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Build 11, General Museum News

Build 11 – February 2023 Update

Good progress was made on No. 11 by Rick, Gordon and Jason, with welcome help from new volunteers Noah MacAdam and Eric Snyder. During the most recent three-day work session (Jan. 31-Feb.2), the last two holes on the rear frame were reamed and the fitted bolts were installed.
Test-fitting the parts. Test-fitting the parts
Then, using a circular saw with a diamond blade and a hand-held grinder, the square edges of the large rear frame extension casting were chamfered to provide a perfect fit between the casting and the forward frame. First, a 45-dgree cut was made with the saw, and then using the grinder, the edges were rounded off. The same technique was applied to the forward frames for a great fit.
Rear frame test fit. Rear frame test fit.
Next, the forward frames were flipped right-side up. They were then clamped to the rear frame extension casting to test the fit and alignment. Careful measurements showed the forward frames were almost perfectly parallel, off by only a few thousandths of an inch! The rear frame will be flipped over during the next session in March, and fitting it to the rear frame extension casting will begin.
The forward frame fits well. The forward frame fits well.
New volunteer Noah is joining Gordon in machining parts at his home workshop in New Hampshire. He is a skilled machinist and will join the team whenever possible. Eric will also assist as he is able.

On the fund-raising front, the 2023 effort has gotten off to a slow start. During January, we raised about one percent of the target amount of $50,000. If you haven’t contributed, we’re always happy to receive your donations to keep progress moving forward. The premiums for larger contributions are still available.

Thanks for your continued interest and support. Learn more at www.build11.org

General Museum News

Raffle for LGB Train Set!

Win a complete “G-Scale” model of WW&F 9, Coaches 3 & 8, and Boxcar 309!

LGB has donated this train set from their 2022 catalog, showcasing our railroad! Here’s your opportunity to own the complete set – including the special LGB Club edition of Boxcar 309 – while supporting the museum.

The retail value of this set is nearly $1500.

Tickets ($10 each, 3 for $25) are on sale now on our online giftshop, visiting the WW&F railway museum, and will be available at our table at the Amherst Railway Society Railroad Hobby Show at the “Big E” in W. Springfield, Mass January 28 & 29, 2023.

Buy your electronic raffle tickets for the drawing to be held on Saturday, April 29, 2023 during Spring Work Weekend. Be sure to include contact information in the “Notes” section of your order so we will be able to contact you if you win.

Proceeds from this raffle will benefit the museum Archive Building Fund.

Thank you and good luck!

 

Build 11, General Museum News

Build 11 – January Update

Today, we are launching the 2023 “Some Assembly Required” campaign to fund the construction of locomotive 11.

Build 11: Some Assembly Required

WW&F #7 was damaged in an engine house fire and never repaired. It was scrapped in 1937. The Build 11 project is to replicate this lost locomotive for use on today’s restored WW&F Railway.

The first 2023 work session on No. 11 started Tuesday, with Rick and Gordon working to ream out the last few holes in the rear frame for fitted bolts. This after Gordon designed a system to hold a ream in proper alignment using a lathe tailstock. The rear frame extension casting is back from the machine shop, ready to be positioned for bolting to the front and rear frames. Today, Rick and Gordon began setting up the front frame for eventual marriage to the rear frame while Jason was busy making the binders that will support the pedestals for the main drivers.

Rick Sisson and Gordon Cook ream out one of the final holes in No. 11's rear frame.Rick Sisson and Gordon Cook ream out one of the final holes in No. 11’s rear frame.

Gordon designed this reamer arrangement to fit in the small space and hold the reamer steady.Gordon designed this reamer arrangement to fit in the small space and hold the reamer steady.

Today, Rick and Gordon began setting up the front frame for eventual bolting to the rear frame.Today, Rick and Gordon began setting up the front frame for eventual bolting to the rear frame.

In other news, the 2022 Build 11 Project fundraising finished up with an amazing $84,279, more than 20 percent over the goal. Thank you to everyone who contributed. We’re opening the 2023 Build 11 Project fundraiser today with a goal of $50,000. We’ve already got a few dollars in the pot from folks who contributed to 2022 but not quite in time for the end of the campaign.

Thanks for your continued interest and support. Learn more at www.build11.org

Build 11, General Museum News

Build 11 – December (VIDEO) Update

Build 11 – News Video!

