Friday, August 1st

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


Saturday, August 2nd

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.

In Phoenicia, George Peck will be doing trackwork starting at 9:30am on Campground Curve.


Sunday, August 3rd

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.

There may be a crew cleaning and installing seats in the 2940 Sunday. Confirmation to follow.



Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Hein keeps trying to shut down the CMRR in Kingston:

http://www.dailyfreeman.com/general-new ... resolution

Catskill Mountain Railroad’s days in Kingston area could be numbered if Ulster County Legislature approves resolution

KINGSTON >> A bipartisan resolution before the Ulster County Legislature could end the debate over whether to convert the former Ulster & Delaware rail corridor into a trail and could end the Catskill Mountain Railroad’s scenic train rides in the Kingston area.

Legislator Lynn Archer introduced the resolution, which would establish as county policy the “segmented trail and rail” plan championed by County Executive Michael Hein that calls for a walking trail from Kingston to the western side of the Ashokan Reservoir.

The resolution could be voted on in August.

If adopted by the Legislature, the policy effectively would end any hope the Catskill Mountain Railroad has of continuing to run a tourist train along the corridor in the Kingston area because the Hein administration’s plan calls for the elimination of the railroad operation between Kingston and the town of Hurley. The railroad would be able to continue operating the tourist train it runs between Mount Tremper and Phoenicia.

“It’s time for legislation that is going to support plans that have been in place for some time,” said Archer, D-Accord. “It helps clarify the direction of the county.”

It addition to establishing the segmented trail-and-rail plan, the resolution calls on the Hein administration to submit a plan outlining the project’s funding sources, advance the planning and design of the rail trail conversion and solicit proposals for potential tourism railroads to operate west of the Ashokan Reservoir.

The resolution comes ahead of a plan by the Legislature’s newly reconstituted Railroad Advisory Committee to meet with Catskill Mountain Railroad officials to discuss the company’s new business plan.

Railroad President Ernie Hunt said the business plan calls for a tourist to run train between Washington Avenue in Kingston and the Glenford Dike at the Ashokan Reservoir, as well as the Esopus Scenic Train, which operates west of the reservoir.

“Obviously, our plan is to stay in Kingston, and we hope that could be incorporated into the resolution,” Hunt said. “We would ask legislators to modify it to see rail with trail from Kingston to the Ashokan Reservoir.”

Legislator David Donaldson, who chairs the Railroad Advisory Committee, criticized the proposed resolution, saying the county shouldn’t establish the plan as policy without knowing how much its going to cost.

Donaldson, D-Kingston, had proposed a resolution calling for the county to end its efforts to evict the railroad from the county-owned rail bed but said that resolution won’t be considered until September, after the railroad has made its presentation to the advisory committee.

The railroad and the county are embroiled in a lawsuit over the county’s effort to evict the railroad from the tracks for violating terms of its lease. The railroad has a 25-year lease for the tracks that ends in May 2016.

Meanwhile the CMRR is bringing Thomas to Kingston in September!

This is big business!! Kingston is very happy this is happening.

http://www.dailyfreeman.com/general-new ... it-in-sept

Catskill Mountain Railroad to host Thomas the Tank Engine™ visit in Sept.

KINGSTON >> Catskill Mountain Railroad will host a visit from Thomas the Tank Engine™ six days this fall.

The “Day Out with Thomas: The Thrill of the Ride Tour 2014” rolls Sept 5-7 and Sept. 12-14 from Herzog’s Plaza.

The fun-filled event provides children of all ages the opportunity to climb aboard and take a 25-minute ride with Thomas as well as participate in Thomas & Friends-themed activities. Fans will take a ride on Thomas the Train and he will talk to them for the very first time on the tour!

Rides will depart every 45 minutes, rain or shine. Departure times begin at 9 a.m. through 5 p.m. each day of the event.

Tickets are $19 plus tax for ages two and up and can be purchased at CMRRevents.com or by calling (866) 468-7630.

For more information or directions, contact the Catskill Mountain Railroad at (845) 688-7400 or visit the website.

Too bad Day out with Thomas wasn't a month earlier, so you could have the kids & parents call the legislature, because if the vote goes the way Hein wants it, Thomas will not be able to visit Kingston again...

Politicians hate angry parents and kids... Maybe you can mention this during radio spots and some advertisements. The Island of Sodor is sometimes stronger then a Politician's Pen

Good luck,
Rich C.

Wednesday, July 30th

On Wednesday Jim Bruck and John Prestopino weed-wacked the yard. Jim and Fred Rasmussen also cleaned seats for the 2940. Al Schoessow and Earl Pardini worked on engine 401.

