Re: 2019 Fall Work Weekend on the WW&F

Rader Sidetrack Wrote:
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> John Cole Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > How long will your R/R be when you reach the
> highway?
>
> The track will be about 3.5 miles long when Hwy
> 218 is reached. But public service over to Hwy 218
> isn't scheduled until 2021. The newly laid track
> still needs ballast (Spring Work Weekend 2020),
> lining and tamping. Plus a siding needs to be
> built at 218, and if I am not mistaken also a
> small turntable.
>
> The grade down to Hwy 218 is about 4%, and cars
> are currently 'hand-braked'. There is a project in
> the works to add vacuum brakes to the passenger
> equipment, and that also is planned to be done
> prior to public service down that grade.

Bare with me but my inquisitive mind would like to know the following:-
1) If the railroad will be 3.5 miles long, where does the 8 mile post allude to?
2) Was that 4% grade always part of the railroad of old times?
3) Did the railroad have braking of some sort when in operation or was it non braked?
4) Last question that has probably been asked, re the mat you are putting down, I am imagining it would create issues with ballasting, does the ballast tend to want to slide of or can it be ballasted with no issues or indication that there is a mat below.

Love your work and what you fella's achieve, you have a pretty good size work force there, will you have enough projects in the future to keep everyone interested and attending?

Wayne from Oz