Catskill Mountain Railroad (CMRR) Discussion - 2016

That is a great idea for glenford dike runs before end of lease. They ran a work train, that appeared to consist of engine #42 and their work flatcar. Even if they ran it at 5-10 mph, they still ran it. Why can't you guys operate the #42 and the caboose, as a mini passenger train? Run it at 5 mph, and yes with just the caboose you have limited seating, but Mr. Oibu is right, this could be just the fuel you need, to prove to the county you got to resiviour before end of lease.

The CMRR followed up the work train with an special inspection run to the Glenford Dike with only CMRR volunteers on board:

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=574324" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=574335" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


EH

Airman- I don't think they'd be able to run a revenue passenger train because the track is probably not at FRA standard for such, And it probably wouldn't "fix everything" even if they did. But it certainly would prove once and for all that CMRR was a success despite the County's best efforts, and even if not a magic bullet it would certainly put some extra weight and probably draw a lot of public and media attention- especially if such were actively solicited. But alas, I don't think it would probably be possible at this late date.

Just wish it could somehow get in front of a judge would have the moral standards and stones to put a hold on the way the county is forcing their will and really look at the whole picture and prevent the county from doing anything until it all got sorted out.

How does this all impact ESRM-owned equipment at Phoenicia and Cornell St.? Phoenicia ESRM equipment I believe may all be on land actually owned by ESRM, but what of the partially disassembled 23 in KIngston?

ESRM 23 was moved to Phoenicia last month:

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=228925" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A place is being prepared for it in the ESRM carbarn:

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=229797" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It is safe.

EH

Good to know 23 is taken care of for now. You're making me wish I had more time to keep up with this stuff, all these things going on that I hadn't heard about!

Has any thought or effort been given by anyone to drawing media attention to the situation? I don't mean the local Kingston paper, I mean NYC big-name news and network media outlets? They often do David-Vs.-Goliath type exposee pieces, and with the ties to the NYC reservoir, Catskill tourism, etc. it's not like it's purely just a local subject of interest.

Yes think if the residents of NYC read in the NY Post that the Water Authority is sending multi-millions of their $$$ to pay for a trail next to a reservoir 2 hours away...

Kuyahoora Valley wrote:Yes think if the residents of NYC read in the NY Post that the Water Authority is sending multi-millions of their $$$ to pay for a trail next to a reservoir 2 hours away...

That would be the best way to scuttle it! But they already have a signed agreement that would be binding on the water authori-tay. Definitely a poor use of water funds - better to spend it deleading water fountains / joints / pipes in NY City public schools.

Good work! Any video of the trips to the reservoir?

You could put paying passengers into hi-rail vehicles and run up to mile 11. Since a hi-rail vehicle can't derail, (it would simply fall onto it's rubber wheels) it would be a safe and legal way to make a statement.

After the lease, speeders unaffiliated with the railroad could run ad-hoc?

So it's possible the county would have to buy out each easement to build a trail on the right of way?

Wouldn't that put the cost of a trail into an astronomical range? All it takes is one guy to hold out for more money... they can go eminent domain on him, but that's going to cost money in legal fees, too.

lvrr325 wrote:So it's possible the county would have to buy out each easement to build a trail on the right of way?

Wouldn't that put the cost of a trail into an astronomical range? All it takes is one guy to hold out for more money... they can go eminent domain on him, but that's going to cost money in legal fees, too.

If that is true, then It appears money is no object in this particular case. Mr. Hein appears willing to spend whatever it takes to get his trail. The real question is how much the Ulster County legislature will allow him to spend before they say no more you've spent enough.

Saturday, April 2nd

Saturday, Earl Pardini, Vince Guido, Tom Whyte, Jeff Otto, Peter Fluchere John Marino and Dave Hilliard continued cleanup at Cornell Street and cleared the track fully to the Dog Crossing. The yard is now looking better than ever:

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=229270" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In Phoenicia, Art Vogel, Al Johnson, and Bill Kaba assisted the ESRM with aligning and tamping their No. 1 track in their carbarn. The track is now ready for storage of cars.

Ryan Lennox and Hunter Downie cut brush near the Route 28 crossing in Shandaken.


Sunday, April 3rd

Ryan Lennox continued cutting near the Route 28 crossing in Shandaken.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Saturday, April 9th

Saturday, Earl Pardini, Vince Guido, Tom Whyte, Jeff Otto, Martin Elbrecht, John Mariono, Peter Fluchere and Dave Hilliard performed trackwork west of Hurley Mountain Road.

In Phoenicia, Art Vogel, Dave Heick, Neil and Kathy Isabelle and the ESRM crew moved the D&H Caboose and Baggage car into the car barn for restoration. Second track will house the steam engine.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=229503" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=229504" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ryan Lennox cut brush near the Route 28 crossing in Shandaken.


Sunday, April 10th

Ryan Lennox and Hunter Downie continued cutting near the Route 28 crossing in Shandaken.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=229506" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=229505" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;




Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Thursday, April 14th

On Thursday the 14th, Earl Pardini led a crew consisting of Todd Syska, Vince Guido, Jeff Otto, and John Marino, who did trackwork west of Hurley Mountain Road.


Saturday, April 16th

Saturday, Tom Whyte, Jeff Otto, Russ Hallock, Martin Elbrecht, and John Marino performed trackwork west of Hurley Mountain Road.

In Phoenicia, Art Vogel, Dave Heick, Al Johnson and the ESRM crew laid ties in the car barn and started installing rail.

Walt Otto replaced windows in Chitty and I painted the east nose of the engine.

Ryan Lennox, Hunter Downie and Victor Lane cut brush near the Route 28 crossing in Shandaken.


Tuesday, April 19th

Earl Pardini led a crew consisting of Thom Whyte, Russell Hallock, Vince Guido and John Marino who completed trackwork to the Glenford Dike at MP 11:

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=229930" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This was the first train to reach this location since 1976.

Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Saturday, April 23rd

Dave Heick and Al Johnson led an ESRM crew installing track in the ESRM carbarn:

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=229797" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Earl Pardini, Tom Whyte, Vince Guido, Al Schoessow, Burr Hubbell, Jeff Otto, Bob Blake, John Marino and Dave Hilliard did trackwork between the Dog Crossing and 28a.

Ryan Lennox and Hunter Downie cleared track in Shandaken.

Walt Otto Russ Hallock and Ernie Klopping painted CMRR 400. It is now 1/2 painted.



Sunday, April 24th

The CMRR ran a special inspection all-CMRR train from Westbrook Lane to the Glenford Dike:

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=574324" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=574335" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Paul Sternitzke cleared trees from the ROW from MP 7 to MP 21.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

The CMRR ran its first train east of Cornell Street in over ten years today:

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=230003" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It will likely be the last train to ride on those rails.

EH