This thread has progress updates concerning the construction of new boilers for Wiscasset, Waterville and Farmington Railway Nos. 10 and 11. No. 10 is a 1904 Vulcan Iron Works 0-4-4 while No. 11 is a reconstruction of WW&F No. 7, a 1907 Baldwin 2-4-4.

To bring you up to speed on the construction process, both boilers are in an advanced state of design. Our plan is to enter the engineering approval process for both No. 10 & No.11's boilers at the same time to expedite the approval process. As you may have heard, both of these boilers incorporate some degree of riveted construction because the WW&F values not only being able to preserve this important traditional boiler construction technique, but also because we wish to construct boilers which illustrate the application of riveted boiler construction for our visitors.

We have already restored two riveters in our shop, a Hanna squeeze riveter as well as an Allen Portable Pneumatic Riveter, both which will be utilized for boiler rivet work. Both riveters have been successfully tested. See a video of the Allen in operation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X64d06D1Wc

We have designed and are preparing for the construction of a flanging machine for flanging boiler sheets based on the patent drawing of the Beatty Flanger. This machine will be employed to effectively shape our locomotives boiler sheets using a cold forming process at a significant cost savings to the museum.

In just under a month the WW&F has raised $9,000 which will go directly to the construction of No. 10's boiler. We are so pleased with the success we've made and are grateful for the donations the project has received from people like you. To completely fund the engineering approvals (the flanger is already funded) we need to raise another $1,000 bringing our total to $10,000, or 20% of the total cost of #10's boiler.

In addition to individual contributions we are applying for grants and seeking the support of our membership. At this moment, your support is critical in making a faster return to steam for WW&F #10 possible. Please consider making a donation to the WW&F's 21 campaign at http://www.fundrazr.com/21campaign.

If you'd like more information and up to date news please visit http://www.facebook.com/wwandf21campaign.

Thank You,
Stephen Piwowarski
WW&F 21 Campaign

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, yesterday we raised an additional $500.00. Today let's raise the other $500.00 to reach $10,000.00! You can donate at: http://www.fundrazr.com/21campaign.

I'd like to share a story with you which illustrates just why the 21 Campaign is so critical, not just to us at the museum, but to the surrounding community and to those who visit us. Each year the weekend before Christmas, Santa Claus comes to Alna Center to celebrate Victorian Christmas. Volunteers come from all over bringing freshly baked cookies and baked goods, we fire up our locomotives, horses get harnessed to pull sleighs and Santa Claus makes his way to Alna Center where trainloads of adoring passengers (young and old) arrive to meet him and Mrs. Claus.

In recent years, the event has become exceedingly popular. Last year we had over 1,500 visitors in one day. What sets this event apart is that it is completely free. It is one of our ways of thanking our community for their support and making sure that all of our visitors have access to a special Christmastime experience- one which is often a child's first ride on a steam train. The smiles on people faces, the stories that are told, and good will I have witnessed while at Victorian Christmas is nothing short of magical. To me, it is a true embodiment of the spirit at that time of the year and it tends to bring out the best in all who are part of it- visitors and volunteers alike.

Due to the immense popularity of these trains, the only way to efficiently move the number of visitors we encounter is with multiple locomotives. Having both #9 and #10 in service made it possible to run Victorian Christmas smoothly in 2015! To maintain the level of service which we aim to provide it is essential to return #10 to service as soon as possible. Not only that, seeing two locomotives in service leaves a huge smile on everyones face, young and old alike.

Your support in this endeavor is greatly appreciated,
Stephen Piwowarski
WW&F 21 Campaign
Learn more at: http://www.facebook.com/wwandf21campaign
Donate at: http://www.fundrazr.com/21campaign

Only $400.00 to go! If everyone who has viewed this thread so far donated the minimum online amount ($2.10) we'd have over $700.00. We're almost there! Donate at http://www.fundrazr.com/21campaign. If you would like to donate in an amount other than those outlined in the perks, you can do so by selecting "contribute without items and enter any contribution you desire.

Thank you for your support!
Stephen Piwowarski
WW&F 21 Campaign

#11 will also be special, a new build of a well-thought of engine on the original WW&F, #7. I know you guys are exploring a possible arrangement with a steel heritage organization for the castings for the frame and other parts, which in itself is fascinating in maintaining the trade.

PMC, thank you for pointing out that possibility. It will be a very neat arrangement if it comes to fruition. We are looking forward to beginning construction of #11's boiler and getting more work underway on castings.

Just an additional $400.00 will completely fund our engineering approvals and construction of a flanging machine to flange sheets for #10 and #11's boilers. That means if just 20 of us step up and donate to the 21 Campaign at the $21 dollar level we will meet this goal! If you are enthusiastic about the museum's progress and appreciate the work we have been doing but have yet to donate, we could use your help now.

We try to stretch each dollar as far it can go and make the most of the money we raise. This project is no different and we are determined to see it through to completion.

There are a lot of interesting opportunities to support the campaign which carry rewards along with them. Some will be of interest to photographers, while others may be of interest to those who want to get more involved with the museum.

Donations can be made in any amount at http://www.fundrazr.com/21campaign or via mail at:
WW&F Railway Museum
21 Campaign
PO Box 242
Alna, ME 04535.

The rewards for various donation levels are as follows:
$21 level donors will receive our personal thanks for their donation.

$210 level donors will receive a 1 year museum membership and a booklet containing photographs and the history of locomotives 10 and 11, plus details on the project.

$420 level donors will receive the above plus a fine line drawing of #10 by museum member Eric Schade and an invitation to a 2 locomotive photo charter featuring locomotives #9 and #10 once #10 returns to service.

