Track Department

Tom and myself were out today and knocked out another section of brush cutting on the mainline. My original plan to volunteer in the Library fell apart so Tom and I ran out to Book Creek Bridge and finished cutting the entire length of the curve including the area at and around the bridge which was, to say the least, an interesting experience.  With a few hours of light left we ran to the far west end and began cutting eastbound.  In this area only one side needing cutting so while Tom ran the south side I kept the machine stable by counterbalancing the north side.  We cut the entire main from Jefferson St to west switch Schmidt, the UP interchange, Schmidt Siding and one pass East switch Schmidt to the West Station Switch. One more good day with some trimming on the mainline at Schmidt and between East and West Station switches, everything west of the big tree will be done. (~MP 1.6)  I'd say we're about 1/3 of the way finished with the line.

In amazement, nothing failed or went wrong today... A few sprits of ether and she fired up, no hydraulic failures and no harm to hidden objects in the grass...  This really is a terrific machine to have on hand.

We will continue to mow the line as much as possible.  It's fair to say we'll have the entire line mowed before revenue trains begin in April.  That's the goal anyway.

Adam Robillard