So. African Hoppers 2806 and 2807 - Official Work Thread

[Ed Lecuyer]

What does the schedule look like for their pickup from Edaville, if there is one at present?

That is still being negotiated and the logistics determined. There may be a surprise in the interim.

[Ed Lecuyer]

Hopper #3 (our #2) was unloaded today after much confusion and delay. Photos by Jason Lamontagne.

[Benjamin Richards]

Seeing "do not cut" raised my heart rate for a minute. A number of artifacts have been lost over the years due to ignorance or honest mistakes having to do with spray-painted instructions.

[Ed Lecuyer]

When I saw "do not cut" I was reminded that we are playing an active part in preserving the once vast So. African 2' gauge rail network. These cars were saved by others, "not cut", then sold to us so that they could have a better life in America. This is cause for celebration, and we should endeavor to give these artifacts the same care and attention as those that served in Maine. They are now another chapter in the restoration story that is the WW&F.

Welcome to America 2806 & 2807. Welcome home.

[Brendan Barry]

The third hopper and flatcar.





Monday's car delivery being parked on a siding at Edaville.

[Bob Holmes]

Looking great!  What colors are we going to paint then, and will they carry So African reporting marks?

[Ed Lecuyer]

In my opinion, these artifacts should be painted and represented for what they are - South African ballast wagons. If they were new builds, then it would be appropriate to paint them for the WW&F.

[Carl G. Soderstrom]

I propose the other way.

They should be sheathed so they look like 1920's cars to fit

the Museum's time period.

If the Railroad portrays  what it would be if it had continued until the 2020's

then ALL of the old equipment would be gone - Vacuum Brakes, Archbar Trucks,

Wood Frames, & Steam Engines.

So lets keep the rolling stock as period appropriate as possible.

I know there are late 20th Century intrusions but they should be kept to a minimum,

and behind the Green Curtain (With the Wizard )

[Mike Fox]

To sheath a steel car could trap moisture and make the steel rot quicker. I do not think there is any reason to make these period looking.

As for the paint, that primer red looks good, if that is what they would have used. I think they should be lettered and numbered like they were originally. Honor the heritage..

[Daniel Moreau]

I like the red. It reminds me of the paint on the flatcars.

[Benjamin Richards]

Don't forget, the history of the WW&F did not stop in 1933. Since the inception of the Sheepscot Valley Railroaders, the museum has been creating more of our own history. These pieces of rolling stock are part of that history. As for paint schemes on secondhand equipment, the museum has gone both ways. Bridgton cars under the museum's ownership are painted for B&SR. But 52 no longer wears its Carpenter Steel livery.

In a few years (2028 or 2029, depending on how you count) the museum will have existed longer than the original railroad!

[Ted Miles]

I am glad that they are moving toward Alna! They should be painted and letttered for the SAR. It would be a good talking point for our visitors; that Two-Foot Gauge was used in many places across the world. Maybe someday a flat car from Wales could join our fleet of cars.

Ted Miles WW&F life Member narrow gauge fan

[Bill Reidy]

Would it make sense to add a track parallel to the east side of the car barn (set out far enough to avoid runoff/falling snow from the car barn roof) to display the two hoppers and Australian tamper when not is use?  If enough space is available, this could provide needed track storage for the equipment, and also serve as an exhibit of international equipment used to maintain modern two-foot gauge railways.  Interpretive signs similar to that in the Trout Brook bridge kiosk could enhance the display.

[Ed Lecuyer]

Would it make sense to add a track parallel to the east side of the car barn...

Great idea, but the track geometry doesn't work out to make that possible. We've discussed adding a "half bay" on the car barn in that location specifically for rail cars, rail busses, and similar light equipment that would be able to navigate the required switch. But even that idea may no longer work given the way the service track/run through switch is now positioned, and the need to maintain some sort of access way.

[Bill Reidy]

Great idea, but the track geometry doesn't work out to make that possible...

Yeah, I wondered about that; hence my question.  Thanks, Ed.