Mountain Extension - Official Work Thread

[Ed Lecuyer]

Hi Matt,

Since we haven't decided yet, any options are on the table. We'll cross that bridge, when we... cross the bridge we have to build.

[Matthew Gustafson]

Does anybody have any possible maps of what the ROW would look like if we continue the track laying process towards Head Tide that starts at Route 218. I tried using Google Map but I cant find the ROW at all past route 218? I can only see the ROW from Alna Center to Route 218. 

[Dave Crow]

Matt,

Ed had made you a map of the Head Tide area back in 2008 when the winter crew cleared trees from the Head Tide Cut:


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...

[Matthew Gustafson]

I know he made that map but it has an arrow that points towards Head Tide at the top of it. I want to know the ROW that goes beyond the arrow thats on that map or is the arrow on that map the stoping point of the plans on reconstructing the ROW north?

[Ed Lecuyer]

Hi Matt,

You missed the link in the posting. I embedded the image above.

The end of existing track is clearly marked, as well as all obstacles to 218. Head Tide Station is labeled at MP 9. However, to get to the station site, we would have to cross through the property labeled "red cape." The current owners of that property have a horse corral on the old railroad grade; passing through their property is unlikely.

Realistically, we could build to the crossing on the other side of the road the red cape is on. However, getting that far would take buckets of money and volunteers.

[Richard "Steam" Symmes]

A walk north toward 218 from the current end of track is very educational. The landslides and washouts are huge, and will be very expensive and time consuming to repair. The brook is far below and the railroad runs on a narrow shelf at best.  Beyond all of that is the missing bridge over Trout Brook, which is going to require a much more substantial structure than Humason Brook trestle.  After that, you have a fairly straight run to 218 which is a short distance away. Realizing what it has taken to get as far as we have, I can't imagine seeing our arrival at 218 in less than 20 years, if then.  Not unless a real wealthy benefactor suddenly appears and drops a bundle of money on the museum. And perhaps not even then.

[Stephen Hussar]

But it's going to happen...all of it. So smile and enjoy the ride! 

[Mike Fox]

Stephen, I smile and dream of the ride

[Richard "Steam" Symmes]

They kept telling us MeC #501 at North Conway was going to "happen", and The "Flying Yankee", and B&M P4 #3713, and other things.  Some of us are running out of time to see these things happen. Some already HAVE run out of time, while dreaming and giving money to see them happen.  We're not all going to live another 50 or 75 years.  I'm beginning to take a more realistic view of the probabilities.  This is not being critical, only pointing out a fact. 

Carry on!

[John McNamara]

They kept telling us MeC #501 at North Conway was going to "happen", and The "Flying Yankee", and B&M P4 #3713, and other things.  Some of us are running out of time to see these things happen.

I appreciate your concern Dick, as the actuarial tables tell me that I have less than 15 years left. However, a look at the WW&F Newsletter of ten years ago (May/June 2002), is very encouraging, as I note that while Humason Trestle had been built, track was not yet in service there. The big washout south of Alna Center had not been filled, and the Alna Center station building had not been built.

There are some big obstacles, but our record of overcoming obstacles is substantial. We got a lot of the parking lot fill courtesy of Fred Morse sweet-talking a local truck driver, and we got a Marine Reserve unit to build the Humason Trestle. When it comes to "painting fences," we can put Tom Sawyer to shame.

Last, but by no means least, being two-foot rather than standard gauge helps a lot to make projects more manageable, and our chances of political problems, funding problems, and mechanical incompetence are much, much less.

I fully expect to ride the train to Route 218, maybe with oxygen, but I expect to get there. I wish you a corresponding opportunity!

-John

[Richard "Steam" Symmes]

Well, that's a deal.  We'll be the two geezers in wheelchairs with oxygen tanks. I look forward to the trip!  Unfortunately, many now here, will not get there with us.  But, onward and upward.

[Ed Lecuyer]

Also, unlike the 501, 3713, and FY, the WW&F has never actively sought general donations to extend the track all at once to 218. Instead, we have always done things incrementally - with the last few fund drives focused on the land prep needed to continue building northward.

While this may not work for "all or nothing" restorations like the 501/3713/FY, we have always done things incrementally - and with great success. It is unfortunate that it takes time, but I remain optimistic that both Richard and John will be able to see the train reach 218. Maybe even pulled by No. 11!

[Ira Schreiber]

Unless we can overcome a some significant obstacles, it will be many, many years before we reach Hiway 218. This area also contains the washouts and a bridge. There are many obstacles to pushing northward.
I, too, at my age(75) want to see it happen.
Ira Schreiber

[Matthew Gustafson]

Oh I see. plus I don't know if there is a topic here about this but did Head Tide once had a station location there and if or if not it survived, is the location picked at mile post 9 the original location of the depot? Does anyone have any info on this?

[Ed Lecuyer]

Hi Matt,

Head Tide had a rather sizable (for WW&F standards) station, with an agent, etc. (Sheepscot and Alna Center were unmanned flag stops.) The building was lost many years ago.

The station site is labeled on the above map, near MP9.

The Head Tide station site, however, is north of the famous "red cape" whose property now occupies the right of way. It would take some doing to navigate past it to the actual station site.

(Also, see my response earlier in this thread to your same question.)