Friday, November 29th

Cornell Street will open about 9am. Plans are to do finish up on coach 2940 and on the holiday train decorations.


Saturday, November 30th

On Saturday, in Phoenicia, George Peck will lead a crew starting at 9:30am. He plans to do track work east of the Phoenicia station to get the track ready for the ESRM Christmas Train.

On Saturday in Kingston, the yard will open at 9am to make final preparations for the Holiday Train. First run will be at 1pm.

At Hurley Mountain Road, Ryan Lennox plans to lead a brush crew working east of Hurley Mountain Road towards the washout. Bring weed wackers, loppers, and chain saws. Please confirm directly with Ryan.


Sunday, December 1st

Cornell Street will open at 10am. We plan to run the Holiday Train starting at 1pm.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Supportive opinion piece, though I'm not entirely sure we want to encourage this fellow's activity.

http://www.dailyfreeman.com/sports/2013 ... o-be-saved

Friday, November 29th

On Friday, crews worked to complete work on coach 2940. Crews continued with final holiday decorations on 2940. A second step box was installed on the west end of the car. Newly installed windows were cleaned.

Helping were Earl Pardini, Mark Glaser, Mimi Pardini, Jan Harrison, Alex Sorenson, Jim Bruck, and Tom Whyte.


Saturday, November 30th

Saturday morning on coach 2940, wiring for decorative lighting was completed, a boarding ramp constructed, and generator installed. Heating units were added to the coach interior. Final cleaning of seats, sills and door frames was done.

The CMRR's Holiday Train began service with coach 2940. Engineer was Earl Pardini, Conductor was Ray Farrell, Brakeman was Mark Glaser, Flaggers were Tyler Carelli, Dan Howard, Car Attendants were Ron Epstein, Karen Vogel, Mimi Pardini, and Ticket Agent was Peter Fluchere.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=212652

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=212653

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=212654

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=212655

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=212656

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=212657

Ryan Lennox led a brush crew that cut all the way to the Farmer's Crossing from Hurley Mountain Road. The crew consisted of Christian Cole, Billy Stewart, Alex Kordzikowski, Vincent Carcaramo, Harrison Balduff, and three new volunteers.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=212633

George Peck, Art Vogel, Dave Heick and Joe Michaels made repairs to Engine 407 in Mt. Tremper.


Sunday, December 1st

Engineer was Ear Pardini, Conductor was Walt Otto, Brakeman was Mark Glaser, Flaggers were Tony Bocchino and Tyler Carelli, Car Attendants were Karin Vogel, Tom Whyte, George Bain, and Alex Sorenson, Ticket Agent was Thom Johnson, and Dakin Morehouse was S. Musicians were Jim Donnelly, Kevin MacDonald, and Frank Romano.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=212658

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=212659


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Saturday, December 7th

On Saturday, in Phoenicia, George Peck will lead a crew starting at 9:00am. He plans to do track work east of the Phoenicia station.

On Saturday in Kingston, the yard will open at 9am. First run will be at 1pm.


Sunday, December 8th

Cornell Street will open at 10am. We plan to run the Holiday Train starting at 1pm.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Saturday, Decemmber 7th

In Kingston on Saturday,the CMRR ran four Holiday Extras. Crews included: Earl Pardini-Engineer, Ray Farrell-Conductor, Walt Otto-Trainman, Neil Remsen, Freddie Rasmussen-Flaggers, Ron Epstein, Karen Vogel, Alex Sorenson-Car Attendants, Dakin and Mrs.Morehouse-Santa and Mrs.Claus, Mark Glaser-Brakeman, Jim Bruck-Ticket Agent, plus several musicians.

At Campground Curve near Phoenicia, George Peck led a crew that aligned and leveled the new track there. Participating were Art Vogel, Dave Heick, and Jarrett May.


