Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway (WW&F) Discussion

[flyingfox10]

WW&F Work weekend was a great success once again. Volunteers reattached the engine house tracks, and built 120' of track on the Top of the Mountain mill siding, seen in the attached photo. And also built 60' of track on the main line. In addition to that many other projects went on, and the newly built siding track received ballast for future jacking and leveling.

[elecuyer]

The arrival of the Moose Brook bridge made the local news:
http://www.wiscassetnewspaper.com/artic ... orth/92989

Learn more (and contribute) at: https://fundrazr.com/NarrowBridgeAhead

[gokeefe]

What a fantastic picture of Work Weekend at WW&F.

It is the rare non-profit organization or museum these days that can muster that amount of help.

The news about the Moose Brook Bridge is likewise truly extraordinary. It is no small thing to be able to handle the details of receiving surplus property from the federal government, let alone an original covered railroad bridge (!) from New Hampshire.

Dealing with the permitting requirements will be tricky too but at least in this case the Town likely sees the project as something it wants.

[Dick H]

That WW&F crew sure are dedicated. Thanks for all you do to preserve and
recreate the history of the WW&F.

[eustis22]

And crew? While you're up? Please rebuild the oceantop station in Wiscasset after you recross the B&M.

Thanks for your attention in this matter.

[flyingfox10]

It would be great to rebuild the track in Wiscasset and cross the old Maine Central tracks, however with todays regulations would make that be very expensive.

[gokeefe]

That's kind of an interesting point ... In order to provide for any train running through on the standard gauge at track speed one would think a distant signal would be required to protect the diamond. That would appear to exclude a ball signal (which has no automatic distant indication). So at a minimmum it would appear that an Automatic Block Signal (protecting all approaches and the diamond), similar to the existing installation in Yarmouth would be the minimum required in order to avoid the imposition of permanent speed restrictions.

[elecuyer]

IF someone showed up with the 5-10 MILLION dollars that it would take the WW&F to build to Wiscasset....
(and that is a big if)

Then we would likely build to a terminal on Railroad Ave. in Wiscasset that is alongside the Maine Central. The site of the MEC station is now in the middle of an access road to the sewer treatment plant. There would still be a little trestle work to connect the upper yard to the station site.

And if we wanted, we could build a small demonstration trestle near Route 1 (Behind Red's Eats) and put a car on it or a similar display.

Building across the Maine Central and directly to Route 1 would not really add anything but a major amount of regulations, construction costs, and ongoing maintenance. Then crossing Route 1 would bring its own challenges to get to the site of the wharf.

Until then, while we're waiting for that check, we could really use everyone's help building the Trout Brook Bridge: https://fundrazr.com/NarrowBridgeAhead which is a far more obtainable and realistic goal.

[flyingfox10]

Ed, you crack me up sometimes.

Many would love to see a train on the waterfront, but not likely. But on a technicality there is always a chance on having the track go across the town line into Wiscassett and stop at Route 218 to the south.

The possibilities on where to go or what to do from 218 are still in the works, but rest assured, as long as there is support from the membership and dedicated volunteers the museum will continue to expand. And although things may not happen as quickly as we want them to things do get done at a magnificent level. #9 is a prime candidate as an example of a beautiful restoration effort done and supported by many.

[elecuyer]

Yes, building south from Sheepscot to the (southern) 218 crossing in Wiscasset would not be an unreasonable long-term goal. Ten years ago I would have said the various obstacles in that direction would be insurmountable. Now I have come to see us grow and grow each year with larger and more audacious goals, and realize anything (reasonable) is possible.

But first, we need to build the Trout Brook bridge...

[BostonUrbEx]

IF

While we're talking about big ifs... If you ever get around to it, I'd like to see the WW&F meet the Rockland Branch in Wicasset and then run dual gauge with the branch all the way to Brunswick station. Oh, and there'd be timed transfers to/from the Downeaster, of course.

[SemperFidelis]

Nah...variable guage trucks like in some parts of Europe and run through operation to Boston. Shold be simple.

[tonyschul]

We could reach that $5 million goal by using Amazon.com and their charity contribution program. Each time you make a purchase, Amazon contributes a small amount of money to your favorite charity (I don't know the percentage). WW&F is on that list. There is no additional cost to your order.

Go to https://smile.amazon.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and use your normal sign in. There will be a link to add your charity. Do a search for "Wiscasset Waterville and Farmington" and it will come up on the screen. Simply select. Only one charity is allowed at a time.

Whenever you buy something, be sure that you use the https://smile.amazon.com/ web page. The normal Amazon web site does not trigger the contribution.

The contributions are small, but if enough people sign up, then there could be a steady stream of funds going to WW&F each month.

Give it a try.

Tony

[elecuyer]

Thanks Tony for the plug.

While Amazon Smile is great, there are several online shopping "portals" that will donate back to your favorite cause (like the WW&F.) They don't cost you anything to use and you don't need any special software. (In fact, if you need to download something, try a different shopping portal.) Almost every major online retailer is listed on one or more of these web sites; this includes "brick and mortar" stores like Walmart.com, specialty sites like AbeBooks, and travel sites like Hotels.com and Orbitz. The WW&F has been listed on all of the major portals for several years.

While the WW&F doesn't make a ton of money with these, every bit helps. Since we've been signed up with these services, we've received about $1100 in total donations. Not enough to get us to Wiscasset (or to build the Trout Brook bridge), but every little bit is appreciated.

The WW&F is registered at:
http://www.igive.com
http://www.goodshop.com
http://givingassistant.org
http://smile.amazon.com

Keep this in mind whenever ordering anything online; especially during the upcoming Christmas shopping season.

[flyingfox10]

Here are a few photos of standing up the bridge trusses.