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 Post subject: Re: Catskill Mountain Railroad News - 2013
PostPosted: Tue Jul 09, 2013 1:02 am 

Joined: Fri Mar 05, 2010 3:41 am
Posts: 3911
Location: Inwood, W.Va.
Ernie, I'm looking at your photos, and it looks like you have more track that is actually open than what you use. It may not be in shape to actually carry a full-sized train, but it looks like your maintenance equipment can run on it, and motor cars, too.

Wouldn't it be funny to say you have operating service on much of the line with equipment like this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvwwp2941yE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6O3rRS-QUg

Hey, how does the operating rulebook define a train? Isn't it something on rails, propelled by some form of energy, displaying a white light in front and a red light at the rear, and operating in accordance with appropriate rules?


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 Post subject: Re: Catskill Mountain Railroad News - 2013
PostPosted: Wed Jul 10, 2013 1:59 am 

Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:54 pm
Posts: 1327
J3a

The line from Kingston to Phoenicia is fully open and traversible by maintenance equipment, except for our equipment on the line at 209 and the missing Boiceville Trestle. The railroad has put a lot of work into maintaining the "Out of Service" section of the railroad over the years, and it has only one serious washout at MP 18.57 that we will repair once we get there with our work trains.

Now that the C9 bridge is repaired, with relatively minor work we should be able to run a work train on the line from Kingston to West Hurley in the near future, if we want to.

EH


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 Post subject: CMRR Volunteer Workdays - 7/12 to 7/14
PostPosted: Wed Jul 10, 2013 2:00 am 

Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:54 pm
Posts: 1327
Friday, July 12th

Trains will be running in Mt. Tremper.

In the evening will be the annual Children's Parade in Kingston, where the CMRR will be participating.


Saturday, July 13th

On Saturday we will be running in Mt. Tremper and Kingston.

In Mt. Tremper, George Peck plans to support the train crews through the first run, then his crew will switch to Phoenicia where they will continue work cleaning up the Phoenicia yard. Meet at 9:30am at Mt. Tremper.


Sunday, July 14th

Trains will be running in Mt. Tremper.

In Kingston, Mark Glaser will lead a track crew starting at 9am at Cornell Street Yard. Plans are to spike up ties already installed and to continue installing ties west of C9 so our Kingston City Limited can go further west to Route 209.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR


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 Post subject: Re: Catskill Mountain Railroad News - 2013
PostPosted: Thu Jul 11, 2013 1:59 am 

Joined: Fri Mar 05, 2010 3:41 am
Posts: 3911
Location: Inwood, W.Va.
Ernie, I would like to link some of your photos and perhaps quote your comments on how much of the line is actually open and passable by work equipment and motor cars in the Freeman (where you can see I've been making comments under my real name). May I ask your permission to use these photos and your commentary?


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 Post subject: Re: Catskill Mountain Railroad News - 2013
PostPosted: Thu Jul 11, 2013 12:40 pm 

Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:54 pm
Posts: 1327
As for my commentary, it is for here not the Freeman.

Photos on NERAIL are public and you can link to them anyway you want. If you look back aways the NARCOA runs show how much of the line is open if you read carefully.

EH


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 Post subject: CMRR Work Report - 7/13 to 7/15
PostPosted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 11:21 pm 

Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:54 pm
Posts: 1327
Friday, July 13th

Engineer: John Prestopino, Brakeman: Edwin Wintanley, Car Attendant: Bob MacDonald, Ticket Agent: Tom Whyte, Conductor: Dan Howard.


Saturday July 14th

In Kingston on Saturday, the CMRR ran four extra trains with half of all proceeds benefitting the Empire State Railway Museum. Today's crew included Earl Pardini-engineer, Walt Otto-conductor, John Prestopino-trainman, Tyler Carelli and Freddie Rasmussen-flaggers, Ron Epstein-car attendant, Mark Glaser-brakeman, and Alan Kordzikouski was ticket agent.