Friday August 1st

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

In Phoenicia, Mark Glaser, John Marino and John Patane loaded culvert pipe.


Saturday August 2nd

Saturday, crews continued working on the HMR project. 19 ties were positioned for install just east of the cattle pass @ MP 5.53. A gauge holding tie was spiked on the old east abutment of the former "bridge". Overhanging trees and brush were cut back to clear a working area approximately 2.5 R.L. long east of the washout. Assisting were Tom Whyte, Marty Weir, John Patane,and Mark Glaser.

On Saturday in Kingston Al Schoessow was engineer, Tony Bocchino was brakeman, John Marino was flagger (and engineer trainee), new volunteer Marty Weir was brakeman trainee, and Walt Otto was conductor. Jim Bruck was ticket agent.

Earl Pardini, Joe Michaels and I worked on the 35112 trucks in the yard. I also continued painting Engine 407 in Mt. Tremper.

At Mt. Tremper, Dave Heick was engineer, Neil Remsen was brakeman, and John Prestopino was conductor.

George Peck and Art Vogel worked on Campground Curve on track.



Sunday August 3rd

Sunday,culverts were installed at MP 5.53 and final filling begun. Crews surveyed the line to the body shop crossing and did maintenance and repairs on the hi-rail dump truck. Participating were; Bob Blake, John Marino, Marty Weir, Tom Whyte,John Patane, Karl Wick, and Mark Glaser.


http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=217776


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

George Peck worked at Campground Curve and Joe Michaels worked on equipment.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Nice work on that culvert. Those double-wall plastic pipes are great items for that purpose.

Howard P.

Friday, August 8th

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

There will be a track crew starting at 1pm at Cornell Street.


Saturday, August 9th

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.

There will be 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.

In Phoenicia, George Peck will be doing trackwork starting at 9:30am on Campground Curve.


Sunday, August 10th

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.

There may be a crew cleaning and installing seats in the 2940 Sunday. Confirmation to follow.



Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Wednesday, August 6th

On Wednesday Jim Bruck, Chris Burtt and John Prestopino weed-wacked the yard. Jim and Fred Rasmussen also cleaned seats for the 2940. Al Schoessow worked on engine 401.


Friday August 8th

On Friday at Mt. Tremper Engineer was John Prestopino, Car Attendant was Edwin Winstanley, Brakeman was Kathy Isabelle, and Conductor Neil Isabelle. Peter Fluchere was ticket agent.

Al Schoessow and Mark Glaser did track work in Kingston west of the O&W switch and just east of the NYST Thruway overpass.


Saturday August 9th

Saturday, crews returned to the HMR project filling of the washout @ MP 5.53 continued and a headwall was constructed around the inlet of the new culverts on the south side. Mechanical work on both dump truck and backhoe was done. Participating were: John Patane, Tom Whyte, John Marino, Marty Weir, Bob Blake, and Mark Glaser.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=217891

On Saturday in Kingston Al Schoessow was engineer, Tony Bocchino was brakeman, Neil Remsen was conductor trainee, Tyler Carelli and Fred Rasmussen were flaggers, and Walt Otto was conductor. Thom Johnson was ticket agent.

Joe Michaels and worked on the 35112 trucks in the yard. I also continued painting the cars on 209 and Engine 407 in Mt. Tremper.

At Mt. Tremper, John Prestopino was engineer, Bill Kaba was brakeman, and Ray Farrell was conductor.

George Peck, Ryan Lennox and Jarrett May removed a tree at Rock Cut.



Sunday August 10th

Sunday, Tom Whyte worked on the dump truck at HMR and continued filling the wash @ MP 5.53. At MP 5, track work and other maintenance was performed by a crew including Al Schoessow,John Marino, Marty Weir, Karl Wick, Josh Weis, Dave Silver, and Mark Glaser.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=217776


At Mt. Tremper, George Peck was engineer, Tony Bocchino was brakeman (and conductor trainee), and Walt Otto was conductor. Peter Fluchere was ticket agent.



Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

ARTA, the trail group advocating the removal of the railroad assets on the Remsen-Lake Placid railroad corridor, has posted a web page shared from the Catskill Mountain trail group that illustrates the Kingston Mayor's support for the trail-only option in Kingston:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/236655553/Cit ... er-Res-275

Notable items in Kingston Mayor Shayne R. Gallo's letters:

"A linear park through Midtown will go a long way to address environmental justice for the people of Midtown, an area identified as economically distressed, and it will also respond to goals in our Climate Action Plan for increased access and accommodation for non-motorized transportation alternatives."

