Current end of track?

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

Who was the contact for getting the Marines in 2001?  The arrangements took a year or two but the contingent arrived in August, 2001.  They stayed for two weeks and brought all necessary equipment to repair the approach grade and build the Humason Brook trestle.  The museum provided the prefab trestle members and supported the operation with meals etc.  The Marines completed the trestle project so quickly that we had them pour the concrete floor for the machine shop.  They really enjoyed their stay in Maine.  We held a lobster bake for them as a thank you before they went back to Detroit.  I'm sure someone on the forum remembers the Marine Officers name.  I think he is a member of the museum, maybe the BOD can contact him with information on the washout project.

[Ira Schreiber]

I was told that the Marines from Michigan were deployed to Iraq several times and were not available.
With all the cost cutting, getting the Maine Army group would logistically make more sense.
I believe Allan knows the contact in Augusta.

[Allan Fisher]

Discussions are already started to get the Marine Detachment to spend a month and build the Trout Brook Bridge. This appears to have a good chance of success, and the paperwork for this will be started in mid 2009.

[Josh Botting]

Realizing that we have an ongoing relationship with the marines,

I believe the maine nationa gaurd has multiple companies of engineers.  These engineers have the appropriate equimpent to do this kind of work.  I believe you can find companies in Augusta, and Belfast. 

I also recall that the ARMY Gaurd out of Bangor, has equipment and manning to do this type of work.  I recalll that they used to do road maintanince for the Stud Mill/St. Regis road in return full use of the land for active duty.  The 2 weeks of active duity was spent doing maintancie.  This of course went away when the gas pipeline went in.

It may be worth pursueing the Maine Guard.  If the board is interested I could inquire with some contacts.

[Matthew Gustafson]

When did you guys got suport from the Army? 

[John Kokas]

Don't forget the Air National Guard in Bangor.  They should have an Engineering Squadron with the Refueling Wing.  Although they probably would not have all the required construction heavy equipment, that can usually be arranged with the Army.  The key is having the support of the Adjutant General of the State and many things will fall into place after that.  Get support from the local state rep.'s and senators to help grease the skids.  If it was during the summer, I'd find a way to come up and work as a liason and project manager for the work. 

[Dwight Winkley]

Never had the Army, it was the Marines from Detroit, Mich.  Aug 2001

[Matthew Gustafson]

Does anyone have any photos of the right of way that heads south from Sheepscot station to the Beaver Dam? 

[Pete "Cosmo" Barrington]

Now THAT'S a good question!
It seems I've seen some somewhere (NERails?) but I can't say how far south the pics went.
I'd LOVE to see some pics of that area myself, at least as far as one is able to walk on it.

[Duncan Mackiewicz]

Pete.
I took some photos of that area a few years ago.  Not sure if they are in my 35 mm collection or my digital collection.  I'll have to do a search and let you know. 
Duncan

[Ed Lecuyer]

I found some on NERail: http://photos.nerail.org

A great aerial shot:
http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=2006100820410329877.jpg

This is the result of the beaver dam. The cameraman is standing on the center line of the ROW.
http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=20051122182624649.jpg

These two photos are of the same view - just across the street from the station. One shows the ROW flooded. This happens occasionally - and is not due to the beaver dam further south.
http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=2006020917015016631.jpg
http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=2006011419381812180.jpg

[Pete "Cosmo" Barrington]

Excellent work!
Yes, those are the shots (some of them)  that I remember seeing before. Thanks for digging (no pun intended) up.
This brings to mind annother thought:
Since, IF the ROW is ever extended south, the track-bed would need to be brought level with Cross Road, Would that
a) aleviate the flooding shown in the last photo,
and if it continued far enough South at that level/hieght
b) be high enough to cross the water past the "bever pond?"

[Ed Lecuyer]

a. Yes.
b. No.
The beaver pond is much further south, and the ROW there is flooded all the time. There is road that crosses the ROW right in front of the flooded area. This road is a good 4 feet higher than the ROW. Unless the road is cut down, we'll have to build up to meet it. Then, we *could* potentially fill across the pond, provided:
1. The EPA (and other government agencies) let us.
2. The land owner, who has a cabin on the edge of the ROW, agrees to let us through.

Honestly, I think it is much more likely that we would cross 218 towards Head Tide before we would try to build south of Sheepscot. The ROW north of 218 is quite scenic along the Sheepscot River, the ROW south is just woods.

[John Kokas]

It would be a great advantage to build south (in the future), for the following reasons:

1. Connect with the Rt. 1 summer traffic.
2. Connect with the Maine Eastern RR
3. Local connection with Wiscasset (historical).

There are probably more reasons but those listed will bring in money.

[Pete "Cosmo" Barrington]

a. Yes.
b. No.
The beaver pond is much further south, and the ROW there is flooded all the time. There is road that crosses the ROW right in front of the flooded area. This road is a good 4 feet higher than the ROW. Unless the road is cut down, we'll have to build up to meet it. Then, we *could* potentially fill across the pond, provided:
1. The EPA (and other government agencies) let us.
2. The land owner, who has a cabin on the edge of the ROW, agrees to let us through.

Honestly, I think it is much more likely that we would cross 218 towards Head Tide before we would try to build south of Sheepscot. The ROW north of 218 is quite scenic along the Sheepscot River, the ROW south is just woods.

Gotcha.
Hey, I realize it's all off in "Whentheheckever Land," but that clears up my picture of the topography a bit. Thanks.  

I know it was brought up already, perhaps in this verry thread, but I do like the idea of going "just far enough" south of Sheepscot/Cross Rd. to give a NB train a place to come from, as was (apparently as forementioned) Harry's original scheme.
But to do that there'd be no need to "cross the pond."