Catskill Mountain Railroad (CMRR) Discussion - 2013

[charlie6017]

Merry Christmas to all of you hard-working folks at the CMRR and to everyone
else as well. Stay warm!!

Charlie

[SilverLakeRailroad]

Saturday, December 21st

On Saturday, the CMRR ran 5 Holiday Specials with all trains at or near capacity with 395 riders. Saturday's crew: Earl Pardini-Engineer, Ray Farrell-Conductor, Mark Glaser-Brakeman, John Marino and Tyler Carelli-Flagmen, Karen Vogel, Ron Epstein, Alex Sorenson - Car Attendants, Walt Otto-Trainman, Dakin and Mrs. Morehouse-Santa and Mrs. Claus, Mimi Pardini , Neil and Kathy Isabelle-Musicians, Peter Fluchere - TA.

In Phoenicia, George Peck, Al Johnson, Dave Heick and Joe Michaels made repairs to engine 29.

Sunday, December 22nd

On Sunday, crews hosted record crowds on the Kingston specials for a total 454 passengers. John Patane-Engineer, Walt Otto-Conductor, Tony Bochinno-Brakeman, Tyler Carelli, Tom Whyte, John Marino-Flagmen, General Trainee-Jessie Gabron, Peter Fluchere-TA, Mark Glaser-Trainman, Santa-Edwin Winstanley, Karen Vogel, Pat Smalley, Alex Sorenson, Neil Remsen-CA, Tom Johnson, Neil and Kathy Isabelle, Earl and Mimi Pardini musicians

Sunday morning, Earl Pardini, Neil Remsen, Tom Whyte, John Marino, Mark Glaser did track work west of C-9 before the first train.

Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

That crowd success is wonderful! Shove that in Hein's face! Keep up the GREAT work!

[eehiv]

Saturday, December 28th

On Saturday, in Phoenicia, George Peck and Joe Michaels will lead a crew starting at 9:00am. They plan to start engine 29 and use it to move engine 407 to Longyear siding. George could use additional qualified train crew for the move, and extra hands to help drain the 407 for the winter.

On Saturday in Kingston, the yard will open at 9am. First run will be at 1pm.


Sunday, December 29th

Cornell Street will open at 10am. We plan to run the Holiday Train starting at 1pm.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

[thebigham]

https://www.facebook.com/allaboardforashokan" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

ULSTER COUNTY AT IT AGAIN:

From CMRR Chairman Harry Jameson: "After last weeks conciliatory gesture in supporting the proposed Ashokan Rail Trail Project, the Catskill Mountain Railroad is very disappointed that Ulster County chooses to continue litigating in court instead of being willing to open conversations to resolve the issues."

Ulster County filed notice that they are appealing the judge's earlier decision to uphold the railroad's lease. Seems like the county won't be satisfied until the railroad is eliminated completely!

[Ken W2KB]

https://www.facebook.com/allaboardforashokan

ULSTER COUNTY AT IT AGAIN:

From CMRR Chairman Harry Jameson: "After last weeks conciliatory gesture in supporting the proposed Ashokan Rail Trail Project, the Catskill Mountain Railroad is very disappointed that Ulster County chooses to continue litigating in court instead of being willing to open conversations to resolve the issues."

Ulster County filed notice that they are appealing the judge's earlier decision to uphold the railroad's lease. Seems like the county won't be satisfied until the railroad is eliminated completely!

The next to last sentence of the above quote with respect to the judge's "earlier decision" is somewhat misleading. From the earlier reports, all the judge did was deny summary judgment based on the complaint and answer which means that the judge determined based on the facts alleged in the pleading that there was a sufficient legal controversy to allow the case to continue and thus declined to set aside the lease until a decision is reached on the evidence produced at trial. The case has not yet been tried and there should be no inference on the merits of either party's case. I suspect that in the near future the parties will be required to appear before a settlement judge to discuss settlement options. Hopefully that can lead to a satisfactory arrangement for both the railroad and County and thus ultimately in the public interest.

[scoostraw]

https://www.facebook.com/allaboardforashokan

ULSTER COUNTY AT IT AGAIN:

From CMRR Chairman Harry Jameson: "After last weeks conciliatory gesture in supporting the proposed Ashokan Rail Trail Project, the Catskill Mountain Railroad is very disappointed that Ulster County chooses to continue litigating in court instead of being willing to open conversations to resolve the issues."

Ulster County filed notice that they are appealing the judge's earlier decision to uphold the railroad's lease. Seems like the county won't be satisfied until the railroad is eliminated completely!

The next to last sentence of the above quote with respect to the judge's "earlier decision" is somewhat misleading. From the earlier reports, all the judge did was deny summary judgment based on the complaint and answer which means that the judge determined based on the facts alleged in the pleading that there was a sufficient legal controversy to allow the case to continue and thus declined to set aside the lease until a decision is reached on the evidence produced at trial. The case has not yet been tried and there should be no inference on the merits of either party's case. I suspect that in the near future the parties will be required to appear before a settlement judge to discuss settlement options. Hopefully that can lead to a satisfactory arrangement for both the railroad and County and thus ultimately in the public interest.

Thanks for the clarification Ken.

[SilverLakeRailroad]

How about making the taxpayers aware how much money their administration is spending on legal funds to attack the railroad?

[Otto Vondrak]

How about making the taxpayers aware how much money their administration is spending on legal funds to attack the railroad?

Indeed: http://www.savetherails.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and http://catskillmtrailroad.com/legaldefense.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[eehiv]

Saturday, December 28th

In Kingston on Saturday, CMRR ran four Holiday Extras. Participating were Walt Otto-Engineer, Earl Pardini-Conductor, Dave Hilliard-Brakeman, Tyler Carelli, John Marino-Flagmen, Mark Glaser-Trainman, Karen Vogel, Mimi Pardini, Jan Harrison, Ron Epstein-Car Attendants, Tom Johnson, Frank Romano, Mimi Pardini, Mark F.Glaser and others-Music. Ken Darmstadt was ticket agent.

In Mt. Tremper, Joe Michaels and George Peck led a crew that moved engine 29 to Mt. Tremper, and moved the 407 to Longyear siding. The crew included Dave Heick, Neil Remsen, Art Vogel, and Harry Jameson.


Sunday, December 29th

On Sunday, Holiday Train service concluded with the following crew: John Patane-Engineer, John Watson-Conductor, Tony Bochino-Brakeman, Dave Hilliard, John Marino-Flagmen, Mark Glaser-Trainman, Tom Johnson, Earl and Mimi Pardini, others-music. Karen Vogel, Neil Remsen, Jan Harrison-Car Attendant. Tom Whyte was ticket agent. Many thanks to all who contributed to record Holiday Train season for CMRR.


Tuesday, December 31st

The CMRR ran a charter out of Mt. Tremper today. Participating were George Peck - engineer, Dave Heick - Engineer in training, Dan Howard - Conductor, Neil Isabelle - Brakeman, Kathy Isabelle, Pat Smalley, Tyler Carelli and George Bain were car attendants.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=213085" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=213086" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=213087" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A great end to 2013, with the highest ridership ever for the CMRR.

Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

[Otto Vondrak]

Happy New Year!

http://www.railroad.net/forums/viewtopi ... 8&t=153982" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

-otto-