"Not only is a rail yard an unpermitted activity, it is also inconsistent with zoning in both Midtown and adjacent to Kingston Plaza."

Jim

Please check this out. It is a support page for the Catskill Mountain Railroad. I know most of you here already known about but I thought I would provide a link for those who might not. It's crunch time this coming week. eehive or Otto can probably explain better than I can.

Thanks,
Steve


https://www.facebook.com/allaboardforashokan?fref=nf

Friday, August 15th

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

Cornell Street yard will open at 10am for coach work and 1pm for trackwork.


Saturday, August 16th

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.

There will be a crew at Cornell Street working on flat car 35112 starting around 11am.

In Phoenicia, George Peck will be doing trackwork starting at 9:30am on Campground Curve.

Twilight Limited will run at 7:30pm in Mt. Tremper.


Sunday, August 17th

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.

There will be a crew working on Coach 2940 and flat 35112 at 10am at Cornell Street.



Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

http://www.kingstonx.com/2014/08/15/hug ... n-in-vain/

Hugh Reynolds: Train in vain?
by Hugh Reynolds on Aug 15, 2014


Next Tuesday’s monthly Ulster legislature session could be the last roundup for Catskill Mountain Railroad supporters who hope to retain the possibility of a tourist train ride from Kingston to Hurley. On the agenda is a resolution that would permit County Executive Mike Hein’s long-standing plan to rip up the tracks from Midtown Kingston to Hurley in order to create a walking trail that would eventually extend to the Ashokan Reservoir.

Under the Hein proposal, CMRR tracks would be left intact between Mount Tremper and Phoenicia to accommodate a tourist train, though not necessarily under the auspices of CMRR. Hein’s plan calls for operation of that four-mile stretch to be put out to public bid after the railroad’s 25-year lease with the county expires in May 2016. The executive and his staff appear poised to extend every effort to assure that vendor is not CMRR.

For the railroad, Tuesday could be Custer’s Last Stand, with Hein reprising the collective roles of Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse and Rain in the Face. (Legend has it that Rain actually killed Custer, among other soldiers, at the battle at Little Big Horn.)

We do not give Hein too much credit here. This was his plan — they call it “vision” on the sixth floor of the county glass house — from the get-go. When the railroad refused to give up its lease with the county, Hein moved to have it voided for failure to meet county standards, which meant returning the road to regular passenger service on the 38 miles of (mostly) abandoned track from Kingston to Highmount. The railroad took the county to court to retain its lease, which is where they are until a judge makes a decision, probably at the end of the year.

Hein claims he can’t remember the name of a single person associated with the railroad, whose leaders and supporters have been pleading their case on almost a monthly basis before the legislature and the public. I won’t say that their pleadings fell on deaf ears, only that the eyes of most legislators looked like Easter hams. If there’s a vocal advocate for the railroad in the legislature, with the possible exception of former chairman Dave Donaldson, that voice has been muted. And Donaldson’s conversion has more to do with his animosity toward Hein — my enemy’s enemy is my friend — than with allegiance to the railroad.

The CMRR has conducted an aggressive public-relations campaign in booking Thomas the Tank Engine next month and the Polar Express in December for its Kingston run. Railroad sources say its website has gotten thousands of hits. But that effort will be a last hurrah. It’s Michael The Train who’s running this show.

There are some loose ends. Hein is requesting some $240,000 in spending authority to conduct a formal engineering and design study for the walking trail from Kingston through the Ashokan, and presumably later down the road from Phoenicia to Highmount. For some cold-footed legislators, that may seem like putting the caboose before the engine. But in the end these are just details. It’s the vision that counts.

The legislature may or may not take up the trail-train resolution on Tuesday. Ulster legislatures are infamous for tabling or avoiding controversial decisions. But if they do vote, I’m guessing it will be all aboard the Mike Hein Special. This guy does not leave the station without all his ducks in place.

Those tracks being ripped up and sold for scrap will mark the end of one era and the start of another

A well written comment:

http://www.kingstonx.com/2014/08/15/hug ... n-in-vain/

CP
Aug 15, 2014

I do not understand Mike Hein’s blind and aggressive hatred of the CMRR (or any rail operation on the UDRR line) nor his rush to kill off an entity that will bring tourism and its money to Kingston (with Thomas and the Polar Express as its focal points). Rail can coexist with a trail, but a railroad is a unique attraction that will bring money to and interest in Kingston and the surrounding area; it should not be sacrificed on the altar of Mr. Hein’s political ego.

