Catskill Mountain Railroad News - 2010

Report from Phoenicia: Roads were clear all the way from Kingston to Phoenicia, some light snow started around Ashokan. Warm temperatures encouraged melting, but snowpack was still up to three feet around Phoenicia station and yard. The accumulated 60-70 inches of snow had melted and packed into something resembling wet sacks of cement. Volunteers spent most of the day getting the heavy, wet snow off the depot roof, off the equipment, and off the section house. Next order of business was to dig out the train and move it out of town, as there are real concerns about flooding as this snow melts, and the region is due for another round of storms this week. Volunteers from Adirondack Scenic also came down to help with the snow removal.

I hope to have more photos to show later on, here's one I snapped with my cell phone. I was out shooting slides and snapshot digital to record the event. Had to leave as I was delivering supplies to friends who have been without power or water since Weds.
-otto-

Okay, here we go:

Snowbound in Phoenicia:
http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?pho ... 123400.jpg

Volunteers from CMRR and ADIX helping to clear snow off the roof:
http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?pho ... 523698.jpg

More snowbound equipment:
http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?pho ... 123999.jpg

A "Duck" out of water:
http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?pho ... 524726.jpg

Cleaning off the section house:
http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?pho ... 625152.jpg

Three feet of heavy, wet snow blanketed the yard in Phoenicia this morning:
http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?pho ... 425518.jpg

-otto-

Unbelievable snowfall!

Thanks for the photos and kudos to all the helpers........Charlie

I just got home and am unwinding after THE toughest day I ever spent on the CMRR. That snow was heavy for sure. There was nearly 3 feet on the roofs and considering the weight I'd guess 4 feet was a fair guess as to what fell 2 days ago. We cleared the section house, the tool shed and the storage building for the museum. The snow was removed from the museum eaves with snow rakes and we finished up by clearing the platform with a shovel crew and Joe Marsh's snowblower. Earl and Dave Mason cleared our roads back there with the backhoes. All in all a good day but man I'm sore. There is going to be much work for the
tree and brush gang when Spring comes. Me...? I'll be looking forward to track work......enough with the white stuff already.

Thanks for the pics, Otto!

Otto Vondrak wrote:Okay, here we go:

Wow, picture-postcard-perfect, Otto!

Wow, I can't believe how much snow fell! With the 7 feet I heard about up in Hunter I may just have to take a ride up there.

Where will the equipment be moved to?

alewifebp wrote:Where will the equipment be moved to?

Just east out of town to avoid any potential issues with flooding in the yard area. All this snow will eventually turn into water (and there's more on the way this week)!

-otto-

Sunday, February 28th

Well, instead of a volunteer meeting, we had a dig-out at Phoenicia! George Peck led a crew consisting of Dave Mason, Brian Mason, Greg Peck, Mark Glaser, Stan Blazek, Rich Bause, Mike LaLonde, Tom Healy, Joe Marsh, Ryan Marsh, Mike Adsit, and Earl Pardini.

With Dave Mason and Earl Pardini on backhoes, they cleared a path to the section house and to the parking lot around the station. The section house roof and station roof were cleared of snow. Unfortunately, the trailer roof collapsed, so we have one casualty of the snow.

Tracks were not cleared. That is next weekend's project. We have to be able to move the equipment to Mt. Tremper in case flooding results from this big snow.

Many thanks to all who showed up. Pictures from Otto Vondrak are above.

Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Saturday, March 6th

On Saturday, George Peck will lead a crew clearing the track from Phoenicia to Mt. Tremper so that equipment can be moved in case of flooding. All volunteers who are available are asked to attend, as this will be a big job. Bring chain saws and snow removal equipment.



There will be no work scheduled for Kingston on Saturday.


Sunday, March 7th

Cornell Street will open at 10am.



Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Saturday, March 6th

Today we had two crews working in Phoenicia. First, Earl Pardini led a crew consisting of John Patane, Mark Glaser, and Bob Blake that finished installing a snowplow on the east end of CMRR No. 29:

http://naphotos.nerail.org/s/?p=164111

http://naphotos.nerail.org/s/?p=164112

Then they joined George Peck, Derek Stapleton, Dave Mason and Jason DiTolla for a double-header snowplow extra headed by No. 29. Here are some photos and videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lqf15dBIhik

Here they are at MP 27:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwUGHDHBs1Q

Then Campground Curve:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sBUGfpgrCY

The the 26 curve where we encountered some skiiers:

http://naphotos.nerail.org/s/?p=164113

http://naphotos.nerail.org/s/?p=164114

Then at Mt. Tremper and the 28 crossing:

http://naphotos.nerail.org/s/?p=164115

http://naphotos.nerail.org/s/?p=164116

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZjQLoIVfo4

Then finally the train crossed Andrew's Lane:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkIF0kybeDA

Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

loved the vids... as always great work

Sunday, March 7th

On Sunday, March 7th, Earl Pardini led a crew consisting of Ernie Klopping, Mark Glaser, Bob Blake, and John Patane.

They finished work on flat car 201 and started a comprehensive assessment of the viability of repair of the CMRR RS-1 2361.

Ernie Hunt
CMRR

From what I've read about 2361 it began life as a Soo Line engine. From the picture http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=1557907 it appears to have passed through someone elses hands before reaching the CMRR. Can you tell us the history of 2361? And if I'm reading it correctly, whats with the nickname "Chitty"?

Okay-

- Built 1950 for Wisconsin Central
- to Soo Line after merger in 1961
- to Alter Scrap Co. sometime in the late 1970s?
- acquired by Catskill Mountain Railroad in 1983

From what I've been told, the 2361 came to CMRR in working order, but was put into deep storage after it was decided to concentrate on Phoenicia operations for a while. Since then, the unit has suffered a cracked block and some of the electrical may have deteriorated. A replacement block has been secured for the 2361, but I'm not sure a reactivation is in the cards in the immediate future.

And "Chitty" from what I understand is an affectionate term relating the 2361 to the old movie "Chitty-Chitty Bang-Bang."

-otto-