Catskill Mountain Railroad (CMRR) Discussion - 2017

Monday October 16 to Friday October 20th

Scott S. and the CMRR crews installed and spiked 650 ties last week from the O&W switch to C9, with about 25 more ties west of C9. Many thanks to the CMRR crews who spiked most of the ties. CMRR crews consisted of Earl Pardini, Tom Whyte, John Marino, Vince Guido, Russ Hallock, Al Schoessow, Todd Syska, Bryan Van Kirk, Dave Hilliard, Shawn Newton, Jim Bruck, and Mark Glaser.


Saturday October 21st

Dave Hilliard was engineer, Neil Isabelle was conductor, John Marino was brakeman, and Fred Ehren was flagger with Steve Stanton and Russ Hallock. Pat Smalley and Marcia Roosa were ticket agents. Kathy Isabelle was car attendant.

Earl Pardini, John Marino and Vince Guido did trackwork in the morning.

Joe Wolff flagged and did brushwork at Trailways.

Al Johnson and I worked on the 703 in Phoenicia.


Sunday, October 22nd

John Marino was engineer, Tyler Carelli was conductor, Martin Elbrecht was brakeman, and Joe Wolff was flagman and Jess P. was flagger trainee. Pat Smalley was also ticket agent with Marcia Roosa. Jan Harrison and Linda Marino were car attendants. Mark Glaser assisted.

Joe Wolff also worked on painting the 401 in between flagging.

I worked on the 703 in Phoenicia, completing the roof painting and sealing project.

All in all another very successful weekend - over 1500 passengers carried! All trains were sold out.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

You guys are gonna run out of track work to perform

Depressing:

http://www.dailyfreeman.com/general-new ... okan-trail" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ulster County lawmakers approve removal of tracks to create Ashokan trail
By Patricia R. Doxsey, Daily Freeman
POSTED: 11/15/17, 6:34 AM EST

KINGSTON, N.Y. >> Ulster County lawmakers have taken a giant step forward toward creating a recreational trail along the Ashokan Reservoir, approving a series of resolutions authorizing removal of railroad tracks there.

The Legislature on Tuesday approved entering into a $943,000 contract with Taylor-Montgomery LLC for removal of roughly 11.5 miles of rail, hardware and railroad ties.

Lawmakers also authorized the county increasing its contract with the architectural firm Barton & Loguidice by $118,000 — to $668,000 — to design and oversee construction of a multiuse, recreational trail on an 11.6-mile segment of the former Ulster & Delaware Railroad corridor between Basin Road in West Hurley and state Route 28A in Boiceville.

Funding for the two contracts will come from a $2 million New York City Department of Environmental Protection grant given to the county for the trail project.

The resolutions were approved in 18-6 votes. Voting against the measures were Legislators Mary Wawro, C-Saugerties, Ronald Lapp, R-Accord, Dean Fabiano, R-Saugerties, John Parete, D-Boiceville, David Donaldson, D-Kingston, and Manna Jo Greene, D-Rosendale...

Friday October 27th

Friday October 27 the crew consisted of Al Schoessow, Mark Glaser and John Marino. They removed one tree near JR body shop and cleaned up tree also trimmed bushes. They also did some spot tamping near the thruway underpass.


Saturday October 28th

John Marino was engineer, Neil Isabelle was conductor, Martin Elbrecht was brakeman/point protection, and Fred Rasmussen was flagger with Joe Wolff. Pat Smalley and Marcia Roosa were ticket agents. Bruce Devorkin and Paul Payton were car attendants. Bruce Devorkin and Paul Payton were car attendants.

Joe Wolff also continued painting the 401 in between runs.

Al Johnson and Bill Kaba started organizing the box car, trailer, and trailer addition at Phoenicia.


Sunday, October 29th

Engineer was Tom Whyte, Conductor was Tyler Carelli, Brakeman was Martin Elbrecht, Flaggers were Joe Wolff and Fred Ehren assisted by Mark Glaser and Al Schoessow. Car Attendants were Bruce Devorkin, Jan Harrison. Ticket Agents: Pat Smalley, Ernie Klopping.

We ran two trains. The 3pm was cancelled due to bad weather.

The track crew did three repairs Sunday morning at 209 and one near North Pole. Crew consisted of John Marino, Earl Pardini, Mark Glaser and Al Schoessow.

We had 6,468 customers in Kingston this year for October, compared to 6,632 last year (both ends) and 6,573 for 2015 (again both ends). Essentially we were able to bring most of our Phoenicia leaf customers to Kingston. However, to keep them we need to add more track, which will be our key goal for 2018.

Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Friday, November 3rd

John Marino installed 2nd EMS signs on all the major crossings.


Saturday, November 4th

Track crew worked on the O&W switch. They installed 10 switch timbers, plated and spiked, them, and adjusted points. The crew consisted of Earl Pardini, John Marino, Al Schoessow, Bruce Tuchman and Vince Guido.

Joe Wolff continued priming the Kingston Caboose, and Dave Hilliard and Martin Elbrecht completed conduit installation in the 2949 and 2940, and continued work on the 2949's new toilet. Wiring prep was begun.

Elissa Hilliard started removing fall decorations from the coaches.


Sunday, November 5th

Dave Hilliard completed installation of the new toilet in car 2949. This will really help during Polar!

Joe Wolff continued painting the caboose sides in Kingston.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Wednesday November 8th

Dave Hilliard continued the wire installation in the 2940 and 2949.


Thursday November 9th

Dave Hilliard and Art Ferris worked on installing conduit on the 2911.

Earl Pardini and Tom Whyte unloaded the generators.

Joe Wolff installed new electrical in the caboose.


Friday November 10th

Dave Hilliard and an electrician finished installing the Head End Power lines on the 2940 and 2949.

Dave Hilliard, Martin Elbrecht and Art Ferris finished the conduit installation on the 2911.

Fred Ehren moved most of the spare and unused extra seats from the 2911 to the 2918. John Marino assisted.

Joe Wolff installed new electrical in the caboose.


Saturday November 11th

Dave Hilliard and Martin Elbrecht and an electrician finished installing the Head End Power lines on the 2911.

Vince Guido did work near the North Pole.

Ed Winstanley and Jim Bruck helped clean out the caboose and moved unused 2911 seat parts to the 2918.

Joe Wolff installed new electrical in the caboose.


Sunday November 12th

The train was switched into the correct order to made up in the Polar Express consists. Sundays crew was Earl Pardini, John Marino, Dave Hilliard, Tom Whyte, Mark Glaser, Vince Guido and Alex Sorenson. They rearranged the train and setup the North Pole.

Dave Hilliard hooked up the 480v HEP to the 1727. Joe Wolff swept out the caboose.


Monday November 13th

The track crew consisted of Earl Pardini, Tom Whyte, Mark Glaser, Bruce Tuchman and John Marino. 12 ties installed near North Pole.

Jim Bruck, Karin Vogel, Elissa Hilliard and her friend Kathy, Bruce Devorkin and Pat Smalley started setting up the gift shop.

Dave Hilliard worked with an electrician to get the 120v power working in some of the coaches.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Ernie: I rode the Polar Express on Saturday, November 18 with my son and two grandkids, ages 10 and 6. We all had a great time. As I have come to expect with the CMTRR crew it was a well run and professional event. The current western terminus in in Hurley at about MP 6.5. Is it possible that you can extend the operation beyond that. Again my thanks for a great day.

Larry, RedbirdR33

Larry, We plan to go much further next year. This year we had to focus on upgrading our existing operating track first. Best, EH

Tuesday November 14th

Gift shop setup was done by Karin Vogel, Meg Carey, Marcia Roosa, Elissa Hilliard and her friend Margaret, Bruce Devorkin and Pat Smalley.

Joe Wolff worked on the caboose.

Track crew consisted of Earl Pardini John Marino Tom Whyte and Mark Glaser. They installed 7 ties spiked 18 ties and addressed cross elevation issues and tamped and ballasted the area.



Wednesday November 15th

Dave Hilliard worked on coach HEP installation.

Track crew consisted of John Marino and Mark Glaser. They worked on cross elevation and corrected narrow gauge issues and tamped.

The Gift shop crew continued setup for Polar.


Thursday November 16th

Dave Hilliard worked on coach HEP installation.

The Gift shop crew continued setup for Polar.

Track crew consisted of John Marino, Mark Glaser, and Tom Whyte. They worked on cross level issue near North Pole, installed one tie near the North Pole, and installed a tie near JR crossing, tamped east of JR and cleared brush and debris from the North Pole. They also cleaned one culvert.


Friday November 17th

Dave Hilliard and Hunter Downie finished coach HEP installation.

The Gift shop crew finished setup for Polar.

Track crew consisted of Earl Pardini, John Marino, Mark Glaser, Vince Guido, and Tom Whyte. Five issues were corrected.

