THEN B1 14' main line bridge at Muddy Creek Forks Condition: Two of six wooden stringers have collapsed under their own weight and the remaining four can carry only light equipment. The stone abutments are in poor condition and have been shimmed with wood and metal plates. Work to be done: Construct new concrete abutments retaining the existing fieldstone walls. Install new stringers of 16" steel I-beam. Track will be reinstalled by the Society.

THEN B2 12' bridge just north of High Rock Road Condition: The abutments are severely deteriorated. The bridge deck of eight steel stringers is believed to be sound but has been propped up on rotting timbers. Low clearance under the bridge results in frequent flooding over the deck. Work to be done: Remove bridge deck. Construct new concrete abutments 10" higher than existing for increased stream clearance. Reinstall existing bridge deck and ties. Raise the track for approximately 150 feet on each side of the bridge to provide a smooth vertical alignment to the new deck level.

THEN S1 Embankment at MP 57.2 Condition: Embankment is being undercut by Muddy Creek and has eroded to the end of ties for approximately 175 feet. The track is passable but is not stable enough for operation of heavy equipment. Work to be done: Protect track by covering with stone to top of rail. Excavate along stream bank to install concrete footing or until solid rock is reached. Construct 12 foot high inclined wall of gabions and protect base with heavy rock. Backfill and compact the soil behind the wall to provide a gently sloping surface 15 feet wide on the creek side of the track. Remove protective stone from track.

ALMOST S1 Pouring the concrete footing for the gabion wall at S-1.

NOW S1 Completed gabion wall at S-1 with roadbed ready for reinstallation of the track.

THEN B3 13' bridge at MP 57.5 Condition: The concrete abutments and wing walls are in good condition, but the stream is causing erosion behind the wing walls. The steel stringers have rusted through in places and are not safe for heavy loads. Work to be done: Fill eroded areas behind wing walls with clean rock. Install new beam seats of steel plate. Install new stringers of 16" steel I-beam. Track will be reinstalled by the Society.

NOW B3 Work in progress at bridge B-3. The old bridge beams have been removed and areas of erosion around the abutments have been armored with stone. Completion is awaiting delivery of the new beams from the steel fabricator. .

THEN S2 Looking South Embankment at MP 58.5 Condition: The track in this location was completely undercut and hanging in the air for nearly 200 feet. It was temporarily relocated in 2004 and is passable with light equipment. Work to be done: Protect track by covering with stone to top of rail. Excavate along stream bank to install concrete footing or until solid rock is reached. Construct 9 foot high wall of gabions and protect base with heavy rock. Backfill and compact the soil behind the wall to provide a sloping surface about 6 feet wide on the creek side of the track. Remove protective stone from track. Society will move track back to original alignment on restored embankment.

NOW S2 Looking North As of December 16 only a little grading remained to complete the work at washout S-2. This is where the track was hanging in the air before a temporary shoofly track was built in 2004. The new gabion wall is about 200 feet long. This is the same location as the above picture but taken looking North.

THEN B4 31' Plate girder bridge at foot of Guinston Road Condition: The plate girder span is in good condition, but the stream has undermined the north abutment and eroded behind it. The abutment has a major open crack to the east of the bridge seat. Work to be done: Remove gravel bar from south side of stream and protect bank with rock. Underpin north abutment with cement. Repair crack in abutment with stitching of rebar on both surfaces and fill crack with grout. Fill eroded areas behind abutment with rock. Place rock along north side of stream to divert stream and protect abutment. Reinstall plate girder span. Track will be reinstalled by Society.

NOW B4 Completed work at bridge B-4 taken two days after the flash flood of November 16. A small amount of rip-rap was lost at the south abutment in the flood, but the bridge was otherwise undamaged despite the fact that two large trees washed down the creek and lodged against it.

THEN S3 Embankment at MP 58.7 Condition: Stream erosion is proceeding aggressively. The track is partly undercut and the embankment is eroded to the end of ties for more than 100 feet. Work to be done: Remove track. Excavate under track and along stream bank to install concrete footing or until solid rock is reached. Construct nearly vertical wall of gabions and tie into fill under track with welded wire fabric. Protect base of gabion wall with heavy rock. Backfill and compact the soil behind the wall. Track will be reinstalled over gabion wall by Society.

ALMOST S3 Construction in progress at S-3 on December 16. The area has been excavated, concrete footings poured, two layers of gabion baskets installed, and the area behind the gabions backfilled with stone. Two more layers of gabions are required to reach the final grade.

NOW S3The work at S3 is now complete. This is a picture of the finished work. The creek was quite high the day this picture was taken. Allott has only some finish grading of the right of way through this section from S2 - S3 and some large stone to place at the south end of S2 before moving on to the other big washout, S1.