In Mt. Tremper, Conductor was Dan Howard, Engineer was Al Schoessow, Dave Cenova was Car Attendant, and Gary Lowe was ticket agent.

In Phoenicia, George Peck, Art Vogel and Neil Remsen continued repairs to the mainline and were able to run the ballast regulator all the way to Campground Curve.


Sunday, July 15th

In Mt. Tremper, Conductor was Ray Farrell, Engineer was Walt Otto, and Peter Fluchere was ticket agent.

On Sunday in Kingston, track crews working west of C-9 installed 10 additional ties and spiked 18, lengthening the Kingston ride nearly three train lengths. Today's work group included: George Peck, Al Schoessow, Bob Blake, Tyler Carelli, Tom Whyte, and Mark Glaser. Ernie Klopping completed repairs to the MOW Pickup @ Cornell St. Yard.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR


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 Post subject: Re: Catskill Mountain Railroad News - 2013
PostPosted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 12:09 pm 

Joined: Sun Jul 14, 2013 3:46 pm
Posts: 261
http://www.wamc.org/post/david-nightingale-rails-trails

Rails-With-Trails
By DAVID NIGHTINGALE

The last train into the Catskills left Kingston in September 1976, returning a few days later with essentially every freight car that had been on that Ulster & Delaware line.

Then, in 1979, the taxpayers of Ulster County bought the 38 miles between Kingston and Belleayre, to preserve it for future use, for $1.5 million 1979 dollars (or roughly 4 million in today's $$s).

Fast forward to 2013. There is now a competition concerning the future of the rail: many people wish the lines to be torn up, for another hiking trail, while others wish it to be a kept as a historic tourist-usable rail line.[Ref.2.]

We do so much love competition – us or them – win or lose, hardly ever a compromise. As a longtime cyclist, walker and erstwhile volunteer garbage collector on our local railtrail, I can see compromise for the Catskill line – and I looked up some examples and photographs from about 16 states.[Ref.1.] Typically, the photographs show a single rail track, with a parallel biking and walking trail perhaps 20 feet away, sometimes with a fence between them, and sometimes separated by vegetation, or nothing. They all looked attractive, sensible and workable.

The Green Bay Trail in Illinois, and the Western Maryland Scenic RailRoad in Maryland are examples of sharing rail with trail. There are also the Santa Fe Southern Railway in New Mexico, and the Calumet Trail in Indiana. The Rail Road Trail in Michigan goes for about 57 miles beside a train track. At the other end of the scale, there's a 0.4 mile section of the Libba Cotton bike path in NC beside a train track. Astonishingly, the Southwest Corridor Park Trail in Massachusetts runs beside150 mph trains.

Could the historic rail into the Catskills which, as we said, the taxpayers own, and which is presently leased to the Catskill Mountain Rail Road volunteers and enthusiasts, ever become both? One is reminded of the long distancewalker Payson Weston, many times hiking beside rail tracks, especially in California.

So, not easy to decide.

Indeed, sitting on a slow-moving hard-seated cold historic train may seem boring to those who prefer walking through fresh woods or bicycling quietly on a cindery path, but what of the senior citizen, or parent with children, or summer group, wishing to get out to the Ashokan Reservoir, without battling traffic? One can imagine the train leaving the Hudson River at Kingston, passing through the city, chugging over the flats and Rte 209, passing through woods and climbing slowly to views of the Ashokan Reservoir, perhaps to let people out for a picnic? Or, if time, continuing to climb right up to the entrance to Belleayre ski area? Perhaps three trains a day? And the tired cyclist able perhaps to return that way if desired?

Thus, does it really have to be either/or? I submit that the hiking trail could be completed first, while work continues on the rail, as has been done successfully with other sections of the line. Let's seriously consider getting the best of both tourist worlds, long-term.


