after all the rain this year in our neck of the redwoods, some of the rails
on which our local steam train concession (roaring camp railroads) runs
their shay locomotive had some washouts.  at the same time they decided to
replace some rotting sleepers...without removing the rails.  they pulled
the spikes, dug out and pulled the sleepers, put in a new sleeper, then
spiked it.  they had both a long-handled and a short-handled spike maul,
and were able to hit both hard and accurately.  both guys on the gang were
in their mid-20s or so...  very cool to see them be so accurate with the
hammers, especially in 95 degree heat!

so i can imagine, ed, that it wasn't dissimilar to watching you and your
brother all those years ago :)

best,
bill
felton, ca