Paul Davenport Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> 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.
You are welcome Paul. Thanks for the information it makes things easier to understand.