Here is the CMRR Facebook page that has updates on railroad operations and the rail trail fight:

https://www.facebook.com/allaboardforashokan

Friday, August 2nd

Trains will be running in Mt. Tremper.


Saturday, August 3rd

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 track work. George also needs brush cutting volunteers to work on various parts of the line. Meet at 9:30am at Mt. Tremper.

Al Johnson will continue working on the Duck at Longyear siding at 10am, and could use extra help if you are available.


Sunday, August 4th

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. Mark also needs a brush crew to weed-wack the line from O'Neil Street west through the cut to Chandler Drive.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=210154

Work Begins at Campground Curve.

Work Begins at Campground Curve. Because we have decided that the County will never release FEMA funding alotted to repair the track here, we have decided to go forward and do it ourselves. Our crew was collecting rail and unbolting it as the first step.

Photographed by Ernest Hunt, August 3, 2013.

Friday, August 2nd

On Friday at Mt. Tremper, Conductor was Neil Isabelle, Engineer was Walt Otto, Brakeman was Ed Winstanley, Car Attendant was Kathy Isabelle, and Ticket Agent was Alan Kordzinski.


Saturday, August 3rd

On Saturday in Mt. Tremper, Conductor was Ray Farrell, Engineer was Al Schoessow, Brakeman was Bill Kaba, and Ticket Agent was Bruce Devorkin.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=210165

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=210166

At Campground Curve, George Peck led a team consisting of Art Vogel, Neil Remsen, and Dave Heick. They began unbolting rail as the first step in repairing Campground Curve.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=210153

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=210154

At Longyear Siding, Al Johnson continued priming CMRR No. 1 "The Duck" in preparation for painting.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=210152

In Kingston on Saturday, CMRR ran four passenger shuttles with half of all ticket revenues benefitting UCASPCA. All trains were well attended. Today's crew included: Earl Pardini-engineer, Walt Otto-conductor, Tyler Carelli and Freddie Rasmussen-flaggers, Ron Epstein-car attendant, Mark Glaser-brakeman, Pat Smalley-ticket agent. Jim Bruck and John Prestopino weed wacked the line from Downs St. west.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=210155

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=210156

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=210157


Sunday, August 4th

On Sunday in Mt. Tremper, Conductor was Bob McDonald, Engineer was George Peck, Brakeman was Tony Bocchino, Car Attendant was Tyler Carelli, and Ticket Agent was Peter Fluchere. All trains were well attended.

On Sunday in Kingston, track crews returned to the new section west of C-9 inserting and spiking fourteen ties. Participating were: Al Schoessow, Tom Whyte, Will Wilsey, Alex Sorenson, John Patane, Rick Desir, and Mark Glaser. Crews also trimmed overhanging branches from west of C-9 east to the former Holiday Inn. Jim Bruck and John Prestopino continued weed wacking on the operating section. After this weekend our passenger ride has been extended an additional train length to about MP 5.25.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

So, if the railroad is going ahead and doing these repairs without funding, should they quietly advise FEMA so the unused funding could be recovered from the local government? Might not make friends, but it could knock some wind out of the local government's sails and further demonstrate why they should not be in office.

Steve Hunter

It may be that FEMA only responds to "local government authority" and trusts the locals to do the right thing. However, bringing the matter to their attention might give the county and suitable smack on the knuckles. It could be a bargaining chip for the CMR, as the Feds look dimly on misuse of provided funding.

I took a Google Earth tour of the line and I must say I am very impressed with what these folks are doing and it will be tremendous if they can get the line going to the Ashokan reservoir again. Keep up the great work and good luck in the political arena.

Michael Seitz
Missoula MT

I was thinking you should tally the hours the volunteers put in, track work, etc, then you can show the monetary value the county is getting had they gotten proffessional contractors to do the work.

Friday, August 9th

Trains will be running in Mt. Tremper.


Saturday, August 10th

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 track work at Campground Curve. George also needs brush cutting volunteers to work on various parts of the line. Meet at 9:30am at Mt. Tremper.

At Shokan, Paul Sternizke and I will be cutting trees going west from Shokan. We will meet about 9:30am. We have two extra seats on Paul's track car, so let me know if you can join us. Bring chain saws and brush cutters.


Sunday, August 11th

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 to continue installing ties west of C9 so our Kingston City Limited can go further west to Route 209.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

In a related matter, the trail hounds are also after the Adirondack Scenic, and I understand they want to kill the tourist and freight hauling Saratoga & North Creek, too:

http://www.dailyfreeman.com/articles/20 ... =fullstory

What is the matter with that bunch?

Oh, a fun thing--take a look at the photo with the story above. That trail hound thinks the track is oh, so terrible, it will never come back--but right in front of him are three NEW ties, or at least something that looks like new.

Somebody's been working on that line, even if it is still not in service, or at least revenue service.

I wish the photographer or reporter had called him on that.

EDIT: Another item, a letter to the editor, from Gene Falvo in Utica, N.Y.:

http://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.co ... l?nav=5005

Thursday, August 8th

Earl Pardini organized a brush cutting crew that weed-wacked the area near the Thruway overpass. The crew included Jim Bruck. John Prestopino, Al Schoessow and George Bain.


Friday, August 9th

In Mt. Tremper, Conductor was Neil Isabelle, Engineer was John Watson, Brakeman was Ed Winstanley, Car Attendant was Kathy Isabelle, and Ticket Agents were George Bain & Gary Lowe.

Friday evening, Al Schoessow and John Patane assisted the crew from the movie "Cold in July" for a shoot along our tracks near the Thruway in Kingston.


Saturday, August 10th

On Saturday in Mt. Tremper, Conductor was Ray Farrell, Engineer was Al Schoessow, Brakeman was Neil Isabelle, and ticket agents were Russ Hallock & Gary Lowe.

