Catskill Mountain Railroad News - 2012

mikefrommontana · **Posted:** Thu Nov 01, 2012 10:30 am

From the history page of their website: http://www.rypn.org/forums/posting.php?mode=reply&f=1&t=32663

Quote:

News and Events

The all-volunteer Catskill Mountain Railroad has been busy working to expand their operating territory. In 2008 our volunteers restored track to extend the Esopus Scenic Train ride to Cold Brook station in Boiceville. Thanks to our dedicated volunteers, we also reopened dormant tracks in Kingston to offer the first Kingston City Shuttle in 2008. Subsequent repairs have allowed us to expand the Kingston City Shuttle nearly two miles to Bridge C9 over the Esopus Creek.

In May 2010, the railroad took delivery of an additional locomotive to handle heavier trains. Our Esopus Scenic Train ride continues to grow in popularity, creating the need for the new-to-us locomotive! To accommodate growing demand, we added a second coach to our Esopus Scenic Train in October 2010.

In Augst 2011, the Catskill Mountain Railroad the devastating effects of flood waters caused by Hurricane Irene throughout the region. As a result, both Phoenicia and Cold Brook became temporaily isolated from our Esopus Scenic Train ride. Thanks to our dedicated volunteers, we were able to resume an abbreviated Scenic Train ride from our Mount Tremper station.

As of 2011, our volunteer crews have been busy making repairs to the bridge to allow further extensions towards the west. Throughout 2012, we will be restoring our tracks across the Hurley Flats to reach our first goal of Hurley Mountain Road. Expansion in the Kingston area is the first part of our long-term goal of reaching the scenic Ashokan Reservoir and beyond.

We post regular updates of Catskill Mountain Railroad volunteers hard at work on various projects to operate, maintain, and restore the Catskill Mountain Railroad to full operation from Kingston to Highmount, New York. Follow this link to the NERail Photo Archive to see new photos posted every week.

Looks like the ROW is owned by Ulster County (this being a portion of the old Ulster and Deleware) and had been railbanked since Penn Central days. Considering the immense challenges thrown at them, they've been doing great things. So far as threats from trail groups, well perhaps they're keeping the politics local, much as the Adirondack Scenic has. Not every group has the problems that the Pemberton Trust seems to, or are as willing to air them.

Michael Seitz
Missoula MT

Mark Trebing · **Posted:** Thu Nov 01, 2012 12:25 pm

I find the weekly progress reports very interesting for what they are. Each week we see the intended work for the weekend, followed by the results. You can see what a small group of active volunteers can actually accomplish. This is a healthy dose of reality as compared to what you might dream about accomplishing in a work session. I wish more groups would post these kinds of updates.

There's more info about their goals on their website: http://www.catskillmtrailroad.com/ The website is a little out of date, the 2011 annual report is not up, but otherwise it's a good site, informative and well laid out.

-Mark

joe6167 · **Posted:** Thu Nov 01, 2012 3:00 pm

I find this group to be inspirational, on account of the work they do. How many groups even have the ability to repair track, lay switches, or even overhaul a bridge, on their own? Granted they've had some challenges, such as hurricane damage and various washouts over the years, but they always find a way to repair the damage.

Further to that I wish we had groups as well organized as the CMRR in my neck of the woods.

I also find the weekly reports of interest, between work done to rolling stock and the ROW. Besides, how often do you get the opportunity to see a bridge get rehabilitated.

With that said, did the CMRR suffer any damage from Hurricane Sandy?

eehiv · **Joined:** Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:54 pm **Posts:** 1336

The CMRR escaped Hurricane Sandy with no apparent damage except for downed trees.

The Trolley Museum of New York in Kingston did suffer damage:

http://www.tmny.org/Sandy/

EH

eehiv · **Joined:** Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:54 pm **Posts:** 1336

Thursday, November 1st

At Cornell Street, Earl Pardini led a crew consisting of Ray Pollard and Raphael Demeglio. Several additional bridge timbers for the C-9 project were notched. Anti-freeze was replenished in the W110B tamper.

