Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Home stretch on Rails to Trails Bridge
Bill Tindall, E.Tn.
We are nearly done stripping old ties and laying new ones. We supplemented the work crew with a tractor and pulled off ties from the opposite end of the bridge. We can get a small tractor to this end but not the larger machines(2 creek fords). We stripped about 30' yesterday from the far end and 12' with the mini excavator. Only 18' of old ties remained at the end of the day. 
Re: Home stretch on Rails to Trails Bridge
Barry Irby
That mini excavator is definitely the Cool Tool for that job. The fact it can pivot all the way around to load the ties onto and off of the forks that are sneaking up on it trying poke it in the behind is great.
Re: Home stretch on Rails to Trails Bridge
William Duffield
That bridge looks like it's still infested with a troll, but you're making great progress. Maybe you need three billy goats? 
It's a very worthwhile project you're doing.
We are infested
Bill Tindall, E.Tn.
There is a huge colony of bees in one of the massive beams. A 4+ foot black snake makes home at one end. Water snakes sun on the deck.....
what's next after this?
David Weaver
Seems like you guys (and gals involved) are taking care of business pronto - this went from "gathering information and considering options" to nearly done very quickly.
what's next is 15 more bridges, shorter
Bill Tindall, E.Tn.
We got private funding for 2 more and the state of VA just gave us $350,000 for more bridges....so we are funded for 7 to 8 more.
Cool! as both a hiker and 'bridge enthusiast'..
Henry (Raleigh NC)
Bill
We hike some - at a very amateur level. We're also bridge enthusiasts - just appreciate the design, engineering, and (now) the reclaiming of bridges in their many forms.
At some point I will have to get over to this neighboring state and hike this trail that will soon have such great access (structures). I might take the (swinging?) pedestrian bridge as an adventure and to get to see the railway bridge from a better perspective - but my wife would definitely choose the 'solid ground' of your newly revived bridge.
Looking forward to details of more bridge revivals!
Henry