What a beautiful, beautiful early fall day in Maine. Temperatures were in the 30s when I arrived around 8, with some spotty frost. Temps got into the upper 50s, with hardly a cloud in the sky. Perfect day to be outside.
Some photos:
Work done on Saturday Oct 5:
* SeaLyon Farms: Four of us helped the Lyons improve the clearances on their road from the fields to Top of Mountain, using a chain saw and loppers. Don Lyons did some grading with his tractor while we did this. That took the morning.
James and I arrived to help with woods road improvements in advance of our Pumpkin Trains next weekend in conjunction with SeaLyon Farm. The farm will provide a hayride from Top of Mountain to their farm, where guests can pick and purchase pumpkins from their pumpkin patch as well as other products from their kitchen (Maine blueberry jam -- yum!). Mike had blazed a turning loop at Top of Mountain this summer. Today we (James, Don Lyons and myself, soon joined by Rich Currie and Bob Comeau) cleared enough side brush and overhanging branches to ensure the SeaLyon's tractor and trailer can travel the route.
Early on, Bob, Rich and Don work on the loop near the tracks at Top Of Mountain.
James attempts to refuel the chain saw. We learned Fred has Herculean strength with the fuel cap, so it took a little effort to open the cap and refuel the saw!
James, Bob and Rich work on the corner of the loop where the woods road turns east toward the farm.
With the side brush cut, Don returned to the farm to pick up the trailer to be used for the hay ride. James, Rich, Bob and I would soon ride the trailer to help ensure side clearances and cut overhead hanging branches. Here we see Bob, Rich and James at the east end of the woods road waiting for the trip.
Turning 180 degrees, here's a view looking across the west farm field. My photo doesn't convey well how handsome this view is. The views are equally stunning from the farm buildings. Families riding next weekend will have a fun hayride to the farm, I'd say.
* The MOAL group arrived for the first train of the day, 80 people rode the train.
While we waited as Don picked up the trailer for the trial run, we heard #9's whistle as she traveled up the valley for her 10.30 a.m. trip. I walked down the hill to see her train arrive at Top of Mountain. Her train was full with guests from the Maine Obsolete Auto League (MOAL). Many had already stepped off the train when I took this photo. Here we see WW&F coach No. 8, MLMW No. 130 and WW&F No. 9.
* B&SR tank car 14: Zack was making square holes out of round ones for the end beams mortises and tenons. Someone slathered the beams in preservative.
During lunchtime, Al Michelis was applying preservative to the beams. I understand others had helped.
I'll post a handful of Top of Mountain progress photos shortly.