Cotton Valley Rail Trail Club

Club President Bruce Stuart was on business travel and VP Jessie Mazzie took the gavel for today's meeting. It was cool so it was held in Fernald Station with the warmth of the wood stove. A card was passed around to sign for Art Hawkes who has been ill. Jessie re-iterated the dues increase voted on by the membership at the Octtober meeting. The dues for 2020 will be $50. The dual axle trailer discussed and approved by vote at the October meeting was picked up by Ron Mitchell and it's now stored in the engine house. This will facilitate moving the tractor easily for maintenance and with mowing operations over in Ossipee. More consideration was given to adding hy-rail gear to the tractor and some potential sources for used gear was discussed. The dates may slip into early 2020 to repair the roof on Fernald as "winter is coming". The meeting ended at 10:30. A few cars ran the line out to Rt 16. Left, Jesse and Liz enjoy a snow filled gauge ride at the season closer. (SPM)

Today's volunteer day went well with approx 21 volunteers. They spent about 4 hours out on the line cutting at three different locations. The curve as you leave the first wetland area after Cotton Valley is now completed. An area around Moxie Junction got some attention too. The last section along the river around the picnic table is also cleared. There are now one or two areas along the river section that we could place some benches for a nice riverside view. Several downed trees from the recent wind storm were cleared from the trail just east of Clark Road too. The Seven Lakes Snowmobile Club tackled that job. Thanks guys! Expect more published volunteer days next season with CVTC. See everyone at the next meeting. (SPM)

The storm damage was less than expected, but the chainsaws came in handy. Chris took this picture as we got ready to clear a tree near the Lochmere siding.

Received an email from the Hobo Railroad, saying "Thank you-- we really appreciate your assistance and support.". That really sums up the impact that our club members make! (JWM)

Pictured left is the tractor leaving Frost Crossing and heading east to Cotton Valley siding. Right, Vice President Jesse Mazzie "contemplates" the awesome fall foliage of northern New Hampshire where we ride, then proceeds to cut down half of it! :-) (SPM)

We had nine motorcars, with members, guests, and Roger, our railroad pilot for the day. It was easy to seton at Hazens, with plenty of parking in the NHC transload yard. After our safety briefing, we headed west to Whitefield on the former B&M trackage to the ball signal. From there, we reversed direction, heading east to Waumbek Junction, then north on former Maine Central track to Coos Junction, where we returned to B&M tracks for the trip to Groveton.

The sun came out, and we had some great views of foliage. To the left, one of Amy Read's pictures. (JWM)

To the left... TC-42 is perched on the mainline; those granite blocks are about two feet thick, the culvert opening three feet high. Jon thinks he might be done for the season, but already thinking about spring, and continuing to build our relationship with the museum. (JWM)

AND they loved us so much that they will be back to shoot all the intros and wraps for the week long show about trains. The date will be announced shortly. The week long series should air in November on Channel 9.

Pictured left to right, President Bruce Stuart looking on as club member Jon Miner is interviewed by Sean McDonald. Videographer Paul utilized the gang trailer to get some "dolly" shots of railcars on the adjacent track. Frank enjoys a conversation with host Sean McDonald. (SPM)

To the left we see the usual ROW discussions taking place and to the right Toby wrestles with the Stihl. We have more cutting to do so please ask the Trail Master, Bruce Stuart, for the latest task list. (SPM)

Next trip over is scheduled for their "Members Day" on October 12. (JWM)

After lunch at Tilton House of Pizza, they went all the way south to White Mountain Junction (Concord), before returning to Canterbury. Great day, and a big thanks to the crew at WMUR for an accurate forecast! (JWM)

Big thanks to Frank, Tommy, Chris, Hayden and two Jons... The crew took advantage of the nice cool weather to do some serious cutting in the Northfield swamp. We have a little bit more to do on the north end to finish up the job. Due to the wetlands, this is a spot where the State of NH cannot spray. (JWM)

In the picture, TC-42 has stopped at "Morrison Hill", and Jon will grab the "Orange Work Paddle" before heading out on the mainline. They've got a pretty simple, but effective system. The next trolley out will see that the work paddle is missing, so they'll expect to find someone on the line. Jon will also put his sweeps down before continuing. He's found that if the sweeps are down in the Vistor Center area, they pick up grease and plow the pea-stone ballast in the walking areas.

Interested in helping out... get in touch with Jon and he can provide more details. (JWM)

Photo Left: As the new owner of a Woodings CBI, one of our newest members (and among the youngest), Hayden takes a spin in his first motorcar. The smile says it all! Photo Right: Tommy wields the cutter at a crossing west of Fernald. (SPM)

Pictured; David stands next to TC-42 at the Library Crossing, in front of Tower C. (JWM)

On Friday, Jon headed over for an early morning, getting several hours of cutting done before backing into the Biddeford Spur, and waiting for the inspection trolley to come out to the Talbott Park loop. Jon would then follow it back to the Vistor Center.

It's great to be able to leverage the Club's expertise and help out the short lines and heritage railroads in New England. (JWM)

We did a little bit of cutting at Lambert Road and a few misc places. The State of NH should be cutting it this year, so we're not going to expend a lot of effort until after that.

Stay hydrated... stay cool.. stay safe! (JWM)

Each Valley train would come down to Conway, with an hour layover. Visitors got to try their hand with a mini-excavator, driving spikes, spraying water from CSRR's firetruck, and locomotive and caboose tours... and the always popular motorcar rides, with a 400ft round trip. Once the train left, we had an hour long break before the next train.

To the left, several pictures taken by Eric G. Pete and Jon watch the steam engine perform a run-around in the morning. In the second picture, the guys are coming through the switch, and back to the loading platform. Over the photographer's left shoulder is the Conway freighthouse. (JWM)

"What a fantastic day on the rails. A huge thank you to Ken, Bill, Bruce and Sean who did lots of behind the scenes work to make this event a success. Hayden and I patrolled west into town then returned for a short club business meeting. After the meeting 5 cars including the big A car headed over Rt. 109 to ride our scenic west end. The track and flangeways are clear so please enjoy this beautiful portion of track. Upon our arrival the hard working team served a great lunch to us all. I'm still full as I write this message. After enjoying some social time cars headed east for a great sunny excursion on these New Hampshire rails. We were happy to have with us long time friend of the CVRTC, Peter Dearness and his wife attend the BBQ and motorcar ride. The group headed toward Rt 16 for great trip with outstanding weather. Thank you again to all that came and all that volunteered to make this day happen.

Interesting historical side note: While taking Pete on a tour of Fernald, upstairs in the station he told me in 1974 a young Mr. Dearness ventured into the upstairs office of Fernald station to meet Don Halleck, the founder of the Wolfeboro Railroad. He wanted to find out about what it took to run a railroad as he was looking at getting into the business. Forty-five years and three short lines later the rest as they say is, History." (JMazzie)