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 Post subject: Re: Catskill Mountain Railroad News - 2015
PostPosted: Mon Nov 23, 2015 8:01 pm 

Joined: Sun Jul 14, 2013 3:46 pm
Posts: 261
Pics of the Polar Express trains this past weekend in Kingston:

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

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


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 Post subject: CMRR Work Report - 11/17 to 11/22
PostPosted: Mon Nov 30, 2015 4:33 pm 

Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:54 pm
Posts: 1327
Tuesday, November 17th

Jeff Otto, Tom Whyte and Vince Guido worked on track near the Body Shop crossing.

Greg Vaughn and Joe Wolff worked on electrical on the coaches.

Walt Otto, Al Johnson, Terry W. and Gary Lowe worked on coach 2949.

Dave Hilliard worked on coach 2911.

Russ Hallock worked on coach 832.


Wednesday, November 18th

Jeff Otto, Tom Whyte and Vince Guido worked on track near the Body Shop crossing.

Greg Vaughn and Joe Wolff worked on electrical on the coaches.

The train was test run to the North Pole successfully. Crew were Earl Pardini, Dave Hilliard, John Marino and Hunter Downie.

Walt Otto, Al Johnson, Terry W., Jim Bruck, Freddie Rasmussen, Gary Lowe worked on coach 2949.

Dave Hilliard worked on coach 2911.


Thursday, November 19th

Jeff Otto, Tom Whyte and Vince Guido worked on track near the Body Shop crossing.

Greg Vaughn and Joe Wolff worked on electrical on the coaches.

Walt Otto finished work on Coach 2949.

Dave Hilliard worked on coach 2911.


Friday, November 20th

Jeff Otto and Vince Guido did final trackwork.

Walt Otto finished work on 2949 and Dave Hilliard on 2911.

Joe Wolff and Greg Vaughn finished electrical on the coaches.

George Bain and Matt Gillis finished audio setup.


Friday night, Saturday and Sunday November 20th, 21st and 22nd.

We ran ten Polar trains smoothly starting Friday at 6:15pm and ending Sunday night at 9:30pm. We carried over 2700 passengers this weekend.

Many thanks to the train crew: Earl Pardini, John Marino, Neil Remsen, Dave Hilliard, Jim Bruck, Matt Gillis, Freddie Rasmussen, Al Schoessow, Tom Whyte, Joe Wolff, Russ Hallock, Peter Fluchere, Jeff Otto, George Bain, Ken Drao, Martin Elbrecht, Alex Sorenson, Elissa Hilliard, Tony Bocchino, Hunter Downie, Ed Ryder, Vince Guido, Dakin Morehouse, Joe Michaels, Ernie Klopping and many many more.

Many thanks also to Pat Smalley, Linda Marino, Gladys Gilbert, Fayth Ryder, Neil and Kathy Isabelle and Karin Vogel in the Gift Shop and Ernie Klopping all around, and of course to Matt Gillis who organized everything.

Photos from this weekend:

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=226991

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=226992

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=226993

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=226994

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=226995

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=226996

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=226997

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=226998

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=226999

It was a great start to the Polar Express season and a job well done by all.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR


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 Post subject: CMRR Work Report - 11/24 to 11/29
PostPosted: Mon Nov 30, 2015 4:39 pm 

Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:54 pm
Posts: 1327
Tuesday, November 24th

Jeff Otto and Tom Whyte worked on track near the Body Shop crossing.

Dave Hilliard and Greg Vaughn worked on Coach 832.


Wednesday, November 25th

Jeff Otto and Tom Whyte worked on track near the Body Shop crossing.

Dave Hilliard and Greg Vaughn worked on Coach 832.


Friday , Saturday and Sunday November 27th, 28th and 29th.

We ran twelve Polar trains smoothly starting Friday at 2pm and ending Sunday night at 9:30pm. We carried over 3600 passengers this weekend.

Many thanks to the train crew: Earl Pardini, John Marino, Neil Remsen, Dave Hilliard, Jim Bruck, Matt Gillis, Freddie Rasmussen, Al Schoessow, Tom Whyte, Joe Wolff, Russ Hallock, Peter Fluchere, Jeff Otto, Walt Otto, George Bain, Ken Drao, Martin Elbrecht, Jan Harrison, Alex Sorenson, Elissa Hilliard, Tony Bocchino, Hunter Downie, Karl Wick, Ed Ryder, Vince Guido, Dakin Morehouse, Joe Michaels, Ernie Klopping and many many more.

