WW&F Railway Museum

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Help Us Rebuild Maine History. Donations Appreciated!

Railroad preservation exists only because of the generosity of others. Donations small and large are needed to rebuild Maine history in the Sheepscot Valley.

Dear Members & Friends of the WW&F Railway Museum

Thanks to your continuing generosity, the 2023 Annual Fund Drive was a great success. 345 donors helped us raise $138,213.80 out of a goal of $125,000.00. Once again, thanks to your enthusiasm we have yet to fail to surpass our Annual Fund goals since its inception more than 30 years ago.  Note that we now have over 1300 members. It would be fantastic if we could reach 440 donors – a third of our members. Every donation, large or small, helps us reach our goal. The Board of Directors cannot thank you enough for your continuing support.

The past year has been one of great accomplishments at the Museum. The engine house is almost finished with just the ceiling fire protection, insulation and smoke jacks to be completed. Work on the station platform has been completed although some sort of shelter remains to be decided upon and funded. We also acquired the South African Hopper Cars.

We are asking for more funding than last year because we have many worthy projects that need to be accomplished. Not all are sexy but all are necessary! Funds received in excess of our goal will be used to buttress the enumerated projects or other projects requiring additional funding.

The projects we intend for this year’s Annual Fund Drive are:
 $17,500.00 – Fossel Property Mortgage
$16,000.00 – Reimbursement of reserves for the new parking lot
$11,000.00 – Locomotive No. 11 Fund
$10,000.00 – Locomotive No. 53 Fund
$10,000.00 – Replace the Car Shop 3-phase generator with a larger unit
$25,000.00 – Resurface and repair old parking lot
$15,000.00 – Start construction of Top of Mountain Station
$10,000.00 – Permanent coal storage facility
$5,000.00 – Firefighting equipment
$5,000.00 – Improvements to Sheepscot ADA access
   $3,000.00 – Trout Brook Bridge pile bracing
$127,500.00

Please be as generous as you can! We thank you all very much for your continuing support. Please make plans to visit the Museum to experience all that your generosity has made possible.

Sincerely,

David J. Buczkowski, President

Pictured are just some of the projects either completed in the last few months, or will be assisted in the 2024 Annual Fund Drive. Our progress is a testament to the generosity of our friends and supporters.

2024 Annual Fund Drive

Donate here to the annual fund drive. Project-specific donations are gladly accepted at this link.

Mail a Check

Donations to the Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum will be gladly received at:
PO Box 242, Alna, ME 04535
This mailbox is checked regularly and donors acknowledged promptly.

Donate via PayPal

For those who would prefer to use PayPal to make a donation, please click here:

Support a Campaign

Beyond our regular fundraising to our members, we sometimes encourage our friends and followers to contribute to major efforts that may be of interest to the wider preservation community. This includes our current initiatives to Build Locomotive #11.

Current Fundraising Needs & Restricted Funds

When contributing on this special form, you may indicate how you would prefer your donation to be used. Alternatively, you can earmark your donation by emailing your intentions to treasurer@wwfry.org.

These funds have been established by donors for specific needs and improvements to the railway.

Artifacts & Rolling Stock
  • Archives: Purchase and maintenance of WW&F Railway Artifacts.
  • Coach #9: Construction and Maintenance.
  • Locomotive #10: Restoration and Maintenance.
  • Locomotive #11: Construction and Maintenance.
  • Locomotive #53: Re-gauging, Restoration, & Maintenance.
  • Non-Revenue Rolling Stock: Restoration & Maintenance.
  • Vacuum Brakes: Development and Installation.
  • Track Maintenance Mechanization & Equipment.
  • Tamper Repairs and Restoration.
  • Taconnet Coach Construction.
Buildings & Grounds
Future Growth & Sustainability
  • Contract Labor: For increased availability of key volunteers.
  • Acquisition of Right-of-way.
  • Extension of Mainline Trackage.
  • Cash Reserves/Savings.
  • Long Term Opportunities Fund.
  • Paydown of Mortgages.
  • Endowment.

To contribute to one of these specific funds or projects, please click the button above and indicate where you would like to direct your contribution.

Donations that are not earmarked will be deposited into the museum’s general fund and spent at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

More Ways to Help

Give Money when Shopping ANYWHERE Online!

Virtually ALL e-commerce sites (including travel sites, large retailers, coupon purveyors, and smaller shops) will make donations to the charity of your choice, IF you use a “shopping portal.” These websites share the commission they receive on your purchase back with the WW&F.

All you have to do is start your shopping at one of the following shopping portals:

It doesn’t cost any extra, and it’s a simple way to help the causes you love. Just be sure to always start at iGive or Goodshop so that your purchase is credited correctly.

Sell Stuff on eBay

https://charity.ebay.com/help/seller
The WW&F is registered as a non-profit on eBay, and can receive donations from listings. eBay sellers may select the WW&F as the non-profit of their choice, and they can donate 10 to 100% of the sale to the museum. If you have plans to sell anything on eBay, please consider selecting the WW&F as the Organization you would like to give to.

Other Ways to Help

Here are some more ideas of ways you can be a part of the WW&F’s mission.

  • Become a Member – Most importantly, we encourage you to become a member. We are owned and operated by our membership.  We currently have about 1300 members world-wide. Please see details about becoming a member.
  • Volunteer – Actually work on a railroad.  From track crew to groundskeepers to gift shop to tour guides, we need your help.  We always need skilled craftsmen (machinists, woodworkers, engineers, etc.) If you’re interested, just show up on an operating day, or a volunteer work day (see the calendar) and we’ll find something for you to do.  Opportunities exist to help “off-site” especially in web design, social media, marketing, grant-writing, etc.) Please see the Volunteer page for more information.
  • Tell Others About Us – If you like what we are doing, be sure to “like” us on Facebook. We also appreciate fresh reviews on Google, TripAdvisor, and Yelp. These small things have enormous impact on informing others about the Museum’s efforts.
  • Shop for Us – Charity shopping portals will donate a percentage of your online purchases to the organization of your choice – and it doesn’t cost anything additional. We’re listed on GoodShop, and iGive. Start your purchases there, then shop wherever you like, and a small donation will automatically be sent to the Museum.
  • Rail – We are always looking for sources of 56 or 60 pound rail.  A single used, relay-quality rail costs around $350. 60 pound rail is about 4.25″ tall x 4.25″ at the base of the web; 56 pound is 4″ at the base. Anything larger we can not use (anything smaller may be of use.)
  • Ties – Can’t have rail without ties.  Minimum size is 5′ long, in good shape.  New ties are around $50; used are around $20 each.
  • Memorabilia – If you have any 2-foot or WW&F history you wish to share, come on down! This includes photos, stories, and even pieces of equipment.
  • Donations -Visit the Donations page to give directly or consider participating in either the Build 11 campaigns.
  • Right of Way – Do you own any of the original WW&F’s railroad right-of-way, and would like us to have it?  Come talk to us!
  • Endowment – Please think of us during your estate planning.  Our endowment is professionally invested through the Maine Community Foundation.

The Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum is a 501c3 charitable organization. Tax EIN: 01-0448408. All donations will be acknowledged for tax purposes.