Mountain Extension - Official Work Thread

[Mike Fox]

First things first. I would like to say a big thank you to all that came and helped today. It was a great time. I cut down 95% of the trees that were cut down, and after we got a good rhythm going, the tree would hit the ground, and two more saws (thanks Jay and Stewart) would work the top up while I worked up from the butt. Steve Z was up early, cut a few trees and the walking was getting to his knees. Fred came up, wanted to know why we didn't have two fires going, and left I think with Steve, probably right after we lit the second pile.
So, get to the photos you say...ok


Looking South at second burn pile


Looking North, across location 6, at second burn pile


Looking south, halfway between between location 7 & 8


Zoomed in on Bob Cavanaugh


Looking North from halfway between location 4 & 5, Dwight walking toward the second pile

[Bob Holmes]

DID YOU KNOW?:  That a well organized WW&F volunteer crew can make a substantial tree disappear (from initial cut to stacking/burning) in UNDER five minutes?

Remarkable!

Also, there were at least 40 snow-chasing visitors today coming to the railroad to hike/snowshoe.  Lots of little kids enjoying the experience.  A very successful snow weekend!

[Jason M Lamontagne]

Paid passenger count was 74... we’re very pleased with our first winter service offering.  More details will come...

Cutting crew did fabulous.  The combined work/ public event blended nicely and made for a great festive atmosphere.

See ya
Jason

[Wayne Laepple]

As I said when this was first announced, this was a brilliant idea. I'm sure it will grow if it's done again.

[Mike Fox]

We were too far away from the train to get many visitors, so we had no idea how many guests were around. The ones that did make the trek to us were very interested in what we were doing and why.

[Bill Reidy]

Paid passenger count was 74... we’re very pleased with our first winter service offering.  More details will come...

I was very impressed with how today went.  Like Mike, I was mainly on the Mountain Extension today with tree cutting and burning, so only had a chance to talk with a couple of families there, but they were greatly enjoying the event.  I did have some time near the end of the day at Top of Mountain to talk with visitors as we picked up coach #8 for the trip back to Sheepscot.  They also had a great time.

Nice, nice job done by Steve P., Jason and everyone who made today's public event happen.  And thank you, Cindy, for the nice lunch for the tree cutting crew.

[Carl G. Soderstrom]

Mike
Thanks for adding location numbers

[Mike Fox]

I know the map is available for reference, so I figured it will help with knowing where we are.

[Bob Holmes]

Agree Mike.  Whenever we are doing work on the Mtn Extension, map numbers should be included on postings to the Forum.  It really helps orient us, even if we are not there in person.

[Paul Uhland]

Second that.
Clearing and grubbing the entire ROW to 218 looks close to done. Outstanding!

[Fred Morse]

We're not all done yet. Mike hauled a lot of hardwood trees out near 218 at the North end that has to be cut into firebox length and hauled back to Sheepscot as well as some soft wood to give away. Might take 2 or 3 Sats. to do it.

[Dwight Winkley]

Hi Paul, Entire ROW to 218 is far from being complete as far as cutting the tree's.

Form the south headed north, Section 4 up to location 9 is complete. Plus a very short distance more. Location 9 is the end of planned track work during Fall Work Weekend.  We  stop putting brush to the fire's around 2PM. This is to give the fire's time to burn down before we leave around 4PM. This year we continued to cut tree's and brush past 2PM, so we have many brush piles still waiting to be burned. Both on the south and north ends of the ROW.

Section 6 Location 9 to Section 6 location 13 (trout brook) have not been cleared.  Just a short distance at Location 13, the south side of Trout Brook has been cleared   for work on the south bridge abutment.

All tree's and brush has been cleared in section 7, Bridge site to 218.

We can only burn when ground is covered with snow. During 2017 by the end of February  there was no snow.

[Paul Uhland]

Many thanx for the details, Dwight. 
I'll follow and note dis woik on my map copy, as I usually do.
It's all good!

[Dave Crow]

Mike, do all the stumps on the shoulders of the roadbed get pulled, or will they be left to rot on their own?  I assume there is plenty of clearance to the dynamic envelope of the train from all remaining trees along the right-of-way?

[Mike Fox]

Hi Dave. Only going to remove what is necessary to prep the roadbed. Most of the rest are going to be cut flush with the ground and let them rot in place..or at least that is my intention. It all depends if we get to it or not..

Should be plenty of clearance for the train. If anything is close, we can always cut them later.