Cape May Seashore Lines

[chuchubob]

The CMSL is running into Cape May City (NJ) again. The canal swing bridge was repaired last week after being out of order since last winter.

I photographed the first train and rode the second train on Saturday July 2.

http://www.transitspot.com/gallery2/v/o ... _02_13.jpg

http://www.transitspot.com/gallery2/v/o ... _02_18.jpg

http://www.transitspot.com/gallery2/v/o ... _02_19.jpg

In Cape May:
http://www.transitspot.com/gallery2/v/o ... _02_26.jpg

http://www.transitspot.com/gallery2/v/o ... _02_34.jpg

Bob

[Frank]

I tried to go on the train on the CMSL last week but the conductor on the train said that the train wouldn't make a return trip to Cold Spring so I decided to stay in Cold Spring.

The trip wasn't in vain though because I was able snap a number of pictures and a video.

Here's the video:
Click here to watch CMSL-train-arriving-at-Cold-Spring-Station

Photos will come later.

[Frank]

Here's the photos of the Cold Spring station:












Enjoy!

[prr60]

Two of the hallmarks of Cape May are great restaurants and no parking. You would think that the CMSL would see the potential in that combination and run a couple of evening trains, even if just on summer weekends, to accommodate the dinner patrons coming from the north who would love to avoid the parking nightmare. Maybe with some marketing skill they could even get a partial ticket validation by some restaurants that would love the additional business without needing on-site or valet parking. Maybe they could get Cape May City to fund some parking expansion at Cold Springs or the Court House as a cheap and unobtrusive way to keep cars out of town.

CMSL likes to bill itself as transportation and not just a tourist novelty. This would be a chance to actually serve a transportation need. Right now they are just a nice little train ride for those seeking a throwback to the 1960’s. Nothing wrong with that, but with a little imagination the CMSL could be so much more.

[Otto Vondrak]

Running extra trains takes fuel anc crew and keeping the equipment in order- all cost money. As would additional advertising and publicity so that people would know about these trains. CMSL is making great strides, even if it appears they are only taking baby steps.

-otto-

[chuchubob]

I'm sure this has been considered. CMSL has run night extras, such as for fireworks.

Another marketing problem is their temporary northern terminus. There's no sign on Route 9 at Pacific Ave pointing to the CMSL; prospective passengers have to know where it is before they leave home.
[This is an observation, not a criticism. I realize Tony can't attach a cardboard sign to a telephone pole with an arrow pointing to the CMSL. Signs are regulated by municipalities.]

I was surprised by how many passengers boarded at Cape May Court House last Wednesday when we rode to Cape May.

http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?pho ... 726112.jpg

[The platform with the crowd of passengers is behind the photographer.]

The 5:15 last train departure from Cape May precludes having dinner at one of the many fine restaurants, but we met people who came up from Ocean City,MD, [we came down from Ocean City, NJ] and the last shuttle bus to the last (6 PM) ferry to Lewes also left at 5:15 [slow midweek schedule], so the 5:15 final CMSL train wasn't a problem.

We had a good lunch in Cape May and a good visit with relatives, as well as a few minutes to photograph the train.

http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?pho ... 010404.jpg

http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?pho ... 111261.jpg

I also got the opportunity to photograph the Canal swing bridge from M-407 on the northbound trip.

http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?pho ... 312352.jpg

http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?pho ... 617952.jpg

Bob

[chuchubob]

More recent photos of the Cape May Canal movable bridge; August 12, 2005.

http://www.transitspot.com/gallery2/v/o ... _12_20.jpg

http://www.transitspot.com/gallery2/v/o ... _12_22.jpg

The Budd RDCs were idling, the train being pushed toward Cold Spring by the locomotive on the south end.

http://www.transitspot.com/gallery2/v/o ... 12_25s.jpg

http://www.transitspot.com/gallery2/v/o ... 12_27s.jpg

http://www.transitspot.com/gallery2/v/o ... 12_29s.jpg

Bob

[chuchubob]

The CMSL ran M-407 as a shuttle between Cold Spring and Cape May between the Thomas weekends. Example - August 18:

http://www.transitspot.com/gallery/Bobs ... 5_08_18_02

http://www.transitspot.com/gallery/Bobs ... 5_08_18_04

Regular service between Cape May Court House and Cape May City was resumed the day after A Day Out With Thomas ended - August 22 in rio Grande:

http://www.transitspot.com/gallery/Bobs ... 5_08_22_01

Bob

[gravelyfan]

On Sat morning 8/27 my son and I rode the bike trail through Cold Spring but didn't see the train run. We later saw one of the the RDC's was parked on the main at Rio Grande and it looked like several windows had been vandalized. Hope it was repaired and things got going later!

[glennk419]

On Sat morning 8/27 my son and I rode the bike trail through Cold Spring but didn't see the train run. We later saw one of the the RDC's was parked on the main at Rio Grande and it looked like several windows had been vandalized. Hope it was repaired and things got going later!

Unfortunately the vandalism was severe enough that train service was cancelled for the rest of the season, including the Halloween trips. There is some word though that CMSL will be running some sort of service between Tuckahoe and Richland, starting in October. The equipment that will be used has not been announced.