northwest" lot should be available, which will more than double the amount of available parking at Sheepscot.

[Joshua Zukerman]

I plan to be there tomorrow morning all day, was not planning on Sunday (weather looks to be pretty lousy). Is the general start time at 8am like previous years? I am happy to be on track/ballast crew or help at head tide (I assume that crew is clearing brush like years past when I helped).

[Joe Fox]

Yes, ideally 8am is when people begin to gather now for track work as well as a few other projects.