$840 level donors will receive a charter of an entire car on a regular museum operating day, along with a membership, booklet, and print of #10.

$2,100 donors will receive an 8-hour charter to be used at the donors discretion. It could be used to run a photo charter, for example, or simply to provide an unforgettable adventure for you and a group of family and friends. $2100 level donors will also receive a membership, a drawing of #10, and a booklet. The charter must be on a day other than a regular railway operating day.

Thank you for your continued support of our project! stay posted here and at http://www.facebook.com/wwandf21campaign for regular progress updates!

Sincerely,
Stephen Piwowarski
WW&F 21 Campaign

It should also be noted that if you are planning on making a large contribution (especially over $100) it would be in your (and the museum's) best interest to send your donations via mail.

Donating by mail means that your entire contribution will go to the restoration effort as Fundrazr has a small handling fee. As the donation grows that fee (around 6%) becomes noticeable and we, like you, would rather see the money going towards the project rather than servicing a website.

Our address can be found in the message above.

Take care,
Stephen Piwowarski
WW&F 21 Campaign

Last week we set an audacious fundraising goal for the 21 Campaign of raising $10,000 within the first official month of the Campaign.

Tonight it is my pleasure to share that, once last weeks offline donations were tabulated, we not only met our goal, but exceeded it by nearly $1,000!!!

The amazing help we've received from visionary railway preservationists and supporters like yourselves is a huge motivator for us! We are several weeks ahead of schedule in our tooling process and have no desire to slow down! The enthusiasm you have generated among our volunteers and visitors is real and contagious!

We can't stop now! Grant applications will be going out to funding organizations this month and we hope to have at least $15,000 in individual donations on hand to match the amount of our grant requests. If you have been waiting for the right time to donate- that time is now! You can donate at www.fundrazr.com/21campaign or via mail at:
WW&F Railway Museum
21 Campaign
PO Box 242
Alna, ME 04535

If you plan on donating larger amounts, consider donating via mail as it avoids a nominal (6%) processing fee imposed by the fundraising website and ensures your entire donation goes to the project at hand. Thank you!

If you'd like more information (and graphics) check out our Facebook page at:
http://www.fundrazr.com/wwandf21campaign

Thank you all for your tireless efforts in railway preservation and support,
Stephen Piwowarski
WW&F 21 Campaign

This week's 21 Campaign Facebook post deals with boiler design and construction. Specifically, how we have adapted an old method of laying out plate before rolling to build our boilers.

In our adaptation the sheet development takes place while the plate is still flat. Our departure from this historic method comes from using a 2-axis CNC water jet cutter to cut all of the holes in the plates instead of a large gang radial arm drill press. After the sheet development is complete, the sheets are then rolled and the holes are reamed, and threaded or tapered as necessary.

The meshing of historic techniques and modern technology is the cornerstone of our design philosophy. This method also produces significant time and cost efficiencies.

Learn more and see photographs at:
https://www.facebook.com/wwandf21campaign/posts/387430861427520
Help support our work with a donation at:
http://www.fundrazr.com/21campaign

Sincerely,
Stephen Piwowarski

Today's post on the WW&F 21 Campaign Facebook page includes select images from the initial boiler design for both locomotive Number 10 and locomotive Number 11. As you will see, both boilers draw heavily on historic boilermaking practice by incorporating details such as riveting and tapered, tapped boiler studs, to name a few.

These initial designs (5 pages of drawings plus several pages of calculations for each boiler) will now go out for design and regulatory review. Any changes which are deemed necessary will be made in subsequent amendments to these designs.

You can see the drawings here, along with some samples of the boiler calculations:
https://www.facebook.com/wwandf21campaign/posts/392029070967699

If you have any questions, please either leave them here or on our Facebook page and we will do our best to answer them!

Sincerely,
Stephen Piwowarski
WW&F 21 Campaign

Just curious, what is the plan for how to stamp the dome flange?

The latest construction progress from the 21 Campaign deals with the construction of a boiler plate flanging machine. The machine was designed in-house by volunteer Harold Downey based on the inspiration of a flanging machine designed in the 1930's by the Beatty Machine and Manufacturing Company.

We received the parts for the machine, which had been flame cut several weeks ago. The frame was prepared in about 9 man hours and was also assembled in roughly 9 man hours. The next step will be machining the moving parts of the machine.

The machine will be used to cold flange boiler sheets for boilers for locomotive 10 and 11.

Stephen Piwowarski
WW&F

Some pictures to go with Stephen's update.

The original Beatty patent drawing.



One of Harold's drawing of the WW&FRy's flanging machine.



Flanging machine parts after delivery.







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Linkage parts for the flanger. The wheels in the foreground are not part of the flanger. The wheels are for the center bearing of our new turntable.



Jonthan working on assembling the frame parts.



Frame assembled and stood up.

Now that were done with turntable construction the flanging machine assembly is moving along. The hydraulic cylinders are in and the crosshead for the flanging linkage is installed. The rest of the pieces for the flanging linkage are bored for their assembly pins and just need to be drilled and tapped for grease fittings. The rest of the linkage and the anvil shoud be installed this week and we will move onto plumbing the hydraulics.







This is Harold Downey's picture of the patterns for the anvil faces and dies. The patterns have been set off to the foundry. There are 5 anvil faces, 3 die inserts for no. 10's boiler. Another set will have to be made for no. 11's boiler.



http://wwfry.org/?page_id=1119

https://fundrazr.com/21campaign

You guys must not of gotten the memo that "it can't be done"? Thankfully too! Keep up the good work and the updates. Really like to see your progress and accomplishments. Regards, John.

John, you took the words out of my mouth! WW&F does everything correctly, the first time. Great staff and great RR.