Silver Lake
Railroad

SLRR Washout Update

Thanks to the volunteers who helped fill the washout and workers from the state our washout is now filled. 

Here's how it happened- After we close for the season, we rarely do track and line inspections. The "busy beavers" got to work very quickly, and nearly completely clogged our 5*7 ft. culvert. One of the passing rain storms raised the level of the beaver pond to over the culvert ceiling and the water pushed on the soft sand that was underneath the ballast. (soft sand was in that location because that section of track had laid dormant and washed-out for nearly 15 years, and the sand was brought ashore. (we filled it in 2008 ) The State has cleared their culvert (line is owned by State of NH- we only own nearly 1000 feet of track), and provided us with fill and labor. We completed fixing this washout on tuesday 11-23-10. Picture of the filled washout are linked below along with captions written by operations manager Bruce Stuart and I!

Thanks to all who helped out on Monday and Tuesday!

Photos: credit to Joe Sheehan

Joe Sheehan Loads The First of Many

It took a joint effort by the SLRR, NH Bureau of Trails, Ossipee Valley Snowmobile Club, and Colemans Sand and Gravel to accomplish this washout fill.

Workers Starting to fill the Washout

SLRR Operations Manager Bruce Stuart and Trails Bureau member Josh utilize the 1931 Anthony bodied hydraulic dump cart to start filling in the washed area.

Fill Starts Taking Shape

Positioning Dump Car Over Fill

 

Rail was jacked and four by four pillars were cut, sized, and placed on the eastern side of the track for support.

Continued Dumping of Fill

The heaviest rains and cold temperatures prevailed on monday, but the fill continued throughout the day.

 

Frank Spreads Gravel

Trails Bureau member Frank spreads fill through the washout. It took two eleven hour- four man work days to complete the project.

Support Pillars Used On Every Other Tie

The washout encompassed fifty linear feet by three feet of depth and ten feet of width. Pillars were needed in order to support the work train. (Blue A6 and Dump Car)

Fill Arrives Monday Morning

A total of 110 yards of gravel were needed to fill the washout. A Colemans truck delivered the fill to boulder Rd on monday morning at 9AM. Colemans input toward this project was essential.

Work Train Shuttles Gravel

Unloading Dump Car

-Will Scopa

SLRR Volunteer