English is at its best when it is short, sharp and to the point. The key to writing is re-writing. Perhaps if you shorten your message, think 250-300 words, and then sharpen your writing skills, you may be able to get something in print.

For once I have to concur with Mr. Wilkins! (And this comes from someone who can be long-winded himself--maybe I ought to be in politics. . .)

But seriously, don't be too discouraged. I can personally tell you it's a lot harder to write short than to write long.

Technically, this should be in Railfanning, but I think it's too good not to place here:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =1&theater

The two young kids are Ryan Lennox and his sister, Rachel; the later photo is Ryan, Rachel, and their father, Tom Lennox. Ryan is today one of the track volunteers at Catskill Mountain.

I'll add, as I did on the original photo posting, that Ryan's sister is cute (but don't tell my wife that!), and that most of all, this shows how heritage railroads are for people of all ages, including all our own ages!

(Aye, and both kids have their mom's red hair!)

Saturday, March 8th

Cornell Street Yard will open at 9:30am. Joe Michaels will be working on the electrical system for Coach 2940, and Mark Glaser will lead a crew working on track equipment in the yard and replacing the windows on the south side of Coach 2940. Both could use additional hands helping out.



Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Saturday March 8th


In Kingston, Earl Pardini and Joe Michaels led a crew that included George Bain, Tom Whyte, Dave Hilliard, Rick Desir, Tyler Carelli, Neil Remsen, Peter Fluchere, John Marino, Jim Bruck, and Walt Otto. They continued work on the 2940's generator, and removed one of the south side windows in preparation for installing new windows.

In Phoenicia, George Peck began cleaning up the Phoenicia yard getting ready for trackwork.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Saturday, March 15th

In Phoenicia, George Peck will lead a crew starting at 9:30am at Phoenicia Station.

In Kingston, Joe Michaels and Mark Glaser will be working in Cornell Street yard starting at 9:30am. They will continue working on the 2940's generator and replacing windows on the south side of the car.


Sunday, March 16th

Work may be continuing on coach 2940 at Cornell Street. Please check email late Saturday for confirmation.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Just keeping an eye on things--anti-railroad letter in the Daily Freeman:

http://www.dailyfreeman.com/opinion/201 ... ooperation

Friday, March 14th

On Friday, Ryan Lennox cut brush near Hurley Mountain Road.



Saturday, March 15th

On Saturday, work continued on Coach 2940's generator and south side windows. The generator ran well, and the heating system in the coach was reactivated. The first new window on the south side was fully installed, and two new ones cut for installation. Participating today were Joe Michaels, Mark Glaser, Tom Whyte, Earl Pardini, Walt Otto, Tyler Carelli, Dave Hilliard, Jesse Gabron, Fred Rasmussen, George Bain, Jim Bruck, Rich Desir, and John Marino.

In Phoenicia, George Peck and Neil Remsen did work opening up the Phoenicia yard.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

The letter talks about ageing people without cars and then skateboarders?

Here is the only clear fact, there are active people helping the railroad...NOW.
You want a trail, do it somewhere else. There are plenty of streets around, designate a trail direction for those who want that. ohno! Thats not safe either, lots of cars!!!
I dont want to steal this thread further, but the trail idea needs to stop.

My one issue is safety, and then again, its greedy lawyers once an accident happens. Lets not create a monster. Railroads are all about safety, a sportster is in constant safety risk, skateboarding, etc etc. Thats what makes sports exciting is the constant daredeviling, you don't want that around a railroad.

http://www.dailyfreeman.com/general-new ... on-in-2014

Catskill Mountain Railroad touts plans for Kingston-Ulster operation in 2014

By WILLIAM J. KEMBLE, news@freemanonline.com

Posted: 03/20/14, 11:09 PM EDT

TOWN OF ULSTER >> Catskill Mountain Railroad officials gave the Ulster Town Board an update Thursday on its plan to link major entertainment themes and local businesses in promoting its tourist train operations in Kingston and the town of Ulster.

Matt Gillis, a special projects director for the railroad, said an emphasis is being placed on collaborations with licensing agencies.

“What we’re doing this year is bringing in Polar Express,” he said. “That will be Nov. 21 through Dec. 28, and then also Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin the last two weekends in October and the first weekend in November. With those, it’s a whole community organization. We work with all the local merchants and businesses; especially with the Polar Express, we’ll be reaching out with the school theater programs to get the youth that are into the theater arts to fill the roles.”

Gillis said recent marketing of the operation has been geared toward New York City audiences and should be helped by the 10th anniversary of the release of the movie “Polar Express” in theaters.

“Warner Brothers is going to do a heavy promotional push during the re-release of the movie,” he said.

“With the Peanuts train, we did a small version of that last year and we partnered with John Gill and he put in a pumpkin patch for us,” Gillis said. “That was phenomenally successful. We ran a sold-out train and had to run an extra train because we were leaving so many people behind.”

Catskill Mountain Railroad is also scheduling a “Day Out with Thomas the Tank Engine” through the licensing company that represents the long-running PBS television program.

The Catskill Mountain Railroad operates on two 2.5-mile sections of the former Ulster and Delaware Railroad track — one that runs between the city of Kingston and the town of Ulster, the other between the hamlets of Phoenicia and Boiceville. The track is owned by Ulster County and leased to the railroad.

Railroad representatives did not discuss the ongoing legal conflicts between their group and Ulster County, which has threatened to terminate the lease for in a case that is expected to be heard in court this October. However, following the session they said that there have been efforts to work with the county’s plan for a pedestrian and bicycle trail that goes to the Ashokan Reservoir via the railroad right-of-way.

“The decision about whether we’re in compliance with our lease or not will be determined by the judge,” railroad President Ernest Hunt said. “So until then, we’re operating normally.”

