Saturday, January 12th was a balmy day that started with temperatures in the low single digits. The day warmed into the teens, but the wind picked up as the day progressed.
First, Ed Lecuyer's November 2017 Mountain Extension map for reference. Tree cutting was along the central and northern portions of section 5.
The end of track built during the 2018 Fall Work Weekend in October reached the vicinity of location 10. For next Saturday's (January 19th) "Steam and Saws" work day, I understand locomotive #52 will depart Sheepscot with volunteers between 8 a.m. and 8.30 a.m., and the rest of the day will shuttle volunteers between Top of Mountain (meeting the steam train) and end of track.
Some photos from yesterday, to add to
what Mike posted last night...
This was the view from Trout Brook bridge looking south a little before 9 a.m. Mike Fox and others had already arrived and had started two bonfires to burn the slash, as seen in the distance.
A view of the north bonfire, looking north toward the bridge. Ship Capt. J.B. Smith and Fred Morse warm by the fire as they discuss the day's proceedings.
A view of the south bonfire, looking south. Zack Wyllie cuts up a fallen tree, as Mike Fox, Ed Lecuyer and James Patten drag the slash to the fire.
The crew makes short work of a fallen fir tree. Mike, who spent a good portion down in the east ditch, works on the stump, while Fred and Zack cut up the tree. J.b (back to us) is picking up slash for the north fire. In the background, James, Ed and Stewart Rhine put slash on the south fire. Much of this coming summer's right-of-way preparation work will focus on repair of the east ditch.
Fred's new Mountain chair -- although I saw a few others using it!
Ed and Stewart tend the north fire. This view gives a better perspective on size/depth of the east ditch.
A photo of some of the folks working on the tree crew yesterday: Fred; Steve Zuppa; Mike; Ed; J.B.; and James. Not in the photo: Zack; Stewart; and me.
Mike takes one last look around 3 p.m. before we called it a day. It was getting mighty cold with the wind at this point. Ribbons placed on the tress by Mike (an example is on the right) marks the boundaries for cutting along the ROW.
A cold winter's view of the bridge and Trout Brook, looking north. So far it has not been a very snowy winter along the coast.