Thursday July 3rd

Tom Whyte will lead the Brush Hog crew at Route 209 - cut from rte 209 back to C-9.


Friday, July 4th

We will be running at Mt. Tremper from 11 to 3pm.

Tom Whyte will lead the brush hog crew at 10:00am meet at Cornell Street and cut from Yard down to Westbrook lane. Work until 1:00. Time permitting continue to Washington Avenue. Crew will start trackwork at 1pm at Hurley Mountain Road with Mark Glaser.


Saturday, July 5th

We will be running at Mt. Tremper from 11 to 3pm and Kingston from 1 to 4pm.

Tom Whyte will lead the brush hog crew starting at 10AM. Finish work on Kingston operating section and move up to Hurley Mt Road section and clear entire stretch including in and around the washout. Trackwork will begin at HMR about 1pm with Mark Glaser.

In Phoenicia, George Peck will be doing trackwork starting at 9:30am on the section from the section house to Farmer's crossing.


Sunday, July 6th

We will be running at Mt. Tremper from 11 to 3pm.

In Phoenicia, George Peck will be doing trackwork starting at 9:30am on the section from the section house to Farmer's crossing.

In Kingston a track/repair crew will be working out of Cornell Street yard at 9:30am.

We would like to run the brush hog in the Phoenicia yard on Sunday. Please contact Tom Whyte directly if you are available for this project.



Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Thursday July 3rd

Tom Whyte began mowing from Rte.209 to C-9 with a brush hog,in gauge.


Friday July 4th

Mark Glaser did a general cleanup of Cornell St. Yard,and did landscape maintenance at Westbrook Lane Station. Chris Rittner moved the Northwestern to Cornell Street, and he and I moved the Kalamazoo to Shokan.

At Mt. Tremper, Walt Otto was engineer, Neil Isabelle conductor, and Kathy Isabelle was brakeman.


Saturday July 5th

HMR project continued; John Patane inserted 24 ties east of the farm crossing at MP 5.68,Mark Glaser cut brush on north/south shoulders to the washout ahead of the backhoe. Earlier in the day,Tom Whyte and Mark cut grass and brush on the operating section,beginning at O'neil St.

On Sat. in Kingston Engineers were Al Schoessow and John Prestopino. Walt Otto was conductor. John Marino was conductor trainee and Tyler Carelli and Fred Rasmussen were flaggers. Jim Bruck was ticket agent.

George Bain, Russ Hallock and I worked on the cars at 209. Al Johnson worked in the Phoenicia yard.

On Saturday in Mt. Tremper, Dave Heick was Engineer, Ray Farrell was Conductor. Bill Kaba was brakeman. Peter Fluchere was ticket agent.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=217111

George Peck and Art Vogel distributed ballast at Campground Curve.



Sunday July 6th

Tom Whyte, John Marino, Bob Blake, and Mark Glaser,plated and spiked 24 ties east of MP 5.68 and are now approx. 3 RL's from the washout. Over hanging trees were removed as the crew moved east.
At Westbrook Lane, Jan Harrison began painting the station interior.

On Sunday at Mt. Tremper, the engineer was Al Schoessow. The Conductor was John Prestopino. Tony Bocchino was conductor trainee. Tyler Carelli was point protection. Ticket agent was Peter Fluchere. After the last train, Al took Tony and John P. West of Mt. Tremper to cut trees and brush.

George Peck worked in Phoenicia on track.



Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

I found this news release, and I am wondering why it is so easy for federal money to flow into projects that destroy mass transit and environmentally friendly, low-carbon footprint-impact, existing rail infrastructure. In the name of a dirt road path?

http://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/newsro ... -friendly-

"These rail trails would link the Wallkill Valley, O&W Rondout, Kingston Point and Catskill Mountain rail trails, culminating at the Historic Stockade District and Broadway Corridor. This will be accomplished by converting abandoned or underutilized railroad corridors into thoroughfares for both cars and pedestrians, as well as transforming Broadway and Greenkill Avenue into streets that can better accommodate bicycle and pedestrian traffic."

Will this negatively impact any portion of the CMRR?

"The TIGER Discretionary Grant program provides an opportunity for DOT to invest in road, rail, transit and port projects that promise to achieve critical national objectives. In each round of TIGER, DOT receives many applications to build and repair critical pieces of freight and passenger transportation networks."

