How Far is the WW&F going to restore the new track?

[Fred M. Cain]

Group,

I guess the only thing I have left to say is that you guys have done a most outstanding job of saving and preserving a highly unique piece of Americana that was very nearly forever lost.

A big thank you to all of you guys for what you've done.

Best Regards,
Fred M. Cain,
Topeka, IN

[Graham Buxton]

The larger buildings at the Sheepscot campus (those not heated 24/7 in the winter) really can't have a traditional "wet" sprinkler system anyway, as in the winter standing water in the sprinkler pipes would be subject to freezing and cracking the pipes. The buildings would need to be heated whenever the ambient temperature could get to freezing or below.

There are certain unheated  buildings that have "dry" sprinkler systems (I  have passing familiarity with an unheated former tobacco warehouse with a "dry" system) where pressurized air substitutes for water in the overhead pipes, and when the system senses decompression it opens a freeze-protected valve that allows water into the sprinklers.

But a pumper truck system that Joe described is less complicated, and avoids having the sprinklers start up by accidental damage to the sprinkler heads (and their trigger mechanisms.)

[ALAIN DELASSUS]

Hello! I agree with Ed that has very well sumed up the situation while I was  writting my previous reply. Extension of the line can go behind the scene for a while but  not abandon of course , it can run in the background as he rightly said.  Rebuilding the WW&F RR  is not ony rebuilding the line but the buildings, the locomotives and the rollingstock.On the other hand, fire risk has always been a concern for me  once  I was aware of everything is made of wood on the Sheepscot campus . In France more than one tourist RR engineshed has burnt although there were not made of wood. Once the Mountain Extension is over I think it  will be time for the WW&F Ry Museum to srtenghen its position before moving  northward or southward .

[John Kokas]

I would suggest looking at a Halon System either stand alone or paired with a water system.  Halon is not affected by freezing conditions.

[John Houghton]

Halon works well but it is quite costly and can be lethal.

[Bill Reidy]

It's worth noting we have at least two trained firefighters, including Mike.  Another Museum Director, Roger Whitney, is Assistant Fire Chief for the Alna Volunteer Fire Department.  Needless to say, a lot of thought has been given to fire protection.

[Wayne Laepple]

I believe that both Start and Steve Zuppa are also trained members of the Alna FD.