Mountain Extension - Official Work Thread

[Bill Baskerville]

John,

In looking at the notches and teeth on the blocks in the yard, it is a vertical wall, unless Mike set the bottom blocks at a lay back angle.  It appears to be plumb.

[Mike Fox]

Bottom row has about an inch slope to the inside. I did not check the face to get an angle. Then all the blocks above the bottom course were forced out so the tongue was seated against the groove so there would be no movement. Backfilled in layers with 2 inch(ish) drainage stone, in filter cloth, to keep the water from behind the wall to keep the pressure down, and prevent the freeze that push.

[Wayne Laepple]

Well done, Mike. This repair will last as long as we want to run trains on it. I know you accomplished this particular part of the project with minimal help, not because it was anyone's fault, but because you were able to stick to it and get 'er done.

[Mike Fox]

Not much choice in the help department. We are all very busy doing various tasks at the museum. Lucky I had the help I got when I really needed it. The hard part is over. It's all down grade from here.

[John McNamara]

.... It's all down grade from here.

[Ted Miles]

Mike,
         You are just amazing; building that retaining wall almost by yourself. And a most elegant touch adding the facing so it looks like cut stone similar to what they used on the Colorado narrow gauge lines. i am sure that wall will be retaining for a long time to come!

Ted Miles, WW&F Life Member

[Mike Fox]

Definately did not do it alone. It was a team effort. To something even as small as spotting the flat to be loaded or unloaded, it all was a part of the construction. I have a feeling that more of these blocks will appear in the future to help solve some issues we have elsewhere along the line.

[Duncan Mackiewicz]

Great work Mike and team. My only regret is that I was not able to be there to lend a hand. It's the sort of project I really enjoy being a part of.

[Jeff Schumaker]

Duncan,

I feel the same way.

Jeff S.

[Mike Fox]

Made a quick trip to the Extension this afternoon. Contractor Jeff left me some more stone. Had almost enough to entirely finish the Pinch Point. A little low on the North end. I was trying to be quick, so did not take any pics. If someone wanders that way this weekend, please take a picture to share.

[Mike Fox]

Contractactor Jeff and I were left to ourselves today.




I mentioned to Jeff that I was going to take a tree down to put a ditch in. I went to get the culverts and Jeff took care of the tree.


I asked Jeff to go just a little deeper, and he struck this. The original pipe.




In by lunch


We did find 2 lengths of rail, 35#. One had a broken end, the others were cut. Found in the ditch at Location 9.

[ALAIN DELASSUS]

Works in progress on every frontline on the mountain.

[Mike Fox]

This morning, Dunkin and I finished installing the braces in the Location 9 pipe, and rescued my broken porta-power.


Then Husqvarna and I took down 4 small spruce and a sizeable Pine, and cleaned up the mess before lunch.


After lunch, the Kubota and I put in this culvert, at what could be considered location 1.5.




Trout Brook is the bright spot through the trees, so I wanted to complete this area before the rain that is expected this week.

[Alex Harvilchuck]

So it the Maine DOT going to hire you to rebuild Rt 218? I still think you're just trying to fake us out with pictures of Cross Road instead of the roadbed.
Looks better than great. Is this the 4' culvert at location 9? Sounds like 1400' at FWW is a possibility....

[Gary Kraske]

Will the found 35 lb rails be useful to us or a museum piece?