The Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum will be holding its annual spring work weekend Friday, April 24, through Sunday, April 26.

The major project is completion of the track work at Top of Mountain that was started at the fall work session. It consists of loading flat cars with crushed stone ballast using a bucket loader. The train is moved to where it is to be used. The cars are unloaded by shovels. A track maintenance machine is used to tamp the ballast under the ties. The machine is a self propelled car that can operate up to four jack hammers with one operator.

Completion of this work means that we will no longer have to push trains to the end of track. Other work includes painting the exterior of the garage and restroom building, some track repair, and working on the construction of the new Sheepscot car barn. Clearing brush, grass and other landscaping work and other smaller jobs will also be performed getting ready for the 2015 season. Workers have to eat so we also need kitchen crew volunteers.

Members and other volunteers come from all walks of life: professionals, laborers, male, female, young and old, railroaders and those just wanting to help in the preservation and restoration of the railway. All are interested in preserving a bigger and better railroad. You do not need to be a member to volunteer. If you are interested, just come to the museum and work for an hour or two, a day, or all three days. Rugged work clothing and rain gear are recommended for outdoor work.

Work will start at about 7 a.m. each day. At noontime, crews will be fed by the kitchen crew and then will resume working until approximately five p.m. Lunch and an evening meal will be provided Friday and Saturday. Lunch only will be served on Sunday.

The public is invited to come and watch. Steam passenger service will operate on Saturday. It will run most of the day but will be scheduled not to interfere with work trains. Call 207-882-4193 to check.

The Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum, is always looking for more volunteers for restoring and operating this railway. Everyone contributes his or her time and skills. Some skills are railroad related and others are general. We will guide anyone who wants to volunteer. The museum needs volunteers Saturdays year round and Sundays from Memorial Day to Columbus Day. If you are interested in historical restoration and preservation or would just like to help, please join our volunteer group. Sheepscot Station is located at 97 Cross Road in Alna, Maine.

Directions to WW&F: from Wiscasset village take Route 218 north 4.5 miles to the Cross Road. Take a left at the Cross Road. Sheepscot Station is located at the bottom of the hill on the right.

For more information, visit wwfry.org or call 207-882-4193.