Many thanks also to Pat Smalley, Linda Marino, Gladys Gilbert, Fayth Ryder, and Karin Vogel in the Gift Shop and Ernie Klopping all around, and of course to Matt Gillis who organized everything.

Photos from this weekend:

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=227064

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=227065

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=227066

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=227067


It was a great 2nd weekend for Polar Express and a job well done by all.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR


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 Post subject: Re: Catskill Mountain Railroad News - 2015
PostPosted: Wed Dec 16, 2015 10:57 am 

Joined: Sun Jul 14, 2013 3:46 pm
Posts: 261
Good news for the CMRR!

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

Ulster County lawmakers amend rail trail policy to allow tourist train operations
By Patricia Doxsey, Daily Freeman

POSTED: 12/15/15

KINGSTON >> Ulster County lawmakers on Tuesday voted unanimously to amend a formerly trail-only policy for the former Ulster and Delaware rail corridor, setting aside more track for train operations while guaranteeing a connected pedestrian rail trail.

The action followed years of controversy over the best use of the 38.6-mile rail corridor, which is owned by the county.

Legislators also agreed to begin engineering work on the conversion of a portion of the corridor along the Ashokan Reservoir to a pedestrian trail.

The new policy for the corridor, which came out of the Legislature’s Ulster & Delaware Corridor Advisory Committee, was lauded by rail and trail supporters alike who said the proposed plan offered the best hope for a pedestrian trail that could someday connect to the Walkway Over the Hudson while allowing the profitable operation of a tourist train.

Ulster County Executive Michael Hein, who in 2013 first proposed converting the rail corridor into a pedestrian trail, said the legislative policy “allows Ulster County residents and visitors alike to have the best of both worlds.”

“Nobody got everything they wanted, but everybody got something,” said Legislator David Donaldson, D-Kingston. Donaldson, an ardent supporter of the Catskill Mountain Railroad, said the policy “is good for the county.”

Under the new county policy, the corridor would be converted into a pedestrian trail from Cornell Street in the city of Kingston to the Kingston Plaza shopping center. A tourist train would be permitted to operate along from the Kingston Plaza to Mile Post 8.33 in Hurley, just short of the Ashokan Reservoir. The pedestrian trail would likely be moved to the former O&W rail corridor, which runs roughly parallel to the old Ulster & Delaware corridor, to accommodate the train operation...


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 Post subject: Re: Catskill Mountain Railroad News - 2015
PostPosted: Thu Dec 17, 2015 1:42 pm 

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

http://www.watershedpost.com/2015/train ... ter-county

Stone Consulting Report:

https://www.scribd.com/doc/293454576/FI ... TONE-12-15

EH


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 Post subject: CMRR Work Report - 12/1 to 12/8
PostPosted: Sat Dec 26, 2015 10:24 pm 

Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:54 pm
Posts: 1327
Tuesday, December 1st

Jeff Otto and Tom Whyte worked on track near the Body Shop crossing.

Dave Hilliard and Greg Vaughn worked on Coach 832.


Thursday, December 3rd

Jeff Otto, Tom Whyte, John Marino and Vince Guido worked on track near the Body Shop crossing.

Greg Vaughn worked on Coach 832.


Friday, December 4th

Greg Vaughn, Gary Lowe and Al Johnson worked on coach 832 and installed many seats.


Friday , Saturday and Sunday December 4th, 5th and 6th.

We ran twelve Polar trains smoothly starting Friday at 4:30pm and ending Sunday night at 9:30pm. We carried over 3600 passengers this weekend.

Many thanks to the train crew: Earl Pardini, John Marino, Neil Remsen, Dave Hilliard, Jim Bruck, Matt Gillis, Freddie Rasmussen, Tom Whyte, Russ Hallock, Peter Fluchere, Jeff Otto, Walt Otto, George Bain, Ken Drao, Rich Drao, Martin Elbrecht, Alex Sorenson, Elissa Hilliard, Tony Bocchino, Hunter Downie, Karl Wick, Ed Ryder, Vince Guido, Joe Michaels, Ernie Klopping and many many more.

Many thanks also to Pat Smalley, Linda Marino, Gladys Gilbert, Fayth Ryder, and Karin Vogel in the Gift Shop and Ernie Klopping all around, and of course to Matt Gillis who organized everything.

Also many thanks to Neil Remsen, Gary Lowe and Al Johnson for work done on coach 832. They installed most of the seats in the car.

It was a great 3rd weekend for Polar Express and a job well done by all.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR


Last edited by eehiv on Sat Dec 26, 2015 10:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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 Post subject: CMRR Work Report - 12/8 to 12/13
PostPosted: Sat Dec 26, 2015 10:27 pm 

Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:54 pm
Posts: 1327
Tuesday, December 8th

Jeff Otto, John Marino and Tom Whyte worked on track near the Body Shop crossing.


Thursday, December 10th

Greg Vaughn and Al Johnson worked on Coach 832/1727 as well as Matt Gillis.



Friday , Saturday and Sunday December 11th, 12th and 13th.

We ran eleven Polar trains smoothly starting Friday at 4:30pm and ending Sunday night at 9:30pm. We carried over 3700 passengers this weekend. We also began service with the newly refurbished coach 1727, adding 58 seats of capacity to the train for a total of 390.

Many thanks to the train crew: Earl Pardini, John Marino, Neil Remsen, Dave Hilliard, Jim Bruck, Matt Gillis, Freddie Rasmussen, Tom Whyte, Russ Hallock, Peter Fluchere, Jeff Otto, Walt Otto, George Bain, Ken Drao, Art Vogel, Rich Drao, Joe Wolff, George and Harrison Balduf, Martin Elbrecht, Alex Sorenson, Bruce Devorkin, Elissa Hilliard, Tony Bocchino, Hunter Downie, Karl Wick, Ed Ryder, Vince Guido, Joe Michaels, Ernie Klopping and many many more.

Many thanks also to Pat Smalley, Linda Marino, Gladys Gilbert, Jessica Ryder, Fayth Ryder, and Karin Vogel in the Gift Shop and Ernie Klopping all around, and of course to Matt Gillis who organized everything.

It was a great 4th weekend for Polar Express and a job well done by all.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=227254

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=227256

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=227258

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=227263

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=227309

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=227310

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=227311


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR


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 Post subject: CMRR Work Report - 12/16 to 12/21
PostPosted: Sat Dec 26, 2015 10:42 pm 

Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:54 pm
Posts: 1327
West End Charter - December 16th

Tom Whyte was engineer, Neil Isabelle conductor, Dan Howard brakeman, and Kathy Isabelle was car attendant.


CMRR/ESRM Christmas Train December 19th

We ran our annual CMRR/ESRM Christmas Train Saturday. George Peck was engineer, Joe Michaels fireman, Ray Ferrell Conductor, Dan Howard and Bill Kaba brakeman. Rides were free to the public.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=227362

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=227363

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=227364

Many thanks to the ESRM for helping making this annual event a success.


Polar Express: Friday , Saturday and Sunday December 18th, 19th and 20th.

We ran eleven Polar trains smoothly starting Friday at 4:30pm and ending Sunday night at 9:30pm. We carried over 3900 passengers this weekend, over 350 per train.

Many thanks to the train crew: Earl Pardini, John Marino, Neil Remsen, Dave Hilliard, Jim Bruck, Matt Gillis, Tom Whyte, Russ Hallock, Peter Fluchere, Jeff Otto, Walt Otto, George Bain, Ken Drao, Art Vogel, Rich Drao, Martin Elbrecht, Alex Sorenson, Bruce Devorkin, Elissa Hilliard, Tony Bocchino, Hunter Downie, Karl Wick, Joe Wolff, Vince Guido, Joe Michaels, Ernie Klopping and many many more.

Many thanks also to Pat Smalley, Linda Marino, Gladys Gilbert, Jessica Ryder, Fayth Ryder, and Karin Vogel in the Gift Shop and Ernie Klopping all around, and of course to Matt Gillis who organized everything.

It was a great 5th weekend for Polar Express and a job well done by all.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR


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 Post subject: CMRR Work Report - 12/15 to 12/11
PostPosted: Sat Dec 26, 2015 11:05 pm 

Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:54 pm
Posts: 1327
West End Charter - December 16th

Tom Whyte was engineer, Neil Isabelle conductor, Dan Howard brakeman, and Kathy Isabelle was car attendant.


CMRR/ESRM Christmas Train December 19th

We ran our annual CMRR/ESRM CHristmas Train Saturday. George Peck was engineer, Joe Michaels fireman, Ray Ferrell Conductor, Dan Howard and Bill Kaba brakeman. Rides were free to the public.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=227362

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=227363

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=227364

Many thanks to the ESRM for helping making this annual event a success.


Polar Express: Friday , Saturday and Sunday December 18th, 19th and 20th.

We ran eleven Polar trains smoothly starting Friday at 4:30pm and ending Sunday night at 9:30pm. We carried over 3900 passengers this weekend, over 350 per train.

Many thanks to the train crew: Earl Pardini, John Marino, Neil Remsen, Dave Hilliard, Jim Bruck, Matt Gillis, Tom Whyte, Russ Hallock, Peter Fluchere, Jeff Otto, Walt Otto, George Bain, Ken Drao, Art Vogel, Rich Drao, Martin Elbrecht, Alex Sorenson, Bruce Devorkin, Elissa Hilliard, Tony Bocchino, Hunter Downie, Karl Wick, Joe Wolff, Vince Guido, Joe Michaels, Ernie Klopping and many many more.

Many thanks also to Pat Smalley, Linda Marino, Gladys Gilbert, Jessica Ryder, Fayth Ryder, and Karin Vogel in the Gift Shop and Ernie Klopping all around, and of course to Matt Gillis who organized everything.

It was a great 5th weekend for Polar Express and a job well done by all.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR


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 Post subject: CMRR Work Report - 12/23 to 12/27
PostPosted: Thu Dec 31, 2015 2:18 pm 

Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:54 pm
Posts: 1327
Polar Express: Wednesday , Saturday and Sunday December 23rd, 26th and 27th.

We ran eleven Polar trains smoothly starting Wednesday at 4:15pm and ending Sunday night at 9:30pm. We carried over 3700 passengers this weekend, over 330 per train. In all 6 weekends of Polar Express, we carried over 21,000 passengers, five thousand more than last year.

Many thanks to the train crew: Earl Pardini, John Marino, Neil Remsen, Dave Hilliard, Jim Bruck, Matt Gillis, Tom Whyte, Russ Hallock, Peter Fluchere, Jeff Otto, Walt Otto, George Bain, Ken Drao, Art Vogel, Rich Drao, Martin Elbrecht, Alex Sorenson, Bruce Devorkin, Elissa Hilliard, Tony Bocchino, Hunter Downie, Karl Wick, Joe Wolff, Vince Guido, Joe Michaels, Ernie Klopping, Jordan Torregrosa, Tyler Carrelli and many many more.

Many thanks also to Pat Smalley, Linda Marino, Gladys Gilbert, Jessica Ryder, Fayth Ryder, and Karin Vogel in the Gift Shop and Ernie Klopping all around, and of course to Matt Gillis who organized everything.

It was a great 6th weekend for Polar Express and a job well done by all.

Over the 6 week period, We ran 65 trains smoothly with a five-car train with a capacity of 335 on 1/3 mile of new track, crossing 7 roads for each train two times.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR


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 Post subject: CMRR 2015 Year-End Summary
PostPosted: Thu Dec 31, 2015 6:35 pm 

Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:54 pm
Posts: 1327
The CMRR wrapped up 2015 with a number of accomplishments, both physical and political.

West End

Our biggest west end achievement for 2015 was the return to Phoenicia on August 7th. This was done entirely at the CMRR’s expense. This increased our run on the west end from 2.5 miles to 4.2 miles, and was of great help to the ESRM.

We also had the highest ridership ever on the west end – 12,129, up from 8,981 in 2014. Our October trains were so full we ran out of room. We also had our first major event on the west end – bringing in Viscose No. 6 on August 8th and 9th. Not only did we have a great time, but we also brought many new visitors to the west end of the railroad.

East End

On the east end of the railroad new events were Chuggington and Rock N Rails; our Easter Train, Pumpkin Train and Polar did very well – Polar hit 21,000, up from 16,000 in 2014.

