Hopefully someone in charge at CSX will realize the importance of fixing the bridge and prioritize its repair. It looks like fencing and decking and probably some supports need to be replaced. Not that big a deal, unless the company is run by lawyers.

They have extended the new stone from Whites Ferry to past Nolands Ferry. Currently working on re-stoning from Nolands Ferry to Brunswick. Brunswick all the way to Shepherdstown has been completed. Makes for easier bike riding, but will admit it is oatmeal right now.

I was walking the canal yesterday from Nolands Ferry to and from Monocacy yesterday. I could not see the bottom of my shoes when done. Had to scrape the stones off.

Looks to be more than 200' (those cars are about 57.5', if not longer) attached to a bridge, most of which is over water, carrying a busy freight line. Engineering and work plans will have to be submitted and reviewed. Contractor(s) with all the necessary training will have to be engaged, possibly through a competitive bidding process. Materials will need to be ordered and delivered. If the track needs to/can be taken out of service, and alternate service plan may need to be developed, and customers may need to be notified of potential service disruptions. If the track cannot be taken out of service, repairs will take longer and be more costly. I think we quote a cost of around $1,800/day/flagman. Probably need two for that job.

Ah, that is awesome news. When they did the work from brunswick heading north they did it in stages: first drag/clear a section, then put down a first layer of stone, then put down dust, before finally running the rollers on it. Even after they finish working on a section it takes a while to settle. I thought the new surface was ruined right away when it rained and then a bunch of horses used it. After a heavy rain later that week you couldn't tell the horses had been there (on a related topic I wish the horse riders would remove their manure from the path...). So, it was still pretty soft. Now that many months have passed it has gotten pretty solid. You can't tell when the rangers have driven their trucks through any more. Even so the people who ride their bicycles on it have their calves covered in grit after riding even on dry days. I suppose I'll know my own opinion on it for cycling once I get out there on a bicycle with some regularity (should be out there tomorrow). I do know that it's great for running as is.

I too wish the horse riders would clean up themselves. It does get tiresome, either riding or walking having to dodge the manure on the trail. I have heard this trail is nearly duplicate to that on the GAP. The GAP is very much settled and is super easy to ride on, so I'm looking forward to when all of the C&O is settled like this as well. Only issue I have ever had with the GAP, is the grey/white dust coating your bike has on it after riding a significant amount of miles on the trail. The drivetrain requires a good cleaning after the ride.

A guy on a rail aficionado site posted this on YT. I snapshot some of the video of the sections showing how much damage was done to the walkway. It’s going to be a while to fix this.


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e58b26eece.png
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...da28ca7b9a.png
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ede1a54d28.png
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...cf9e02e7eb.png

An update on this train derailment, and reconditioning of the foot bridge:

https://www.winchesterstar.com/repor...7df18fa22.html

It sounds like the train was stopped with the brakes on, and the engineer went "full speed ahead" at the engine, and pulled the line tight (as you might when pulling a curve out of a string) and it yanked the cars off the track. The news article claims the foot bridge is expected to be back in service in late July.