DURR and CMRR threatened by possible rail trail

[Christian S.]

Trail plan could mark end of line for railroad
By Kathryn Gill, Freeman staff

KINGSTON - "Ulster County may drop a long-term plan for a tourist train from Kingston to Highmount in favor of a 38-mile hiking and biking trail along the former Ulster & Delaware Railroad corridor..."

Please take the time to read the whole article: (click the following link: http://www.dailyfreeman.com/site/news.c ... 4969&rfi=6)

Sound familiar? This is almost the same reason for the near demise of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad - trail vs. rail. And, just as rail enthusiasts nationwide overwhelmed the officials of Alleghany County with their support of the WMSR, we should also show our support for the Catskill Mountain Railroad and the Trolley Museum of New York, and let the officials of Ulster County know that we want them to save both railroads - and not destroy them with another rail-trail!

Please take the time to e-mail Bill Tobin, Principal Transportation Planner of Ulster County, and tell him that you support the Catskill Mountain Railroad. It doesn't have to be long; it doesn't have to be overemotional: just a simple note showing your support of the CMRR. Email him at [email protected]

Trolley Museum of New York: www.tmny.org
Catskill Mountain Railroad: www.catskillmtrailroad.com

[Milwaukee_F40C]

So... Western Maryland is safe for now?

[Christian S.]

So... Western Maryland is safe for now?

The Alleghany Highlands Trail is being built along side the WMSR roadbed for the entire length of the line from Frostburg to Cumberland. I'll let someone who is more knowledgeable fill us in on the details, but I believe as of now the WMSR should be safe. Thankfully, the railroad and trail should now be able to "peacefully co-exist", rather than having one or the other stay as was originally planned. Let's hope that Ulster County doesn't decide to replace the Catskil Mountain Railroad with a trail either!

[BHubbell]

Public Meeting TONIGHT 2/9 7pm - 9pm
50 Bostock Road, Ashokan, NY
Meeting is by UCTC to seek information on proposed trail through U&D RR Corridor. At present, this project appears to threaten existence of CMRR which currently has a lease on ROW.
This is an intact RR, operated by a real RR which seems to be threatened by trail tycoons trying to take over the land for their own use. Lord knows there are enough abandoned ROWs with the rail ripped up, that they don't need to go after active RRs. But here they are.
Please go and show your support for CMRR & preservation of the rail in the corridor. Peaceful co-existence between rail and trail is possible, but this doesn't seem to be heading that way. Current draft documents are taking an either/or position and threatening to break CMRR's lease.
Burr Hubbell

[octr202]

If you haven't visited the webpage of the original article recently, there are about 18 comments posted by now, only two of which favor the bike trail. Most are strongly supportive of the railroad. Is anyone in the area familiar enough with the situation to say if this is an accurate indication of public sentiment?

If so, it would make the tragedy of losing this line to a trail even worse.

[Milwaukee_F40C]

It's sad that active rail lines are being ripped up for bike paths. Trails usually don't have people swarming to them from everywhere else. A small local trail like that one would probably be used mostly by... LOCALS, who won't bring any kind of serious revenue to the area.

Maybe some kind of property value thing is involved? Get rid of the trains to help cash in on subdivisions later kind of thing. I see that a lot.

I live near dozens of trails, and they are nice to have around, but they are definitely not major attractions. Just used by the people who live near them to exercise, walk their dogs, or mug people.

[Otto Vondrak]

Catskill Mountain Railroad is back with a vengeance, thanks to an influx of new volunteers.

http://railroad.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=21784

-otto-