The railway will not be open for public train rides this weekend (July 31st – August 1st) due to private events on both days. We look forward to seeing everyone at our Annual Picnic on August 7th when there will be 3 locomotives in steam for the event.
Yes, we’ll be “back” with THREE locomotives in steam (and a special evening double-header) on Saturday 8/7 for the 2021 Annual Picnic – 3 Locos in Steam – One Summertime Steamtacular!!!
Thank you.
Over several days in June, various members of the No. 11 engineering group worked at Sheepscot. They installed new cranes in bay 1 and bay 3 of the shop. In addition, during another work session they completed all the components for the rear frame extension of No. 11 that required bending. Several of those items were machined and found to be within 0.01 of perfect.
Gordon Cook has produced an image of the Phase 1 work on No. 11, the assembly of the main frames of the locomotive. As work progresses on the actual assembly, we will update this image.
We received the welcome news that pattern work for the locomotive’s cylinder half-saddles is proceeding at Dakota Foundry. They have sent us several photos.
Thanks to a couple of eagle-eyed members, we have been able to acquire an appropriate steam gauge and a genuine Eames Vacuum Brake gauge though on-line auction. Several WW&F members contributed funds to allow the purchase of authentic items needed for No. 11.
Our 2021 fund raising for No. 11 is proceeding amazingly well. As of July 11, we have received $39,677.00, including $12,820.00 in matching funds from our anonymous donor. This brings us to 51% of the $50,000 Challenge (which concludes on October 31st) and to 80% of our overall goal for 2021!
Meanwhile, we’ve sent out more 20 of the full-size builder’s plate replicas, as well as 10 of the 3-D printed version. Our raffle for one of the bronze plates has raised more than $350 – and there are plenty of tickets available. The drawing takes place on Saturday, October 9 during the Fall Work Weekend.
Learn more, and contribute at build11.org
Board your train at Sheepscot station (97 Cross Road, Alna) for a steam-powered ride through the wild pine forests, farmlands and hamlets of the Sheepscot Valley to Alna Center where music and fun awaits.
We’ve invited four of the regions best-loved entertainers for evenings filled with stories and song. Pack a picnic dinner, or order one in advance from Treats! After the music concludes and as the sunlight fades, the train will return you back to Sheepscot.
Ticket price includes the steam train ride, concert admission (general seating on benches, or bring your own chair) as well as parking at Sheepscot. Note that passengers requiring extra assistance may have difficulty navigating the platforms and stairs at Alna Center. Well-behaved dogs are allowed at the discretion of the Conductor.
Trains for Music on the Railway depart Sheepscot station (97 Cross Road, Alna) promptly at 4pm and return by 6:30pm.
Music on the Railway concerts are held rain or shine under the WW&F’s unique pavilion nestled in the trees at Alna Center.
We look forward to seeing you on the narrow gauge!
The Gelina Family Band features some of Maine’s finest musicians and vocalists with a front man that is a prolific songwriter and they bring together a repertoire filled with traditional and original bluegrass and old-time country songs. Brian is a member of the Maine Country Music Hall Of Fame and all members are Award-Winning singers, songwriters and musicians. Whether it be bluegrass or country they have pleased audiences of all ages. As someone once said “they play every note they feel and feel every note they play”, as it ought to be.
We’ve invited Treats from Wiscasset to provide an optional boxed picnic dinner; or bring your own! Music on the Railway events are BYOB, though bottled water is provided with all pre-purchased boxed picnics.
Please note that for preparation purposes, reservations for boxed picnic dinners end two days prior to train departure.
Rent the Music on the Railway caboose for the exclusive use of your whole family (or small group) of up to 15 people. Cost is $225, which includes admission to the concert for everyone in your group. (And yes, you may ride in the cupola, if you so wish.)
We will be pleased to honor passes and vouchers for the base portion of the fare of this special event. Please email info@wwfry.org to reserve a spot on the train using a Lifetime WW&F Pass, an Annual Pass, a Victorian Christmas 2019 Voucher, or similar pass.
Reserve your seat for Music on the Railway!We missed you at these fantastic concert events!
Based in the village of Pejepscot (in Topsham, ME), Pejepscot Station has performed throughout southern Maine since forming in 2011. Their repertoire is a mix of traditional and contemporary bluegrass, Americana, and some “bluegrassified” favorites thrown in. Wide vocal harmonies and an informal and relaxed stage presence make for an enjoyable and fun show appropriate for all.