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 Post subject: Re: Catskill Mountain Railroad News - 2013
PostPosted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 12:51 pm 

Joined: Sun Jul 14, 2013 3:46 pm
Posts: 261
^Here's the CMRR's 37-page proposal:

http://catskillmtrailroad.com/reports/C ... MP3-11.pdf

Available here:

http://catskillmtrailroad.com/news.php


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 Post subject: CMRR Work Report - 7/18 to 7/21
PostPosted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 9:39 pm 

Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:54 pm
Posts: 1327
Thursday, July 18th

On Thursday, the CMRR ran a charter in Mt. Tremper. Engineer was Al Schoessow, Conductor was John Prestopino. Car attendants were George Bain, Rich Kerimoglu and Franc Libihoul.


Friday, July 19th

Crew was: Engineer was John Prestopino, Car Attendant was Pat Smalley, Ticket Agent was Bob MacDonald, and Conductor was Dan Howard.

George Peck tightened bolts in the Andrew's Lane area.


Saturday, July 20th

In Mt. Tremper, Brakeman was Bill Kaba, Engineer was Al Schoessow, Ticket Agents were Brianna Wittl and Ryan Lennox, and Conductor was Dan Howard. They were joined by Earl Pardini and George Bain for the Twilight Limited run that evening.

George Peck and Art Vogel worked on the hi-rail dump truck, with help from Neil Remsen later in the day.

In Kingston on Saturday, CMRR ran four passenger extras from Westbrook Lane with younger passengers receiving balloons and lollipops. Train and station crew was: Walt Otto-engineer, Ray Farrell-conductor, Tony Bochinno-flagger, Mark Glaser-brakeman, Tyler Carelli and Ron Epstein- car attendants. Ticket agent was Thom Johnson.


Sunday, July 21st

On Sunday, track crews returned to the newly opened sections west of C-9 up to MP 5.25. 28 ties were inserted and fully spiked extending revenue track nearly three train lengths. Much appreciation is extended to volunteers who worked late in near 90 degree heat to accomplish this. Today's crew included George Peck, John Patane, Al Schoessow, Tyler Carelli, Tom Whyte, Bob Blake, Frank Libihoul, Mark Glaser and Rick Desir.

In Mt. Tremper on Sunday, Engineer was Walt Otto, Brakeman was Ray Farrell, Car Attendant was Bob McDonald, Ticket Agent was Russ Hallock, Conductor was Dan Howard. Neil Remsen rode the first two runs to continue his Brakeman training and later worked in the Phoencia Yard.

In Phoenicia, Al Johnson started paint work on flat 35111.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR


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 Post subject: CMRR Volunteer Workdays - 7/26 to 7/28
PostPosted: Thu Jul 25, 2013 12:28 am 

Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:54 pm
Posts: 1327
Friday, July 26th

Trains will be running in Mt. Tremper.

At Cornell Street, Mark Glaser will lead a cleanup crew getting the yard in tip top shape. Bring weed-wackers and brush tools. Starting at 9am.

At Longyear siding, George Liucci will be working on painting the Duck starting at 10am and could use extra hands. He will be cleaning and prepping for paint. bring scrapers wire brushes and rags if you can.



Saturday, July 27th

On Saturday we will be running in Mt. Tremper and Kingston.

In Mt. Tremper, George Peck plans to support the train crews through the first run, then his crew will switch to Phoenicia where they will continue work cleaning up the Phoenicia yard. Meet at 9:30am at Mt. Tremper.

George Liucci will continue working on the Duck at Longyear siding at 10am, and Al Johnson plans to work on flat 35111 at 10am in the Phoenicia yard. Both could use extra help.


Sunday, July 28th

Trains will be running in Mt. Tremper.

In Kingston, Mark Glaser will lead a track crew starting at 9am at Cornell Street Yard. Plans are to spike up ties already installed and to continue installing ties west of C9 so our Kingston City Limited can go further west to Route 209.

Dan Howard will be running a rules class for requalifications only. We have decided to have new volunteers take the test later in the year.





Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR


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 Post subject: Re: Catskill Mountain Railroad News - 2013
PostPosted: Thu Jul 25, 2013 10:39 pm 

Joined: Fri Mar 05, 2010 3:41 am
Posts: 3911
Location: Inwood, W.Va.
From Flimsies:

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.d ... 33/-1/NEWS


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 Post subject: Re: Catskill Mountain Railroad News - 2013
PostPosted: Sat Jul 27, 2013 9:47 am 

Joined: Fri Mar 05, 2010 3:41 am
Posts: 3911
Location: Inwood, W.Va.
At 9:42AM on July 27, the counts stand at 1,527 trail, 1,995 rail; last signatures at this time are on July 23 for the trail petition, and July 27 for the rail petition.

http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/maketh ... l-mountain

http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/ulster ... by=7898224


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 Post subject: Re: Catskill Mountain Railroad News - 2013
PostPosted: Sat Jul 27, 2013 9:48 am 

Joined: Fri Mar 05, 2010 3:41 am
Posts: 3911
Location: Inwood, W.Va.
Should have done this before for easy cross-reference--link to the petition thread on this road:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=35117


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 Post subject: CMRR Work Report - 7/26 to 7/28
PostPosted: Mon Jul 29, 2013 11:56 pm 

Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:54 pm
Posts: 1327
Friday, July 26th

On Friday, at Mt. Tremper Engineer was John Watson, Brakeman was Ed Winstanley, Ticket Agent was Russ Hallock, and the Conductor was Dan Howard. George Peck supported the passenger train crew on the first run.

At Longyear siding, George Liucci and Al Johnson started prep work for the repaint of CMRR No. 1, "The Duck".

In Kingston, Mark Glaser led a cleanup crew at Cornell Street yard which included Al Schoessow, Matt Gillis, Tom Whyte, Jim Bruck and George Peck.



Saturday, July 27th

In Kingston, Engineer was John Patane, Brakeman was Mark Glaser, Flaggers were Fred Rasmussen and Tyler Carelli, Ticket Agent was Thom Johnson. Car Attendants: Earl (with accordion) & Mimi Pardini, Pat Smalley, Ron Epstein, Karen Vogel, Lotasha & Alex Sorenson. Conductor was Dan Howard. Trains were full all day.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=210014

At Longyear siding, George Liucci and Al Johnson continued work on CMRR No. 1 for its new paint scheme. George Peck and Art Vogel worked on the hi-rail dump truck.

At Mt. Tremper, Conductor was Ray Farrell, Engineer was Al Schoessow, Brakeman was Neil Isabelle, Car Attendant was?, and the Ticket Agent was Ryan Lennox.

In Phoenicia, Neil Remsen did welding work on flat 35111.


Sunday, July 28th

At Mt. Tremper, Conductor was John Prestopino, Engineer was George Peck, Brakeman was Tony Bocchino, Car Attendant was Tyler Carelli, and Ticket Agent was Chris Burtt.

In Kingston on Sunday crews continued with yard and ROW cleanup. The Stone Cart was placed in service and delivered ballast to a jack and tamp operation just west of the Holiday Inn. Work continued on the LIRR coach generator; mechanical team began installation of rebuilt radiator. Today's crew included Earl Pardini, Al Schoessow, Alex Sorenson, Tom Whyte, Ernie Klopping, and Mark Glaser.

Also Neil Remsen, Bob MacDonald and Dave Hilliard took and passed the 2nd rules class for 2013.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR


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 Post subject: Re: Catskill Mountain Railroad News - 2013
PostPosted: Tue Jul 30, 2013 4:02 pm 

Joined: Sun Jul 14, 2013 3:46 pm
Posts: 261
Ridership is strong in Kingston:

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=210014

CMRR Kingston City Limited

On Saturday, July 27th, the CMRR Kingston City Limited was full every run. The train is now running halfway between Bridge C9 and Route 209, getting closer to 209 every weekend.


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