Seems like it is having the opposite effect.

Jim

If you look at Senator Gillibrand's letter, despite what the press release says, it only mentions the Wallkill Valley, O&W Rondout, Kingston Point" rail trails, and does not mention the Catskill Mountain rail trails. EH

Friday July 11th

We will be running at Mt. Tremper from 11 to 3pm.

The CMRR will participate in the Children's Day Parade in Kingston which starts at 6pm. Lineup starts at 5pm.


Saturday, July 12th

We will be running at Mt. Tremper from 11 to 3pm and Kingston from 1 to 4pm.

Mark Glaser will lead a track crew working at Hurley Mountain Road starting at Cornell street at 9:30am.

In Phoenicia, George Peck will be doing trackwork starting at 9:30am on the section from the section house to Farmer's crossing.


Sunday, July 13th

We will be running at Mt. Tremper from 11 to 3pm.

In Phoenicia, George Peck will be doing trackwork starting at 9:30am on the section from the section house to Farmer's crossing.

In Kingston a track/repair crew will be working out of Cornell Street yard at 9:30am.



Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Thursday July 10th

For the charter on Thursday July 10th in Kingston the Engineer was Al Schoessow. Conductor was John Prestopino. Dave Hilliard and Rich Kerimoglu were flaggers. Elissa Hilliard was car attendant.


Friday July 11th

On Friday at Mt. Tremper the engineer was Dave Heick. Conductor was John Prestopino. Russ Hallock was point protection and Ed Winstanley was car attendant. Ticket agent was Bruce Devorkin.

We had a good turnout for the Children's Parade in Kingston.


Saturday July 12th

At HMR on Saturday 10 ties were inserted and spiked on the north side. Backhoe cleared an area just west of the former cattle pass to access fill for repairs of the smaller washes leading to the west abutment of the former bridge at MP 5.53. Working today were: John Patane, Tom Whyte, Marty Weir and Mark Glaser.

In Kingston, Al Schoessow was engineer, John Marino was brakeman, and Walt Otto was conductor. Tony Bocchino joined us as flagger for the fourth train. Freddie Rasmussen worked on the new air horn for the caboose. Ken Darmstadt was ticket agent.

In Shokan, the equipment was positioned for the upcoming flat move. The team included Art Vogel, George Peck Joe Michaels, Neil Remsen and Earl Pardini.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=217282

On Saturday in Mt. Tremper, Dave Heick was Engineer, Ray Farrell was Conductor. Neil Remsen was brakeman. Peter Fluchere was ticket agent.

George Peck, Art Vogel and Jarrett May worked on track in Phoenicia.


Sunday July 13th

On Sunday, track crews reached the "cattle pass" wash approximately 75' west of the cars on Route 209. 16 ties were inserted and spiked as well as any remaining spiking from Saturday. The backhoe cleared the area around the culvert entrance. Today's crew: John Patane, Bob Blake, John Marino, Marty Weir, Tom Whyte, and Mark Glaser. Many thanks to all who helped reach this HMR project milestone.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=217283

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=217284

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=217285

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=217286


I worked on the cars on 209.

At Mt. Tremper, Al Schoessow was engineer, Tony Bocchino was brakeman, and Walt Otto was conductor. Peter Fluchere was ticket agent.

Al Johnson filled some of the holes in the parking lot at Mt. Tremper.

George Peck worked in Phoenicia on track.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Ernie, great progress on the track repairs. What is the plan for repairing the cattle pass? Two beams and some ties? Did the original cattle pass have a solid top that got washed out or was it just a short open deck bridge span originally?

Rob

The original cattle pass had a short deck bridge, which was filled in with a culvert in the 1920's. We will be adding another culvert or two in addition to the one still there, and otherwise replace the fill that was there before the cattle pass was blown out in the April 2, 2005 flood. It is only a 12 foot span. EH

Friday July 18th

We will be running at Mt. Tremper from 11 to 3pm.


Saturday, July 19th

We will be running at Mt. Tremper from 11 to 3pm and Kingston from 1 to 4pm.

Mark Glaser will lead a track crew working at Hurley Mountain Road starting at Cornell street at 9:30am.

In Phoenicia, George Peck will be doing trackwork starting at 9:30am on the section from the section house to Farmer's crossing.