Mark Glaser, Al Schoessow and George Peck laid out ties for insertion in the ROW in Kingston. They dropped 20 ties between MP 3.62 (Ball Field) and just west of the O&W switch @ MP 4.32. The track was inspected east of this point to approx. MP 4.13. Two rails on the south side were marked for replacement @ Westbrook Station.

Saturday, November 3rd

In Kingston today, George Peck led a track crew including Art Vogel, Al Johnson, Peter Fluchere, Al Schoessow, and Mark Glaser. 20 ties dropped by Thursday's work train were placed under the rail between MP 3.62 and MP 4.32. Five ties were tamped and plated.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=204599

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=204600

A bridge crew on C-9 needlescaled and painted an additional bay on the girder bridge section, several new bridge ties were laid in and allowed the installation of an additional running rail on the north side. The crew included Earl Pardini and Raphael Demeglio.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=204596

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=204597

Sunday, November 4th

On Sunday, a track crew in Kingston plated, tamped and spiked 12 ties between MP 3.62 (Ballfield) and the west end of the Plaza parking lot. Participating were Al Schoessow, Bob Blake, Tony Bochinno, John Prestopino, and Mark Glaser.

At Cornell St.,repairs were made to the tamper earlier in the day. Earl Pardini continued notching ties for the C-9 project.

Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

eehiv · **Joined:** Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:54 pm **Posts:** 1336

Saturday, November 10th

On Saturday, Earl Pardini will lead a crew in Kingston continuing work on bridge C9. They will meet at Cornell Street yard at 9am.

George Peck will lead a track crew in Kingston also starting at 9am at Cornell Street yard.

Sunday, November 11th

On Sunday, Earl Pardini will again lead a crew in Kingston continuing work on bridge C9. They will meet at Cornell Street yard at 9am.

Mark Glaser will lead a track crew in Kingston also starting at 9am at Cornell Street yard.

Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

eehiv · **Joined:** Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:54 pm **Posts:** 1336

Saturday, November 10th

On Saturday in Kingston, George Peck led a track crew consisting of Art Vogel, Al Schoessow, Jim Bruck, Will Wilsey, and Mark Glaser. A section of track adjacent to Herzog's Lumber Yard was retamped and leveled. 10 ties were spiked up from the west end of the Plaza parking lot to just west of the O&W switch. Beginning with last weekend a total of 25 ties have been installed between MP 3.62 and 4.3.

George Bain cleared brush east of the cars on Rte. 209 and later cut back growth on both sides of the Albany Ave. cut.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=204747

Earl Pardini and Raphael Demeglio continued work on bridge C-9.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=204733

Later in the day George Peck and Art began repairs to the tamper at Cornell Street.

Sunday, November 11th

On Sunday, a track crew in Kingston did bolt work just east and west of the O&W switch @ MP 4.26. The work group included Al Schoessow,Bob Blake, Jim Bruck, John Prestopino, and Mark Glaser.

Earl Pardini and Raphael Demeglio continued work on bridge C-9. Only two bays still require redecking as the work rapidly approaches the span's west abutment.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=204760

Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

eehiv · **Joined:** Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:54 pm **Posts:** 1336

Saturday, November 17th

George Peck will lead a track crew in Kingston starting at 9am at Cornell Street yard.

George Bain and I will lead a brush crew meeting at Route 209 at 9am. Our goal is to clear the track of vegetation from 209 to C9 as a first step in our track rehabilitation program west of C9. Please bring heavy duty weed wackers, loppers, hedge trimmers for vines, and of course eye protection.

Sunday, November 18th

On Sunday, Earl Pardini will again lead a crew in Kingston continuing work on bridge C9. They will meet at Cornell Street yard at 9am.

Mark Glaser will lead a track crew in Kingston also starting at 9am at Cornell Street yard.

Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

eehiv · **Joined:** Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:54 pm **Posts:** 1336

Saturday, November 17th

Saturday in Kingston, a track crew working at MP 4.12 tamped and corrected a low spot after reinforcing the shoulder on the north side. The crew included: Art Vogel, John Patane, Will Wilsey, Al Schoessow and Mark Glaser.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=204891

At Cornell St. Yard earlier in the day, Art continued repairs on the tampers engine/compressor coupling and began installation of front and rear draw bar hitch fittings on the machine. Al Schoessow repaired pneumatic lines.

At Route 209, George Bain led a crew including Peter Fluchere, Tom Johnson and myself, that cut vegetation from the ROW from MP 5.4 (Route 209) to MP 5.2, in anticipation of trackwork being done here in the near future.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=204884

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=204885

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=204886

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=204887

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=204889

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=204890

Sunday, November 18th

On Sunday, Earl Pardini and Will Willsey went to Phoenicia to get the last bridge timbers for the C9 project. Earl also did work on the Kingston Tamper, as did Al Schoessow. Bob Blake weed-wacked the track west of bridge C9 in anticipation of track work starting there shortly.

Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

eehiv · **Joined:** Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:54 pm **Posts:** 1336

Saturday, November 24th

On Saturday, Earl Pardini will lead a crew on bridge C9. They will start at Cornell Street at 8am.

Mark Glaser will lead a track crew in Kingston starting at 9am at Cornell Street yard, and will be making final trackwork in preparation for our Christmas train. Mark also plans to do brushcutting near Albany Avenue so bring brush cutting equipment.

Sunday, November 25th

On Sunday, Earl Pardini will again lead a crew in Kingston continuing work on bridge C9. They will meet at Cornell Street yard at 8am.

Mark Glaser will lead a track crew in Kingston also starting at 9am at Cornell Street yard.

Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

eehiv · **Joined:** Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:54 pm **Posts:** 1336

Tuesday, November 20th

Raphael Demeglio and Earl Pardini continued work on bridge C9. They installed 6 more timbers and notched 8 more. They also removed the last of the old timbers an painted and needlescaled the remaining girder beams.

Friday, November 23rd

Raphael DeMeglio and Earl Pardini continued work on bridge C9. They installed 11 more timbers and another rail on the north side.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=205028

Saturday, November 24th

Al Schoessow, Art Vogel and Mark Glaser completed repairs to the Kingston tamper.

Bob Blake weed-wacked between Albany Avenue and Chandler Drive, and Bob Blake and I finished weed-wacking the ROW from 209 to C9:

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=205039

Earl Pardini, Art Vogel, Al Schoessow, Mark Glaser and Walt Otto poured a reinforced concrete pedestal for the south slide plate on the girder bridge section's west abutment.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=205040

Mimi Pardini, Pat Smalley, and Karin Vogel began decorating the railroad's holiday train at Cornell St. and passenger station at Westbrook Lane.

Sunday, November 25th

Catskill Mountain Railroad reached another important milestone with the completion of the timber redecking project on the Esopus Creek Bridge C9 at MP 5. The last 6 timbers were installed on the span. Running rails were completely spiked to just west of the truss portion and a second reinforced concrete pad poured for the north slide plate on the bridge's west abutment. Two final rails were prepped for installation. Participating were: Earl Pardini, John Patane, Al Schoessow, Will Wilsey, Tony Bochinno, Jim Bruck, Edwin Winstanley, Raphael Demeglio, and Mark Glaser.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=205065

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=205066

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=205067

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=205068

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=205069

Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

eehiv · **Joined:** Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:54 pm **Posts:** 1336

Thursday, November 29th

Earl Pardini plans to lead a crew at bridge C9 to install new railroad ties on the far side of the bridge so that the final two rails can be installed. He will start at 9am at Cornell Street and could use an extra hand or two.

Friday, November 30th

Earl Pardini and Mark Glaser will lead a crew starting at Cornell street at 9am. They plan to make preparations for running the train on Saturday, and will be working on bridge C9 later in the day.

