Mountain Extension - Official Work Thread

[Paul Uhland]

Years ago, I ran a 90 lb air hammer for a street contractor. That thing was HEAVY, got heavier through the day, easy to do severe damage to back and shoulders.

[Alex Harvilchuck]

Hand spiking is the last, great bastion of building our railroad by hand, as many other concessions are made out of necessity. 

Handling those pneumatic spikers is no easy feat for those of us of “average” build.  Anyone bulked enough to handle one properly shouldn’t be trifled with.  I know from a touch of experience (trying to handle a pneumatic spiking hammer, not getting beat up by a pneumatic spiking hammer operator).  There is no ability to finnesse track gauge by drawing a rail with spiking technique.

If the mood of the crew swings towards automation in this regard- we’ll certainlu give it fair consideration- as we always strive to do.  We want to hear from those folks who would otherwise be wielding spike mauls.  I figure this FWW we can take the crews temperature again.  The introduction of such devices would be well thought out and executed.  If a couple showed up by surprise, I’m sorry to say they’d likely go unused that weekend.

See ya
Jason

They are period equipment, the pneumatic jackhammer was first invented in the 1840s with the electric jackhammer in 1917.

One doesn't need to be pro wrestler to handle them, it's only driving with a 60lb force. The gentleman pictured in Como is an "average" person.

The point is to use the tool with finesse.  As for the ability to use power equipment to adjust with precision, I know 5 heavy equipment operators, including my cousin, who can roll a raw egg around on grass with a backhoe without breaking it.

The key is to have the right head on the hammer so it allows you to control the spike without it being in the way of driving the spike.

[Alex Harvilchuck]

Years ago, I ran a 90 lb air hammer for a street contractor. That thing was HEAVY, got heavier through the day, easy to do severe damage to back and shoulders.

60 pound electric hammer, a 90lb hammer would bust the ties.

[Bill Reidy]

I figure this FWW we can take the crews temperature again.

I think that's the right approach.  Let's see what's accomplished this Columbus Day weekend.  We're looking to build about or a bit more of track that was accomplished in the push to Humason Brook bridge in 2001 and to Alna Center in 2003.  I've seen many new younger volunteers join us since then.  As long as materials -- ties and rails -- are staged well, I do have confidence our 2018 work weekend volunteers are up to the task.

[Joe Fox]

60 lb hammer will take for ever to drive a spike. We rented a 70 lb hammer once when I worked at Conway Scenoc and it would only drive 1/3 of the spikes. If you hit a knot it was over. Then we bought a 110 lb hammer, and it worked very well. But even the 110 lb hammer was no match for a spike maul.

[Mike Fox]

Started the pinch point this morning. Got the maple pulled over with my chain hoist, and digging the roots up on the north side of the tree.

Fred and Al showed up just as I was getting ready to pull the tree over, and helped get the brush cleaned up by lunch. After lunch we (Dave B joined us) finished cutting the tree up. Left about 8 feet of tree to try and get the rest of the roots broken off. After a few trials, I finally stood it upright, then pulled the top north breaking the roots free.
It was raining and things got real slimy. After the 2nd close call sliding sideways toward the brook, I moved south and declared I had had enough. Fred and crew left, and I devised another way to get that stump out of the pinch point. Hooked up some chains, and after a series of short pulls got the stump out, drug it up to the former slide, and cut up the remaining wood.

I left muddy but happy.

[Mike Fox]

Returned today and got almost as muddy..but found some dry ground to work on..













Almost finished. Just need to install the drain, then can start building...

[Paul Uhland]

Great work. I bet a sturdy retaining wall goes in verrrry sooon!

[Jeff Schumaker]

Looking good, Mike.

Jeff S.

[ALAIN DELASSUS]

  You've been doing a good job of work on the mountain for weeks and often all by yourself, rain or shine. Kudos Mike!

[Mike Fox]

Work Weekend will arrive the same day no matter what. We will be ready.

[Mike Fox]

The beast has landed..






1st load of blocks are arriving at TOM



End of track, ready for transfer to the beast..


Dwight and I only 2 blocks were set due to getting the beast in a predicament, but we made it.. Thanks to the Dozer..

[Brendan Barry]

Two truck loads of ties were delivered today for the mountain extension.

[Jeff Schumaker]

Looks like Fred will be busy for a while.

Jeff S.

[Joe Fox]

Hopefully we can take some full length ones for replacements in the yard. So far I am up to 10 full length ones that we need in the yard. Plus we need a few other full length ones.