Tree cutting to start 12/27/08

[Ed Lecuyer]

will it meet the previously cleared section south of the cut?

That is the plan. This will allow the property owner access to the trail for cross-country skiing, hiking, etc. It should only take another 2 or 3 sessions to get that done.

[Matthew Gustafson]

Does anyone have a map to pin point the exact location of this photo along the WW&F ROW? 

[Eric Bolton]

We will first be cutting at Head Tide, where the ROW comes out of the Head Tide Cut and approaches the road to Head Tide and the red cape property.  We don't own this land, but the owner is giving us an easement in exchange for cutting the ROW.

I believe thats why.

[Ed Lecuyer]

Does anyone have a map to pin point the exact location of this photo along the WW&F ROW?

Matt, I made one just for you...
http://www.spongeawareness.com/maps/topomap2.jpg

[Matthew Gustafson]

Thanks Ed. It does not seem to be that far away from Route 218. Plus with this project we can get the job much easier on geting the WW&F track from 218 to Head Tide station open again.

[Ed Lecuyer]

It's about 5000 feet from the current end of track to 218.
It's 1.6 Miles from the current end of track to Head Tide Road (where we are cutting.)
Then it's only a matter of a few hundred feet from Head Tide Road to the Head Tide station site.

HOWEVER, there are three big obstacles before we get there:
1. Carlton Brook Bridge (as discussed elsewhere)
2. Crossing 218 (again, as discussed elsewhere)
3. Red Cape.
The ROW that is adjacent to the Red Cape has been compromised and converted into a horse corral. It is very unlikely that the owner of that property will let us cross through it. My suspicion is that it will not be possible to go any further north than Head Tide Road, unless a member of the museum happens to acquire the Red Cape property.

The good news is that the Museum/W&Q owns (or has rights to use) the entire ROW from the current end of track to Head Tide Road.

[James Patten]

The good news is that the Museum/W&Q owns (or has rights to use) the entire ROW from the current end of track to Head Tide Road.

Almost.  We're awaiting one remaining easement/lease/purchase (whichever option the owners choose) before this is true.  This is where the landslide is.

[Glenn Christensen]

3. Red Cape.
The ROW that is adjacent to the Red Cape has been compromised and converted into a horse corral. It is very unlikely that the owner of that property will let us cross through it. My suspicion is that it will not be possible to go any further north than Head Tide Road, unless a member of the museum happens to acquire the Red Cape property.

The good news is that the Museum/W&Q owns (or has rights to use) the entire ROW from the current end of track to Head Tide Road.

Hi Ed,

Barring a circumstance where it becomes possible to return track to the original Head Tide station site, what is the practicability of utilizing the location south of Head Tide Road for a northern terminus at some future date?


Best Regards,
Glenn

[Ed Lecuyer]

Some of the crew on Saturday seemed to think that the ROW might be wide enough to accommodate a passing siding. Others did not agree. Regardless, there would not be enough room for terminal facilities (station, turntable, etc.) unless additional land were to be acquired.

[Mike Fox]

Actually, a runaround could be constructed there, if some fill were added. But that is way down the road. A lot of things could change before we get there.

[Ed Lecuyer]

If we continued to build at 1200' per year, we could be there by 2017. However, I would imagine that unless we got a large influx of cash, that wouldn't be likely. Given the other obstacles: landslide, Cartlon brook, 218, etc. and the need to build yard trackage at Sheepscot (for the roundhouse and car barn) I think it will be at least 2020 (if not later) before we reach the south side of Head Tide Road. (If we even decide to cross 218.)

And as Mike said, a lot could (and probably will) change by then.

[Vincent "Lightning" LeRow]

Am I correct that the next cutting session will be this saturday (the 10th) near red cape?

[James Patten]

Vincent, you are correct.  The only reasons I can think that we would not be cutting there would be rain or ice.

[Mike Fox]

Looks similar to last week. Lots of underbrush and grape vines in this section. Those railroad guys ate good. Grapes and apples, tossing the seeds and cores to the side of the right of way. The West side through the field is now complete, and a significant dent was made in the East side.

[Ed Lecuyer]

Thanks, Mike, for all the pictures of today's work. It's amazing how much progress gets done from week to week.