Tank car coming soon

[Duncan Mackiewicz]

On August 12th and 13th I had the good fortune to spend some time with Bill Shelly and friends at the Chamber display on 302.  We cut some "ties" and spiked 30' of rail to make room for the last tank car.  Bill is optimistic it will be arriving on or about August 18th.  On August 13th we gathered again to spread some stone over the track we had laid previously then moved the flanger onto the freshly ballasted track.  On Friday I had other plans but Bill and friends had more stone delivered then spread it on the originally laid 30' of track.  After that the flanger was moved back into it's original resting place.  I have some pics of the work we did but have not had time to load them. The display looks very nice now.
Duncan

[Dave Buczkowski]

Duncan;
   That's good news! But what I find more interesting is the fact that you can spike in Bridgton but don't seem to be able to lift a spike maul in Sheepscot or Albion. Hmmm. Miracle drugs perhaps???
KD

[Duncan Mackiewicz]

Dave, no miracle drugs.  Just 8 months since shoulder was "fixed".  Besides, spiking into freshly milled 6 x 6 's with freshly drilled 3/8" or ½" holes is something I could have done even then.  Also, there was a waiting list of folks who wanted to try spiking...and did a heckuva good job.  Lots of interest in Bridgton for the "Return of the Rails" project. 
Tell you what, Dave, if I'm not freshly sliced and diced again this fall I'll spike some rail with you. 
Duncan

[Dave Buczkowski]

Duncan;
I'll look forward to it! I have to make sure our volunteers don"t run away on us...
Dave

[Mike Fox]

The track looked great when I went by last week. Was unable to take a picture though. I will get one when I pick up my print they have saved for me.

[Bill Reidy]

KD and Duncan,

It sounds like we have a spiking crew!  Come October, I'll handle lifting the ties, while you both spike away!

Bill

[Duncan Mackiewicz]

Bill, that sounds like a plan.  I don't know if I can keep up with Dave though.  I've seen him spike like a well oiled machine. 
Duncan

[Mike Fox]

Did a drive by on the Flanger today and it is now coupled to tank car #22. I know it says 14 on the side but that was someones oversight at some point. Looks great sitting there. I'll have some pictures as soon as I can stop by, possibly this weekend.

[Paul Horky]

Mike Sounds like Bridgeton is getting its railroad back one piece at a time.

[Vincent "Lightning" LeRow]

I know it says 14 on the side but that was someones oversight at some point.

Actually, that flat under the tank is flat #14, but the tank is the tank from car #22.  the flat from car #22 deteriorated to the point of no return  :'( but the tank was saved and placed on car #14.

Our collection in portland is just far too large for us to handle alone.  That's why some pieces are being loaned out to other places rather than hoarded in portland.

[Duncan Mackiewicz]

Vincent, those of us with a soft spot for the B&SR appreciate the generosity of the MNG in Portland in sharing the cars through a loan to the Return of the Rails group. 
Mike is right, the flanger looks great sitting there on ballasted track.
Duncan

[Mike Fox]

That would explain it Vincent. Thanks for clearing that up. We have been very fortunate lately that the MNGRR is willing to allow these organizations to display/restore/maintain these cars at no cost to MNGRR. It is the best way we are going to preserve these fine examples of transportation.

[Mike Fox]

Here is a link from Thursdays Bridgton paper. http://www.bridgton.com/returnrail.php

[Mike Fox]

Here is a link to my NERail photo
http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?200908222012441536.jpg

And here is another angle

[Ken Fleming]

It will be great to see our tank in service.  Congrats to the B&SR group on their progress.