It is important to note that, despite Mr. Reynolds’ premature conclusion, this is not yet a done deal – but it could be on Tuesday night without concerted citizen action. The Ulster County legislators meeting will vote to confirm – or deny – Mr. Hein’s desire to rip up the tracks without compromise, but this resolution can still be tabled or voted down. Our elected representatives need to know that there is strong support among the population (even if not among the politicians) in favor of keeping the railroad, with or without a trail. These legislators need to hear from their constituents who support the railroad and the CMRR now – tonight, this weekend, and all day Monday and Tuesday – by phone, e-mail or if you know them by personal contact.

Please ask your friends, neighbors and relatives to contact their legislator and support keeping and improving the railroad, and then come early to the legislative session on Tuesday (perhaps 6:30pm or before) so they can sign up for their chance to speak. A strong showing of support for the railroad will be the best bet to get this resolution tabled or voted down. The trail community will also be out there in droves to urge Legislators to approve the resolution; their attacks on the railroad must be answered with fact, tact and passion.

One more vital point: Ulster County has a Railroad Advisory Committee (UCRRAC) which has yet to reach a consensus on this issue. If it was important enough to reactivate this committee, shouldn’t the legislature wait and consider its advice before a vote is taken? The CMRR made its first public presentation on Rail with Trail before the UCRRAC on August 6th. Have all the legislators seen this presentation? Shouldn’t they do so before they vote so that they understand all side of this issue? What is the rush to pass this legislation?

Any tourist rail operation in Kingston will be of financial benefit to the city and county, and a full run to the reservoir will create a regional attraction and the best return to the region. But all of this can only happen if Mr. Hein is stopped Tuesday night by the legislature, or at least put “on hold” long enough for the railroad to prove itself. Again, the deadline is Tuesday night.

Not good, but the CMRR still can operate for 3 more years

http://www.dailyfreeman.com/general-new ... l-corridor

Ulster County lawmakers endorse plan for trail only on Kingston-to-Ashokan rail corridor

KINGSTON, N.Y. >> The Ulster County Legislature has made it county policy that the former Ulster and Delaware rail corridor that stretches from the city of Kingston to the Ashokan Reservoir be converted to trail use when the county’s lease with the Catskill Mountain Railroad ends in 2016.

Ulster County Legislators voted 18-4 on Tuesday to adopt a resolution that adopts the “segmented trail and rail” plan championed by Ulster County Executive Michael Hein. That plan calls for a walking trail only from Kingston to the western side of the Ashokan Reservoir and a tourist train between Mount Tremper and Phoenicia.

But legislators didn’t completely give up on the prospect of a future railroad operation in the corridor. Among the amendments made to the resolution is one that requires legislative approval to remove any railroad tracks.

Still, the decision came as a blow to members of the Catskill Mountain Railroad, who had tried to convince lawmakers either to reject the policy outright or give the for-profit business more time to make its case for the combined “rail-with-trail” plan it has been promoting.

Catskill Mountain Railroad Treasurer Peter Fluchere declined to comment following the vote, saying he was “too upset” to talk.

Kathy Nolan, a member of the Ulster County Trails Committee, said she was elated by the vote, which, she said, will allow the county to move forward with its plan for a trail connecting the Walkway Over the Hudson with the Ashokan Reservoir.

“This project will create a world-class Ulster County tourism attraction that positively impacts economic development, community access and public health,” Hein said in a prepared statement following the vote.

He said the vote and public turnout “shows broad bipartisan support for our segmented rail trail plan.”

More than 175 rail and trail supporters packed the sixth floor of the County Office Building for Tuesday’s meeting of the Legislature, filling every seat in the legislative chambers and spilling out into the hallway.

For an hour prior to voting, county legislators listened to impassioned pleas from county residents on both sides of the issue, with the majority of the 35 speakers urging lawmakers to adopt the resolution.

Among those urging the county to adopt Hein’s plan as county policy was Harris Safier, president of the Ulster County Board of Realtors, who said the rail trail will enhance the quality of life in Ulster County.

Voting against the resolution were legislators Manna Jo Greene, D-Rosendale, David Donaldson, D-Kingston, Carl Belfiglio, R-Esopus, and Mary Wawro, D-Saugerties.

https://www.facebook.com/CatskillMounta ... ad?fref=nf

CAN'T STOP A TRAIN: Our Kingston train operation continues to grow! Say hello to the newest addition to the fleet, coach 2962! This former Long Island Rail Road 1950s commuter coach was acquired from a short line in Maryland, and delivered to Kingston this week. This car will help us EXPAND capacity on our popular fall events like Thomas, Peanuts, and Polar Express! ALL ABOARD! www.cmrrevents.com