Friday, September 12th

George Peck will be leading a crew continuing tie replacements on the main line near Milepost 25.8. Since the regular train is not running on Fridays in September, George will bring the tie handler and scarifier out to dig out and insert new ties. Please meet in the Phoenicia yard at 9am, and if you come late just meet the crew near Milepost 25.8 (accessible from Route 28 ). George could really use the extra help if you are available on Friday.


Saturday, September 13th

On Saturday, George Peck will continue tie replacements on the main line, tamping, plating and spiking ties inserted Friday. Please meet him in the Phoenicia yard at 9am, and if you come late, go directly to Milepost 25.8.

In Phoenicia, the 702 crew will be working, either painting seat parts or working on the exterior vestibules. They will start about 10am.

Chris Bigham will lead a brush cutting crew Saturday. He will meet the crew at 10am at the Phoenicia station. Bring loppers, chain saws, and blade brush cutters.


Sunday, September 14th

George Peck will be working in the Phoenicia yard beginning about 9:30am.

Earl Pardini will be working in the Cornell Street yard Sunday on siding construction. The yard will open at 9:30am.




Future Events:

Friday September 19th - Another Friday workday to replace ties in the main line on the tangent track at about MP 26.3, followed on Saturday by tamping, plating, and spiking ties inserted Friday.




Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
Catskill Mountain RR

Wednesday, September 10th and Thursday, September 11th


On the 10th and 11th, All Howes and Al Johnson worked on building window sills for coach 702 in Phoenicia:

http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?200 ... 211874.jpg



Friday, September 12th


On Friday, September 12th, George Peck led a crew consisting of Al Schoewssow, Dick Wilhem, Joe Marsh and Paul Hintz who replaced and inserted 25 ties at MP 25.8. They also spiked many of the ties.


Saturday, September 13th

On Saturday, September 13th, George Peck lead a crew consisting of Jason DiTolla, Jason Markowitz, Joe Klapkowski, Joe Klapkowski, Jr., Paul Hintz, Bob Blake, Mark Glaser, Dave Mason, and Derek Stapleton. They tamped and finished spiking the ties from Friday, and pulled out another dozen ties at MP 25.9 for replacement.

http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?200 ... 812519.jpg

http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?200 ... 812573.jpg

On the 702, George Liucci continued welding on the vestibules, and Ed Palmatier and Tom Healy worked on seat parts.

The brush crew consisted of Chris Bigham and I. We cleared an area at about MP 28.3 of brush.

http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?200 ... 511970.jpg

http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?200 ... 812016.jpg


Sunday, September 14th

On Sunday, September 14th, the Cornell Street crew continued work on the new east switch at Cornell Street:

http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?200 ... 120115.jpg

Joe Marsh also worked on the tamper.

Present were Earl Pardini, Ernie Klopping, Joe Marsh, Jeff Otto, Mark Glaser, Bob Blake, George Cook and Ron Epstein. Present later in the day were John Patane and George Peck.

The crew ran the 401 and 675 to Washington Avenue at lunchtime.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
Catskill Mountain RR

Friday, September 19th

George Peck will be leading a crew continuing tie replacements on the main line near Milepost 25.9. Since the regular train is not running on Fridays in September, George will bring the tie handler and scarifier out to dig out and insert new ties. Please meet in the Phoenicia yard at 9am, and if you come late just meet the crew near Milepost 25.9 (accessible from Route 28 ). George could really use the extra help if you are available on Friday.


Saturday, September 20th

On Saturday, George Peck will continue tie replacements on the main line, tamping, plating and spiking ties inserted Friday. Please meet him in the Phoenicia yard at 9am, and if you come late, go directly to Milepost 25.9.

Anyone who would like to do brushcutting should continue working in front of Russ's at MP 26.3, eliminating brush between the tracks and Route 28. Just check in with George to let him know you are working. Rotating blade-type brush cutters are most effective here, though there is also plenty of lopper and chainsawing to do.

In Phoenicia, the 702 crew will be working, either painting seat parts or working on the exterior vestibules. They will start about 10am.


Sunday, September 21st

George Peck will be working in the Phoenicia yard beginning about 9:30am.

Earl Pardini will be working in the Cornell Street yard Sunday continuing siding construction. The yard will open at 9:30am.




Future Events:

Friday September 26th - Another Friday workday to replace ties in the main line on the tangent track at about MP 26.3, followed on Saturday by tamping, plating, and spiking ties inserted Friday.



Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
Catskill Mountain RR

Friday, September 19th

On Friday, September 19th, George Peck led a crew that replaced another 27 ties around MP 25.9. The crew consisted of Al Schoessow, Joe Marsh, Dick Wilhelm, and Paul Hintz.


