Monday, October 24, 2011

October 24, 2011

Hello Everyone

Well we had a very successful weekend for both Rails to the Darkside and Pumpkin Patch.  I don't have the numbers for Pumpkin patch for ridership, though the parking lot was very full for the event.  For Rails, we carried 462 people on Friday night and 737 people on Saturday night.  We had a great cast both nights. Saturday, we really challenged the inside cast since we sped up the tours to cut down on the wait time to enter the visitor center.  This coupled with bringing in larger groups of people has really helped keep the wait much shorter.  Scaring groups of up to 20 people in a group inside the visitor center is more of a challenge, but our cast is adapting and everyone seems to be having a great time.  

Thanks to everyone who have made the events successful.  Only one more weekend to go, and then we can start setting up for Winterfest. 

Work is progressing in the shop.  The type 5 was switched up this past weekend, and work has started on the car.  Seats are being removed to repair some heaving in the floor boards.  Also, wiring  replacement work on the heaters may be done while the seats are out.  Anyone interested in helping on this car, work is generally occuring every Saturday. 

Camillo is also working on the inside of the reading caboose, and I am guessing he would like help if anyone is interested in helping him. 

On Monday, October 31, Tim plans on switching the cars inside the visitor center in preparation for winterfest and also to help change up the display for next year.  Anyone interested in helping, please come on down. 

George has been working on preparing the small section house to be moved to the opposite side of the track.  This section house needs to be moved as part of the future track layout into the visitor center, and also provides the opportunity to get this building on a better foundation and more usable. 

As always, we can use your help at the museum.  There are projects happening all over the museum, and your help would aid in moving the projects along quicker.

Hope to see you at the museum.

Galen

Saturday, October 22, 2011

October 22, 2011

Hello Everyone.

Well we are in the middle of the Halloween season, but that doesn't mean other work has stopped at the CT Trolley Museum.

We have switched the Type 5 back to the shop to allow work to continue on getting the motors straightened out on her.  We are also doing work on the air system, and contemplating putting a new canvas roof on her.  Once this work is completed, the type 5 will be able to enter the operating fleet in a good condition and be a very dependable car for operations.

836 has been operating very well since entering service. 

A question has been raised as to what we will be working on next after the Type 5.  The choices are either 1326 or 65.  Both cars need a significant amount of work, so we will need to choose one to work on.  We will be doing a full review of both cars to determine the condition of each, and making a decision based on that information and also on the cars other traits and usefullness to the museum.  Please feel free to let me know by posting a comment as to which car you would prefer to see worked on, and why. 

Its hard to believe that in 8 days, we will be dismantling Rails to the Darkside, and starting to set up for Christmas.  We hopefully will be in a good position to start unloading the trailers and starting setup for Winterfest on November 5.  If Christmas is your favorite holiday, what better way to really get a jump on the Holiday spirit. 

For anyone interested, on Monday, October 31, Tim plans on starting to do some switching into the visitor center to re-arrange the cars.  the intent is to move 840 into the visitor center and use her as a platform for a train layout along with 36.  This will allow for more cars to remain inside the visitor center and still provide the room for the train layous for winterfest.  The caboose and the Ponemah locomotive will also be switched around to provide better access to the caboose during Winterfest. 

As always, for anyone with time, we can use help for both Rails and Pumpkin Patch.  So far for both events, we have raised over $30,000.00 for the museum, and Rails will only be getting busier for tonight and the last weekend.

Take care, and hope to see you at the museum.

Galen

Sunday, October 16, 2011

October 16, 2011

Hello Everyone

I had a typo in my last blog.  It should have read that 836 is now back in service.  It has been running well, and everyone seems excited to have it back in service.

Work over the last few weeks has centered around getting the trolley bus ready to move to Baltimore.  We made a deal to exchange one of the trolley buses for shipping of wheels from the west coast to the museum.  The trolley bus as of this writing is now in the parking lot, and should be loaded for shipment on Monday 10/17/11.

Rails to the Darkside is running well overall.  We have the usual hickups getting everyone coordinated and on the same page, but overall the crowds have been good, the cast has been fantastic, and people have given us good compliments as they leave the visitor center.

We are anxious to get the type 5 up to the shop to get work progressing.  John has already started some of the repairs on it where it sits in Woods barn.  It should get shifted to the shop in the next few weeks which will allow the truck to be pulled and the motor work to start.  We have one armature ready to be picked up at the motor shop.

As always, anyone who can help out with Rails to the Darkside or Pumpkin Patch, please consider it.  We are in need of additional motorman, and people for crowd control for Rails to the Darkside and for operations and helping inside the visitor center for Pumpkin Patch.

Hope to see you at the museum.

Galen

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

October 12, 2011

Well Pumpkin Patch and Rails to the Darkside are both off to a great start.  The weather was beautiful this past weekend.

836 is not back in service, and just in time for the events.  It is a great car capacity wise and a favorite of many.

1326 was removed from service due to some motor problems.  At this time, the concentration is going to be on getting the type 5 back into service, so 1326 will be out of service for a while.

It is a hectic time at the museum right now.  Anyone who can help with either Rails or Pumpkin patch, please call the office or come on down.  We can use the extra help, especially in operations.

Galen

Monday, October 3, 2011

October 3, 2011

Hello Everyone.

We are busy at the museum, with lots happening.

The "BIG" news is that 836 is back on its truck, and a successful test run was made this past Saturday.  I had the opportunity to move the car around the shop yard a little, and it was nice to be back at the controller of 836.  We have some maintenance work and other minor things to address (sticking governor and brake stand form sitting too long).  It will be a welcome addition back to the operating fleet.  thanks again to John, Pat and Chris for all their hard work and dedication to this project.

Work is continuing on Rails to the Darkside and Pumpkin Patch.  We are almost complete, which is good since the Press night is this Tuesday, and the events start on Friday.  Anyone interested in joining the cast of Rails or helping out with operations or for Pumpkin Patch, we need all the help we can get. 

We had two good days at the Big E promoting the museum and the upcoming special events.  We had great coverage by our volunteers for the event, and I thank everyone who came and helped out. 

We are now full swing into our busy season.  Please consider taking some time and coming down and helping out. 

See you soon at the museum.

Galen