2023 at the WW&F

For 2023 we met in mid-August in southeastern Maine, the area rich in the heritage of the Maine Two-Footers.    We were hosted by the Wiscassett, Waterville and Farmington Railway over a three day weekend and set up under a pavilion at the flagstop station Alna Center.   Mike and Barb Moore transported their two portable railways from Maryland and Eric Schade set up his portable as well.  Please scroll through the photos below to get a taste of our 2023 Annual Gathering.

With the prototype WW&F #9 running both days it was only appropriate that several versions of the Roundhouse SR&RL #6  polished the rails.

Here's a 7/8ths scale version in WW&F livery.

Lumber figured prominently in the freight traffic of the Maine Two Footers.

Eric Schade has built a gorgeous model of the Baldwin-built S.D. Warren paper mill 0-4-0T in 7/8ths scale.   Deep inside this loco is an Accucraft Emma.

Eric also ran this G1 Winnegance & Quebec Ry railbus powered by a Marx 0 gauge clockwork mechanism. 

Now for some non-Maine models:  At each Annual Gathering the Jack Wheldon coal wagon takes a turn on the track early in the proceedings.

Having attended most of the prior Annual Gatherings Jeff Young's Shawe coal-fired Fowler now sports its second John Shawe boiler.

A much-modified original Mamod trundles by with a string of empty tippers.

Tom Bowdler built a 7/8ths scale tram engine using an Accucraft Sabrina as the motive power; the trailer is scratchbuilt.

Geared engines were in abundance; among them this modified Accucraft Shay...

...a Regner Heisler...

...and a Regner Konrad, bumped up to 7/8ths scale, with crates of Maine apples.   
          
Now for some photos of the prototype:

Many of our registrants took opportunities to ride the WW&F while others remained behind to operate for the benefit of the WW&F patrons being dropped off at Alna Center.

Alna Center station was also used as a quiet place to take a short power nap and/or check your phone (or both).

At the northern end of the track the loco is turned on an armstrong table and run around the train for the return trip.

On Saturday twice as many trains were running; the WW&F Plymouth ran in support of the #9.

On Monday we all gathered at the home of Eric Schade where we were treated to a most amazing railway.  It's incredibly long and it winds back and forth up a hill to a reversing loop.  Passing sidings, trestles, covered bridges, stations, and lots of other structures line the right of way.  Here Eric explains the proper protocols to avoid mishaps while operating on the Winnegance and Quebec Rwy. 

Steaming up at the lower reversing loop and its station area.

One of the many bridges on the line.

A visiting EBT Mikado pauses along a passing siding to set the brakes for the forthcoming descent.