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

  • Pertaining to all railroading subjects, past and present, in New England
Pertaining to all railroading subjects, past and present, in New England

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 #1479132  by flyingfox10
 
The land slide north of the current end if track has now been repaired, and work will continue northward once more to prepare an additional 400' for track this fall. By Columbus day weekend in early October we will be able to build 1200' of track. Work also continues on the B&M covered bridge, as it is now completed and is being stained with a red stain.

Further to the north the railroad grade has been rebuilt and widened from the old Route 218 grade crossing, south to the Trout Brook bridge site where the B&M covered bridge will be located.

Work now begins on getting the abbutments ready to be built, and get the bridge site ready for pilings and a temporary bridge span to allow the covered bridge to be set in September. Work schedule is a little aggressive, as our volunteers work on the bridge project 3-4 days a week to see the project through. We also still have a railroad to maintain and operate amongst all these projects. With lots of things going on, if you or someone you know is interested in volunteering please feel free to visit.

Without our amazing donors and volunteers, none of this would be possible.
 #1480994  by elecuyer
 
SPECIAL EVENT THIS SATURDAY on the WW&F!
Join us for "Married with Chitlins" - our first ever summer concert. Take the train, enjoy the music in an intimate setting (under a tent, in case of inclement weather) and ride back humming familiar melodies accompanied by the rhythm of the rails.

Don't miss out! The concert train leaves Sheepscot Station (97 Cross Road, Alna, Maine) promptly at 5pm. Bring a picnic if you so wish!

More details at:
https://www.facebook.com/events/230286974230602/
http://wwfry.org/?p=2149

See you on the narrow gauge for this unique and fun evening!
 #1483595  by elecuyer
 
TWO SPECIAL EVENTS THIS SATURDAY on the WW&F!
(one for each foot)

Our Ice Cream Social will feature FREE (with train ticket purchase) ice cream at Alna Center station. Ice Cream trains leave at 12 noon, 12:25 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 1:55 p.m. and 3 p.m. from Sheepscot Station.
https://www.facebook.com/events/637525816605412/
http://wwfry.org/?tribe_events=special- ... m-social-2

Later that evening, join us for a concert with "Rough Sawn". Take the train, enjoy the music in an intimate setting (under a tent, in case of inclement weather) and ride back humming familiar melodies accompanied by the rhythm of the rails.

Don't miss out! The concert train leaves Sheepscot Station (97 Cross Road, Alna, Maine) promptly at 5pm. Bring a picnic if you so wish!

More details at:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1953204758343278/
http://wwfry.org/?tribe_events=special- ... -concert-2

See you Saturday August 25th on the narrow gauge!
 #1484921  by flyingfox10
 
Here is a video link to the WW&F bridge and Mountain project slideshow. Included is assembly of the bridge, bridge site, and mountain photos. A lot of progress has happened this year as we pursue to buiod the next 3600 feet of track in a few years.

Thank you to all of our supporters, volunteers, and generous donors.

https://youtu.be/ev4BB33vJLk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 #1484979  by gokeefe
 
Thanks for a great update. The extent of the project is really astounding. I find it especially remarkable that such a challenging grade will be returned to operation. I can't think of any narrow gauge operation in Maine that has this type of feature.

The repair of the landslides in the original Right of Way is no small accomplishment either. The damage was extensive and went almost to the track center line.
 #1484984  by elecuyer
 
Actually, there is one spot we call the "pinch point" where the entire grade was missing. It wasn't obvious as the grade was then shifted slightly after the railroad closed when the ROW was used by loggers. There is now a retaining wall there, holding the grade into place.

The bridge itself is scheduled to be moved from the Sheepscot parking lot to the bridge site this Saturday, 9/8, early in the morning.
 #1485486  by Bill Reidy
 
Wiscasset Newspaper article on the bridge move:

"Shortly after dawn Saturday at Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum on Alna's Cross Road, the nonprofit's volunteers and hired Westport Island firm Chesterfield Associates prepared to head north with a rebuilt 1918, 30-ton Douglas fir bridge.

"The trip to Trout Brook took hours. The journey to Saturday took 11 months..."

https://www.wiscassetnewspaper.com/arti ... 218/107298" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 #1485647  by Mikejf
 
It was a huge day. We had a board meeting that night and the President was all choked up when he said how proud he was to part of the museum. A ton of hard work and dedication. My only regret was I am on a tight schedule and could not participate. I did watch them back the bridge across the brook.
 #1485687  by Bill Reidy
 
Some background on the story of the Moose Brook bridge, how it came to the WW&F, and a tribute to the many people and organizations that made Saturday's achievement possible: A Major Milestone for Our Trout Brook Bridge Project!

Yeah, like our president's reaction, I was stunned to see the photos from Saturday, though I long knew it was coming. Work prevented me from attending.

Now the next big milestone is the construction of 1200-1400 feet of track down the mountain Friday through Monday, October 5th through 8th -- our annual Fall Work Weekend Columbus Day weekend. Old and new volunteers are welcome to join the effort, and spectators are always welcome as well.
 #1486242  by kilroy
 
I visited the WW&F for the first time last week and was very impressed with all the group has done. My wife and I enjoyed the ride. Congrats on the bridge and look forward to seeing it in service soon (hopefully).
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