A couple of thoughts on track maintenance, if you please. The first train of the day is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. So if a track gang can get out to a designated work site between Sheepscot and Alna Center by 8 a.m., they have two hours plus to work before they have to clear up for the train. If a crew is doing spot tie work, it is not necessary to spike up individual ties before the train passes. For example, in order to clear up for the train, any track-mounted equipment would either return to the North Yard lead or take the siding at Alna Center in the clear 10 minutes before train time while a few people stay behind to spike.
After the northbound passes, work can continue, or other tasks can be done until the southbound run passes, depending on the location of the work. This sort of routine requires advance planning and setting up work limits so the train crew knows what to expect and it is incumbent on the foreman of the track gang to be constantly aware of the time so the train is not delayed. This is how it's done every day on working railroads all over the country.
If it were me, I would concentrate working from the center of each area between sidings toward the sidings, i.e., Sheepscot Mills and Rosewood, so that as work proceeds, the distance to the siding, whether it's Sheepscot, Alna Center or Top of the Mountain, is progressively shorter. After the last train of the day has run, take the tamper out and tamp each new tie inserted. The rule of thumb used on most railroads when hand tie changing takes place is one tie per hour per man, i.e. a four man crew should be able to change out four ties per hour. With mechanical assistance, better production should be achievable.
It may take some experimentation to get all the pieces to work well together, but it can work. As stated above, planning and coordination are what makes it all work.
I appreciate John Kokas' suggestion of a couple of three-day mid-week work sessions to concentrate exclusively on track work, specifically tie renewal and surfacing. With some advance scheduling, I'd make an effort to get to Maine for at least one such session.