Train crew: Engineer was John Marino, Conductor was Dave Hilliard, Brakeman was Tom Whyte, Flaggers were Fred Ehren, Peter Fluchere, Russ Hallock, Ernie Klopping and Alex Sorenson. Train operations were assisted by Mark Glaser and Hunter Downie. Pat Smalley, Elissa Hilliard, Meg Carey and Karin Vogel worked in the gift shop.


Saturday November 18th

Train crew: Engineer was John Marino, Conductor was Dave Hilliard, Brakemen were Earl Pardini and Karl Wick, Flaggers were Joe Wolff, Peter Fluchere, Steve Stanton, and Bruce Devorkin. Hunter Downie and Alex Sorenson and Jess Puccio helped out. Pat Smalley, Elissa Hilliard, Marcia Roosa and Karin Vogel worked in the gift shop.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=241124" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=241125" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=241126" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=241127" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=241128" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=241129" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=241130" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=241131" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Despite a technical issue in the 8pm train, the train eventually ran though late. Many thanks to all the volunteers who helped solve the technical issue.



Sunday November 19th

Train crew: Engineer was Tom Whyte, Conductor was Tony Bocchino, Brakeman was John Marino, Flaggers were Fred Ehren, Mark Glaser, Peter Fluchere, Ernie Klopping, and Bruce Devorkin. Earl Pardini helped out. Pat Smalley, Marcia Roosa and Karin Vogel worked in the gift shop.

The CMRR carried nearly 3,000 passengers in its first weekend of Polar Express.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Friday November 24th

Train crew: Engineer was Tom Whyte, Conductor was Dave Hilliard, Brakeman was John Marino, Flaggers were Fred Ehren, Peter Fluchere, Paul Payton, Bruce Devorkin, Tyler Carelli and Martin Elbrecht. Train operations were assisted by Jim Bruck, Vince Guido, Mark Glaser and Hunter Downie. Pat Smalley, Marcia Roosa and Karin Vogel worked in the gift shop.


Saturday November 25th

Train crew: Engineer was John Marino, Conductor was Hunter Downie, Brakemen was Tony Bocchino, Flaggers were Tom Healy, Peter Fluchere, Steve Stanton, and Bruce Devorkin and Tyler Carelli. Art Vogel, George Bain, Mark Glaser, Vince Guido, Jim Bruck, Alex Sorenson and Jess Puccio helped out. Pat Smalley and Karin Vogel worked in the gift shop.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=241200" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=241201" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=241202" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=241203" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here are several videos:

https://youtu.be/sMIreN3_e5k" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://youtu.be/qRyqwAkJUQ0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://youtu.be/FrJI8LuYfqQ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://youtu.be/AbOx9pTOz3c" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Sunday November 26th

Train crew: Engineer was Earl Pardini, Conductor was Karl Wick, Brakemen were Tom Whyte and Mark Glaser, Flaggers were Tom Healy, Russ Hallock, Peter Fluchere, Fred Ehren, and Bruce Devorkin. Vince Guido, Matt Edlund and Fred Rasmussen helped out. Pat Smalley, Linda Marino and Karin Vogel worked in the gift shop.

The CMRR carried over 4,000 passengers in its second weekend of Polar Express.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Thursday November 30th

John Marino, Earl Pardini and Mark Glaser inserted 4 ties and tamped near MP 6.


Friday December 1st

Train crew: Engineer was Tom Whyte, Conductor was Dave Hilliard, Brakeman was Mark Glaser, Flaggers were Hunter Downie, Peter Fluchere, Russell Hallock and Ernie Klopping. Pat Smalley and Elissa Hilliard worked in the gift shop.


Saturday December 2nd

Train crew: Engineer was Tom Whyte, Conductor was Tyler Carelli, Brakemen was Karl Wick, Flaggers were Joe Wolff, Peter Fluchere, Steve Stanton, Martin Elbrecht, Tony Bocchino and myself. Mark Glaser, Vince Guido, Fred Rasmussen and Alex Sorenson helped out. Pat Smalley, Marcia Roosa and Karin Vogel worked in the gift shop.

Art Vogel and Dave Heick worked on the 407 in Phoenicia.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=241280" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



Sunday December 3rd

Train crew: Engineer was John Marino, Conductor was Tony Bocchino, Brakeman was Art Vogel, Flaggers were Joe Wolff, Bruce Devorkin, Bryan Wade, Todd Syska and Russ Hallock. Vince Guido and Fred Rasmussen helped out. Pat Smalley, Linda Marino and Karin Vogel worked in the gift shop.