At Longyear siding, Al Johnson and George Bain did prep work for painting the Duck, CMRR No. 1.

At Shokan, Paul Sternitzke and I cut trees from there to the Boiceville Bridge, five miles east.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=210287

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=210288

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=210289

At Campground Curve, George Peck led a crew consisting of Art Vogel, Dave Heick, Rich Bause, Neil Remsen, and Russell Hallock. They installed three new rails in Campground Curve.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=210296

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=210297

In Kingston on Saturday, the CMRR ran four Parent's Day extra's with all trains well attended. Today's crew included: Walt Otto-engineer, John Prestopino-conductor, Tyler Carelli, Freddie Rasmussen, Will Wilsey-flaggers, Ron Epstein-car attendant, Mark Glaser-brakeman. Jim Bruck was ticket agent. In addition, John Patane led a track crew west of C-9 inserting 8 ties.



Sunday, August 11th

On Sunday in Mt. Tremper, Conductor was Bob McDonald, Engineer was Walt Otto, Brakeman was Tony Bocchino, and Ticket Agent was Peter Fluchere.

Ryan Lennox weed wacked the ROW from Campground curve to MP 26.

On Sunday, track crews weed wacked just west of Albany Ave., reinforced drainage ditching in the same area, and opened Washingon Ave. to MOW equipment. Later in the day, work moved west of C-9 where 30 ties were inserted and 38 spiked. Our Kingston passenger ride now extends fully to Gill's Farm Crossing. Working today were: Earl Pardini, Al Schoessow,Bob Blake, Tom Whyte, Rick Desir, Tyler Carelli, Jim Bruck, George Peck, and Mark Glaser.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=210314


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Friday, August 16th

Trains will be running in Mt. Tremper.


Saturday, August 17th

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 track work at Campground Curve. George also needs brush cutting volunteers to work on various parts of the line. Meet at 9:30am at Mt. Tremper.

Saturday evening we will have the Twilight Limited running - ticket office opens at 7:30pm at Mt. Tremper.


Sunday, August 18th

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 to continue installing ties west of C9 so our Kingston City Limited can go further west to Route 209.

At Shokan, Paul Sternizke and I will be sickle bar cutting going east from Shokan. We will meet there about 9:30am. We have two extra seats on the Kalamazoo, so let me know if you can join us. Bring chain saws and brush cutters.




Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Friday, August 16th

On Friday, the 16th in Mt. Tremper, Conductor was Neil Isabelle, Engineer was John Prestopino, Brakeman was Ed Winstanley, and Car Attendant was Kathy Isabelle.

Christian Cole & Brad Leonard weed wacked from the front of Engine 407 to about half way to the stop sign going towards MP26.


Saturday August 17th

In Mt. Tremper during the day, Conductor was Ray Farrell, Engineer was Al Schoessow, Brakeman was Bill Kaba, and Car Attendant was Russ Hallock. For the Twilight Limited, Neil Isabelle was brakeman.

On Saturday, Christian Cole, Brad Leonard and Ryan Lennox continued weed wacking west of Mt. Tremper.

At Longyear siding, Al Johnson continued work on the Duck and assisted George Peck, Art Vogel and Dave Heick loading ties on the work flat and moving the work train to Campground Curve.

In Kingston on Saturday, CMRR ran another in it series of popular "Balloon and Lollipop" extras-all trains were well attended. Crew included Earl Pardini-engineer, Walt Otto-conductor, John Prestopino-trainman, Alex Sorensen, Ron Epstein-car attendants, Tyler Carelli, Tony Bochinno-flaggers, Mark Glaser-brakeman. Al Schoessow-ticket agent.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=210519


Sunday, August 18th

On Sunday, Conductor was Bob McDonald and Engineer was Walt Otto. George Peck and Neil Remsen also assisted.

On Sunday, track crews inserted/spiked 3 ties on the west approach to Washington Avenue and tamped 6. West of Albany Ave.- drainage ditches were inspected. Later in the day, crews returned west of C-9 cutting brush and marking 15 ties for changeout between Gill's farm crossing and the coaches. Crews also inspected the track area immediately west of the hopper and gondola at the Rte. 209 crossing. Crew: Al Schoessow, Tom Whyte, Tyler Carelli, Rick Desir, and Mark Glaser. At Cornell St., Ernie Klopping worked on the tamper.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=210518

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=210519

Ryan Lennox, aided by Christian Cole, Tony Flordia, Billy Stewart & Brad Leonard, cut back the ROW near the 26.09 bridge.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Friday, August 23rd

Trains will be running in Mt. Tremper.


Saturday, August 24th

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

In Mt. Tremper, George Peck plans to do track work at Campground Curve. Meet at 9:30am at Mt. Tremper.

In Kingston, John Patane will be inserting ties west of the Farmer's crossing at MP 5.31 starting at 9am at Route 209, and will need spotters to help out. He also needs brush cutters to weed-wack the tracks from 209 east towards Kingston and west also if there is time.


Sunday, August 25th

Trains will be running in Mt. Tremper.

In Kingston, Mark Glaser will lead a track crew starting at 10am at Cornell Street Yard. Plans are to to continue installing ties west of C9 so our Kingston City Limited can go further west to Route 209. Mark also needs brush cutters to clear brush away from the tracks west of 209 so we can plan repairs to the washout there.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Ernie Hunt has put up a bunch of new pics at NARail:

http://photos.greatrails.net/show/?orde ... ntain%20RR

Photos of The Duck in new yellow paint and more track in place at Campground Curve...

Now I don't want to be a naysayer, but have plans been made to ensure the continued safety of the equipment should the county prevail in their attempts to get you folks out of the railroad business?

I want you to succeed, but i am big fan of taking "what if" into consideration.

C.