Catskill Mountain Railroad News - 2010

Saturday, April 10th

On Saturday, we had four crews working out of Phoenicia.

Joe Marsh worked with Dick Wilhelm and George Peck on the hi-rail dump truck, removing the rear hi-rail assembly for repair.

George Liucci, Al Johnson, Ed Palmatier, Thom Johnson and Tom Healy worked on reorganizing equipment between the trailer and the box car as part of the 702 project.

Al Schoessow and Steve Gollow led a crew consisting of Bob Blake, Chris Bigham, Dave Heick and myself. We cut back brush hitting the train and leaning trees from MP 24.1 to 25.3:

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=166750

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=166751

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=166752

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNMWgwV0jdI

Earl Pardini, Mark Glaser and George Bain constructed 9 trusses for the new waiting room for Mt. Tremper Station:

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=166753


Sunday, April 11th

Today we had a big crew working at Cornell Street. Ernie Klopping finished work on the journal boxes of the 2361 and Bob Blake needlescaled the cab roof.

The storage track project progressed today with ten ties fully spiked, 11 ties inserted,and a rail section laid and bolted in place on the north side. Participating were Mark Glaser, Steve Gollow,and John Patane.

Al Schoessow repaired a journal box on the 401 and Walt Otto cleaned up around the yard. Earl Pardini assisted all foremen with their projects.

At West Hurley, Paul Sternitzke, George Cook, Bruce Devorkin, Todd Syska and Neil Remsen installed two new switch timbers at West Hurley (gauge and spike next). They also re-dug out private crossings at MP 6.29 and 6.55, and cleared a washover at MP 13.9 and cut brush.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Saturday, April 17th

On Saturday, we will have 4 crews working out of Phoenicia.

The 702 crew will be working on Coach 702 starting at 10am.

George Peck plans to lead a crew to make track repairs east of Rock Cut. They plan to leave Phoenicia yard at 9am.

Steve Gollow and I plan to lead a brush crew, focusing on Route 28 to Andrew's Lane. We will start at Phoenicia at 10am.

Joe Marsh will likely be continuing work on the hi-rail dump truck starting at 10am.

In Kingston, Earl Pardini and Mark Glaser plan to to trackwork from Elmendorf Street to Albany Avenue. They will meet at Cornell Street at 9am.



Sunday, April 18th.

Cornell Street Yard will open at 10am. Ernie Klopping plans to work on the 2361. Work will include mechanical inspection and old paint removal and priming. Earl will be working with Mark Glaser extending the storage track siding in the yard.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coodinator
CMRR

Friday, April 16th

On Friday April 16th, in Kingston Al Schoessow and John Patane took the tamper to MP 3.45 and began work on the small washout there.


Saturday, April 17th

On Saturday, in Kingston Earl Pardini led a crew consisting of Al Schoessow, John Patane, Edwin Winstanley, Peter Fluchere, and Bob Blake. Per Mark Glaser: "The Kingston track group focused on section of the uphill curve between Chandler Dr. and Albany Ave. Two loads of stone were side dumped into the Albany Avenue runoff washout on the south side. Six ties were retamped and the gauge re-set. Eight new ties were inserted and fully spiked."

In Phoenicia, the 702 crew consisted of Ernie Gehrer, George Liucci, Tom Healy, and Al Johnson. From Al Johnson: "George, Ernie, Tom and I moved the seats from the house trailer to the box trailer. We then moved parts and items from the boxcar to the box trailer so we can create a work area in the boxcar."

Also in Phoenicia, George Peck, Steve Gollow and I cut brush in the Phoenicia yard, Campground Curve, and the east end of the Route 28 crossing.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=167123


Sunday, April 18th

In Kingston, from Mark Glaser "work resumed on the storage track @ Cornell Yd. Two rail sections were added and bolted in place. Eight ties were fully spiked. Participating were Mark Glaser, Earl,Al Schoessow, George Cook and Ron Epstein."

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=167210


Also in Kingston, 400 work report per Ernie Klopping: "Bob Blake Ron Epstine & Edwin Winstanley worked at scraping & needlescalling the locomotive. Joe Marsh & Ernie Klopping repaired doors in the short hood & inspected the engine. John Meck inspected the locomotive.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=167211

Walt Otto and Earl Pardini also did work around the yard.

