Catskill Mountain Railroad News - 2016

CO 2666 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 17, 2016 3:17 pm

philip.marshall wrote:

Is Rail Explorers Corp. the same group that's been offering pedal-power trackcar tours of the Adirondack Scenice RR?

Yup, its my understanding that it'll be Rail Bikes only on the Western Leg. Although the CMRR will be allowed to run limited Fall Foliage Trains on the western most track segment.

Best,
-Andrew

G. W. Laepple · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 5:10 pm **Posts:** 1182

According to the document from the Planning Commission, CMRR will be allowed to operate fall foliage trains this year on the Phoenicia section.

Lincoln Penn · **Joined:** Wed Feb 02, 2011 9:40 pm **Posts:** 841

It's possible this is all just to quiet things down while at the same time making it more difficult for CMRR to make a go of it.

If and when the same situation arises in the future, they can use that as excuse to rip out everything.

ArtS · **Joined:** Thu Sep 12, 2013 4:31 pm **Posts:** 53

It's fortunate that there was only one bidder for the eastern section. I wish the CMRR team the best of luck! Hopefully the yard placement discussions are fruitful!

Do annual the fees to be reinvested in the U&D Corridor that may get used for 'bridge maintenance' specify which bridges or is this the 'trail maintenance fund?' Will the FEMA funds now be released?

Regards,

Art S.

thebigham · **Joined:** Sun Jul 14, 2013 3:46 pm **Posts:** 261

Lincoln Penn wrote:

It's possible this is all just to quiet things down while at the same time making it more difficult for CMRR to make a go of it.

If and when the same situation arises in the future, they can use that as excuse to rip out everything.

No. Ulster County is actually under a lot of pressure to get the trains running again.

This is a very good news!

MEC_557 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 18, 2016 7:15 pm

Ok, there had been a map posted one time showing the sections of track, but I can't find it or mentally lay out the corridor. I know they had been working hard at bringing sections and additional mileage of track cleared and back into service. Right now it seems the new agreement is for 5 miles but can they add onto either end of that segment?

Cameron Wolk · **Joined:** Wed Sep 02, 2015 11:34 pm **Posts:** 270

MEC_557 wrote:

Ok, there had been a map posted one time showing the sections of track, but I can't find it or mentally lay out the corridor. I know they had been working hard at bringing sections and additional mileage of track cleared and back into service. Right now it seems the new agreement is for 5 miles but can they add onto either end of that segment?

you mean these maps?

dinwitty · **Joined:** Wed Oct 22, 2008 8:18 pm **Posts:** 2226

That gap is just plain terrible. Is the Ashokan Reservoir what they are so concerned about?
The map shows its potential operation for the CMRR.

CO 2666 · **Posted:** Mon Jun 20, 2016 8:34 am

dinwitty wrote:

That gap is just plain terrible. Is the Ashokan Reservoir what they are so concerned about?
The map shows its potential operation for the CMRR.

Although it would be many people's dream to have the two track segments rejoined (East and West), it will be impossible until they can get bridge C30 replaced. CMRR Bridge C30 spans the Esopus Creek near Boiceville, NY and was completely destroyed during in 2011 by Hurricane Irene. From what I have been able to interpret (nothing official), the county and state alike are not too keen on having the railroad run near the reservoir for "environmental concerns" and "possible water contamination".

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Phoen ... 4254?hl=en

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ottomatic77/6122181937

http://bridgehunter.com/ny/ulster/bh53532/

Best,
-Andrew

dinwitty · **Joined:** Wed Oct 22, 2008 8:18 pm **Posts:** 2226

I can just see an out of control snowmobile or RTV flying off and landing in the reservoir because of a trail...and they're so concerned about the train...

Otto Vondrak · **Posted:** Mon Jun 20, 2016 12:46 pm

Cameron Wolk wrote:

MEC_557 wrote:

Ok, there had been a map posted one time showing the sections of track, but I can't find it or mentally lay out the corridor. I know they had been working hard at bringing sections and additional mileage of track cleared and back into service. Right now it seems the new agreement is for 5 miles but can they add onto either end of that segment?

you mean these maps?

I drew both of those maps, and they need updating. I will work on that... soon?

You'll note one map is dated 2007 and does not show the active track in Kingston which first opened in 2008. Non-revenue trains have operated from MP 4 to MP 11 (Glenford Dike) since that date.

-otto-

J3a-614 · **Posted:** Mon Jun 20, 2016 12:55 pm

dinwitty wrote:

I can just see an out of control snowmobile or RTV flying off and landing in the reservoir because of a trail...and they're so concerned about the train...

There are those who say this is a stalking horse for the NYDEP to close off access to the reservoir for good.

This was discussed a bit earlier in this thread, starting with one of my own posts back on May 25 (scroll down to get to it, of course).

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=38991&start=90

philip.marshall · **Posted:** Mon Jun 20, 2016 1:03 pm

CO 2666 wrote:

the county and state alike are not too keen

To be clear once again, it's Ulster County and the City of New York DEP, not the state. I don't think the State of New York is involved in this case, at least not directly.

-Philip Marshall

CO 2666 · **Posted:** Mon Jun 20, 2016 1:32 pm

Is this map of any help? Unfortunately, I think it might be a bit outdated as well.

Best,
-Andrew

dinwitty · **Joined:** Wed Oct 22, 2008 8:18 pm **Posts:** 2226

That breaks access connection between the 2 sections at the reservoir. Not smart railroading.

Too much scare politics. If you use any of this water you have to filter it anyways before use. Faygo uses water right from the Detroit river.

Is probably a very scenic ride.

Catskill Mountain Railroad News - 2016

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