Saturday, September 20th

On Saturday, September 20th, George Peck led a crew that finished tamping and spiking the 27 ties inserted Friday. Present were Paul Hintz, Derek Stapleton, Ron Epstein, Peter Fluchere, and Mark Glaser.

http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?200 ... 584618.jpg

http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?200 ... 544650.jpg

In Phoenicia, Al Howes and Dick Wilhelm continued work on the sills for the 702:

http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?200 ... 224566.jpg

Tom Healy and Ed Palmatier continued work on seat parts.


September 21, 2008

On Sunday, September 21, the Cornell Street crew continued work on the tamper and the new siding. Present were Earl Pardini, John Patane, Bob Blake, Todd Siska, Steve Kijak, Mark Glaser, Joe Marsh, Dick Wilhelm, Dick Ray, Greg Vaughn, and Jeff Otto.

Writes Jeff Otto: "On the new turnout, we temporarily removed the closure rail and replaced a few bad ties (every third or fourth tie) with switch ties, spiked them in, replaced the closure rail, and inserted tie plates. We partially graded most of the area for the siding by cutting it down to the elevation of the eventual tops of the ties, and then marked and excavated slots for just the ties that we're going to install (which will be every third tie, and for a nominal tie spacing of 24" on center means that we're installing a tie every 6 feet). Joe Marsh led a good sized crew on the tamper, and installed the newly fabricated bushings, and reinstalled pretty much all of the tamping portion."

Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
Catskill Mountain RR

Friday, September 26th

On Friday, George Peck will be leading a crew continuing working to eliminate the elevation in the track next to the Phoenicia Station on Friday. Please meet in the Phoenicia yard at 9am. The work will consist of jacking the low rail, inserting material, and retamping once the rail is set at its new elevation. This work must be completed so that replacement of the platform at the station can begin later this year.


Saturday, September 27th

On Saturday, George Peck will be using the dump truck and tie handler at Cold Brook Saturday to load up and bring to Phoenicia the used ties from the Cold Brook Extension. He plans to leave Phoenicia at about 9am and begin work at Cold Brook around 10am. Work plan may change in case of bad weather.

Dave Baker will lead a crew brushcutting the south side of the tracks from Mt. Pleasant to Phoenicia. The crew will meet at Mt. Pleasant at 9am, and then shortly thereafter move to MP 26.3 (in from of Russ's Country Kitchen), to eliminate brush between the tracks and Route 28. Rotating blade-type brush cutters are most effective here, so bring one if you have it. There will also be plenty of lopper work and chainsawing to do.

In Phoenicia, George Liucci and Ernie Gehrer will be working on the 702, either painting seat parts or working on the exterior vestibules. They will start about 10am.


Sunday, September 28th

George Peck will be working in the Phoenicia yard beginning about 9:30am.

Earl Pardini will be working in the Cornell Street yard Sunday continuing siding construction. The yard will open at 9:30am.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
Catskill Mountain RR

Friday September 26th

On Friday, September 26th, the workday was cancelled due to rain.


Saturday, September 27th

In Phoenicia, George Peck led a crew consisting of Greg Peck, Mark Glaser, Jason DiTolla, and Dave Mason and did yard cleanup after inspecting the line.

Tom Healy was stripping and painting seat parts for the 702.

Dave Baker and I cut brush near MP 26.3.

In Kingston, Earl Pardini led a crew consisting of Jeff Otto and Bob Blake, continuing work on siding construction.


Sunday, September 28th

In Kingston, Earl Pardini led a large crew continuing work on siding construction. The crew was Bob Blake, Mark Glaser, Jimmy Kinns, Ron Epstein, Jeff Otto, John Patane, Joe Marsh, Todd Syska, Bruce Devorkin, Ernie Klopping, Barry Knight, Brian Saura, and Greg Vaughn. They also ran the 401 to Washington Avenue for a line inspection at lunchtime:


http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?200 ... 921366.jpg

http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?200 ... 121517.jpg

http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?200 ... 621140.jpg

Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
Catskill Mountain RR

Saturday, October 4th

On Saturday, October 4th, all work crews will be working in Phoenicia.

The main project on Saturday will be the repair of Engine 29 which needs to have a bearing replaced. Earl Pardini will be leading this crew in the Phoenicia yard starting about 9am

George Peck will be assisting Earl, and working on other projects in the vicinity of the Phoenicia yard including brush cutting and general cleanup. He will start around 9am.

George Liucci will be working on Coach 702 during the day starting at 10am, and at the end of the day will be spray painting the Duck with a new coat of paint.

Tom Healy will be cleaning and priming seat parts for the 702 and could use extra hands.

Gladys Gilbert and the train crews will be battling the crowds, and again will need extra help at Phoenicia, Mt. Pleasant, and on the train and would appreciate your help.


