Seashore Lines still not running

[glennk419]

CMSL service between Richland and Tuckahoe will resume Saturday July 22 and will run every Saturday till the end of the year, according to an announcement on the Richland Village, Buena Vista Township, webpage.

http://www.buenavistatownship.org/richland_village.htm

Thanks for the update, Bob. That's pretty consistent with the information I received from a CMSL employee back in May. I'm still disappointed that they weren't running when I was down the shore last week on vacation but glad that operations are resuming in the near future.

[NJ Vike]

What about the line to Cape May? Any date at to when that might start?

Thanks

Ken

[chuchubob]

My understanding is that the canal bridge repair turned out to be far more extensive that first anticipated and that Cape May service resumption awaits the bridge being returned to service.

[JoeBas]

When the bridge was out at the beginning of last year, they still ran from Court House to Cold Spring.

Bear in mind this is probably more difficult, logistically, with equipment now stored at Tuckahoe vis a vis Rio Grande...

[prsl7668]

When the bridge was out at the beginning of last year, they still ran from Court House to Cold Spring.

Bear in mind this is probably more difficult, logistically, with equipment now stored at Tuckahoe vis a vis Rio Grande...

If they are afraid to keep one RDC in Rio Grande they can leave it overnight at Cold Spring Village. They only use a single car for most of the days they run down there, WHEN they run.

[Douglas John Bowen]

We'll take note of the angst and anger being generated here, and we can state with reliability that Cape May Seashore Lines, along with its president and general manager, is aware of same.

But we'll repeat our caution: It's not solely, or perhaps even primarily, an issue of money. And given that assertion, many of the best-intentioned suggestions being made on this thread -- such as "why not more marketing?" -- must be considered against a different background.

Start with politics as a major factor of that background, on various, overlapping, and sometimes even contradictory levels, and the "where are they/why not?" black-and-white solutions can become a lot more grey. Please note we're not being dismissive and suggesting such suggestions are invalid.

One final caution: To NJ-ARP's best knowledge, Cape May Seashore Lines itself has not announced, not committed to, a reopening date for either of its passenger segments on the Cape May Branch. The information as reported by Chuchubob may be accurate, but it comes from a source other than the railroad operator.

[Douglas John Bowen]

NJ-ARP also has heard reports that Cape May area interests are "beating the railroad over the head" because of no summer passenger services.

We're thrilled. It's about time those interests realize how integral rail passenger service is to their well-being.

For nigh on a decade now, many of these same interests have either dismissed or treated shabbily pro-rail efforts in Cape May County. Only now, when they themselves have started taking flak from their tourist customers, do they get it.

To be fair, some new faces within those old organizations are more pro-rail than their predecessors, and so on an individual basis are not being hypocritical. But their organizations' stances on the matter are certainly an about-face from previous years. In this, then, NJ-ARP sees progress, which we hope to leverage. And perhaps that, too, is why we're not as despairing as others on this thread appear to be. Keep the faith. And please stand by.

[glennk419]

NJ-ARP also has heard reports that Cape May area interests are "beating the railroad over the head" because of no summer passenger services.

We're thrilled. It's about time those interests realize how integral rail passenger service is to their well-being.

As much as I enjoy visiting Cape May City. especially to fill in those rainy days at the shore, I WILL NOT drive down there and fight the traffic and parking, especially on a weekend. My love of trains aside, the railroad is a perfect solution to that problem. I'm sure that many others share this sentiment, thus the concern of the "area interests" is well founded.

[glennk419]

Remember that the 2005 season was truncated due to the windows being punched out on the RDC's and and at least one coach by the fine folks down there in Rio Grande.

While plenty of us are disappointed and frustrated by the current state of affairs, the negative speculation certainly is not helping matters.

[Douglas John Bowen]

Notwithstanding the innuendo lacing this thread, NJ-ARP would reiterate and/or reinforce our take (our belief, if one must remain cynical) that many things are in play, all is not as simple as might appear, and that money is not the sole, or even primary, factor involved here. (We know we've made that last point, for those who allude that we ourselves are skirting around the matter.)

As rail advocates -- and not driven solely by railfan concerns -- NJ-ARP remains confident that much will be sorted out, one way or another, as the year progresses.

Are things going swimmingly? Does NJ-ARP like what's occurring? Of course not. But is it as dire and dark as some here suspect, indeed seem to almost delight in? No.

[DougD]

One final caution: To NJ-ARP's best knowledge, Cape May Seashore Lines itself has not announced, not committed to, a reopening date for either of its passenger segments on the Cape May Branch. The information as reported by Chuchubob may be accurate, but it comes from a source other than the railroad operator.

WHile the press release Bob provided the link to is not from CMSL itself, no one better than Tony Macrie qualifies as "the railroad operator" He personally announced it at a Public Event. In addition there are signs on the CMSL buildings announcing resumption of Tuckahoe/Richland service July 22nd...

PRESS RELEASE

TO: All Media

FROM: Mayor Chuck Chiarello

DATE: July 5, 2006

RE: Richland Train Service to Return

Regular excursion train service between Richland and Tuckahoe will return on Saturday July 22nd. Tony Macrie, President of the Cape May Seashore Lines made the special announcement on Sunday July 2nd to a large crowd gathered for the Buena Vista Township Independence Day Celebration.

“We have had hundreds and hundreds of requests and we are thrilled to have the train back on the track” said Mayor Chuck Chiarello.

Schedules and train information will be posted by the end of this week on Buena Vista Township’s website www.buenavistatownship.org. The Cape May Seashore Lines also has a new website www.capemayseashorelines.org. The Richland Village Project is growing by leaps and bounds once the train begins on Saturday, July 22nd it will run every Saturday till the end of the year.

[Douglas John Bowen]

NJ-ARP is in fact aware of the press release reprinted above. If the press release is accurate and factual, then July 22 would indeed appear to be the "service resumption" date.

Meaning no disrespect to any entity, NJ-ARP stands by our previous statements.

[hutton_switch]

I have been following all of this, and would like to ask that everyone "cool it" for the time being at least until there is POSITIVE evidence that the CMSL is back in regular operation, not hearsay, rumor, or whatever. I would hope that moderator Mike DiMunno might step in here and set the ground rules for further discussion on this topic.

[Douglas John Bowen]

Notwithstanding the horse-and-buggy analogy -- a favorite among anti-rail forces, by the way, so it raises eyebrows here at NJ-ARP when purported pro-rail voices advance the same line -- NJ-ARP would note ...

"We're thrilled. It's about time those interests realize how integral rail passenger service is to their well-being ... "

... can certainly apply to Cape May County, present and future.

Rail advocacy is, in one way, planning for the future. We'll let others luxuriate in reveling (strictly) in the past. We have (admittedly a lot of) work to do. But if we listened to our critics of 10 years ago, we wouldn't even be where we are now -- we'd be deeper in the hole, and the Cape May Branch might be no more.

[Douglas John Bowen]

On a separate note, those wishing full access to NJ-ARP goings-on are always welcome to join the organization. Details at www.nj-arp.org.

We try hard to share relevant information to all concerned rail folks. But we're not beholden to offer unlimited news service to nonmembers demanding same.