We’ll let the video speak for our progress over the last few months, but we want to offer a huge Thank You to all you good folks who have contributed to and followed the Build 11 Project in 2022.

As of Dec. 9th, the $70,000 goal for 2022 was been met and exceeded. The 2022 total currently stands at $82,771. We’ll have a final accounting for you next month, when we’ll also introduce the 2023 fund raiser.

In the meantime, we wish all of you the Joys of the Season, and Hope in the New Year!

www.build11.org

Build 11, General Museum News

Build 11 – November Update

Fitted bolts was the name of the game for the work session held Nov. 2-3. Gordon Cook made the bolts, and he and Rick Sisson were able to install five bolts in the frame. These special bolts are necessary to protect cast-iron components from potential damage during the riveting process.

On Tuesday, Gordon and Jason took the cylinder half-saddle castings to Mountain Machine Works in Auburn, Me. This firm has the capabilities to machine the mating surfaces between the two castings, plane the valve faces and bore the cylinders. In addition, the large rear frame casting will be taken to Mountain Machine for final machining. We expect these pieces to return to Sheepscot early in 2023.

Over the next several months, the pedestal binders and cross frame braces will be made. When the parts are returned from Mountain Machine, the three major frame components and the cylinders will be united into a single unit to support the rest of the locomotive.

 

Gordon cook carefully hammers a fitted bolt home. At the left side of the photo, two completed fitted bolts are circled. Photo by Rick Sisson.

On the fundraising front, we are just $2846 short of the overall goal for the year of $70,000. We’re grateful for your continued interest and support.

We’ll start a new round of fundraising for No. 11 on January 11, 2023 with a goal of $50,000. To all the folks who have contributed to the Build 11 Project over these past years, we thank you. Thank you for sticking with us as we strive to make this happen. We’ve raised three-quarters of the final goal of $350,000, and at every work session, No. 11 becomes more of a reality.

Museum Event

Christmas Trains to SeaLyon Farm

Ride the Steam Train to the Holiday Festival!

Make an unforgettable Christmastime Memory on the Railway!

About The Experience

Board your Christmas Fair Train at Sheepscot station (97 Cross Road, Alna) for a 20-minute steam-powered ride through the wild pine forests, farmlands and hamlets of the Sheepscot Valley to Top of Mountain where you’ll transfer to a tractor-drawn hay ride to SeaLyon Farm.

At SeaLyon Farm, food and fun awaits as yuletide joy fills the air. All youngsters will be treated to a visit with St. Nicholas himself, Santa Claus. Or, explore the farm while enjoying a nice, relaxed, family-friendly Christmas Fête – filled with the best local products. The entire experience takes just under 3 hours.

NEW FOR 2022: a LIMITED number of locally-grown, Maine Christmas Trees will be available for purchase and transportation BY TRAIN back to your vehicle. (Trees will be un-wrapped and please bring your own tie-downs, etc.)

Ticket price includes the historic steam train, hayride/admission to the SeaLyon Farm Christmas Festival, activities and games at the farm, a visit with Santa, as well as parking at Sheepscot. All food, additional refreshments, horse-drawn wagon rides, Christmas Trees, and other farm products are sold separately by SeaLyon Farm and their partners. Note that due to the nature of this event, wheelchairs can not be accommodated.

Unfortunately, pets can not be accommodated during this special event.

The Christmas Train to SeaLyon Farm departs Sheepscot station (97 Cross Road, Alna) promptly at 10am, 12pm, and 2pm. Please anticipate traffic conditions on Route 1 in Wiscasset.

We look forward to seeing you on the narrow gauge!

Buy Tickets

About SeaLyon Farm

SeaLyon Farm is beautifully situated amongst the rolling woods and fields of Alna just south of Head Tide and adjacent to the WW&F’s Top of Mountain station. For this special event, the train will meet tractor-drawn wagons to transport all passengers to the farm.

In addition to the tractor-drawn hayride, activities and vendors at SeaLyon farm may include:

  • Visit with Santa Claus. Bring your list, and be sure to be “nice!”
  • A Farm Store selling jams, salsas, lavender products, baked goods, the best whoopie pies in Maine and other tasty treats.
  • A Christmas Tree stand selling a limited number of Maine-grown Christmas Trees.
  • An olde-fashion Christmas Festival filled with the best gifts sure to make the season bright.
  • Tasty food from The Wicked Tater and other select, local vendors.
  • A selection of locally-produced adult beverages (beer and cider) from Maine Tasting Center.
  • Artisan chocolate, hand mixed spices, and medicinal rubs from Sugar & Spice Farm.
  • Tours of the farm on a horse-drawn wagon ride with Mike and Ace. (Subject to availability.)
  • An impressive bonfire to keep warm and make s’mores over, along with cornhole, checkers, and tic-tac-toe boards.
  • Visits with the SeaLyon Farm goats: Pumpkin, Lavender, and Honey.

After your visit to the fair, take a walk down to the pond, stroll back to the railway station, or take the hayride back to the railway. There will be a 70 minute stopover to enjoy the farm and all activities before the narrow gauge train returns you to Sheepscot station.

About The Wicked Tater

Serving up tasty, crispy handmade gourmet loaded tater tot’s, The Wicked Tater is more than just a place to grab lunch – it is a place to try out new dishes created with from local fresh ingredients.

About Maine Tasting Center

Explore Maine’s iconic food and drink industries, producers and the associations that represent them at Maine Tasting Center. Their welcoming campus in Wiscasset is your one-stop-shop for learning about – and sampling! – the most delicious food and drink products Maine has to offer. Visitors are encouraged to sign up for a class in the Learning Center, visit the Tasting Room for beer, wine, cocktails and small plates, or drop in for a special event.

Caboose Adventure!

Rent the WW&F caboose on your Christmastime Train for the exclusive use of your whole family (or small group) of up to 15 people. Cost is $300. (And yes, you may ride in the cupola, if you so wish.)

Ticketing, etc.

Please note, we regret that it is impossible to accommodate everyone who would like to join us for this event. However, please feel free to check this ticketing web site from time-to-time as cancellations do sometimes occur. Please do not overwhelm our volunteers with requests for tickets, etc. We can not accept phone calls for ticket requests.

In a similar vein, if your plans change, please email info@wwfry.org so that your purchase can be refunded and your tickets released for someone else to enjoy.

A portion of the ticket price is used to sponsor attendance by those in our community who would otherwise be unable to attend a Christmastime train. Thank you for helping us spread hope and joy this season.

Tickets will not be available for purchase at Sheepscot Station on the day of the event.

Build 11

Build 11 – October (Video) Update

We have some great progress to report this month. During the September and October work sessions, the team, along with some additional volunteers, essentially completed riveting the rear frame extension together. The big Hanna riveter was used for about 85 percent of the work, while hand riveting finished the job. More than 70 rivets have been installed. In locations where it was impossible to drive the rivets properly, fitted bolts will be installed.

Here’s a video showing the Hanna riveter at work, with Rick Sisson operating the Hanna and Jeff Schumaker assisting.

We are pleased to report that the 2022 Build 11 Project fundraising has reached the 85% mark. We’re less than $11,000 from our goal of $70,000. Have you made your contribution at Build11.org yet?

Museum Event

Sheepscot Stargazing Special on Oct 22nd!

Explore the night sky at a Central Maine Astronomical Society star party!

Additional date added due to demand!

Board your train at Sheepscot station (97 Cross Road, Alna) for a ride through the wild pine forests, farmlands and hamlets of the Sheepscot Valley to Alna Center where a star party awaits.

We’ve invited the Central Maine Astronomical Society to set up their telescopes in the unspoiled and light-free field at Alna Center. Due to its rural location, Alna’s skies don’t suffer from the light pollution found in Augusta or other cities in Maine. Passengers will be able to gaze upon the same spectacular nighttime sights as travelers have for centuries.

Some objects that we should be able to see include: Rings of Saturn, Jupiter and its moons, globular star clusters like the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules, galaxies such as Andromeda Galaxy, and various other Messier objects like the Ring Nebula.

Ticket price includes the diesel train ride, a red flashlight, and admission to the Central Maine Astronomical Society star party. This event is not recommended for those with mobility issues, and pets are not permitted.

The Sheepscot Stargazing Special departs Sheepscot station (97 Cross Road, Alna) promptly at 6pm and returns by 8:15pm.

We look forward to seeing you on the narrow gauge!

Book online now!