Saturday, December 1st

Earl Pardini will be opening Cornell Street yard on Saturday at 8am. Plans are to do last minute preparations for the Christmas Train. Mark Glaser plans to lead a crew inserting ties west of C9 in the morning, and may continue in the afternoon if there are sufficient crew.

Our Christmas Train will be running out of Westbrook Station at 1, 2, 3, and 4pm.

Sunday, December 2nd

Earl Pardini will be opening Cornell Street yard on Sunday at 9am. Mark Glaser plans to lead a crew inserting ties west of C9 in the morning, and may continue in the afternoon if there are sufficient crew.

Our Christmas Train will be running out of Westbrook Station at 1, 2, 3, and 4pm.

Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

eehiv · **Joined:** Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:54 pm **Posts:** 1336

Thursday, November 29th

Earl Pardini and Ray Perrone continued work on bridge C9.

Friday, November 30th

In Kingston a bridge crew including Earl Pardini, Raphael Demeglio, Vincent Demeglio, George Peck, and Mark Glaser completed the installation of running rails on bridge C-9. Rail is now continuous on the span and connected to existing track on both the east and west approaches. The crew also spiked 13 new ties which were placed west of the girder bridge's headwall. The Pettibone rail crane traveled west over the bridge and is presently on the high fill on that side.

Saturday, December 1st

Ernie, In Kingston on Saturday @ Cornell St., crews completed the decoration of the holiday train before start of shuttle service @ 1 pm. On C-9, a bridge crew including Raphael Demeglio,Vincent Demeglio, and Mark Glaser continued track spiking and bolt work on the newly completed deck. Numerous OTM quality checks were performed on both the north and south running rails.

Train crew was Earl Pardini, Engineer, Ray Farrell, Conductor, Tony Bocchino Will Willsey, flagmen, Mimi Pardini & Jim Bruck, Car attendants, Thom Johnson, Ticket Agent.

Sunday, December 2nd

Sunday, the same crew finished spiking the last 30 ties on the north side and also completed any bolt work that remained. Later in the day, all track joints were inspected between the C-9 west abutment and the east end of the 'Lion Gardiner' @ Rte.209. 80 joint ties were marked for replacement. Journal boxes were checked on all cars east of the crossing.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=205181

Sunday's crew was John Patane, Engineer, Walt Otto, Conductor, Tony Bocchino and Will Willsey, flagmen, Mimi & Earl Pardini, Car attendants, and Russ Hallock, Ticket Agent.

Monday, December 3rd.

On Monday, Earl Pardini and Raphael DeMeglio reinstalled the guard rails on bridge C9. The bridge is now ready for inspection, and once it is imspected, will be put into service. Congrats to everyone involved in this project!!!!

Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

jd johnson · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 10:50 am **Posts:** 399

Ernie,

I sent you a PM today.

Please get back with me via PM when you get the chance.

You guys do great work.

JD Johnson, Morehead and North Fork Railroad Historian

eehiv · **Joined:** Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:54 pm **Posts:** 1336

Saturday, December 8th

Westward Ho!!!!!!!

Mark Glaser will lead the charge west of C9 on Saturday, starting at 9am at Cornell Street. Plans are to insert as many ties as possible to extend our track west to Route 209. We need as many volunteers as possible to insert, tamp, plate and spike as many ties as we can get in before the ground freezes. We will have the scarifier, backhoe, and tamper to help.

Our Christmas Train will be running out of Westbrook Station at 1, 2, 3, and 4pm.

Sunday, December 9th

Mark Glaser will again be leading a crew inserting ties west of C9. As before, the crew will meet at Cornell Street at 9am and head west to C9. Let's see how many ties we can get in! As before, we will have the scarifier, backhoe, and tamper to help.

Our Christmas Train will be running out of Westbrook Station at 1, 2, 3, and 4pm.

Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR