September 2018 Work Reports

[Ed Lecuyer]

Let me just add that from a train operations standpoint, the magneto phone system is essential. My cell phone is absolute junk almost anywhere in Alna. The magphone system works great and reliably - except when it is cut. Getting the line buried is probably one of the more important tasks we should complete during Spring 2019.

Then we should do something about the saplings growing along the line...

[Mike Fox]

I should clarify. If I can make the attachment, I think all new wire from TOM to the Bridge will be buried.

[James Patten]

At some point we should go back and bury the old wire.  We'd still want the pole every thousand feet or so. 

[Mike Fox]

Yes, but replace the old with new.

[Paul Uhland]

Agree with Mike. Make a  total, buried, reliable, replacement phone line a priority, especially now that the mainline is getting longer.
The first emergency that is helped by quicker communications will make it worth it.

[Roger Cole]

Were above-ground wires on poles ever considered?  I know--it wasn't present on the original line.  It was, however, present on so many railroads in the time period that the WW&F is trying to emulate.  This symbol of 20th century railroading is disappearing at a phenomenal rate.  I'm typing this as I'm looking at the green PRR telegraph insulator on my desk, a gift from my sister-in-law. 

[Bill Reidy]

Mike -- should we get the magneto phone line wire in place and buried before permits expire next year for TOM to Route 218 right-of-way preparation?

[Paul Uhland]

Makes total sense to me. Have done telephone work.
Wires on poles present  too much installation labor,  attention, maintenance. No worries about windstorms, tree branch probs with underground use.

[Carl G. Soderstrom]

My tenant buries 6 & 8 inch drainage tile with a rig like Mike is proposing.
Some bigger with GPS positioning but essentially the same concept.

May I suggest schedule 80 pipe for the inserter, 40 would last with the right blade
but 80 is better.

Also lay 2 or 3 cables at the same time - I suppose if they are cut they all will
but maybe not. 

[John McNamara]

2.6 miles of schedule 80 pipe to reach from Sheepscot to Top of the Mountain would be a bit pricey. $10,000?

[Paul Uhland]

Might not hurt to bury a 2 or 3-pair cable for more-than-phone use.

[James Patten]

Anticipated work for weekend of Sept 22-23:

* Mountain Extension: Mike will continue ditching and other prep work.  Presumably rail sorting and prepping, and tie prepping will continue to happen. 
* Caboose 320: Any finish-up work left on the cupola.
* FWW prep.

[Mike Fox]

Mike -- should we get the magneto phone line wire in place and buried before permits expire next year for TOM to Route 218 right-of-way preparation?

Yes, especially in the shoreland zones (bridge and wall)

[Mike Fox]

Saturday will be a short day for me. I will be working on the last culvert I installed, buildingca retaining wall out of a couple of rejected ties and cut-offs. Then do some ditching. Leaving around 10:30.

Sunday will be more ditching and grade prep. There is a row of silt fence between the wall and location 8 that I need to remove. It will not come out by hand so the Kubota will make short work of it. Then finish that area grading and sloping. Then continue south ditching after I finish that spot. I hope to be done to location 2 by the end of the weekend.

[Mike the Choochoo Nix]

Mike -- should we get the magneto phone line wire in place and buried before permits expire next year for TOM to Route 218 right-of-way preparation?

Yes, especially in the shoreland zones (bridge and wall)

Could you just move them to the very edge of the right of way and not bury them ? Are you using the heavy line that the phone companies use for temporary service? That stuff seems pretty tough.
Mike Nix