Sunday, July 20th

We will be running at Mt. Tremper from 11 to 3pm.

In Phoenicia, George Peck will be doing trackwork starting at 9:30am on the section from the section house to Farmer's crossing.

In Kingston a track/repair crew will be working out of Cornell Street yard at 9:30am.



Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

http://web.saxo.dailyfreeman.com/genera ... each-other

Committee says Ulster County, Catskill Mountain Railroad should drop actions against each other

KINGSTON >> The Ulster County Legislature’s Railroad Advisory Committee wants the county to let the Catskill Mountain Railroad ride out the rest of its lease unchallenged.

The committee on Wednesday adopted a resolution recommending the county to end its efforts to enforce its lease agreement with the railroad if the railroad drops its lawsuit against the county.

“We need to move on this,” said committee Chairman David Donaldson. “Most of the Legislature agrees this is a lawsuit that does not need to be continued.

“Let’s stop the bleeding,” said Donaldson, D-Kingston. “At best, at best, they may be thrown off three months early.

“It makes absolutely no sense to continue this lawsuit,” he said.

The resolution, which was adopted in a 3-1 vote, with Legislature Minority Leader Ken Ronk dissenting, now goes to the county Legislature’s Economic Development and Laws and Rules committees. Ronk, R-Wallkill, said he wanted more time to consider the resolution before voting.

The resolution calls for the railroad to drop its lawsuit in exchange for a promise from the county that it will allow the railroad to operate undeterred in the areas where it currently runs tourist trains until the lease expires in 2016. The railroad, a for-profit corporation, runs a tourist trains in the Kingston-Ulster and Mount Tremper-Phoenicia areas.

The only requirement that would be placed on the railroad is that the trains follow Federal Railroad Administration regulations.

Catskill Mountain Railroad President Ernie Hunt, who attended Wednesday’s committee meeting, said the railroad would drop its suit if it is permitted to continue running its trains.

“We believe, as we said publicly before, if the county ceases to try to terminate our lease, we will drop the lawsuit. It’s as simple as that,” Hunt said.

The county has spent tens of thousands of dollars defending against the lawsuit, which was filed after the county in June 2013 served the railroad with a notice of default, claiming the railroad failed to live up to the terms of the lease under which it is allowed to operate tourist trains on the county-owned tracks.

The railroad has asked for a permanent injunction preventing the county from entering the premises prior to the expiration of the lease, as well as “unspecified damages” it says its entitled to because the county made “a number of statements that are derogatory and/or untrue regarding the Catskill Mountain Railroad ... in press releases, articles and/or public meetings.”

The county, in its countersuit, is asking for $1 million in damages it says it is due as a result of the railroad’s default on the lease.

State Supreme Court Justice Richard Mott has issued an injunction against the county, blocking it from evicting the railroad from the former Ulster & Delaware Railroad right-of-way while the court sorts out whether the railroad has breached the terms of its lease with the county.

County Executive Michael Hein wants to convert much of the track into a recreational trail but has proposed allowing the railroad to continue operating its tourist train between Mount Tremper and Phoenicia. The railroad’s Kingston train service would be discontinued.

This sounds like a step in the right direction for the CMRR.

Now that the railroad appears to be getting some relief, what will happen after the lease expires in 2016? Will the organization have the option to purchase the tracks outright, or will a new lease have to be negotiated? And if that's the case, what is the likelihood the county will be willing to cooperate with the railroad considering their eagerness to halt the operation.

I apologize if this has been discussed before, but I do not recall any details.

^The CMRR is hopeful that a new lease can be negotiated with Ulster County.

Friday July 18th

On Friday at Mt. Tremper Engineer was John Prestopino, Car Attendant was Edwin Winstanley, Ticket Agent was Thom Johnson, and Conductor Dan Howard.

Tyler Larose and Ryan Lennox cleared track between MP 25.8 and Mt. Tremper:

http://s36.photobucket.com/user/Segawiz ... %207-18-14


Saturday July 19th

Saturday,track crew inserted 7 ties east and west of the HMR crossing. Ties marked, plates pulled west of MP 6. Excavation of the north berm in the cut immediately west of the crossing began. Participating were; John Patane, Marty Weir, Tom Whyte, and Mark Glaser.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=217437


In Kingston, Al Schoessow was engineer, John Marino was brakeman, and Dave Hilliard was conductor. Pat Smalley was ticket agent.