OldHat Stringband is based out of Eliot, Maine. Fusing tight vocal harmonies with a lively rhythm section, OldHat creates a sound that draws from bluegrass, old time, folk, and country traditions. Whitney Roy’s (Guitar, Vocals) lilting vocals provide the backbone of OldHat’s vocal blend, while her solid rhythm guitar anchors the bands rhythm section. Steve Roy (Mandolin, Fiddle, Vocals) is one of New England’s premier multi-instrumentalists, and has performed and toured with many of the acoustic world’s top acts. Amanda Kowalski (Bass) is one of the more sought after bass players in the worlds of bluegrass and old time music, and her rhythmic drive and energy on stage are second to none.
The Sandy River Ramblers are the second oldest Bluegrass band in Maine, having been established in 1982. Original members still in the band are Stan Keach and Bud Godsoe. Liz Keach, an original member, is semi-retired from music, but still subs for other members when needed. Keach is the most widely recorded Bluegrass songwriter in Maine ever, having had many of his original songs recorded by big-name Bluegrassers, including James King, Audie Blaylock, Special Consensus, Danny Paisley, and many others. Godsoe and Simons are two of the best pickers in the state, and Davenport is a stunningly good lead singer. Reynolds is a vocal prodigy, and the vocal trio of Keach, Davenport and Reynolds has been widely praised. Woodruff is already a fine young fiddler. The Ramblers’ specialty is original songs about Maine. Their CD, Cry of the Loon and other original songs about Maine, has been critically acclaimed and has been, Keach believes, the best selling Bluegrass CD in Maine for many years.
On your way to or from the WW&F, consider stopping in at the historic Head Tide Church. The church is just off Head Tide Road (connecting Routes 218 and 194) in Alna and will be open during July and August on Saturdays (and Sundays) from 2 to 4 p.m. The Head Tide Church Committee warmly welcomes everyone to stop by. Volunteers will be on hand to greet visitors and answer questions.
Known for its simple beauty and pastoral setting atop a hill overlooking the Sheepscot River and WW&F Railway grade, the historic Head Tide Church has been the subject of a number of famous artists, prominent among them Marsden Hartley, and Andrew and Jamie Wyeth. The church was dedicated on Nov. 21, 1838 when Head Tide was a bustling village supported by mills at the dam, agriculture and apple orchards, boat building, fishing and forestry.
As Head Tide grew in population, village leaders determined to build their own Congregational church so they would not have to travel the three miles to the 1789 Meeting House in Alna Center. They funded it by subscribing, or “buying,” family pews. Although the Head Tide Church differs in many respects from the “Old Meeting House,” the trompe l’oeil window behind the pulpit evokes the velvet-curtained window behind the pulpit in the Meeting House on Route 218.
For a while the church – and the community – flourished. But post Civil War urbanization and industrialization brought changes to all of New England, including Head Tide. Population decreases led to the closing of the church in the 1880s. A group was assembled in the early 20th century to rescue the building from deterioration. In 1914, the cast-iron kerosene lamp chandelier was hung in the center of the unusual barrel-vaulted ceiling, six columns of the original front façade were replaced with simple carved pilasters, and the steeple with its rare Paul Revere bell was strengthened.
While the 1940s saw decline in church use, in 1955 a new group stepped in to address many years of neglect. They secured title and assumed responsibility for upkeep. Then in 1962, lightning struck the bell and set fire to the front façade, including the steeple, and half of the roof. The Paul Revere bell crashed to the ground in pieces. Once again, the community rolled up its sleeves and provided labor and funding to rebuild the church and steeple and to acquire a new bell.
Although the church has not had an active year-round congregation for many years, it still serves Midcoast Maine as a unique venue for weddings, memorial services, lectures and musical events. The Friends of the Head Tide Church raise funds and volunteer hundreds of hours to keep this “jewel on the hill” in good condition, and we welcome visitors from across the country and around the globe with pleasure each year.
For more information please email Headtidechurch@gmail.com
During the week of May 11, some great progress was made by the Build 11 Project team. The entire team was at Sheepscot at various times during the week, and a significant number of components for the rear frame of the locomotive were created.
Over three intensive days, we were able to manufacture more than 20 items. We used propane torches to heat steel ships and then formed them on the shop flanging machine. Most of the parts were in pairs; and in several cases, there were right-hand and left-hand pieces. That required the repositioning of stops on the machine to assure that the work piece did not move once the bending process began.
