CMSL in the news

northjerseybuff wrote:Macrie should follow a schedule like the New Hope and Ivyland or NYSWTHS in P-Burg. No reason why a tourism based city like Cape May can't make a train ride work(seasonal)

...........or the BRRHT in Flemington........If were going to plug other operations.

One great thing that would help the CMSL is a northern terminus - a destination. Right now the CMSL lacks a stable one of these along their in service route on the Cape May Branch. Rio Grande is about the closest they can come to a terminal right now...

Mike DiMunno

wolfboy-good point! You guys do a tremendous job as well!
JJ-Good point as well. A few years ago he ran out of Rio Grande for 2 weeks in August for his summer scheduled trips

For a long time I was under the impression that the proposed nothern terminus for CMSL was Woodbine Jct and that one day it was going to be extended toTuckahoe Junction with a southern terminus of Cape May. What happened to that plan?

rrbluesman wrote:For a long time I was under the impression that the proposed nothern terminus for CMSL was Woodbine Jct and that one day it was going to be extended toTuckahoe Junction with a southern terminus of Cape May. What happened to that plan?

The plan has always been to create a continuous route of service between Cape May City and Tuckahoe - however there is still much unrestored track in place between Woodbine and Cape May Courthouse. Currently, the furtest north from Cape May City that a train can run is Cape May Courthouse in the area of the old 4H Fairgrounds station, by the County Zoo. This property is now occupied by Atlantic Cape Community College.

Mike DiMunno

rrbluesman wrote:For a long time I was under the impression that the proposed nothern terminus for CMSL was Woodbine Jct and that one day it was going to be extended toTuckahoe Junction with a southern terminus of Cape May. What happened to that plan?

I rode the CMSL from the time that they were operating between the 4-H Fairgrounds in CMCH and Cape May City and can remember the timetables indicating that service would eventually be restored to Tuckahoe. I also have an article from The Gazette of Upper Township dated Thursday, June 21, 2001 regarding funding for restoration of the tracks between CMCH and Tuckahoe, which even at that time was a very open issue. To put things in persperctive, Jeff Van Drew was still Mayor of Dennis Township at that time. The story outlines some of the funding sources being sought besides the state and feds, including the Casino Redevelopment Authority and Delaware River & Bay Administration. Obviously it is that (lack of) funding which has largely prevented the service expansion, along with Mike Voll and his trolls, two evictions from their operating base in CMCH (the fairgrounds and the Middle School), washouts from nor'eaters (Dennis), the canal bridge issues and more recently, the ongoing vandalism to the line, and once again Mike Voll.
The track between Woodbine Junction and CMCH is passable (or WAS before the most recent episode of theft and vandalism) for equipment moves only as it is excepted track and no revenue passenger trains are permitted.

Given all of that, I think it's a miracle that we're even still discussing this railroad and its' existence.

I am a supporter of his, but I happen to know that 1) no plans are being made for this summer and 2) it doesn't take much for him to throw in the towel. Look at the website, call the number, email the company. No updates, no returns on calls and no email returns in the past. Even the summer he did run, it took until August. I am glad he kept this line "operable" but a real tourist railroad with some vision is needed at this point. Memorial Day is coming fast, as are the crowds...will the CMSL be ready?

northjerseybuff wrote:I am a supporter of his, but I happen to know that 1) no plans are being made for this summer and 2) it doesn't take much for him to throw in the towel. Look at the website, call the number, email the company. No updates, no returns on calls and no email returns in the past. Even the summer he did run, it took until August. I am glad he kept this line "operable" but a real tourist railroad with some vision is needed at this point. Memorial Day is coming fast, as are the crowds...will the CMSL be ready?

Let's hope what you state in the beginning of your post is not true as Tony and CMSL have a loyal following despite the operational issues and I still feel, as do many, that there is a ton of potential down here. A little cooperation from the political bureaucracy in Cape May County and a little less interaction from the criminal element could go a long way.

I think that there is no question that CMSL could be a viable tourist line, but as has been at the start of tourist season, for as many years as I can remember, there are still check back for schedule remarks on th CMSL website and no clear answers. People plan ahead and schedule things when they go on vacation, lingering "We don't know when" sitations turn off tourists, railfans, and the politicians (Like Mr. Voll). If the line isn't going to operate a realistic season then I think a this point they need to at least say "We do not believe we will operate trains until after (insert date here)." I have always supported the line but maybe it is time to throw in the towel and allow for something new.

AMEN rrbluesman..some updates would be nice! communication goes a long way! I rode it last time he ran and next time he runs I will again! I have been biting my tongue for some time. Others in the rr community(other organizations) see that there is not a full effort on behalf of management to get things going and i'll leave it at that. We all want to see this route/railroad succeed, but there has to be some sort of effort from the top as well. The people will be there and we railfans will ride. Will there be a train to ride in 2012? Maybe around the holidays!

The way it looks right now is that this year the only operations we might see from the CMSL are going to be holiday excursions. It would be novce to see 'regular' operations on the line in the summer, but among all the news I have been hearing, I just do not think it is likely.

Were were down in Cape May Last week and went by the new Crossings at Tabernacle and Breakwater roads. They appear to be finished. All that needs to be done is to put the crossing signals in place and on that stretch(Rio Grande to Cape May City) trains should be ready to go. The signal installation will be paid for by NJ Transit but it is my understanding that the CMSL will be responsible for their installation/construction. I would think that the signal work can be done in a months time BUT it appears that is not the problem. Back up several months to the track vandalism that was done north of there around Dennisville. IIRC about a mile of track was damaged by vandals who stole rail plates and ties. Without repairing the track, trains cannot move South to the Cape May area to run. I have no idea how long its going to take to fix the damaged section of track but I can only guess that it could knock out service in 2012. I hope that I'm wrong about this. Just keep looking for news and hope that its positive.

I think its necessary to clear something up here.

A train does not need to have working crossing lights or gates to legally cross it. Heck, there are even crossings that don't have crossbucks and trains still cross them.

A train crew member would flag the crossing with a red flag or a lit fusee.

There can be an agreement with the railroad/town to not operate over the crossing without the signals/crossing protection or something like that.

Not having the lights/gates is not as big of a (rail)roadblock as it seems to being made out to be, unless, like I said above, they made an agreement to NOT run trains AT ALL without the signals working. And if so....well, thats a whole other story.

They most likely won't be running from what I'm hearing. The reasons listed are above are this years excuses. But in the meantime keep checking the website for updates

The way it seems is that the CMSL made an agreement no to run trains until the signals are working, or at least that is what it seems like.