New retaining wall and some more trestle repairs

My test runs pointed out a couple issues that needed fixing including a low spot on the mainline where I have a switch. I need to raise this as it's too low and results in a steep grade on the reversing loop.

A view of the problem area. I tried raising it up by piling up a lot of gravel which helped but I decided it wasn't enough.

Another view of the same area showing the low spot. The plant on the right is a native roundleaf alumroot (Heuchera cylindrica) which I added last year and it should be in bloom soon.  

To raise the track further, I decided to build a retaining wall here because of the slope. I dug out a trench along the track where it will be placed.

This new retaining wall matches the one I made earlier along a spur track, using three stakes to hold it in place. I just need to very gently and evenly pound the stakes into the ground.

Oh no! I wasn't careful enough and it got unbalanced and one section split apart.

No worries, once I leveled out the wall I glued the two pieces that had popped out back into place. Just need to let this set for 24 hours before I backfill the wall.

The partially finished wall in place. The top of the wall is higher than track level now but will be about even once I add backfill behind the wall and raise the track.

I also needed to do a little more trestle repair. I did most of the trestle repairs a few weeks ago, but a couple beams popped out of place this week after being hit by an errant Chuckit ball. 

Another quick and easy bridge repair. Chuckit ball to blame here as well.

The next day I backfilled the retaining wall, aligned the track and set it in place with ballast.

I then finished work on the spur that serves as a reverse loop for the mainline.

This is the area I'm working on next. I'm happy with the positioning of the connecting track between the mainline and the upper loop.

This switch is the connection between the upper loop and the connecting track.

One side of the upper loop will head out over a trestle here. These rocks are in the way. I'm not sure why I built this ramp so wide, so I think I'll cut back into the dirt and push the rocks back closer to the connecting track.

The upper loop will have two bridges over the lower track and I think this will be the approximate location for each bridge.

I put the bridges up on temporary supports to help me visualize where the upper loop will be heading.

The lilacs come out around the first week of May here in Spokane. I planted this one a couple years ago and this is its first year blooming.

The native serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) is also in full bloom right now.