Some pieces needed bends at both ends or to be bent into an elongated “U” shape. Some of the shapes were made from larger and heavier steel — some one inch thick and seven inches wide — we used two propane torches for heating, one above and one below. These large pieces were a challenge to handle, due not only to their weight but also because after the initial heat and bend, the other end likewise needed to be heated and formed.
When we had completed all we could, we stacked all the parts on a pallet and moved it to storage in the No. 11 container. In addition to the actual making of these components, we reorganized and consolidated items stored in the No. 11 Project container, moving recently-delivered items into covered storage. Most of these items arrived by motor freight from Aquacut, a water-jet cutting operation in Syracuse, NY.
Since the announcement of the $50,000 challenge 30 days ago, you have raised $2222 in new donations! This includes $222 in raffle ticket sales for the replica locomotive #7 builder’s plate.
With the match from the generous anonymous donor, the challenge now stands at $4445!
We have 5 months left to raise the remaining $22,777 to take full advantage of the match. Please keep the Build 11 project “on track” and donate at www.build11.org
Just for fun, here’s a photo of the Build 11 team, including, seated, Wayne Laepple and Alan Downey, and Rick Sisson, Gordon Cook, Jason Lamontagne and Harold Downey.
In other news, the Build 11 Team is planning to hold monthly two or three-day work sessions to advance the project. However, the first priority is to complete the final flanging projects for No. 10’s boiler. That includes completing the flue sheets and forming the throat sheet. Then those parts will be taken to Maine Locomotive & Machine Works to be included in the new welded boiler for the engine.
Due to a variety of circumstances beyond our control, we regret to announce that Pie and Runby on 5/29/2021 has been cancelled.
Ticket holders will be notified via email with refund and rescheduling options.
All other trains/events scheduled for 5/29/2021 will proceed as planned.
Friends —We are thrilled to announce a 100% match of all donations up to a total of $25,000 between now and October 31, 2021. Made possible by a generous anonymous donor, this unprecedented opportunity will allow us to not only reach our 2021 fundraising goal of $50,000 for the Build 11 Project, but to exceed it. Then it’s full steam ahead to the construction of No.11!
That’s right — for each dollar donated by our members and friends, this wonderful person will add a dollar to his donation, effectively doubling your donation!
We’ll keep you updated each month on the progress towards the $50,000 challenge.
To take advantage of this 1:1 match, visit build11.org to donate electronically or send a check with “Build 11” in the memo line to the WW&F Railway Museum. P.O. Box 242, Alna, ME 04535.
Meanwhile this week, the No. 11 engineering team is at Sheepscot in person. They are working in the shop to fabricate approximately 30 components for the rear frame extension of No. 11. They are using the flanging machine as a brake, to form angles on these parts. These items are heavy gauge steel and will require heating prior to bending. In addition, the team will also form several components for the new Jackson & Sharp-pattern trucks for Coach No. 9.
Videographer Steve Hussar has planned to be on hand on Wednesday to record this activity on video, which should be up for viewing. Still photos will be posted here as well as on the WW&F discussion site: forum.wwfry.org.
This drawing shows No. 11’s rear frame. This week the angled pieces in the corners of the rear frame are being formed, including the four long pieces that form an “X” in the center.
We have also started a raffle, with the prize being one of the bronze replica builder’s plates. These replica plates are offered to donors who send us $1,100 or more in one check. For members and friends who can’t afford that amount, this is an opportunity to own a plate. Tickets are available online at www.wwfry.org/raffle or in person at the Sheepscot gift shop. Tickets are $11 for one or two for $20. The drawing will take place on the Saturday of the Fall Work Weekend, Oct. 9th.
Check out our calendar of Spring adventures below and find your perfect trip aboard the WW&F. Visit www.wwfry.org/tickets for tickets and more information about our Springtime services.
See you soon on the Sheepscot Narrow Gauge!
The Wiscasset, Waterville and Farmington Railway Museum, Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum, and Maine Locomotive & Machine Works are pleased to announce “Steaming Together: Arrivals and Departures” a photo event on July 31st with all 3 operating 2ft steam locomotives pulling authentic trains on the WW&F.
If demand warrants, a second date will be added on Sunday 8/1/2021.
Get your tickets and view the full event details at
https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/wwfry/items/303338/?full-items=yes&flow=420374
We also do plan on running all 3 locomotives together at the WW&F Annual Picnic (8/7/2021) for those not interested in an all day photo event.
These will be the last events at WW&F before 7 heads back to Portland for the busy fall and Christmas season.
Book online now!
