Catskill Mountain Railroad (CMRR) Discussion - 2014

This thread is for the discussion of the operations, equipment, and history of the Catskill Mountain Railroad, operators of the former New York Central Catskill Mountain Branch (former Ulster & Delaware Railroad). Any relevant news stories posted from outside sources require a link to the original article plus a brief "fair-use" quote.

Official web site: http://catskillmtrailroad.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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

Happy New Year!

-otto-

I hope things go well for you guys. On that note, assuming we get a big snowstorm, might that put an end to trackwork until the spring?

Airman00,

Some trackwork has to wait mainly that which involves removing old ties frozen in the ground. But there is plenty of other trackwork like bolt replacements, that we focus on instead while there is snow on the ground.

EH

eehiv wrote:But there is plenty of other trackwork like bolt replacements, that we focus on instead while there is snow on the ground.

Please forgive a stupid question: why do bolts need to be replaced? Do they rust out and decrease in diameter?

Russ,

In some sections of the line, the bolts are loose. If they can't be tightened, they are replaced.

EH

Steam into History runs their trains right beside a bicycle bath from videos I've seen almost for the whole 10 miles. Would it help CMRR to link to one of those videos so the public can see that the a bike path and railroad can and do coexist elsewhere to the benefit of both? Like this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CG8CsWSc1U" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

griffs20soccer wrote:Steam into History runs their trains right beside a bicycle bath from videos I've seen almost for the whole 10 miles. Would it help CMRR to link to one of those videos so the public can see that the a bike path and railroad can and do coexist elsewhere to the benefit of both? Like this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CG8CsWSc1U" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Nice job

griffs20soccer wrote:Steam into History runs their trains right beside a bicycle bath from videos I've seen almost for the whole 10 miles. Would it help CMRR to link to one of those videos so the public can see that the a bike path and railroad can and do coexist elsewhere to the benefit of both? Like this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CG8CsWSc1U" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Better than that: http://savetherails.org/wordpress/?page_id=11" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I was just trying to make it easier to get their point across. The report is very well written and filled with good information, the problem is getting someone to read it in today's instant gratification society we live in. A video they could watch, may be more appealing, won't waste their precious time.

griffs20soccer wrote:Steam into History runs their trains right beside a bicycle bath from videos I've seen almost for the whole 10 miles. Would it help CMRR to link to one of those videos so the public can see that the a bike path and railroad can and do coexist elsewhere to the benefit of both? Like this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CG8CsWSc1U" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Three things about that video.
1. Seemed to me there were more people on that train (generating tax revenue for the area) then on the trail. Maybe those same people when done with their train ride visit local businesses to shop or eat. Not being a trail person do trail runners and bikers go to eat or shop afterwards or just go home and shower?
2. Maybe someone should send that idiot County Executive this video to show you can have the best of both worlds. Its relatively short, should hold his attention. Who knows, maybe he has problems with reports with big words in them.
3. Maybe this should also be sent to the county Chamber of Commerce. Or are they like the County Executive against increasing the local area commerce?

I realize volunteer resources are limited and the budget is tight, but has the railroad considered building a small portion of trail alongside the tracks in Kingston to open to the publics eye that Rail with Trail is possible?

It's not really your project to build, however if it can spark conversation among the people about the possibilities it could be well worth the while.

It would be an absolute shame to see these schmuck's win the battle a few years down the road and rip out all of your hard work. Perhaps a small amount of work (in comparison to the huge amount of track work you guys have ahead of you) building some trail would be well worth your while.

Just an idea....

SilverLakeRailroad wrote:I realize volunteer resources are limited and the budget is tight, but has the railroad considered building a small portion of trail alongside the tracks in Kingston to open to the publics eye that Rail with Trail is possible?

It's not really your project to build, however if it can spark conversation among the people about the possibilities it could be well worth the while.

It would be an absolute shame to see these schmuck's win the battle a few years down the road and rip out all of your hard work. Perhaps a small amount of work (in comparison to the huge amount of track work you guys have ahead of you) building some trail would be well worth your while.

Just an idea....

Interesting idea, a pilot project. Could be done if there is (1) space there, (2) the lease allows such use or permission obtained if not, and (3) the liability insurance coverage is appropriate for such use. From a public relations aspect, would there be adjacent homes whose owners would object to a pilot pedestrian trail? That is ofter a stumbling block from NIMBYs.

Sunday, January 12th

Ryan Lennox kicked off the new year with a brush crew that worked between MP 5.68 and MP 5.53, with all the brush now clear between 209 and Hurley Mountain road, and ready for trackwork. Ryan was joined by Christian Cole, Billy Stewart, Tyler Carelli, Jim Bruck, and new volunteer Alex Formanek. Photos from the day can be found here:

http://s36.photobucket.com/user/Segawiz ... %201-12-14" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Looks great!! Wonderful progress you guys are making.

Nice; Is that 1 year's growth or more? Dedicated volunteers!