Mountain Extension - Official Work Thread

[Steve Smith]

Wow, Mike. Impressive! I've never used a chain saw, but am guessing a task like that sure isn't something you'd want to try the first time you use one.

[Bill Reidy]

Some photos of tree clearing on the Mountain Extension today, in chronological order.  Single fire set to burn the slash today.

Mike Fox drops a small tree in this view looking south up the grade toward the current end of track and Top of Mountain. 


View looking north, with Trout Brook Bridge in the background.  Fred Morse and James Patten look after the fire.


Mike has just dropped two medium-sized pines in this view looking south.  Pictured are most of today's tree clearing crew:  Mike; Fred; James; Kevin Propst; and Stewart Rhine.  Leon Weeks joined us shortly after.  Mike dropped the trees, and Fred helped Mike cut up the fallen trees, while the rest of our crew stacked logs and put slash on the fire.


A view from Trout Brook Bridge looking south toward the burn pile.  Next Saturday's work will include dropping the large pine on the left.


Looking south at the recent cutting work that cleared the work area needed to make east-side ditch repairs this summer.


Turning 180 degrees to look north, today's work area, with Trout Brook Bridge in the distance.


Kevin, Mike, Leon, Fred and James take short break from the day's work.


Leon, Fred, Kevin and James tend to the fire.

[Terry Harper]

Great work!

Brings back some good memories of working to clear the line through Crawford Notch.
It was a difficult time in my life but those long days cutting brush and feeding the chipper -
clear days, clean air and good people were balm to the soul.

The best memory was the day my Dad worked with us up near Frankenstein trestle.
I wish that day could have been longer. It brings the thought to mind that the journey is
often times better than the destination.

You folks are clearly enjoying the journey.

[Mike Fox]

Terry, we enjoy working with each other on multiple projects. And always have a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. We all enjoy working with each other, and usually lots of laughs getting things done.

[Robert Hale]

Terry, we enjoy working with each other on multiple projects. And always have a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. We all enjoy working with each other, and usually lots of laughs getting things done.

That is what I need in my life now, a sense of accomplishment. I think that is what allot of people need in their lives, rather than the rat race at a "job". Thank you for showing people what real work with real results can get you, along with the friendships and memories that last a lifetime.

Rob

[Bill Baskerville]

Terry, Robert and Mike,

I think all of us enjoy working with the great group of guys and gals at the WW&F.  And, I suspect, we are also motivated by the sense of accomplishment on seeing each job completed and added to the extensive list of projects that make our Museum what it is today.  Also, don't rule out all the things that many are doing in their home towns all across the nation that end up being brought up to the railroad to add to the look and feel that we have today. 

I can think of a great many of items that have appeared in Sheepscot from Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia and the New England states, just to name a few.

[Mike Fox]

Definately a point Bill. Those often solo efforts help in so many ways. I have worked all day at the museum then come home to tackle another task..membership.

A lot of those behind the scenes efforts allow us to make the great gains we do. Planning, ordering, building. ROWMOW Mfg has 4 projects under its roof currently. One is just there until we are ready for it, one needs some tinkering before summer, and one is a ground track up recreation..I hope.. And the last is just parts I have to build the wire burying attachment for the excavator.. Just need some free time..

[Bill Baskerville]

Mike,

Ah, free time.  I seemed to have so much of it when I was working.  Now that I am retired, I, like so many of my retired friends, don't know how I found time to work. 

Could it be that I am slowing down?  Surly not...

[Jeff Schumaker]

I take it that it was a bit cold Saturday. James looks bundled up, again.

Jeff S.

[Mike Fox]

-7 at 7:30. Not bad really. Just wanted something to warm you up.

[James Patten]

I take it that it was a bit cold Saturday. James looks bundled up, again.

I had an extra glove on, which I neglected to take with me in the afternoon when it was "only" 19 degrees out, and I wish I'd had the extra.

[ALAIN DELASSUS]

Mike,

Ah, free time.  I seemed to have so much of it when I was working.  Now that I am retired, I, like so many of my retired friends, don't know how I found time to work. 

Could it be that I am slowing down?  Surly not...

How true it is Bill. Of course it's not that we are slowing down  but I don't figure out why the f...... time is going by faster and faster.

[James Patten]

Time is relative, depending on gravity.  Gravity must have a reverse correlation with age - the younger you are, the more gravity you have, the slower time goes for you.  As you age you lose gravity and things speed up.  Of course it's an internal clock, as a watch on a young person moves at the same rate that it moves on an older person.

[Bill Baskerville]

Time is relative, depending on gravity.  Gravity must have a reverse correlation with age - the younger you are, the more gravity you have,

Ah James, the naivete of youth. Everyone with a little age on them knows gravity has a direct correlation with age.  As one ages gravity gets stronger.  I base this theory on the fact that my once full head of hair has settled to my chin, my once manly chest has settled around my waist, my once ability to lift ties, swing a track maul etc has weakened since they are now, clearly heaver due to stronger gravity than they were when I was younger.  Decorum dictates that we won't go into other things that this age increase in gravity has affected.

[Bill Piche]

Time is relative, depending on gravity.  Gravity must have a reverse correlation with age - the younger you are, the more gravity you have, the slower time goes for you.  As you age you lose gravity and things speed up.  Of course it's an internal clock, as a watch on a young person moves at the same rate that it moves on an older person.

"Youth is wasted on the young"

A way that I have learned to look at it is the perception of time is what changes with age and it's directly related to the percentage of your life that time occupies.

When you're 10 a day is a greater percentage of your total life than when you're at 20, 30, etc. Since it's a smaller percentage you perceive it as going faster than a child would.