More Work...

This past week was a very busy week for the crew on the Central Branch Railroad.  Following Monday's tree trimming, Larry Moon, our maintenance supervisor came up from Riley on Tuesday to do some routine maintenance on equipment and prep work for more spraying along the rails.  This has been a tough year to get any spraying done due to the frequent rains in May and June.  Larry and Dave Crawford did get some spraying done this week.

Also on Tuesday, Gene and Sandy Harding took an inspection ride going west out of Waterville.  They did not make it to Coon Creek due to downed trees. They returned on Saturday morning to cut trees, including the mess pictured below on the east side of Coon Creek.  Also pictured is a large tree down across the bridge towards the west side.  That tree is yet to be dealt with - not real sure how to cut a tree while standing on a bridge or trestle!

Wednesday morning was another big round of trimming east of the Vista RD crossing.  All together, Gene Harding and Dave Crawford trimmed 26 trees that had fallen across the tracks east of Blue Rapids.  Most were in the 6-8 inch diameter range with several in the 12-15 inch diameter range.  We thought excited when we could see the  Big Blue River bridge but then found 3 more trees in the last quarter mile or so at the east end of the rails.

At least now the rails are open for a ride on Monday going east from Waterville across the river and back.

And of course along with all the tree trimming, the grass in the Blue Rapids rail yard had to get mowed Thursday evening.

After a busy week, Friday evening provided a beautiful view of the Big Blue River.  The first picture is looking south and the second one looking north from the bridge.

PS - Almost can't count the number of deer we have seen this week.  Probably saw a half a dozen Friday evening between Blue Rapids and Waterville.  We had one jump across the rails at dusk that was illuminated by the headlight!