$4445 Raised towards the $50,000 challenge!

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.

Building Steam: $50,000 Challenge Accepted!

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.

If you think you might really like to have a replica of WW&F No. 7’s Baldwin builder’s plate, but you don’t have $1,100 to get one, have we got a deal for you!

Starting today, and continuing through Saturday, Oct. 9 (the WW&F’s Fall Work Weekend), you can buy raffle tickets for a chance to own the very first plate produced. No, it’s not the only known surviving original, but the first replica turned out by Cattail Foundry exclusively for the Build 11 Project.

Raffle tickets go on sale today for a mere $11 each, or two for $20. You can buy your tickets at the WW&F Gift Shop, by mail order, or on-line. On Saturday, October 9, we’ll hold a drawing, and some lucky person will own the plate. A second drawing that same day will award a second prize, a 3-D printed, 5-inch diameter copy of No. 7’s builder’s plate.

Get your raffle ticket at: wwfry.org/raffle

Today’s announcement corresponds with what would have been the 2021 WW&F Spring Work Weekend. The drawing will occur during the 2021 WW&F Fall Work Weekend.

PS: We have some REALLY BIG news coming within the next two weeks. Stay tuned…

Positive things continue to happen for No. 11.

The No. 11 engineering team has devoted considerable time in the last month to the lead truck of No. 11, verifying plans and drawings in advance of making the necessary patterns to cast several key components.  The wheels for the lead truck were cast several years ago and are already completed.

Last week, a substantial number of custom-cut steel components were delivered to Sheepscot. All are stored in the container until needed. They join a stash of stock steel parts received last month.

In late June, we expect delivery of a 12 X 24-foot shed, to be placed next to the shop. Inside, racks will be positioned to store the steel stock currently in the container. In addition, several storage bin systems now located at several places in the shop will be consolidated. These will bring nuts and bolts, rivets, pipe fittings and so forth in a central location. We will also move rarely used items out from underfoot and out of various corners of the shop into this space. We’re calling it “the shop annex.” The structure will be placed in an area recently prepared with a gravel base, and is skid mounted so it can be moved elsewhere around Sheepscot as necessary.

During May, the engineering team plans to meet in person at Sheepscot for several days of intensive work, making about 30 components for the rear frame extension for No. 11. This is in preparation for beginning the assembly phase of the rear frame later this year. This work involves heating the parts, and using our flanging machine, making precise bends. If time allows, the team will also form several parts for the new trucks for No. 11.

Our fund-raising for 2021 for No. 11 is nearing the 20% mark, although we still have some distance to go to reach the $50,000 goal. Here’s an idea — if you received a stimulus check, perhaps you could see your way to donate some of that money to No. 11. You’ll certainly stimulate the fund raising if you do!

Keep in mind that if you can donate $110 or more, you are eligible to received a 5-inch diameter 3-D printed version of WW&F No. 7’s Baldwin builder’s plate, and if by chance you can afford $1100 or more in one donation, we will be thrilled to send you a full-size brass replica of No. 7’s Baldwin plate. (We still have a couple of the first run of the brass plates, and we can easily secure more, so step right up.)

Finally, be sure to check https://www.facebook.com/WWFRailway on Saturday, April 24, for a special announcement concerning No. 11.

The purchase order for the cylinder half-saddle castings, the largest and most expensive parts of No. 11, was forwarded to Dakota Foundry of Webster, South Dakota, on Feb. 24, and the folks at Dakota have already started work. They provided the solidification models for us within a week, and their pattern maker has begun the task of producing the multiple complex patterns and core boxes necessary to manufacture the two identical casting. When completed, in three months or so, they will be shipped to Maine for final machining.

In other news, the large Lodge and Shipley lathe was delivered and positioned in the shop on March 3. The Cincinnati-Bickford radial drill press, which had been moved into the shop in late February has been wire brushed and cleaned, and it has received its first coat of machinery gray paint.

Several other machines were slightly repositioned to increase the available work spaces. The next step is setting up the smaller Monarch lathe.

The container dedicated to storing parts for No. 11 is temporarily housing the 20 new wheels recently received from McKees Rocks Forgings in Pennsylvania. Looks like a third container will soon be needed!

We have received an order we placed for steel stock to be used as needed for No. 11, which is also stored in the container. Another order, from a different vendor, should arrive soon. This order includes a number of pre-cut pieces for specific uses on No. 11. And the water-jet cut steel should be shipped from New York soon as well.

Finally, our 2021 FundRazr, at last count, had brought in over $6,200. Again, we emphasize that we need to keep the funds flowing if we are going to move this project forward. A number of WW&F members and friends have committed to monthly donations or $11 or $22, and that keep the funds moving, but our target of $50,000 this year is a steep climb.

Can you help us?
Donate at build11.wwfry.org

And remember the two premiums we have.
The full-size bronze replica of WW&F No. 7’s builder’s plate for a donation of $1100 or more, and a 5-inch 3-D printed replica of the plate for a donation of $110 or more.