Sunday, December 8th

On Sunday, Five Holiday Trains departed Westbrook Station in the Kingston Plaza including a special train for Cub Scouts and their parents. Sunday crew: Earl Pardini-Engineer, Walt Otto-Conductor, Freddie Rasmussen, Neil Remsen, Dave Hilliard-Flaggers, Mark Glaser-Trainman, Greg Vaughn, Pat Smalley, George Bain - Car Attendants, Tony Bochinno-Brakeman, Dakin and Mrs. Morehouse-Santa and Mrs.Claus, Neil and Kathy Isabelle and Lee Eaton, Jim Donnelly, Frank and Vita Romano - musicians, Peter Fluchere and Dave Cenova -Ticket Agents. Welcome to new volunteer John Marino who rode with the crew on several trains.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=212733

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=212734

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=212735

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=212736


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

I really enjoyed the photo of the young volunteers as well as those of the holiday train as both were imbued with a palatable sense of community that is so often missing elsewhere. All of those involved with this have a sense of ownership and pride that one cannot put a dollar figure on. To say the least all of this is a job well done and it's a bright spot in my day to view these photographs.

Saturday, December 14th

On Saturday, in Phoenicia, George Peck will lead a crew starting at 9:00am. He plans use start engine 29 and use it to move engine 407 to Longyear siding. George could use additional qualified train crew for the move.

On Saturday in Kingston, the yard will open at 9am. First run will be at 1pm.


Sunday, December 15th

Cornell Street will open at 10am. We plan to run the Holiday Train starting at 1pm.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

What's the take on this?

http://www.dailyfreeman.com/general-new ... -reservoir

I truly believe that no matter how much track is restored (keep up the amazing work, you guys are doing incredible things) it will ultimately take an election and change out of politicians to save this rail line. The people behind this trail idea will not be persuaded to change their plans because they are attempting to cash in politically on the success of the "Walkway Over the Hudson". I think however, that the local public is in support of the railroad in this battle and a political change just may take place before CMRR's lease expires. They just need to weather the storm and keep on the path they are on, doing major restorations and extending operational track on an almost daily basis.

Does the DEP know about this?

If you are on the CMRR tracks from MP 10 to MP 16, the DEP fines trespassers who do not have permission.

Whenever the CMRR works at these locations, they call the DEP to let them know.

Some of the trail people's comments are pretty silly. Lately, they've been expressing "concerns" about pollution from the ties (creosote). If you listened to them, we would have to rip up every railroad in the country.

Maybe so, but Mr. Hein is empowered by $4 milllion dollars (Water Dept + FEMA $$$) to "build" a trail. Note that more than like no trail will be built, that the railroad will be removed and the money will get spent on studies and on other projects that don't actually yield a trail, especially for the entire route.

You might want to see who owns property along the line and figure what their views are: Do they want to see a train go up an back three or four times a day (noise, diesel fumes) or do they want people and dogs going by at most any time from sunrise to sundown.

This is a follow the money problem. Somebody doesn't like the railroad, and getting rid of the railroad will suit their interest-not yours. Illuminate that linkage and folks will react. Right now though, Mr. Hein has an attractive perk he can offer at "no cost" to the taxpayers, even though the lost infrastructure is worth 10 times the amount.

Michael Seitz
Missoula MT

Well, this is from Catskill Mountain itself; I'm afraid I'm a bit confused by it.

https://www.facebook.com/notes/catskill ... 4448999301

The CMRR will support whatever final agreement is reached between the DEP and Ulster County. However, it should be noted that the announcement on Thursday was made by the outgoing NYC DEP commissioner. A new one under a new Mayor will be appointed in January, who will likely want to work on a completely different agreement. No money flows until an agreement is actually signed between NYC and Ulster County, which could take years to negotiate.

In the meantime, the CMRR's access is uncontested as long as the lease is in place. The railbanking process cannot begin without the CMRR's consent, again as long as the CMRR's lease is in place. Without railbanking, which is highly unlikely to be granted by the STB, and without a written agreement with the DEP, the only access to the reservoir is by rail.

EH

Saturday, December 14th

In Kingston, Earl Pardini was Engineer, Ray Farrell was Conductor, Mark Glaser was brakeman, Fred Rasmussen & Neil Remsen were Flagmen, Walt Otto, Alex Sorenson, and Smalley were Car Attendants, and Jim Bruck was ticket agent.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=212847

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=212836

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=212836

Work at Mt. Tremper was cancelled due to snow.


Sunday, December 15th

Trains were cancelled due to bad weather.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR