There's a lot to the CMRR saga, and I'm condensing quite a bit of information down, but there were basically two operating portions of the same state owned right-of-way (the railroad held a lease to operate trains and maintain track over this route) running from Kingston, NY, up around the Ashokan Reservoir, through Phoenicia, NY. Trains were operated out of Kingston north and west towards the reservoir (the current segment the CMRR operates and maintains), and out of Phoenicia south and east towards Kingston, with the long-term goal to someday operate trains over the entire route.

Separating these two sections were out-of-service tracks that the CMRR was striving to reactivate over time. Due to a steady string of extreme weather, local gov't conflicts, lobbying from rails-to-trails groups, and just plain bad luck, the state decided to revoke their rights to the tracks the group was working to restore, including the Phoenicia section of the route. Now the CMRR can only operate out of Kingston. They are reactivating some track towards the reservoir, but a good bit of that track was very recently torn up for trail use effectively cutting CMRR off from a scenic terminating destination.

If I am understanding this correctly, there was a section of the railroad from their yard at the end of track to the shopping plaza that they had to vacate. But they could still operate from the plaza to another point and then from there to the reservoir or beyond was removed. Has the section of track that the passenger trains have been running over changed or been shortened?

Nothing has been removed where passenger trains have run.

The CMB runs from MP 2.9 at CSX to MP 28 in Phoenicia and then to MP 41.4 in Highmount.

The CMRR's current permit runs from MP 3.6 to MP 8.3; the tracks are still in place to MP 10.01. The CMRR runs now from MP 3.6 to MP 6.5 or so and should reach MP 8.3 next year. It will try to run the additional tracks up to MP 10.01 and then petition the County and the NYCDEP to allow the tracks to be restored from MP 10 to 11.

The tracks that were torn up from from MP 10.01 to 21.59.

MP 21.59 to MP 28 are now being run by Railexplorers.

MP 28 to MP 41 have no current plans.

MP 41 to 41.4 are being sought by the DURR so they can use the runaround at Highmount for their trains. I suspect this right will be granted to them by Ulster County if they restore the tracks to Highmount.

The CMRR has petitioned the County to let it run from MP 3.6 to MP 2.9 so that it can run freight as well as a tourist railroad. Though it was turned down by the County, the CMRR still advocates keeping this link and has made many proposals to the County to accomodate both rail and trail.

The CMRR also desperately needs a yard and maintenance facility. It has been frustrating not being able to use our old yard at Cornell street which has stood empty for the last two years. It is difficult to run a railroad with only a single 150 foot siding for switching, no secure place to keep equipment, or to maintain equipment.


EH

Wednesday June 20th

Rob Gaston and Art Vogel removed the last items out of the container at Westbrook to the new container at the ball field.


Friday June 22nd

Earl Pardini and Bryan Van Kirk worked on rebuilding the passenger bridges between the flat cars and the coaches in Kingston.


Saturday June 23rd

Ernie Klopping and Martin Elbrecht worked on car 2949's generator.

The PEACE TRAIN made three runs Saturday at 3pm, 5pm, and 7pm. Engineer was Tom Whyte, Ray Farrell was conductor, Bryan Van Kirk was brakeman, Fred Ehren and Russ Hallock were flaggers. Al Schoessow assisted. Peter Fluchere, Marcia Roosa and Pat Smalley were in the ticket booth. Rob Gaston was event coordinator.


Ernie Hunt
Staff/Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Week of June 25 to 29

The week of June 25 to 29, Earl Pardini and Bryan Van Kirk began preparations for rebuilding of rail at the Dog Crossing.

June 30, 2018

On Saturday, June 30th, Earl Pardini led a crew consisting of Bryan Van Kirk, Russ Hallock, Raphael DeMeglio and John Marino who installed 77 ties and 8 rails in the cut east of the Dog Crossing.

Also on June 30th, the Peace Train ran in Kingston. Bryan Van Kirk was engineer, Neil Isabelle was conductor, Art Vogel was brakeman, and Fred Ehren and I were flagmen. Marcia Roosa and Pat Smalley were in the ticket booth.

Ernie Hunt
Staff/Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Week of July 1, 2, 5

The week of July 1 to 5, Earl Pardini and Bryan Van Kirk installed more rail at the Dog crossing and spiked all ties installed to date. They were helped Tuesday by Tom Whyte, Russell Hallock, and Martin Elbrecht.

July 7, 2018

On Saturday, June 30th, Earl Pardini led a crew consisting of Bryan Van Kirk, Russ Hallock, Martin Elbrecht and John Marino who installed plated and spiked many ties at the current end of track.

Also on July 7th, the GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY Train ran in Kingston. Tom Whyte was engineer, Tony Bocchino was conductor, Karl Wick was brakeman, and Fred Ehren and I were flagmen, and Jess Pucchio was flagman trainee. Peter Fluchere and Pat Smalley were in the ticket booth.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=244789

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=244788


Ernie Hunt
Staff/Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

In a way it's too bad CSX does not own the tracks. CSX could step in and force their hand on these bad political figures. CSX could service the freight customers and the CMRR could run passenger trains.

Robert

Week of July 11, 13, 14

The week of July 11 to 14, Earl Pardini and Bryan Van Kirk installed more rail at the Dog crossing and spiked all ties installed to date. They were helped Friday by Raphael DeMeglio, Russell Hallock, and Todd Syska.


July 12th, 2018

On July 12th we ran a special charter. Bryan Van Kirk was engineer, Earl Pardini Conductor, Walt Otto was brakeman, Todd Syska and Peter Fluchere were flaggers.


July 14, 2018

On July 14th, the PEACE TRAIN ran in Kingston. Brian Van Kirk was engineer, Karl Wick was conductor, Neil Isabelle was brakeman, and Steve Stanton, Peter Fluchere and I were flagmen. Peter Fluchere and Pat Smalley were in the ticket booth.



Ernie Hunt
Staff/Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

You don't understand a lot about CSX and excursion or any kind of passenger operations, do you? Or have I failed to see the huge "sarcasm" sign somewhere?