Sunday, October 5th

On Sunday, October 5th, work will continue on the 29 in the Phoenicia yard.

Also in Sunday, Cornell Street yard will open at 9:30am. Work will focus on siding construction and building the sides on flat car 213.

Again, extra help in Phoenicia, Mt. Pleasant and on the train will be greatly appreciated!


Future Events

Saturday, October 11th - Corridor Preservation Day sponsored by the UDRRHS. All CMRR volunteers are invited. Speeder rides from Arkville to Pine Hill, and a special train at 2:30pm from Arkville to Roxbury.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
Catskill Mountain RR

October 1 and 2

Al Johnson led a crew consisting of Bill Kaba and George Cook who worked on preparing CMRR No. 1 for a fresh coat of paint to look good for its temporary use on the Scenic Train until CMRR No. 29 is repaired.

Earl Pardini also led a crew working on repairing the bearing problem on the 29.


October 4th

On October 4th,

Earl Pardini led a crew consisting of Joe Marsh, PJ Hintz, Al Schoessow, and George Peck repairing the 29.

http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?200 ... 421631.jpg


On coach 702 Al Howes and Dick Wilhelm continued work on the interior sills, and Ernie Gehrer, Ed Palmatier worked on the west end vestibule. Tom Healy and George Bain worked on the seat frames for the 702.

http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?200 ... 181585.jpg

George Peck led a crew installing rails to the section house, which included Dave Mason and Mark Glaser.

http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?200 ... 321688.jpg

At the end of the day, George Liucci worked on painting the Duck.

http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?200 ... 331765.jpg


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
Catskill Mountain RR

Thursday, October 9th

On Thursday, October 9th, Joe Marsh will lead a crew working to weed-wack the tracks between Highmount and Pine Hill in preparation for the speeder rides on Saturday. Joe will be unloading his track car about 11am at Highmount. Work will focus on cutting weeds on the last 1/2 mile going in to Pine Hill (which was not sprayed). If you come late, go to Pine Hill and walk west. Be sure to call or email Joe Marsh ahead of time if you wish to join him.


Friday, October 10th

On Thursday, October 10th, Joe marsh and Dick Wilhelm will do a maintenance run from Andrews Lane to Shokan. Exact time is not yet available, so if you wish to go please contact Joe or Dick directly.


Saturday, October 11th

The 702 crew will be working on the 702 starting about 10am in Phoenicia.

George Peck will lead a crew working out of Phoenicia about 9:30am. Exact details will be announced by George on Saturday morning.

Cornell Street Yard will be closed on Saturday.


Sunday, October 12th

On Sunday, George Peck will lead a crew working out of Phoenicia about 9:30am.

Cornell Street Yard will be closed on Sunday.



Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
Catskill Mountain RR

Thursday, October 9th

On Thursday, October 9th, Joe Marsh led a team that included Neil Maizner and Thom Johnson who weed-wacked the tracks in the area from Pine Hill station to the Bellayre ski pond.


Friday, October 10th

Joe Marsh led a team including Dick Wilhelm who cleared the tracks of trees from Cold Brook to Shokan.


Saturday, October 11th

George Peck led a crew which included Greg Peck, Derek Stapleton and Mark Glaser. They started work extending track No. 2 in the Phoenicia yard, and did other cleanup around the Phoenicia Yard.


Sunday, October 12th

Joe Marsh and Todd Syska cleared the track from Shokan to West Hurley of trees lying on the tracks.

George peck continued work in the Phoenicia yard, and many additional volunteers helped with train service.


Monday, October 13th

George Peck led a crew consisting of Greg Peck and Derek Stapleton who continued work extending track No. 2 in the Phoenicia yard.

Greg Vaughn, Al Schoessow, and Mike LaLonde helped out the train and ground crews at Mt. Pleasant and Phoenicia.

Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
Catskill Mountain RR

Friday, October 17th

On Friday, October 17th, extra staff will be needed in Phoenicia and Mt. Pleasant for the 1:15 and 3:15 trains. Please either report to Gladys in Mt. Pleasant or John Prestopino in Phoenicia. This will be the peak weekend for fall colors, and huge crowds are expected, as per last weekend.


Saturday, October 18th

On Saturday, the 702 crew will be working on the 702 starting about 10am in Phoenicia.

George Peck will lead a crew working out of Phoenicia about 9:30am. Plans are to continue work on the No. 2 track extension and other projects around the yard.

Cornell Street Yard will be closed on Saturday.

Extra staff are desperately be needed in Phoenicia and Mt. Pleasant for the 11:15, 1:15 and 3:15 trains. Please either report to Gladys or John Prestopino.


Sunday, October 19th

On Sunday, George Peck will lead a crew working out of Phoenicia about 9:30am.

Cornell Street Yard will be closed on Sunday.