In a business plan, the group reported that along the Kingston/Ulster section last year, there were 4,200 riders and $19,700 in fares, representing a 37-percent increase in passengers and 41-percent increase in revenue. The Phoenicia/Mount Tremper section was reported to have 10,100 passengers and $104,000 in fares in 2013, a 19.34 percent increase in ridership and 25.53 percent increase in revenue.

The group contends it can help the county develop a rail-and-trail operation along the Ashokan Reservoir.

“The train can carry bicycles as well as people,” the railroad said. “CMRR plans to dedicate a rail car to facilitate cyclists using the corridor. ... It would have passenger seating, secure bicycle racks, large door for easy loading (and) unloading, and a small work bench with tools for basic emergency bicycle repairs.”

Saturday, March 22nd

On Saturday, Joe Michaels plans to lead a team on coach 2940 starting at 9:30am at Cornell Street. Plans are to continue work on the generator and to continue work installing new windows.

George Peck plans to start at 9:30am at the Phoenicia Yard planning to get things in Phoenicia ready for service.

Sunday, March 23rd

Those who would like to continue to work on Coach 2940 please inform Earl to make sure the yard is open. Suggested time is 10am.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Saturday, March 22nd

On Saturday at Cornell St. work continued on coach 2940. 3 additional windows were installed,1 window was sealed on the exterior w/special acrylic compatible silicone, 3 interior wood frames were re-installed. All exposed wood on the frame edges contacting the windows were stained black for a finished look. Crews also continued work on the generator and succeeded in restoring heat to the car. Engineer training was conducted by Earl later in the day. Participating today were: Earl Pardini, Joe Michaels, Jim Bruck, Rick Desir, Jesse Gabron, Dave Hilliard, John Marino, Freddie Rasmussen, and Mark Glaser.

In Phoenicia, George Peck and Dave Heick marked ties in the Phoenicia yard, and Art Vogel joined them later in the day where they did work repairing the tamper.

Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Saturday, March 29th

On Saturday, Joe Michaels plans to lead a team on coach 2940 starting at 9:30am at Cornell Street. Plans are to continue work on the generator and to continue work installing new windows. Mark Glaser plans a line inspection later in the day.

George Peck plans to start at 9:30am at the Phoenicia Yard planning to get things in Phoenicia ready for service.

Sunday, March 30th

Those who would like to continue to work on Coach 2940 please inform Earl to make sure the yard is open. Suggested time is 10am.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Saturday, March 29th

In Kingston on Saturday, work continued on coach 2940, three more windows were installed and 120 V outlets were hard wired on the car interior. Crews switched out the yard, moving MOW equipment out of storage and onto the loading dock track. The work flat was repositioned and the container cleaned out/organized. A cleanup of yard grounds was performed. Engineer training was conducted and an inspection train ran to Albany Ave. Participating were: Earl Pardini, Walt Otto, Tyler Carelli, Jim Bruck, Peter Fluchere, Rick Desir, Freddie Rasmussen, Joe Michaels, Tom Whyte, John Patane, John Marino, Jesse Gabron, and Mark Glaser.

In Phoenicia, Dave Heick, George Peck and Art Vogel replaced the compressor seal, hydraulic line & starter aolenoid on the tamper, ran the tie handler running, and worked on the ballast regulator, and used the gradall to clear space for new ties.

Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

GREAT NEWS for CMRR/ESRM!!

Empire State Railway Museum in Phoenicia to build barn for train repairs

http://www.dailyfreeman.com/general-new ... in-repairs

By Jay Braman Jr., news@freemanonline.com

Posted: 04/02/14, 1:00 PM EDT | Updated: 1 min ago
0 Comments

PHOENICIA >> The Empire State Railway Museum plans to erect a large barn at the museum site on Station Road in which train cars will be repaired.

The museum has received a zoning variance to build a 96-foot-long, 40-foot-wide, 26-foot-tall barn over the railroad tracks that pass by the museum (the old Phoenicia train station). The new building will be used for the restoration of historic rail cars currently stored on the outdoor tracks.

Museum officials have applied for a building permit and expect to begin work on the barn soon.

“I was out there with the contractor just the other day,” said museum spokesman Paul LaPierre on Monday. “We are almost ready to go.”

Clearing the way for the project that Shandaken Zoning Board of Appeals overrode an opinion from the Ulster County Planning Board that stated cited concerns about the new building being near the flood-prone Esopus Creek. In 2005, the museum itself almost was washed away by flooding that eroded the building’s foundation and caused train cars at the site to fall onto their sides.

Ulster County planners also voiced concerns about hazardous chemicals being used in the restoration and cleaning of rail cars.

LaPierre said Shandaken builder Robert Jones, known for his Farmer Jones Baby Barns that dot the Catskills landscape, has been hired to build the new barn, which will have board and batten wood siding and a metal roof.

The plans in Phoenicia come about a year after the city of Kingston stopped the Catskill Mountain Railroad from brining old train cars into the city for repair.

Kingston officials said the cleaning/restoration process would be a health hazard, and they secured a state Supreme Court order to prevent the cars from entering the city. City attorney Andrew Zweben said at the time that cars, which were parked near U.S. Route 209 in the town of Ulster, were covered with lead-based paint and that sandblasting that paint could be harmful to people nearby.

To help enforce the court order, Kingston Mayor Shayne Gallo had city employees park a dump truck across the Catskill Mountain Railroad tracks the city’s border with town of Ulster to prevent the rail cars from being brought in.

LaPierre noted the Empire State Railway Museum is a non-profit entity that has nothing to do with the for-profit Catskill Mountain Railroad but that the two have a “symbiotic relationship” because they share the tracks that run past the museum.