Work Session

May 17-25, 2019

To join the fun, contact the railroad at: WorkSession @ RedRiverAndGulf.net (no spaces)

Team:
Mike Miller
Everett
George Montanio
Gerald (SFHM Staff)
Larry (SFHM Staff)
Tucker Baker

MAJOR SUCCESS HERE!

Friday May 17th
Result: planer mill siding cleared of vegetation from planer mill switch all the way to Switch #4 (MoPac switch that splits between Planer Mill Sidings and Switchback Track)

Saturday May 18th
Result: Switchback Track from Switch #7 (Switchback Junction) cleared of major vegetation all the way to Switch #4 - now all legs of wye clear of vegetation

Monday May 20th
Result: short day - cleared most vegetation on Storage Track / Loading Track to make log car trucks and derrick car visible again

Tuesday May 21
Result: used weed eater and hedger to further clear ROW of vegetation around Machine Shop, Engine House, Parts Building, Loading/Storage Track, Derrick car, log car trucks, and area behind Machine Shop

Wednesday May 22
H&E delivered a Komatsu PC35 MR-5 mini excavator that was donated by Baker Land and Timber Management Inc.
Result: used excavator to uncover broken water line, repair water line, clear out drainage behind Planer Mill and track, begin to fill in Planer Mill wash out


Thursday May 23
Finished filling in Planer Mill washout with excavator
Built new erosion control timber structures on both sides of track and on drain side to prevent washout

Friday May 24
Used track excavator to dig out tie holes and lay ties down. Using this machine allowed us to lay ties very quickly and with relative ease. 4 ties and 3 gauge bars put in place in one afternoon

Saturday May 25
Used track excavator to lay more ties and gauge bars all the way to the washout on the Switchback line. Was able to gauge track all the way to washout in a single morning. In 4 hours that afternoon, we had the bridge built. Drain was cleared and opened, bridge abutments level and placed, bridge timbers laid, and cross placed into position. All timbers save for top ties held together with rebar. Track now in gauge to washout. Once ties spiked on bridge, track is in gauge to washout.

NEXT STEPS
- spike bridge ties on new washout bridge
- herbicide spray all current serviceable track with speeder
- begin track gauging and washout repair on planer mill siding

-Tucker Baker
  RR&G Road Master
 

Before - vegetation covering track

After - now clear of major vegetation and ROW fully visible

Before: track and equipment not visible
 

After: track and equipment now cleared of major vegetation