Winter doesn't stop work at most railroad museums. Here are a couple of photos taken on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at Hoosier Valley to prove the point. The first shot shows our Erie searchlight signal 908.2 and gives an indication of the heavy snow that hit our area on Saturday. The second photo was taken inside the West Annex of our Shop building showing the form in the background set up for a concrete pour scheduled to be made this coming week. Museum President Cory Bennett at left is in discussion with museum members (from left) Bud Tibbie, Fred Boyer, Jeff Back and Dave Cook. One half of this part of the shop already has a complete concrete floor with track and the forms shown are for the first portion of the north half which will also be so finished.

I'm sure that other museums work through nasty winter weather like this, and photos showing such evidence, would be welcome.

Les

Being located in Northern Minnesota means the volunteers and employees North Shore Scenic Railroad and Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth see a lot of COLD winter weather:









I've walked mile long stored coal trains in hip high snow and tried to pump up air in -30F.

-30 below!!! Yikes!!

It's not as bad as Minnesota here in the New England, but it can get wintry. Some pics from RMNE/Naugatuck in Northwest Connecticut:

Digging out a switch:


Plowing and flanging north of Thomaston Station with 1936 Maine Central #70 Russell plow:

National Capital Trolley Museum in Feb. 2015. We are open year 'round.

And on the other end of the spectrum - southern New Jersey, Cape May Seashore Lines, The Santa Express - December 21, 2013 - temperatures for the day were in the 70's!!

https://youtu.be/jqxAIeYzY7I

This is what passes for Fall and Winter in the Pacific NW in most years and it rarely snows in the lowlands (though we got about 18" of snow at the end of the Winter in 2012 and then almost an inch of ice over top of that, which brought down so many trees than hundreds of thousands people lost their power for several days).

I started this thread to point out that, despite some "snarky" winter weather, work DOES go on at railroad museums. Apparently this was taken as "train operation in winter" and I have absolutely no problems with that thread "swerve". However, since I did show a photo of our preparation for a concrete pour at HVRM in one of my photos, I thought I'd at least show the result of that pour. One section down and at least 8 more to go!

Les

I was wondering if you guys ever took that baby out on the RR. Very nice!

Rod

On occasion, winter will give those of us in the northern climes, a break with an unexpected warmer day. That happened at Hoosier Valley today. Although the museum was running its Santa trains, thanks to a temp that got up to 63 degrees, I got the chance to try to finish the lettering explanation on our watchman's shanty. Old man winter...take THAT!

Les

Nasty day at HVRM yesterday (1/9/16) with rain and temps in the low 40's. Still, we had 15 members in attendance doing major things and minor things. Every little bit helps! Next up is a concrete pour scheduled for Monday, January 11th. Photo attached shows this back end of our Shops West Annex with the section prepared for the concrete.

Hope other museums are also attracting workers this winter.


Les

I got some burgundy on one flank of D&M #10. I painted the locomotive behind it (GMDH 275) in similar conditions four years ago.

Robert -

Really looks good! Glad you were able to get some weather nice enough to apply the coat of burgundy paint. Winter weather there in Michigan can change quickly though. Right now here in northern Indiana we are getting snow with single digit temps due in overnight and into tomorrow.

Les

Concrete pour in the Shop building's West Annex was done this past Monday (see photo) which finishes the back third of the building. As can be seen, the concrete floor has already provided places to work on other projects such as the restoration of an historic roll top desk and repainting of lockers for Grasselli Tower. The fact that the West Annex is insulated and has heat from our wood stove, helps too.

Les