I worked on the cars on 209.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=217282

At Mt Tremper, Engineer was Dave Heick, brakeman was Neil Remsen, trainman was Bill Kaba. Walt Otto was conductor, and Brianna Wittl was ticket agent. Between runs, Ryan Lennox and Tyler Larose cleared a large tree that was leaning over the track.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=217435

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=217436


For the Twilight Limited, Dave, Neil, and Walt Otto continued our roles. Tyler Carelli was ticket agent. Music at the station before the evening train was provided by several volunteers plus friends.

George Peck, Tyler Carelli and Art Vogel worked on track at Campground Curve:

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=217434


Sunday July 20th

Sunday, HMR crew did backhoe repairs,weed wacked, pulled plates and marked ties to 300' west of MP 6. Spiking of ties from Saturday completed. Dead and overhanging tree takedowns on north and south sides of the cut immediately west of CR-5. Measurements taken for new culvert approximately 400' west of MP 6.

At Mt. Tremper, Walt Otto was engineer, Tony Bocchino was brakeman, and Ray Farrell was conductor. Bruce Devorkin was ticket agent.

George Peck, Neil Remsen and Joe Michaels worked in Phoenicia on the broom.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Friday July 25th

We will be running at Mt. Tremper from 11 to 3pm.


Saturday, July 26th

We will be running at Mt. Tremper from 11 to 3pm and Kingston from 1 to 4pm.

Mark Glaser will lead a track crew working at Hurley Mountain Road starting at Cornell street at 9:30am.

Joe Michaels will be leading a crew at Cornell Street rebuilding the trucks for flat car 35112 starting around 11am. Bring scrapers, wire brushes, grinders with wire wheels and appropriate eye and respiratory protection.

George Bain will lead a crew cleaning seats for coach 2940 with steam cleaner starting at 9:30am at Cornell Street yard to increase the capacity of the 2940.

In Phoenicia, George Peck will be doing trackwork starting at 9:30am on the section from the section house to Farmer's crossing.


Sunday, July 27th

We will be running at Mt. Tremper from 11 to 3pm.

In Phoenicia, George Peck will be doing trackwork starting at 9:30am on the section from the section house to Farmer's crossing.

In Kingston a track/repair crew will be working out of Cornell Street yard at 9:30am.



Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Friday July 25th

On Friday at Mt. Tremper Engineer was Walt Otto, Car Attendant was was Edwin Winstanley, Brakeman was Kathy Isabelle, and Conductor Neil Isabelle.

In Kingston on Friday-a crew including Al Schoessow,John Marino,Tom Whyte,and Mark Glaser moved MOW equipment to support the HMR track upgrade.


Saturday July 26th

Saturday, work on the culvert at MP 5.53 began. Assisting were; John Patane, Tom Whyte, Marty Weir, and Mark Glaser. Ernie Klopping assisted w/heavy equipment repairs.

On Saturday in Kingston Engineer was Al Schoessow. Conductor was John Prestopino. Flaggers were John Marino and Neil Remsen. Car attendants for the Teddy Bear event were, Jan Harrison, Karen Vogel and Linda Marino. Pat Smalley helped out on the last run. Ticket agent was Ken Darmstadt.

Ernie Klopping worked in the yard on equipment then went to HMR. George Bain and Fred Rasmussen worked on cleaning seat components for 2940. I worked on the cars on 209. Earl worked on the journals for the 35112.

At Mt. Tremper, Dave Heick was engineer, Neil Isabelle was brakeman, and Ray Farrell was conductor.

George Peck, Art Vogel, Tyler LaRose, Billy Stewart and Ryan Lennox worked in Phoenicia on track. Joe Michaels worked on equipment.



Sunday July 27th

On Sunday,crews continued repairing the culvert at 5.53 and did equipment repairs as required. Participating were; John Patane, John Marino, Al Schoessow, Neil Remsen, Marty Weir, and Mark Glaser.

At Mt. Tremper, Dave Heick was engineer, Tony Bocchino was brakeman, and Walt Otto was conductor.

George Peck, Tyler LaRose, Billy Stewart and Ryan Lennox worked in Phoenicia on track. Joe Michaels worked on equipment.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR