Author Topic: Spring Work Weekend 2024  (Read 3637 times)

Kevin Kierstead

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Spring Work Weekend 2024
« on: March 08, 2024, 07:09:11 PM »
Has there been developed a "hit list" of work to be done this year? The past couple of "work week ends" seemed somewhat unorganized. (IMHO)
BATLRSBS: Brotherhood of Amalgamated Track Layers, Rail Spikers and Ballast Spreaders; ToM/Trout Brook Chapter

Jason M Lamontagne

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Re: Spring Work Weekend 2024
« Reply #1 on: March 08, 2024, 07:47:04 PM »
The major “general crew” project is currently planned as ballast distribution on the Mountain and elsewhere in preparation for major lifts over the summer. 

Other major projects that are known at present:

Install the second baggage door in coach 8.
Install vacuum brake equipment on rolling stock.
Build11 work session.

I suspect there will also be painting, building and possibly brush cutting efforts but I can’t speak to those at present.

Thanks
Jason

Joe Fox

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Re: Spring Work Weekend 2024
« Reply #2 on: March 20, 2024, 08:39:21 PM »
I am sorry to hear you feel the last few work weekends have been unorganized Kevin. Others have mentioned this as well.

One important thing to note is the coordinators are now trying to figure out how to keep everyone busy with “smaller” projects so to speak. For me, coordinating the mountain work was a challenge on trying to figure out how to keep everyone busy. My first weekend was a little bumpy, but the next got better and better. The same will happen here as we begin to deviate away from track expansion temporarily at least.

A lot of work goes into the planning, and after 3 years of helping organize and plan work weekends while working on the mountain I can attest it can be stressful, but very rewarding.

John Kokas

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Re: Spring Work Weekend 2024
« Reply #3 on: March 21, 2024, 07:07:57 AM »
I certainly hope there will be a major push to build the new passenger platform / gift shop / ticketing counter as we have been operating in work-around mode for far too long.  We have a lot of carpentry capable members from away.  Put out the word and many will show up with tools and equipment if needed.
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James Patten

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Re: Spring Work Weekend 2024
« Reply #4 on: April 21, 2024, 05:24:34 PM »
Although I'm going to put this in the Anticipated Work entry in the April work reports thread, I thought I would post the projects for this weekend:

* Coach 8 handicap door installation on the opposite side of the other handicap door.  Eric is team leader.
* Sheepscot platform work.  Brendan is planning to have the platform area ready to work on, and was talking/hoping to lower the gift shop building as well (which would mean modifying the still-existing platform).
* Alna Center clean up work.  Mike will lead a team (Saturday) to clean up the AC area from the storms this past winter and the road leading into it.
* Track ballasting.  Dan will lead this team.
* Food.  Nancy is in charge of this again and would be happy with some assistance.
* There'll probably be other, smaller projects, such as archival, grounds, and machine shop.

Jason M Lamontagne

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Re: Spring Work Weekend 2024
« Reply #5 on: April 21, 2024, 06:39:21 PM »
From the railroad Dept perspective, projects are as follows:

Ballasting (Dan)
Build11 full work session
Vacuum Brake Plumbing (Dante, Dom, Nick)
Coach 8 baggage door

Build11 work will include forming work in the flanged and babbitting 20 new bearings.

I understood the platform to be the other major project, with smaller ones filling in.

Thanks
Jason
« Last Edit: April 21, 2024, 06:41:30 PM by Jason M Lamontagne »

Mike Fox

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Re: Spring Work Weekend 2024
« Reply #6 on: April 22, 2024, 11:25:47 AM »
There are a few trees at the Pavilion to remove (one down, one dead standing) that will be done Saturday if anyone is available to help. We need the area ready for Mothers Day Tea..
Mike
Doing way too much to list...

Ed Lecuyer

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Re: Spring Work Weekend 2024
« Reply #7 on: April 22, 2024, 08:34:02 PM »
Also Saturday afternoon: A group of about 20 cub scouts and their leaders will tackle the cleaning of all coaches and cars that are not being worked on (or in use on the work train.) I will be leading that project (unless someone else wants to do so.)
Ed Lecuyer
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Dan Malkowski

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Re: Spring Work Weekend 2024
« Reply #8 on: April 23, 2024, 06:48:02 PM »
Replying to Mike, I cut up the one closest to the pavilion the other week with pete.

Jason M Lamontagne

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Re: Spring Work Weekend 2024
« Reply #9 on: April 23, 2024, 07:29:54 PM »
Folks we’re having some noteworthy fire dangers this spring in Midcoast Maine so we’ll be reducing some of our “bonus” steam ops.  Unfortunately this will likely include ballast trains this weekend, resulting in 52 with 2 flats.

We are still considering a steam passenger trip for volunteers this Saturday evening, as is our tradition, but we’re balancing this against the fire danger, once again.  For that reason- can we get some show of interest in the steam trip here?  If it ends up being a diesel trip to reduce fire risk, how much of a disappointment would that be?

Note we can’t promise anything no matter the responses- it’ll have to be based on the official fire rating and actual conditions this weekend.  However it’d be helpful to understand how much our volunteers may be looking forward to a steam trip.

Thanks
Jason

Keith Taylor

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Re: Spring Work Weekend 2024
« Reply #10 on: April 24, 2024, 06:06:07 AM »
Folks we’re having some noteworthy fire dangers this spring in Midcoast Maine so we’ll be reducing some of our “bonus” steam ops.  Unfortunately this will likely include ballast trains this weekend, resulting in 52 with 2 flats.


Thanks
Jason
A pretty good rain storm is forecast for today April 24th, and that may reduce the fire danger some.
Keith

Dan Malkowski

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Re: Spring Work Weekend 2024
« Reply #11 on: April 24, 2024, 09:21:20 AM »
As of today (4/24/24) the Fire Danger level in the Wiscasset area is Moderate. The rain today might help but we will just have to see and monitor the fire danger levels as the weekend draws near, to which we have plans in place for either outcome.

Dan Malkowski

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Re: Spring Work Weekend 2024
« Reply #12 on: April 24, 2024, 10:11:16 AM »
Track work: Ballasting

Spot Ballasting will occur starting from Trout Brook all the way up the mountain. The goal will be to hit areas that need a little more ballast in spots whether its dressing the sides of ties or areas that a track lift will occur. As of right now the plan involves 52 with 2 flatcars of stone, this should be fine however I am still trying to figure out what we do in the meantime when they return to Alna Center for reloading. My first thought would be to bring the track jacks and tamping bars so that we can lift low joints and maybe do some lining.

I would like to depart Sheepscot on these times for the three days;
Friday - 8am
Saturday - 7am
Sunday - 7am


Bill Reidy

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Re: Spring Work Weekend 2024
« Reply #13 on: April 27, 2024, 07:33:58 PM »
Some photos of the brush cutting Friday and ballast work today (Saturday).

From Friday, sight lines were improved around Trask's crossing.  Wild rose had become a thicket on both sides of the drive on the west side of the crossing.  Since foliage had not come out yet, Friday was an opportunity to cut the roses back to the ground.


Crew cutting up blow downs and saplings along the right-of-way just north of Albee's.


At Trout Brook, we watched a bald eagle circling over the bridge.


A fuzzy close-up.


While cutting up blow downs just south of milepost 7, Dan discovered a broken rail from the original railway.


Looked to be 30 to 35-lb. rail.


Jonathan and Dom discussing car piping for the vacuum brake system.


From today, ballast work on the Mountain just south of the bridge.


And just north of Humason Brook trestle.
What–me worry?

Peter Finch

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Re: Spring Work Weekend 2024
« Reply #14 on: April 29, 2024, 09:23:59 AM »
Monday 29APR24 from Peter Finch (aka Trak Walker): All thanks to Dan M. for organising and conducting our “working on the railroad” (and the movie) weekend—Well Done!!
Peter Finch (aka Trak Walker)
Winter Heights
Exeter, NH  03833