A few photos from yesterday's Annual Picnic, Saturday, August 10th.
Conductor Dan Malkowski leads a crew briefing before the first train of the day.
Ben Richards operated the Model T railcar. It made a 10 a.m. roundtrip to Trout Brook station back, before acting as the second section of the 1st class trains run at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Here Ben is about to depart Sheepscot at 10 a.m., with Nick Simoneau on the running board to tend to the switches leading out of the yard onto the main.
The consist for the 1st class train started the day N-S as newly refurbished B&SR boxcar No. 56, B&SR flatcar No. 34, WW&F combine No. 8, W&Q coach No. 3 and WW&F caboose No. 320. WW&F Locomotive No. 9, dressed in her previously life as KC No. 4, handled the service. Departing Trout Brook station, KC No. 4 doubled the Mountain each trip, bringing one cut of cars up to Top of Mountain before returning to Trout Brook to pick up the remaining cars. In this photo, KC No. 4 had dropped car Nos. 8, 3 and 320 on ToM siding and is now returning from Trout Brook station with cars 56 and 34. This is the day's Train No. 2.
Back at Sheepscot, it is almost train time at 1 p.m. The platform served well as a venue for music by Bitter Brew and food by the Alna Volunteer Fire Department.
The 1 p.m. train has arrived at Trout Brook station. KC No. 4 has been turned on the turntable and is now running around the train.
No. 4 couples up to the south end of her train.
With No. 4's runaround move completed, the train's second section (Model T railcar) pulls into the Trout Brook siding.
No. 4 departs Trout Brook with the first cut of cars for doubling the Mountain.
While No. 4 was up the Mountain, Ben turned the Model T railcar for the trip back to Sheepscot.
Two trains at Trout Brook. No. 4 has returned to pick up her second cut of cars.
10+ minutes after No. 4 departed with her second cut of cars, the southbound Model T railcar departed Trout Brook.
A few other picnic photos. The Lincoln County Amateur Radio Club was set up on the Percival House lawn.
Shop Bay 4 was open so the public could see the progress on new coach No. 9. Photos do not properly show the car's handsome exterior finish.
A model railroad equipment sales area was set up in the car barn. Marcel Levesque and Zack Wyllie are seen in the barn during a lull. Marcel said sales were good for the day. Sales proceeds benefit the Archives.
Moxie
® is the preferred drink of WW&F railroaders.
Dan finds conclusive proof that B&SR boxcar No. 56 once transported livestock.