Maine 2 footers in Portland

[Mike Boucher]

Hi folks,

 

During the fall, the Maine Narrow Gauge Museum, in Portland, Maine, runs weekend excursions along the 1+ mile of 2' gauge track along the Portland waterfront.  I spent a day up there last weekend, as some of my friends were on the loco crew.  Here's a short video from that day.

Edited November 3, 2017 by Mike Boucher

[Gordon A]

Interesting that the rail joints on the curve are staggered.

 

Gordon A

[BernardTPM]

Staggered rail joints were common practice in North America (Also used on the RH&DR when first laid).

[Mike Boucher]

Interesting that the rail joints on the curve are staggered.

 

Gordon A

 

 

Staggered rail joints were common practice in North America (Also used on the RH&DR when first laid).

 

Yup.  Its pretty rare to find non-staggered joints.

 

There's a speeder club in New Hampshire which runs on the former Boston and Maine Wolfeboro branch.  Part of their track is staggered, but about 3-4 miles has "inline joints".  Let me tell you, riding down that track, the section that's not staggered is MUCH harder riding.  You really feel every joint.  I don't know how people with back problems would be able to ride, my back hurt afterwards.

 

Are staggered joints uncommon in the UK?  I always just assumed that staggered joints were common practice.

Edited November 6, 2017 by Mike Boucher

[Gordon A]

No Mike, over hear the track used to be laid in panels, easier to lift in and out with a crane, so the joints are in-line.

 

Gordon A

[BernardTPM]

Having said that, track laid in short lengths is usually just for line renewal on the national network and has been since the 1960s. New continuously welded rails will replace the temporary rails after the basic panel laying and ballasting is done, then the track will be levelled and tamped by machine.

[Northroader]

Staggered joins were used until a few years ago on the RHDR (15” Gauge Line) but were taken out as they didn’t like the rolling movement that could be set up. That’s about the only instance I’ve heard of over here.

Lovely video, Mike, more of this any time you want, please.

[pH]

Staggered joins were used until a few years ago on the RHDR (15” Gauge Line) but were taken out as they didn’t like the rolling movement that could be set up.

 

"Harmonic rocking" (sometimes "Harmonic rock and roll") - see discussion here - http://interfacejournal.com/archives/652

[Northroader]

Mike, your video of the Monson loco set me thinking (don’t worry, it don’t happen very often) so I did an enquiry for “ Edaville Railroad”. Deary me, times move on, don’t they?

[Mike Boucher]

Mike, your video of the Monson loco set me thinking (don’t worry, it don’t happen very often) so I did an enquiry for “ Edaville Railroad”. Deary me, times move on, don’t they?

 

Yeah, Edaville is a shell of a shadow of its former self.  I haven't been there in about 10 years, and I think its gotten worse from then.  Its now pretty much an amusement park with a short train ride

[BR60103]

We stayed a week just outside Edaville last month. Didn't find their brochure until we'd missed all their open days. Looks very much like Thomasland. We were last there when they had all the railway stuff.

 

I have heard that when the Canadian railways were starting, later than a number of other places, they looked at railway practices in the US and UK. As both inline and staggered rail joints seemed to work, they decided that it didn't matter where they came, so they just laid the rails and let joints fall where they may.

[John_Hughes]

The Vale of Rheidol joints on the heavily curved top section of the line were staggered when built, and remained so for years. I've not checked the current situation, but non-staggered joints would call for a lot of work with the rail saw!