The CMRR carried nearly 3,800 passengers in its third weekend of Polar Express.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Monday December 4th

Dave Hilliard installed heat switches in three coaches.



Friday December 8th

Train crew: Engineer was Earl Pardini, Conductor was Dave Hilliard, Brakeman was John Marino, Flaggers were Peter Fluchere, Russell Hallock, Harrison Balduf and Tony Bocchino. Pat Smalley, Elissa Hilliard and Meg Carey worked in the gift shop. Vince Guido helped out.

Vince Guido unloaded ties at 209.


Saturday December 9th

Train crew: Engineer was Dave Hilliard, Conductor was Hunter Downie, Brakemen was Karl Wick, Flaggers were Peter Fluchere, Harrison Balduf, George Bain, BRuce Devorkin and Russell Hallock. Jim Bruck, Vince Guido, and Alex Sorenson helped out. Elissa Hilliard and Karin Vogel worked in the gift shop.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=241364" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=241365" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=241366" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=241367" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=241368" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=241369" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=241370" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=241371" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=241372" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://youtu.be/UpH6gd6rk30" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Sunday December 10th

Train crew: Engineer was John Marino, Conductor was Hunter Downie, Brakeman was Karl Wick, Flaggers were Peter Fluchere, Harrison Balduf, Tom Healy, Bryan Wade, and Ernie Klopping. Vince Guido and Fred Rasmussen helped out. Pat Smalley and Linda Marino worked in the gift shop.

The CMRR carried over 3,700 passengers in its fourth weekend of Polar Express.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Tuesday December 12th

Dave Hilliard installed heat switches in the 2911 and made other repairs.


Friday December 15th

Train crew: Engineer was Tom Whyte, Conductor was Dave Hilliard, Brakeman was John Marino, Flaggers were Peter Fluchere, Bruce Devorkin, Harrison Balduf, Russ Hallock and Ernie Klopping. Pat Smalley, Meg Carey worked in the gift shop. Vince Guido helped out.

Vince Guido started making preparations to move the section house to Hurley Mountain Road.


Saturday December 16th

Train crew: Engineer was John Marino, Conductor was Hunter Downie, Brakemen was Karl Wick, Flaggers were Peter Fluchere, Harrison Balduf, Jess Puccio, Martin Elbrecht, Joe Wolff and myself. Vince Guido and Freddie Rasmussen helped out. Pat Smalley, Marcia Roosa and Karin Vogel worked in the gift shop.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=241467" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=241466" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://youtu.be/NL6n8JKSMds" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Sunday December 17th

Train crew: Engineer was Earl PArdini, Conductor was Tyler Carelli, Brakeman was Tony Bocchino, Harrison Balduf brakeman trainee. Flaggers were Peter Fluchere, Bruce Devorkin, Ernie Klopping, Joe Wolff, and Ernie Klopping. Vince Guido helped out. Pat Smalley and Linda Marino worked in the gift shop.

The CMRR carried over 3,700 passengers in its fifth weekend of Polar Express.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

This is going to be a great trail! They found a dead body on it in November!

http://www.dailyfreeman.com/general-new ... n-kingston" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ulster County Legislature votes unanimously to advance plan for linear park in Kingston
By Patricia R. Doxsey, Daily Freeman

POSTED: 12/19/17, 10:28 PM EST |

The Legislature voted unanimously to bond $165,000 for design and engineering work to convert a stretch of the county-owned railroad corridor between Cornell Street and the Kingston Plaza in the city into a Midtown linear park. Legislator Tracey Bartels, a nonenrolled voter from Gardiner who caucuses with the Democrats, was absent from the meeting.

Supporters said the conversion of the now-unused former Ulster & Delaware tracks into a walkway will create not only a recreational trail, but also provide a safe route for people who don’t have vehicles to reach Kingston’s major supermarket, Hannaford, which is in the plaza.

“The creation of a clean, safe, multiuse path through Kingston for nonmotorized transportation and recreation is an asset a thousand times more desirable than the usused remants in the corridor of a railroad whose time has come and gone,” said Nick Mercurio, a Rosendale resident who used to live in the city...

thebigham wrote:This is going to be a great trail! They found a dead body on it in November!

And I would imagine there will be more, given the drug epidemic that's running rampant almost everywhere these days.

"Sure, let's build more rail-trails", politicians say. To me, that just gives drug dealers a spot to sell their drugs, a
place for junkies to buy them and a place for them to pass out and/or die from an overdose.

Sorry if that sounds cold and crude, but it's reality.

[/steps off soapbox]

Charlie