Hi All,
I went all the way to the end of the line on Saturday so I could look things over and get a plan of attack together in my head. First, I'm pleased to report that the snow is gone. Second, the black flies haven't hatched out yet! I think that the first order of business on Friday will be hauling gravel to the low (that's an understatement!) spots on the unballasted section. This will entail hauling it pretty near the end of track so I'd like to do that first before we start jacking and tamping, that way we will avoid a later shuffling of equipment. Once the gravel work is done we can commence tamping on the already ballasted section. The jacking and tamping crew will go first, then the lining crew, then stone cars will come behind to add the finish dressing of ballast. Once we reach the end of the ballasted section we'll have to shift around. We'll send the jacking and tamping crew to the very end of track (or we may do this part in pieces so we don't end up with an unfinished gap in the middle if time runs out) then bring in loads of stone behind them. This way there should be constant progress with all crews out of each other's way. The tamping crew will be on the far north end working south and the ballast trains will keep dumping stone south of them and everyone should be moving south without interference. The lining crew will be the northmost crew in Phase II and once the whole piece has been tamped and lined the last thing to do will be to come back through with the "ballast dressing" operation. As always plans can change. Some famous general once said that every battle plan is sound right up to the moment the first shot is fired so we'll stay flexible within the broader plan.
One thing I would ask is that if there is anyone going to Sheepscot this coming Saturday (4/18) who is looking for a task here's a request: Would you please go through the shop buildings and gather up any track jacks, shovels, and lining bars that aren't being used and either put them in the section house or just consolidate them in one spot so we can collect them on 4/24? If not, then we'll have to do that first thing on the 24th.
Thanks! Now let's all hope, pray, dance (your choice) for good weather for our work weekend!
