Catskill Mountain Railroad (CMRR) Discussion - 2014

Friday November 14th

Bruce Devorkin cleaned the 2949 seats. Jim Bruck and Walt Otto cut a window for one end of 2949. Neil Remsen worked under the car, and John Prestopino worked to free up one of the door tracks in 2940.

Mark Glaser did trackwork in Kingston.


Saturday November 15th

At Cornell Street, George Bain worked on coach 2949. Others working included Bruce Devorkin, Pat Smalley, Ernie Klopping, Joe Michaels, Earl Pardini, and Jim Bruck.

At Hurley Mountain Road, Mark Glaser led a crew finishing tie insertion and spiking. The crew included Tom Whyte, John Marino, Dave Hilliard, Jeff Otto, bob Blake, Art Vogel, George Peck, Greg Peck and John Patane.


http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=220370" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=220371" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Sunday November 16th

Mark Glaser lead a crew that completed trackwork west of Hurley Mountain road. The crew included John Marino, Tom Whyte, Jeff Otto, George Peck, Greg Peck, Steve Porter, Ryan Lennox. Matt Gillis worked on the North Pole.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=220372" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=220373" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Later John Patane and Neil Remsen brought the 401 and moved the storage fleet to the new end of track at MP 6.23.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=220378" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=220379" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=220380" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=220381" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=220382" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=220383" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=220384" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

At Cornell Street Alex and Walt Otto installed the windows in 2949's end doors, Jim Bruck worked on moving seats to 2940, Pat Smalley and George Bain did some painting, Ernie Klopping and Joe Michaels worked on 2949's generator, Bruce Devorkin continued cleaning seats. Walt Otto worked on the 2949 floors. Greg Vaughn worked on the air system.


Monday November 17th

Jim Bruck continued work on coach 2940.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Here's a YouTube video of the first train to cross Hurley Mountain Road since 1976!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1REZmPEA4g#t=15" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The air whistle on the 401 sounds great.

Outstanding work folks. Keep it up!!

Includes a video of CMRR's new locomotive!

This weekend is going to be huge for Kingston and the CMRR.

http://hudsonvalley.twcnews.com/content ... in-tracks/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

City Council to Review County’s Proposal to Remove the Catskill Mountain Train Tracks

Tents are already starting to go up for the Polar Express train ride on the Catskill Mountain Railroad in Kingston. 14,000 tickets have been sold for the rides that start Friday, but a county proposal could put an end to this holiday tradition. As Time Warner Cable News reporter Candace Dunkley report, residents are fighting to keep the trains running.

KINGSTON, N.Y -- Almost 14,000 children and their families have signed up to celebrate Christmas aboard The Polar Express train. The train rides inspired by the popular book and movie leave from Kingston starting Friday.

Kingston resident Ralph Mitchell loves to see people come from all over to see the movie come to life aboard the train, bringing to life also, the local economy.

"It's an economic development generator. A flash point if you will, right here on exit 19," said Kingston resident Ralph Mitchell...

New Engine at the CMRR

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=220449" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

RMNE 42 is now CMRR 42. Engine arrived today in Kingston.

Photographed by Bill Hayes, November 20, 2014.
Railroad: Catskill Mountain RR.

thebigham wrote:http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=220449

SQUEEEEE, it's soooooooo cute!

Hey I'm curious... Why the small engine and not something bigger like an Emd SW1500 or an SW1001? Don't you guys already have the #1 and #29? So what will the #42 be used for?

42 is lighter and easier on track, it can run MOW trains as needed while the 401 works excursions. Also, I'm sure the price was right on it - an EMD switcher could easily run $75,000-$150,000. Looks like it's a 45-tonner, like the CNY NRHS's #40.

It's a 45 tonner, was the Stanley Tool switcher prior to going to RMNE.

Much cheaper to move when cranes aren't required. Trucking a bigger locomotive ends up costing well into 5 figures.

42 will allow MOW work to the west and get further than 401 which is more than twice as heavy. Also provides a backup locomotive for 401 and is very economical on fuel since you don't need to run both diesels if not required.

I am curious why you didn't move one of the two small locomotives you already own?

http://hudsonvalley.twcnews.com/content ... in-tracks/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

"But could this be the last holiday season for the train? The county wants to remove the tracks from Cornell Street in midtown Kingston to Boiceville and replace it with a walking and biking trail. It's a move the city signed off on a few years ago. But now that the railroad has started to host large events – residents wants the city to reconsider."

Leo_Ames wrote:"But could this be the last holiday season for the train?"

The current lease extends through another winter, so no.

I know the CMRR boys are busy, but I'm looking forward to seeing photos from the Polar Express!

scoostraw wrote:

Leo_Ames wrote:"But could this be the last holiday season for the train?"

The current lease extends through another winter, so no.

They have to plan for any contingency. Sounds like the population is starting to wake up to what is going on. At least I hope.