In Phoenicia, Steve Gollow and George Peck picked up debris from Saturday's cutting and brought it back to Phoenicia yard, except for firewood left for the locals.


Tuesday, April 20th

On Tuesday, Earl Pardini and Al Schoessow tamped ballast between Albany Avenue and Chandler Drive.

Also on Tuesday, George Cook and Todd Syska built a new set-on at the siding at West Hurley:

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=167344

Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Saturday, April 24th

On Saturday, we will have 4 crews working out of Phoenicia.

The 702 crew will be working on Coach 702 starting at 10am.

George Peck plans to lead a crew to make track repairs east of Rock Cut. They plan to leave Phoenicia yard at 9am.

Steve Gollow plans to lead a crew cutting brush and trees leaning onto the tracks from Rock Cut, MP 24.1 to MP 23.3. They will likely have a "brush train" as was done two weeks ago. They plan to start at 9:30am.

Joe Marsh will likely be continuing work on the hi-rail dump truck starting at 10am.

In Kingston, Earl Pardini plans to lead a ROW cleanup train running the line from Cornell Street yard to MP5, cleaning the ROW and picking up trash as part of Kingston's "Clean Sweep Day". They will start at 9am:

http://www.dailyfreeman.com/articles/20 ... 515402.txt



Sunday, April 25th.

In Kingston, Cornell Street Yard will open at 10am. Ernie Klopping plans to work on the 2361. Work will include scraping & painting. Also continuing the inspection of the locomotive.

Mark Glaser will be working extending the storage track siding in the yard.

In Phoenicia, George Peck and Steve Gollow will need help with crews helping cleanup brush and trees cut the previous day. If they have enough crew they will run a cleanup train. They will start at 10am.



Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coodinator
CMRR

Thursday, April 22nd

Joe Marsh supervised the installation of a new windshield in the hi-rail dump truck.


Friday, April 23rd

On Friday April 23rd, in Joe Marsh, Al Schoessow, Earl Pardini and Tom Healy moved the two tampers from the Danbury Railway Museum to Cornell Street. These two tampers are identical to our own, and will be used to build a second tamper for the railroad.


Saturday, April 24th

Kingston

On Saturday, in Kingston Earl Pardini led large crew that cleaned the right of way from Cornell Street to MP 5, as part of a general community cleanup in Kingston. They also moved the sign at Westbrook station and painted the station roof green. The crew consisted of Al Schoessow, Edwin Winstanley, Peter Fluchere, Bob Blake, Ron Epstein, Thom Johnson, Mark Glaser, Walt Otto, Tom Healy, Rafael DeMeglio and his brother Larry, Chester Hartwell, Mimi Pardini, Ed Mead and Ray Farrell.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=167614


Phoenicia

In Phoenicia, the 702 crew consisted of George Liucci and Ed Palmatier. They finished up installing seat back brackets and were working to install west end metal coach door hinges.

Also in Phoenicia, Joe Marsh and Dick Wilhelm worked on the hi-rail dump truck.

Also in Phoenicia, George Peck, Steve Gollow, George Bain and Dave Heick picked up several side-dumps of brush and debris from the ROW from MP 23.3 to 23.8 and brought them to the burn pile in Phoenicia.


Shokan/OOS

In Shokan, George Cook led an OOS track crew consisting of Todd Syska, Bruce Devorkin, Paul and William Sternitzke. Report from George Cook:

"On April 24, 2010 we measured the gage from Set-on platform on siding 10.5 to 16.5 and found wide gage (58") at a joint at MP 12.3 requiring 2 ties asap, and noted the section at 13.8, where the previous gage bar installed as requiring special attention. This location was one raillength east of a eastbound Signal foundation on the south side. The section of questional rail around mp 13 passed the gage inspection.

Todd cut 5 giant trees, removing all the giant leaning trees west of 28A to Shokan. The monster horizonal tree at 14.5 was found down on the tracks this trip and it left some very large fire wood for Earl.

Found double broken bars at MP 14.5 needing to be replaced.

Trees need to be cut back around MP 13, Glenford Dike, MP 9 both sides, and north side east MP 12.

Spiking was completed on the switch at West Hurley siding and it should be reported in full service. End work report."



Sunday, April 25th

On Sunday 4-25 in Kingston, a crew consisting of Mark Glaser, Earl Pardini, Ernie Klopping and Bob Blake continued working on the Cornell St. Yard storage track. Six ties were tamped and fully spiked. Track elevation was adjusted up to the temporary end of the siding which is now about a 10' short of the future "crossing" that will be constructed immediately behind the yard's sliding gate.

Also in Kingston, 400/2361 work report per Ernie Klopping: "Jessica & John Watson cleaned the cab and started the removal of piping."

In Phoenicia, George Peck, Steve Gollow, John Patane, and Al Schoessow picked up several side-dumps of brush and debris from the ROW from MP 23.8 to 24.1 and brought them to the burn pile in Phoenicia.


Monday, April 26th

On Monday, George Bain and Robert Shuman stained 4 of the trusses for the new waiting area at Mt. Tremper.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Saturday, May 1st

On Saturday, we will have 5 crews working out of Phoenicia, all working on preparing for opening day on the west end, May 29th.

The 702 crew will be working on Coach 702 starting at 10am.

George Peck plans to lead a crew to make track repairs east of Rock Cut. They plan to leave Phoenicia yard at 9am.

Steve Gollow plans to lead a brush crew both cutting and clearing debris from the ROW. He plans to start at 9:30am.

Joe Marsh will be continuing work on the hi-rail dump truck starting at 10am.

Earl Pardini plans to continue tearing down the trailer in the Phoenicia yard, and will start work on the new covered waiting area at Mt. Tremper if time permits.

No work crews will be working out of Kingston Saturday.


Sunday, May 2nd.


In Phoenicia, George Peck and Steve Gollow will continue ROW cleanup with a brush train. They will start at 9:30 to 10am.

Mike LaLonde and Joe Klapkowski plan to resume work on the 202.

Earl Pardini plans to continue work on the trailer and Mt. Tremper.

In Kingston, Cornell Street Yard will be closed.

Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coodinator
CMRR

Catskill Mountain Railroad Gets a New Locomotive!

On Saturday, May 1st, 2010, the Catskill Mountain Railroad Company, Inc. will accept delivery of its newly purchased 1946 S-1 #407 Locomotive at its Mount Tremper station, located at 5408 NYS Route 28. A former Long Island Rail Road engine, it was last in service for the Staten Island Railroad from where it will be trucked. Having been replaced by newer motive power the #407 was destined to go to the scrapers to be cut up. Through a stroke of good fortune and in an effort to save a piece of railroading history, #407 will be welcomed to its new home with the Catskill Mountain Railroad (CMRR).

The locomotive will be coming from Staten Island on a specially designed trailer complete with NYS Police escort. Its route ultimately will travel from Kingston via NYS Route 28. Arrival time in Mount Tremper is expected to be between 10:30 – 12:00pm. Upon arrival the locomotive will be removed from the truck by a 175-ton crane, hoisted gently into the air, and lowered back onto its wheel sets on the rails of the Catskill Mountain Railroad.

In its 27th year of operation and with growing ridership the CMRR has continued to expand. With the restoration of yet another 1922 Coach nearing completion, the CMRR’s trains continue to grow, requiring a full-size locomotive to pull the load; locomotive #407 has been purchased to fulfill that need.

The receipt of this new locomotive by the CMRR is a monumental event; one that your readers may find of interest. For more general information on the Catskill Mountain Railroad, visit our website at http://www.catskillmtrailroad.com. If you would like more specific information on the newest addition to the CMRR’s fleet, please call me in my office at (845) 688-5553.

Sincerely,
Harry Jameson III, Chairman
http://catskillmtrailroad.com/

That is awesome news! CMR now has, what, five engines? (Duck, Centercab switcher, working RS1, parts status RS-1, and now this?) That speaks well of the operation!

Is CMRR going to release a 2009 progress report, like the one that was release for 2008?

2009 progress report is almost done.

EH

407 was moved last night to the rigger's yard in SI. Permits have to be reissued before it can be moved to Phoenicia due to unexpected clearance issues.

EH

Wednesday, April 28th

Earl Pardini, Al Schoessow, Joe Marsh, Blaise Schactel, John Patane, Tom Healy, and Mike LaLonde went to Staten Island and started disassembly of the 407 in preparation for travel to Mt. Tremper.


Friday, April 30th

Earl Pardini, Al Schowessow, Joe Marsh and Tom Healy went to Staten Island to assist in the loading of the 407 and parts onto the riggers trailers.


Saturday, May 1st.

On Saturday, we had four crews working out of Phoenicia.

Earl Pardini led a crew that moved the trusses from Phoenicia to Mt. Tremper for the waiting area there. They installed the trusses at the station:

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=168054

The crew consisted of Earl Pardini, Peter Fluchere, John Watson, Mark Glaser, Bob Blake, Ron Epstein, George Bain, George Cook, John Watson, Burr Hubbell, Mike LaLonde, John Prestopino and Al Schoessow.

Steve Gollow led a brush crew consisting of John Patane, Chris Bigham and myself. We picked up brush on the ROW and brought it to the yard:

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=168050

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=168051

The 702 crew consisted of Al Johnson, Gary Lowe, TW and Ed Palmatier. They installed light fixtures in the vestibules of the 702.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=168046

George Peck led a crew consisting of Derek Stapleton, Dave Mason, Jason DiTolla, Paul Hintz and Mike Adsit.

They switched cars in the yard and retrieved a side dump full of debris from the brush crew. Derek Stapleton also did some ditching with the gradeall.



Sunday, May 2nd.

In Phoenicia, Joe Klapkowski and Mike LaLonde continued work on flat 202, bolting 8 planks in place, 4 on each end.

Also in Phoenicia, George Peck, Steve Gollow, Paul Hintz and Joe Loguidice took the "brush train" out and collected 3 side-dumps full of debris from the ROW for disposal at the Phoenicia Yard.

In Kingston, from Mark Glaser:

"On Sunday, good progress was made on the Cornell St. Yard storage track. 3 rail sections were bolted in place, 14 ties were inserted, 11 were fully tamped and spiked. The track now fully extends west of the yard's sliding gate-some filling was done to permit vehicle and equipment traffic over the new track. Participating were, Mark Glaser, Earl Pardini,Bob Blake, Steve Kajak, Peter Fluchere, and George Cook.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=168124

Al Schoessow continued charging 407's batteries and moved equipment as needed in the yard."


Tuesday, May 4th

Today, Steve Gollow, Al Schoessow and Joe Logidiuce took the "brush train" out and brought back three more loads of debris to the Phoenicia yard.

In the morning, Earl, Joe Marsh, Al and Joe Logidiuce unloaded parts from the 407 prior to arrival of the engine.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

CMRR 407 is getting closer to its new home. Photographed at the Newburgh tandem waiting area off the Thruway by Keane Mauer. Will continue its journey to Mount Tremper on Thursday.

Friday, May 7th

If the 407 arrives in Mt. Tremper Thursday, it will be unloaded Friday. Earl could use volunteers to help reassemble the locomotive on Friday, May 7th. Exact time is not known, but likely 9am.


Saturday, May 8th

On Saturday, we will have 5 crews working out of Phoenicia, all working on preparing for opening day on the west end, May 29th.

The 702 crew will be working on Coach 702 starting at 10am.

George Peck plans to lead a crew to make track repairs. They plan to leave Phoenicia yard at 9am. Plans are for gradall work, tie replacements, and tamper work at 23.3.

Joe Marsh will be continuing work on the hi-rail dump truck starting at 10am.

Joe Klapkowski will be working on flat 202. He plans to finish painting the trucks, and work on the splash guards. He could really use an extra hand or two.

Earl Pardini will lead a crew completing reassembly of the 407. If time permits, he plans to continue tearing down the trailer in the Phoenicia yard and continue work on the covered waiting area at Mt. Tremper.

No work crews will be working out of Kingston Saturday.


Sunday, May 9th.


No crews will be working Sunday, due to Mother's Day.



Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coodinator
CMRR

Sitting in Newburgh:

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=168303

The trucks are in Mt. Tremper:

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=168274

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=168275