Re: C&TSRR = Brush Train

Yes, there still is a Friends tree crew. I am the team leader and we cut the slash that the video shows being loaded on the work train, which was the third work train that the C&TS ran this season to pick up the team's "product."The crew usually consists of five members (we had only four this year due to a longtime member unfortunately having to drop out for health reasons art the last minute) and we deploy during D work session. In recent years we've worked at a variety of photo spots on the east side in response to requests and suggestions, including some for charters and some in areas highlighted by Russo, but mainly and more recently we've focused our one week on the ground each year on the west side, particularly the Narrows and the Cresco-Coxo area because of the heavy growth and the wildfire threat. The railroad's managers seem to want that approach and it makes sense to me. As regards to places highlighted by Russo on the provided link, some of them are in locations requiring a lot of time-consuming travel to get there for minimum payback in comparison to overgrown areas elsewhere (the Narrows, again and always). And there are a couple of other places where we have decided to not work due to safety concerns related to location, chiefly steep and slippery slopes with potential for serious injury, again for minimal payback. The team's members very much enjoy working along the line and we feel our work helps preserve the C&TS as a working railroad. I should mention we've received some helpful support in recent years, including the work trains provided this year and last by the railroad (and manned by Friends members and others) to pick up our cuttings and the local power co-op's lending of a chipper to process the slash hauled to the Chama yard. Finally, Roger is correct: there is a lot of work to do along the line. Cheers.
Paul Davenport
p.s. Roger's video is just one of many examples of how his work along the line helps many of us keep up with things going on from afar. Thanks.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/17/2019 06:02AM by Paul Davenport.