We brought on board two new coaches – CMRR 2911, another P72 coach, and CMRR 1727, a former Norfolk & Western PM coach built in 1941. Coach 1727 was extensively modified with new electric heating, and all the coaches were re-wired for head-end power, which performed flawlessly during Polar. 1727 was painted, inside and out, and 13 of its 22 windows were replaced. Coach 2949 had half its floor replaced this year. This brings us to a 5 car coach fleet in Kingston with a capacity of 335, plus two passenger flats with an additional capacity of 90.

On the east end of the railroad we extended the track from MP 6.13 to 6.46. This was a terribly difficult area due to the cut and crossing involved. This allowed us to move the North Pole 1/3 mile further to MP 6.35, with great visibility from Route 28.

We also removed the four passenger cars stored for years at 209. The CNJ coaches went to the Everett Railroad in Pennsylvania; CMRR 703 (EL 4322) went to Phoenicia, and the Lion Gardiner went to the Iowa Pacific in Lorraine, Ohio.

Political Developments

The County Legislature created a committee to resolve issues on the U&D Corridor composed of nine legislators. The Committee hired Stone Consulting to write a report to help them through this thorny issue. The result was Resolution 488 passed in December unanimously by the legislature.

http://ulstercountyny.gov/sites/default/files/488-15.pdf

https://www.scribd.com/doc/293454576/FINAL-Ulster-Combined-Report-From-STONE-12-15

The resolution increased rail from 6 miles to 11. On the west end MP 21.6 to Phoenicia, and on the East end from Kingston Plaza to just beyond MP 8.33 in Stony Hollow. The section beyond to MP 10, the border of the Ashokan reservoir area, was reserved for further study, focusing on the ability to implement rail with trail on the Stony Hollow fill at MP 8.7.

The Ashokan Reservoir area from MP 10 to 21.6 was sidestepped by the committee due to the strongly stated desire by the NYCDEP to have rail OR trail in the NYCDEP area, but not both. However, Stone Consulting found that the segment from MP 10 to the Glenford Dike was perfect for rail with trail – even designed for it. We believe that the NYCDEP will eventually be persuaded to allow rail with trail on this segment of the corridor, and for a segment east of the Boiceville Trestle between MP 20 and 21.3.

The committee also understood that the CMRR’s Cornell Street facility could not be moved until a new location can be found for it, tracks built, secure fencing installed, and a location for a indoor maintenance facility be included in the same.

Summary

It was an excellent year for the CMRR with many accomplishments both physical and political. With the end of the lease approaching on May 31st, we expect to settle any remaining litigation soon and bid on the upcoming RFP for continued tourist railroad operations in the U&D Corridor which will be issued by the County by March 15, 2016.

Ernie Hunt
President
CMRR


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 Post subject: Re: Catskill Mountain Railroad News - 2015
PostPosted: Fri Jan 01, 2016 1:53 pm 

Joined: Sun Jul 14, 2013 3:46 pm
Posts: 261
Great news!

Thanks for keeping us updated.


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 Post subject: Re: Catskill Mountain Railroad News - 2015
PostPosted: Fri Jan 01, 2016 3:03 pm 

Joined: Sun Jun 17, 2007 8:03 pm
Posts: 1070
Location: Warszawa, Polska
Ernie, Do you have any maps that show where everything will be, where you are now, etc.? Hard to contextualize everything just based on Milepoints. Thanks.

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CNR 6167 in Guelph, ON or "How NOT To Restore A Steam Locomotive"


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 Post subject: Re: Catskill Mountain Railroad News - 2015
PostPosted: Fri Jan 01, 2016 5:14 pm 

Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:54 pm
Posts: 1327
Here you go:

Image

EH


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 Post subject: Re: Catskill Mountain Railroad News - 2015
PostPosted: Fri Jan 01, 2016 5:43 pm 

Joined: Sun Jun 17, 2007 8:03 pm
Posts: 1070
Location: Warszawa, Polska
Thanks.

I'm curious, if the money to rip up all those miles of rail and develop it into a trail is available, will any funding come to the CMRR to help develop the portions that it has been assigned?

P.S. I went and searched for the fullsize version of that map:

http://www.kingstonlandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Screen-Shot-2015-12-15-at-12.31.12-PM.png

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CNR 6167 in Guelph, ON or "How NOT To Restore A Steam Locomotive"


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