Extra staff are desperately be needed in Phoenicia and Mt. Pleasant for the 11:15, 1:15 and 3:15 trains. Please either report to Gladys or John Prestopino.


Weekday Volunteer Work

Earl Pardini is working during the week on putting on the sides to flat car 213 in Kingston. Anyone who would like to help should contact Earl directly.



Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
Catskill Mountain RR

Thursday October 23rd and Friday October 24th

Earl Pardini tentatively plans to open Cornell Street on Thursday October 23rd and Friday October 24th to work on Flat Car 213 and other items for startup of operations in Kingston. Please confirm with Earl directly if you wish to join him on Thursday and/or Friday.


Saturday, October 25th

Kingston

Earl Pardini plans to open Cornell Street on Saturday October 25th to work on Flat Car 213 and other items for startup of operations in Kingston. He plans to start at 9am.

Phoenicia

The 702 crew will be continuing work on coach 702 starting at 10am. George Peck will also lead a crew wrapping up work on the extension of track No. 2 in the Phoenicia yard starting about 9am. Finally, if the weather looks good for this weekend, we will need extra help at Phoenicia and Mt. Pleasant for train boarding and ticket sales.


Sunday, October 26th

Earl Pardini plans to open Cornell Street on Sunday October 26th to work on Flat Car 213 and other items for startup of operations in Kingston. He plans to start at 9:30am.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
Catskill Mountain RR

Thursday, October 23rd

In Kingston, Earl Pardini, Al Schowessow, Greg Vaughn and John Patane started work on the conversion of flat car 213 to passenger service.


Friday, October 24th

In Kingston, Earl Pardini, Greg Vaughn, Todd Syska and Ron Epstein continued work on flat car 213.


Saturday, October 25th

In Phoenicia, George Peck, Derek Stapleton, Greg Peck, and Dave Mason finished installation of the new wood stove in the Phoenicia section house, the first stove in the building in 50 years. They also started the task of cleaning and reorganizing the section house for use as their machine shop:

http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?200 ... 415632.jpg

Also in Phoenicia, Ernie Gehrer and George Liucci continued work on the east vestibule of coach 702.

Although no work ocured on this today, the past two weekends the track crew extended Track No. 2 in Phoenicia:

http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?200 ... 919447.jpg


In Kingston, Earl Pardini, Al Schoessow, Greg Vaughn, Mark Glaser, Bob Blake, John Patane and Jeff Otto continued work on the conversion of flat car 213 to passenger service. A few photos:

http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?200 ... 517792.jpg

http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?200 ... 618087.jpg

http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?200 ... 518193.jpg

Additionally, Mark Glaser helped build the skid for the new Kingston ticket booth:

http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?200 ... 717578.jpg

Though they did not work on this today, here is the latest photo of the new siding in Kingston:

http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?200 ... 217467.jpg


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
Catskill Mountain RR

Friday, October 31st

Greg Vaughn may be working on caboose 675 at Cornell Street on Friday. Contact him directly if you would like to join him.


Saturday, November 1st

Kingston

Earl Pardini plans to open Cornell Street on Saturday, November 1st to work on Flat Car 213 and other items for startup of operations in Kingston. He plans to start at 9am.

Phoenicia

Dave Mason will be working on the Section House in Phoenicia on Saturday.


Sunday, November 2nd

Earl Pardini plans to open Cornell Street on Sunday November 2nd to work on Flat Car 213 and other items for startup of operations in Kingston. He plans to start at 9:30am.

In Phoenicia, Sunday will be the last day of regular operations for 2008 for our Phoenicia to Cold Brook run.


Monday November 3rd and Tuesday November 4th

Earl Pardini tentatively plans to open Cornell Street on Monday November 3rd and Tuesday November 4th to work on Flat Car 213 and other items for startup of operations in Kingston. Please confirm with Earl directly if you wish to join him on Monday and/or Tuesday.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
Catskill Mountain RR

Saturday, November 1st.

On Saturday, the following worked: Earl Pardini, Greg Vaughn, Tom Healy, Mark Glaser, Peter Fluchere, John Tuma, Dave Baker, Ron Epstein, Al Schoessow, Bob Blake and Jeff Otto. The crew continued work on the flatcar and ticket booth, lettered most of the caboose, started the posts for new crossbucks at Westbrook Lane and Fair St, and repaired the 36-volt battery charger.

Sunday, November 2nd.

On Sunday, the following worked: Earl Pardini, Greg Vaughn, Ernie Klopping, Tom Healy, John Patane, John Tuma, Ron Epstein, Bob Blake and Jeff Otto. The crew continued work on the flatcar, finished lettering the caboose, started working on the caboose doors, and renewed some on-hand corregated metal for the ticket booth roof.

http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?200 ... 321036.jpg

Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
Catskill Mountain RR