Star Party Protocol

Passengers on the Sheepscot Stargazing Special are asked to only use red flashlights (no white lights or cell phones), take no flash photography, ask before touching a telescope, wear warm clothing, and please leave all pets at home. Red flashlights will be provided to passengers, but please turn them off while riding the train (red always indicates a “stop” signal on a railroad!) Bring your questions to ask the astronomers from the *Central Maine Astronomical Society*, who will be happy to describe what you will see and some of the science behind it.

About the Central Maine Astronomical Society

The Central Maine Astronomical Society, based in Whitefield, is an amateur astronomy club serving the Central and Midcoast regions of Maine. Through monthly public star parties, they work to educate the public on astronomy and preserving dark skies. CMAS also maintains a library of books and telescopes that are available for loan.

About the Weather and Cancellations

If extremely poor stargazing conditions or inclement weather are predicted, participants will be notified (via email) and provided with a full refund. The decision to cancel will be made in conjunction with the Central Maine Astronomical Society approximately 36 hours prior to departure.

Passes, Vouchers and Discounts

We will be pleased to honor passes and vouchers to be redeemed as the fare on the Sheepscot Stargazing Special. Please email info@wwfry.org to reserve a spot on the train using a Lifetime Pass, an Annual Pass, a Victorian Christmas 2019 Voucher, or similar pass.

Museum Event

Autumn in Alna: A Pumpkin Pickin’ Paradise!

Join us this fall for unforgettable fun on the Sheepscot Narrow Gauge!

We’ve scheduled these great outdoor experiences this autumn for you and your family to enjoy.

 

Pumpkin Pickin’ Trains to SeaLyon Farm

SORRY, THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT!
This is the premiere event in the Sheepscot Valley! Take the train, and a short hayride to SeaLyon Farm where you can pick your own pumpkin, grab a bite to eat, ride horse-drawn wagon, and partake in all the fun festivities.  Get your tickets soon, we expect these trains to sell out well in advance. Please note that pumpkins, food, farm stand goods, horse drawn wagons, etc., are all priced separately by SeaLyon Farm and their vendors.

Dates: Sept. 24; Oct. 1, 8, 15, & 22.
Departure Times: 11am; 12, 1, 2, & 3pm.
Duration: 2.5 hours.

And yes, our popular Caboose Adventure (as heard on Maine Public Radio) is available for these dates.

Book your Pumpkin Pickin’ Train tickets.

 

Sheepscot Valley Steam Train

Looking for a unique autumn adventure? Ride the Sheepscot Valley Steam Train to Trout Brook station (over the newly-opened “mountain extension”) and return. While the Sheepscot Valley Steam Trains will be running concurrently with the Pumpkin Pickin’ trains, passage on the Sheepscot Valley Steam Train does not include access to SeaLyon Farm via the hayride, etc.

Dates: Sept. 24; Oct. 1, 8, 15, & 22nd.
Departure Times: 11am; 1 & 3pm.
Duration: 1.5 hours.

Book a Sheepscot Valley Steam Train.

 

 

Music on the Railway

Take the train to an outdoor concert by Maine’s folk music superstar: Jud Caswell for an evening of stories and song.

Date: Oct. 1st.
Departure Time: 5pm.
Duration: 2.5 hours.

Reserve a seat for Music on the Railway.

 

All aboard for Autumn in Alna!

We look forward to seeing you this fall on the Sheepscot Narrow Gauge!

Build 11, General Museum News

Build 11 September Update: Ready to rivet.

The Build 11 work sessions that occurred on Aug. 23-24 continued the prep work for riveting No. 11’s rear frame. A  few test rivets were heated and installed in test plates to determine the correct lengths, and Gordon is working on a fixture to allow precision cutting of rivets as required. The big electric compressor was wired in to provide air to power the Hanna riveter. We’re just about ready. One more work session on Sept. 20-22 should do it.

Want to come and help? Sign up at www.wwfry.org/volunteer

All the silver bolts and nuts seen here will be replaced by rivets.

Harold looks over the Hanna riveter positioned to drive a rivet in the frame.

On the fundraising front, the magic number is $13,333! (“Three, it’s a magic number.” Thanks, Schoolhouse Rock!) That’s what we need to reach our stated 2022 goal of $70,000. That’s right – our current 2022 total stands at exactly $56,6667, or just over 80% of this year’s goal. Can we make it by the end of the year in three months?

You can donate via our FundRazr page: build11.org, by credit card directly to the museum through the museum store, or by check. Let’s do it!